Legislative Activity

The "Operation Lone Star Reimbursement Act" seeks to reimburse the State of Texas for the $11.1 billion in expenses incurred for securing the southern border between 2021 and 2025 due to the Federal Government's lack of action. The Governor of Texas must apply for reimbursement from the Department of Homeland Security and the Treasury, including a detailed list of expenses. The Secretary of Homeland Security will review the application and determine eligible expenses, and the Treasury Secretary will then pay Texas the reimbursable amount from unallocated funds.

The "Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow's Workforce Act" amends Section 529 savings accounts to include expenses related to postsecondary credentialing programs. This allows 529 funds to cover costs like tuition, fees, books, supplies, and testing fees for recognized programs and credentials, as defined by the bill. These changes would apply to distributions made after the bill is enacted.

The CARGO Act of 2025 prohibits the National Institutes of Health (NIH) from funding research or programs involving live animals outside of the United States. This bill addresses concerns over the lack of oversight and potential mistreatment of animals in foreign research projects funded by American taxpayers. The Act ensures that NIH funding for animal research is restricted to projects conducted within the U.S. and its territories.

The Protect Our Letter Carriers Act of 2025 aims to enhance the safety of postal workers by funding high-security infrastructure upgrades, including electronic mailbox keys. The bill also mandates the appointment of dedicated federal prosecutors for postal crimes in every judicial district and requires stricter sentencing guidelines for those who assault or rob postal employees.

The New Markets Tax Credit Extension Act of 2025 permanently extends the New Markets Tax Credit, which incentivizes investment in low-income communities. It removes the credit's expiration date and adjusts the credit amount for inflation after 2025. The act also provides alternative minimum tax relief for qualified equity investments made after December 31, 2024.

The Senior Citizens Tax Elimination Act proposes to repeal federal income taxes on Social Security benefits, ensuring these payments are no longer counted as gross income. To protect the financial stability of the Social Security and Railroad Retirement programs, the bill mandates automatic federal appropriations to offset any resulting revenue loss.

This bill proposes extending E-1 treaty trader visa eligibility to nationals of the Czech Republic. This status would allow qualified Czech citizens to enter the United States for substantial trade, provided the Czech government offers reciprocal visa treatment to U.S. nationals.

This resolution expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should formally recognize Taiwan as an independent, sovereign nation and abandon the obsolete "One China Policy." It calls for the normalization of diplomatic relations, the negotiation of a bilateral free trade agreement, and active U.S. support for Taiwan’s membership in international organizations.

This resolution directs the Chief Administrative Officer of the House to immediately cease the distribution of *China Daily* and other Chinese Communist Party-controlled publications within all House facilities and mail systems. By prohibiting these materials, the bill aims to protect the institution from foreign propaganda and influence operations. The policy does not restrict private receipt of these materials by Members or staff, nor does it affect access through research facilities or the Library of Congress.

The Fair Access to Banking Act prohibits large financial institutions and payment networks from denying services to law-abiding businesses based on subjective, politically motivated, or reputational criteria. The bill mandates that financial institutions use impartial, quantitative, risk-based standards to evaluate customers rather than category-based exclusions. To ensure compliance, the legislation establishes enforcement mechanisms through federal regulators and provides a legal pathway for businesses to sue for damages if they are unfairly denied access to financial services.

The Dismantle DEI Act of 2025 aims to immediately rescind diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) mandates across the federal government, including shutting down related offices and banning specific ideological training for federal personnel and contractors. The bill prohibits the use of federal funds for DEI activities by grant recipients and mandates that federal advisory committees cease all such practices or face termination. Furthermore, it establishes strong enforcement mechanisms, allowing individuals to sue violators and seek financial penalties for non-compliance.

The "No User Fees for Gun Owners Act" prohibits state and local governments from imposing special taxes, insurance requirements, or user fees as a condition for owning, manufacturing, or transferring firearms and ammunition. The bill ensures that firearms are only subject to standard, generally applicable sales taxes, preventing discriminatory financial barriers to gun ownership.

The Drug Cartel Terrorist Designation Act directs the Secretary of State to designate four major Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. The bill mandates a comprehensive report to Congress evaluating these groups against federal terrorism criteria and requires the designation of any additional cartels that meet these standards. It also clarifies that these designations do not expand asylum eligibility for individuals.

The Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act of 2025 aims to support healthcare providers by extending Medicare payment adjustments through the end of 2025. Specifically, the bill provides a 6.62 percent payment increase for services rendered between April 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025, to help practitioners adjust to evolving Medicare payment policies.

The American Music Fairness Act of 2025 updates copyright law to require terrestrial AM/FM radio stations to pay royalties for the music they broadcast, ensuring performers and record labels are compensated similarly to digital platforms. The bill establishes a new royalty framework while providing special, reduced rates for small and noncommercial broadcasters to protect their operations. Additionally, it includes safeguards to ensure these changes do not negatively impact songwriter royalties and mandates that the promotional value of radio airplay be considered during rate-setting proceedings.

The Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act imposes sanctions on individuals and their families who assist the International Criminal Court (ICC) in investigating, arresting, detaining, or prosecuting "protected persons," which include U.S. citizens, military personnel, government officials, and citizens/residents of U.S. allies not consenting to the ICC. It requires the President to block the property of those who aid the ICC, deny them entry into the U.S., and rescinds any funds for the ICC. The bill allows for waivers of these sanctions if vital to U.S. national security and termination of sanctions if the ICC ceases action against protected persons.

This bill expresses the House of Representatives' view that Congress should act to maintain the United States Postal Service (USPS) as an independent entity within the Federal Government. It emphasizes the USPS's role as a self-sustaining service vital to the economy and national connectivity. The resolution discourages privatization, citing concerns about increased costs, reduced services, and damage to critical infrastructure.

The PROTECTS Act of 2025 prohibits the use of federal funds to provide, refer, or reimburse gender transition procedures—including surgeries, hormone therapies, and puberty blockers—for individuals under the age of 18. The bill includes specific exceptions for medically necessary treatments related to genetic disorders of sex development or other physical health conditions.

The Life at Conception Act declares that the constitutional right to life begins at the moment of fertilization, defining all human beings as persons from that point forward. The bill establishes legal personhood for every member of the species *homo sapiens* at all stages of development. Additionally, it explicitly prohibits the prosecution of any woman for the death of her unborn child.

The "Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act" ensures that infants born alive after an abortion receive the same medical care as any other newborn, mandating immediate hospitalization and requiring healthcare practitioners to report any failures to comply. Violators face fines, imprisonment, and potential prosecution for homicide or attempted homicide, while the mother of the child cannot be prosecuted. The bill also allows the woman who had the abortion to file a civil action against anyone who violated the act. It defines abortion and attempts at abortion, and renames "Partial-Birth Abortions" to "Abortions" in relevant sections of the U.S. Code.