Legislative Activity

The "Felony Murder for Deadly Fentanyl Distribution Act of 2025" amends federal law to classify fentanyl distribution resulting in death as felony murder. Individuals found guilty of first-degree murder through fentanyl distribution, involving specified quantities of fentanyl or its analogues, will face the death penalty or life imprisonment. This applies when the distributor knows, or has reason to know, that the substance contains fentanyl.

The "Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act" authorizes the presentation of three Congressional Gold Medals to honor the 1980 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team for their historic "Miracle on Ice" victory. These medals will be given to the Lake Placid Olympic Center, the United States Hockey Hall of Fame, and the US Olympic and Paralympic Museum for public display. The Act also allows for the creation and sale of bronze duplicates to fund the medal production.

The Medical Manufacturing, Economic Development, and Sustainability Act of 2025 (MMEDS Act of 2025) aims to incentivize domestic medical manufacturing in economically distressed zones through tax credits for wages, benefits, and qualified products/services. It prioritizes strengthening the national supply chain by increasing credits for facilities that move production from countries posing a risk to facilities producing population health products. The Act also amends the Public Health Service Act to support the development and accessibility of population health products, especially for vulnerable populations, during public health emergencies. Finally, the Act requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to report to Congress on the disproportionate harm to vulnerable populations during the COVID-19 pandemic and prior epidemics and pandemics.

The "Finding Opportunities for Resource Exploration Act" aims to enhance the security of international supply chains for critical minerals and rare earth elements by allowing the Secretary of the Interior to create memorandums of understanding with foreign countries to cooperate on mapping these resources. This cooperation seeks to ensure that US and allied companies have priority in developing these resources, facilitate private investment, and protect mapping data from unauthorized access. The Act outlines specific cooperative activities, including data analysis, resource assessment, training, and promotion of collaboration between US entities and those in partner countries. It also requires the Secretary to notify Congress, collaborate with the Secretary of State, and consult with the private sector in prioritizing partner countries and assessing private sector interest.

The FEMA Loan Interest Payment Relief Act allows FEMA to provide financial aid to local governments or electric cooperatives to reimburse interest paid on loans used for disaster relief activities. The amount reimbursed will be the lesser of the actual interest paid or the interest calculated using the prime rate. This applies to interest incurred up to 9 years before the Act's enactment, using only funds appropriated after the enactment date. The Act also establishes procedures for states to be reimbursed for qualifying loan interest for projects awaiting obligation.

The Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act of 2025 aims to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and countering its support for terrorism by imposing sanctions on those involved in Iran's energy sector and those who provide financial support for its destabilizing activities. It mandates sanctions on foreign entities involved in processing, exporting, or selling Iranian oil, gas, and petrochemicals, while also establishing an interagency working group to coordinate and enforce these sanctions. The Act also amends existing legislation to require the identification of individuals involved in sanctionable activities or sanctions evasion related to Iranian oil and gas sales.

The "CATCH Fentanyl Act" directs the Department of Homeland Security to launch pilot projects at land ports of entry to test new technologies, including AI, for detecting contraband, illegal drugs, weapons, and human smuggling in vehicles and cargo. It requires detailed reports to Congress on the technologies' effectiveness, costs, and impact on privacy and civil liberties, while also outlining plans for broader implementation and protecting personal data. The Act emphasizes using existing resources, prohibiting new funding appropriations for these activities.

The Secure Our Ports Act of 2025 prohibits maritime facilities from contracting with companies owned or operated by China, Russia, North Korea, or Iran. This includes any foreign entity with partial ownership by these countries. The goal of this act is to protect U.S. ports from potential security threats posed by these nations.

The CAPE Canaveral Act would move NASA headquarters to Brevard County, Florida. The move must be completed within one year of the Act's enactment.

The Safer Skies Act of 2025 expands security screening requirements for air carrier operations that operate under specific regulations, conduct passenger-carrying operations for compensation, offer individual seats in advance, provide publicly available schedules, operate airplanes with more than nine passenger seats, and do not use TSA-managed checkpoints. This act mandates that these operations comply with security screening standards outlined in federal regulations and requires the TSA Administrator to revise rules and policies to ensure compliance.

This bill recognizes and celebrates the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps on November 10, 2025. It acknowledges the Marine Corps' distinguished history, readiness, and role as a premier fighting force. The bill also encourages Americans to celebrate the anniversary through various activities and community engagement.

The Puppy Protection Act of 2025 amends the Animal Welfare Act to establish comprehensive standards for dog dealers, focusing on humane treatment. These standards include requirements for flooring, space, temperature, nutrition, exercise, socialization, veterinary care, and breeding practices. The Act sets specific guidelines for breeding frequency, age, and veterinary procedures, as well as humane placement for retired breeding dogs. It directs the Secretary to finalize regulations for these standards within 18 months.

The Air America Act of 2025 authorizes the Director of the CIA to award payments to former employees of Air America and affiliated companies who supported the U.S. government between 1950 and 1976, or to their survivors. Eligible individuals or their survivors could receive up to $40,000 for five years of qualifying service, with additional amounts for longer service, with a cap on total awards at $60 million. The Act establishes application procedures, limitations on attorney fees, and prohibits judicial review of the Director's decisions, while also requiring regular reports to Congress on the status of the award payments. This act does not qualify anyone for federal benefits like retirement, disability, or death benefits.

The "Independent Programmers Tax Incentive Act" introduces a tax credit for eligible video distributors who carry independent programmers, aiming to support diversity in media. This credit covers a portion of license fees paid to qualified independent programmers, with caps based on subscriber numbers. The FCC is required to report biennially to Congress on the state of independent programming and how to further support it.

The Major Richard Star Act allows eligible combat-disabled veterans to receive both their retirement pay and disability compensation. This eliminates the previous offset that reduced retirement pay for those receiving disability compensation. The changes apply to payments beginning the month after enactment.

The HELPER Act of 2025 amends the National Housing Act to establish an FHA mortgage insurance program for first responders, including law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics, EMTs, and teachers. This program allows the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to insure mortgages up to 100% of the appraised value for eligible first-time homebuyers, waiving down payment requirements but requiring an up-front mortgage insurance premium. Mortgagors must meet specific eligibility criteria, including being a first-time homebuyer, completing a housing counseling program, and meeting employment and good standing requirements as a first responder. The bill authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 2026 through 2032 and requires reauthorization of the program after 5 years.

The "Crucial Communism Teaching Act" aims to educate high school students about the history and dangers of communism and similar ideologies, highlighting their contrast with American principles of freedom and democracy. It directs the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation to develop a civic education curriculum and oral history resources, featuring stories from victims of communism. The curriculum will cover past and present communist regimes, focusing on human rights abuses and aggression against democratic entities. The Foundation will collaborate with education officials to implement the curriculum in high schools.

The "Coast Guard Sustained Funding Act of 2025" ensures that Coast Guard military personnel, civilian employees, and contract employees continue to receive their pay and allowances even during lapses in government appropriations. It designates necessary funding for these individuals during periods when a general appropriation bill for the Coast Guard has not been enacted before the start of a fiscal year. This act clarifies the circumstances under which funds are available and defines which civilian and contract employees are qualified to receive pay during funding lapses.

This bill denounces Cuba's human trafficking and forced labor practices within its medical export program, citing exploitation of Cuban medical personnel in third-world countries. It urges foreign governments to ensure fair labor practices, pay workers directly, and calls for visa revocations for officials involved in these schemes, while also urging agreement signatories to meet obligations that ensure international standards. The bill references the State Department's findings on Cuba's non-compliance with trafficking elimination standards and the regime's substantial profits from this program.

The "Renewable Fuel for Ocean-Going Vessels Act" amends the Clean Air Act to include fuel for ocean-going vessels in the definition of fossil fuels. It requires the EPA to issue regulations within 365 days of enactment to implement this change. The EPA Administrator must then report to Congress on the implementation of the amendment and regulations.