Legislative Activity

The "Extending Limits of U.S. Customs Waters Act" updates the definition of "customs waters" to align with international law, Presidential Proclamation 5928, and Presidential Proclamation 7219. It extends U.S. customs authority to include the territorial sea and contiguous zone, as permitted by international law. These changes will take effect the day after the Act is enacted.

This bill prohibits the Big Cypress National Preserve in Florida from being designated as wilderness or included in the National Wilderness Preservation System. This ensures the area will not receive the specific protections and management guidelines associated with wilderness areas.

The "No DeepSeek on Government Devices Act" prohibits the use of the DeepSeek application on government devices, with exceptions for law enforcement, national security, and security research. The Office of Management and Budget is tasked with creating guidelines for executive agencies to remove DeepSeek from their information technology. Any authorized use of DeepSeek under the exceptions requires documented risk mitigation actions.

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.

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.

The CARTEL Act of 2025 mandates U.S. Customs and Border Protection to publish detailed monthly reports on various border security operational statistics, including alien encounters, drug seizures, and terrorist watchlist matches. It also requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to submit an annual report to Congress assessing attempts by foreign terrorist organizations and transnational criminal organizations to infiltrate the United States.

The Marc Fischer Memorial Act mandates that the Bureau of Prisons implement a comprehensive strategy to achieve 100% digital scanning of all inmate mail to interdict fentanyl and other synthetic drugs. By transitioning to digital mail processing, the Act aims to protect staff and inmates from lethal exposure, improve institutional security, and alleviate the administrative burden on correctional personnel.

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 Defending Domestic Orange Juice Production Act of 2025 establishes a federal quality standard requiring pasteurized orange juice to contain at least 10.0 percent orange juice soluble solids by weight. This measure ensures product consistency by excluding added sweeteners from the calculation of these solids.

The Counter SNIPER Act establishes a formal, transparent process for presidential and vice-presidential candidates to request and appeal Secret Service protection decisions. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Director of the Secret Service be subject to Senate confirmation to increase oversight and accountability.

The Federal Firefighters Families First Act aims to improve pay equity, recruitment, and retention for federal firefighters by modernizing pay computation and establishing a maximum 60-hour regular workweek. Additionally, the bill ensures that regularly scheduled overtime is included in the calculation of federal retirement annuities. These measures seek to align federal firefighter compensation more closely with municipal standards and provide greater financial security for their families.

Recognizes and supports Catholic schools in the United States for their academic excellence, diverse communities, and values-based education. Designates January 26, 2025, to February 1, 2025, as National Catholic Schools Week, celebrating the commitment of Catholic schools, students, parents, and teachers to academic excellence and community service.

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.

The Main Street Tax Certainty Act makes the 20% pass-through business income deduction permanent. By removing the current 2025 expiration date, this legislation ensures long-term tax relief for owners of qualified pass-through entities.

The Red Snapper Act of 2025 prohibits the Secretary of Commerce from closing South Atlantic fishing areas until the "Great Red Snapper Count" study is completed and its data is integrated into official stock assessments. This legislation aims to protect the regional economy and recreational fishing industry by ensuring management decisions are based on the most current and accurate scientific data.

The NO GOTION Act prohibits companies with ties to China, Russia, Iran, or North Korea from claiming federal green energy tax credits and deductions. By restricting these financial benefits, the bill aims to ensure that U.S. taxpayer-funded incentives are not used to support entities controlled by designated foreign adversaries.

The Make the Migrant Protection Protocols Mandatory Act of 2025 amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to require, rather than permit, the return of certain noncitizens to Mexico or Canada while their immigration proceedings are pending. This legislation removes discretionary authority from the Department of Homeland Security, effectively mandating the implementation of the "Remain in Mexico" policy.

The FORCE Act prohibits the President and the Secretary of State from removing Cuba from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list. This restriction remains in effect until the administration certifies that Cuba has met the specific democratic and human rights requirements outlined in the LIBERTAD Act of 1996.

The Thin Blue Line Act amends federal law to designate the killing or attempted killing of a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or first responder as an aggravating factor in capital sentencing. This legislation ensures that when a jury considers the death penalty, they must take into account whether the victim was targeted due to their status as a public servant or while performing their official duties.

Goldie’s Act strengthens the Animal Welfare Act by mandating more rigorous USDA inspections and requiring the prompt confiscation of animals suffering from neglect. The bill increases financial penalties for violators, ensures the immediate sharing of violation records with local law enforcement, and establishes stricter oversight to prevent future animal abuse.