Legislative Activity

The "Reining In Federal Licensing Enforcement Act of 2025" or the "RIFLE Act of 2025" aims to reform the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) by modifying penalties for Federal firearms licensees who commit civil violations, changing the process for license applications, and defining "willfully" in the context of firearms license violations. The bill also requires the Attorney General to reconsider denied firearm license applications based on the new rules, establish formal inspection standards, and limit the use of firearms purchaser information. Additionally, it provides opportunities to cure violations after the acquisition of a firearms business and sets standards for criminal violations of recordkeeping requirements.

The "Protecting Life on College Campus Act of 2025" aims to prevent federal funds from going to colleges and universities that offer abortion drugs or abortions through school-based service sites. To remain eligible for federal funding, these institutions must annually certify that their campus clinics do not provide abortion drugs or abortions, with specific exceptions for procedures intended to save a mother's life. The term "abortion drug" is defined as any drug used to intentionally kill an unborn child or terminate a pregnancy. This act does not apply to hospitals.

The "Protect Funding for Women's Health Care Act" redirects federal funds away from Planned Parenthood to other eligible entities that provide women's health services such as well-child care, prenatal and postpartum care, immunizations, and cancer screenings, particularly in underserved areas. This ensures continued access to comprehensive healthcare for women without reducing overall federal funding for women's health initiatives. The bill codifies that Planned Parenthood, including its affiliates, subsidiaries, or clinics, will not be eligible for these federal funds. It does not alter existing abortion-related funding restrictions.

The Birthright Citizenship Act of 2025 amends the Immigration and Nationality Act, clarifying that individuals born in the U.S. are citizens if at least one parent is a U.S. citizen, legal permanent resident, or an alien with lawful status serving in the armed forces. This clarification applies to those born after the Act's enactment, ensuring that citizenship is tied to a parent's connection to the U.S. The bill specifies the criteria for being "subject to the jurisdiction" of the United States for citizenship at birth.

The "Preventing Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act" amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to deem aliens inadmissible and deportable if they have committed or admitted to acts constituting sex offenses, domestic violence, stalking, child abuse, or violating protection orders. It broadens the definition of crimes against children to include any crime constituting domestic violence.

The "Make the Migrant Protection Protocols Mandatory Act of 2025" makes it mandatory for the Department of Homeland Security to implement the Migrant Protection Protocols, which require certain migrants to remain in a foreign country while awaiting immigration proceedings in the U.S. This is achieved by changing the language in the Immigration and Nationality Act from permissive to mandatory regarding the implementation of these protocols.

The "Declaration of Energy Independence Act" amends the Mineral Leasing Act to lower royalty and rental rates for onshore oil and gas leases, aiming to encourage domestic energy production. It sets new minimum bid amounts, adjusts rental fees, and revises noncompetitive leasing terms to stimulate oil and gas development on federal lands. The act also includes provisions for extending leases on low-production mineral estates and reducing royalty payments under certain conditions.

The "No Tax on Tips Act" allows an above-the-line tax deduction for up to $25,000 in qualified tips for workers in traditionally tipped occupations, excluding higher-income earners. It also extends the employer social security tax credit to include beauty service establishments, aiming to reduce the tax burden on tipped workers and incentivize accurate tip reporting. This goes into effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

The "Endowment Tax Fairness Act" increases the excise tax on private colleges and universities' investment income from 1.4 percent to 21 percent. This change applies to taxable years following the law's enactment. The generated revenue will first be used to reduce the national deficit, and then the national debt.

The "Repealing Big Brother Overreach Act" repeals the Corporate Transparency Act, eliminating the requirement for companies to report beneficial ownership information to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). It also makes necessary technical adjustments to Title 31 of the United States Code, specifically sections related to financial recordkeeping and reporting of currency and foreign transactions, to reflect the repeal.

The "Ensuring Accountability in Agency Rulemaking Act" mandates that all federal agency rules must be issued and signed by a Senate-confirmed appointee. It requires that the rulemaking process be initiated by a senior appointee. The head of each agency is responsible for ensuring rules comply with the Act, while the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) will offer guidance and monitor compliance. This act aims to increase accountability in federal agency rulemaking.

The Hearing Protection Act aims to remove silencers from the purview of the National Firearms Act (NFA) by treating them similarly to standard firearms under federal tax law. This legislation preempts certain state and local taxes and registration requirements related to silencers involved in interstate commerce. Furthermore, the bill mandates the destruction of existing federal silencer registration records and updates federal marking requirements for manufacturers.

The Old Glory Only Act prohibits the Secretary of State from allowing any flag other than the United States flag to be flown over U.S. diplomatic and consular posts. Formally, this bill is named the "Old Glory Only Act".

The "Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025" amends Title IX to prohibit schools receiving federal funds from allowing males to participate in female athletic programs. Sex is defined as based on reproductive biology and genetics at birth. The bill allows males to train with female teams if it doesn't deprive females of opportunities. It also requires a study on the benefits lost to women when males participate in female sports.

The "Holding Child Predators Accountable Act" amends Title 18 to increase penalties for child pornography offenses. This bill raises the punishment for possession, exploitation, or creation of child pornography to include potential fines, death, or life imprisonment.

The Justice for Rape Survivors Act amends Title 18 to increase the minimum prison sentence for aggravated sexual abuse and sexual abuse to 30 years or life.

The Justice for Jocelyn Act aims to limit participation in Alternatives to Detention programs, mandating GPS tracking and curfew requirements for aliens in the program. It requires that all detention beds are full and no other detention options are available before an alien can participate in alternative programs. The Act also mandates the removal of aliens who fail to comply with release orders and ensures that if any part of the Act is found unconstitutional, the remaining parts will still be valid.

The "Preserving Safe Communities by Ending Swatting Act of 2025" amends federal law to criminalize the act of "swatting," where false information is reported to trigger an emergency response. Those who commit swatting would face increased penalties, including fines and imprisonment, especially if serious bodily injury or death results. Additionally, individuals who engage in swatting would be liable for the costs incurred by emergency responders due to the false report.

This bill renames the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Lubbock, Texas, to the "General Bernie Mittemeyer VA Clinic". All official references to the clinic will reflect this new name.

This bill designates the United States Postal Service facility located at 107 North Hoyne Avenue in Fritch, Texas, as the "Chief Zeb Smith Post Office." Any reference to this facility will now refer to it as the Chief Zeb Smith Post Office.