Legislative Activity

The "Small Business Disaster Damage Fairness Act of 2025" increases the collateral threshold for Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loans from $14,000 to $50,000. The Act also requires a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on the performance and default rates of these loans. Finally, the SBA must now tailor its outreach and marketing for disaster loans to address the specific challenges faced by rural communities in accessing them.

The Access to Counsel Act of 2025 ensures that individuals undergoing secondary or deferred immigration inspection at ports of entry have a meaningful opportunity to consult with legal counsel and interested parties. The bill mandates that these individuals be granted access to representation to assist in their inspection process and provides specific protections for lawful permanent residents regarding the abandonment of their status. These measures aim to uphold due process rights for travelers and immigrants arriving at U.S. borders.

This resolution affirms that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is vital to advancing American national security interests. It highlights the agency's role in promoting global stability, mitigating foreign threats, and maintaining U.S. leadership in an era of strategic competition.

The Stop Arming Cartels Act of 2025 aims to restrict the flow of firearms to criminal organizations by banning the future sale of .50 caliber rifles and expanding federal background check requirements to include designated foreign narcotics traffickers. The bill also removes legal immunity for firearm manufacturers and sellers who knowingly conduct business with these sanctioned individuals. Additionally, it mandates that federal firearms licensees report the sale of multiple rifles to the same person within a five-day period.

This resolution designates February 3-7, 2025, as "National School Counseling Week" to recognize the vital role school counselors play in students' academic, social, and emotional development. It aims to raise awareness of the challenges students face and the importance of adequately supporting school counseling programs. The resolution encourages Americans to participate in events that highlight the importance of school counselors in helping students succeed.

The Keep Our PACT Act ensures federal support for public education by establishing mandatory funding increases for Title I programs and special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). By providing a decade-long roadmap for increased investment, the bill aims to fulfill long-standing federal commitments to school districts and students with disabilities. This legislation designates these funds as emergency spending to ensure consistent, reliable resources for schools across the country.

This resolution designates the week beginning February 3, 2025, as "National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week," recognizing the vital role of TCUs in providing culturally relevant education to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and other students. TCUs serve over 230 federally recognized Indian Tribes by offering high-quality postsecondary education and workforce preparation. The resolution encourages the public to participate in activities and programs that support these institutions.

The Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act amends the Social Security Act to provide Medicare coverage for FDA-approved multi-cancer early detection (MCED) screening tests starting in 2028. This legislation establishes a formal coverage and payment framework for these innovative blood-based tests while ensuring they complement, rather than replace, existing cancer screening protocols.

The Build Housing with Care Act of 2025 establishes a competitive grant program through the Department of Housing and Urban Development to integrate child care services into affordable housing developments. By funding the construction, renovation, and operation of co-location facilities, the Act aims to increase access to child care, particularly in underserved "child care deserts." Additionally, the bill mandates a comprehensive study to evaluate the intersection of housing and child care affordability for public housing residents.

This resolution expresses disapproval of any pardons granted to individuals convicted of assaulting Capitol Police officers. It serves as a formal condemnation of such pardons.

The Global Health, Empowerment and Rights (Global HER) Act ensures that foreign nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) remain eligible for U.S. foreign assistance regardless of the legal health services or advocacy they provide using their own non-U.S. funds. By overriding restrictive policies, the bill protects the autonomy of these organizations to deliver comprehensive care and engage in advocacy, provided their activities comply with local laws and would be legal if performed in the United States.

The United States-Taiwan Expedited Double-Tax Relief Act aims to reduce double taxation for residents of Taiwan and the U.S. by lowering withholding rates on cross-border income and establishing clear tax residency rules. Additionally, the bill authorizes the President to negotiate a formal tax agreement with Taiwan, ensuring congressional oversight and public transparency throughout the process. This legislation seeks to boost bilateral trade and investment while ensuring reciprocal tax benefits for both nations.

The Preventing Algorithmic Collusion Act of 2025 aims to curb anti-competitive behavior by prohibiting the use of pricing algorithms that rely on nonpublic competitor data. The bill mandates transparency by requiring businesses to disclose the use of such algorithms to customers and workers, while granting the FTC and the Attorney General authority to audit and penalize non-compliant entities. Additionally, it establishes a legal presumption of price-fixing when multiple parties use the same algorithm to set prices in the same market.

The Disaster Housing Reform for American Families Act establishes a five-year pilot program to expedite the construction of manufactured and modular homes as temporary housing for disaster survivors. This legislation also authorizes financial assistance to help disaster-affected families cover closing costs when purchasing homes through federal mortgage programs. Additionally, the bill provides a framework for transitioning these temporary structures into permanent affordable housing once the disaster recovery period concludes.

The Advancing FASD Research, Services and Prevention Act (or "FASD Respect Act") updates federal programs to provide a more comprehensive approach to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. This legislation expands research, improves diagnostic and support services, and establishes Centers of Excellence to build capacity for prevention and care at the state and tribal levels.

The Veterans Member Business Loan Act amends the Federal Credit Union Act to include loans made to veterans within the definition of "member business loans." This change allows credit unions to better support veteran-owned businesses by facilitating easier access to capital.

The FAIR Act proposes a 3.3% pay increase for federal civilian and wage-grade employees for the 2026 calendar year. Additionally, the bill mandates a 1% increase in locality pay adjustments for federal civilian employees.

The Lumbee Fairness Act grants federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, making the tribe and its members eligible for all federal Indian programs and services. The bill authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to verify the tribal roll and take land into trust for the tribe's benefit. Additionally, it clarifies jurisdictional arrangements between the state and the tribe while ensuring the tribe receives the same federal support as other recognized tribes.

The Competition and Antitrust Law Enforcement Reform Act of 2025 aims to strengthen U.S. antitrust enforcement by making it easier for regulators to challenge anticompetitive mergers and exclusionary conduct. The bill enhances the legal tools and financial resources available to the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission, while establishing new protections for whistleblowers and increasing penalties for antitrust violations. Ultimately, the legislation seeks to curb excessive market power, promote innovation, and protect consumers, workers, and small businesses from anticompetitive practices.

The Saving the Civil Service Act protects the merit-based federal hiring system by placing strict limits on the ability of agencies to move civil service positions into the excepted service. It requires employee consent for job transfers, caps the number of positions that can be reclassified during a presidential term, and mandates annual reporting to Congress. These measures ensure that federal employment remains grounded in professional standards rather than political appointments.