Legislative Activity

The Saving the Department of Energy's Workforce Act prohibits the Department of Energy (DOE) from conducting any workforce reductions or layoffs until Congress enacts the full-year funding bills for fiscal year 2026. This moratorium protects most DOE employees from involuntary separation during this period. However, the Secretary retains the authority to terminate employees for cause, such as misconduct or poor performance.

The Saving the Department of the Interior's Workforce Act places a moratorium on involuntary layoffs across all Department of the Interior agencies and bureaus. This freeze on reductions in force will remain in effect until Congress fully funds the Department for Fiscal Year 2026. Employees are protected from layoffs unless the separation is due to proven misconduct, delinquency, or poor performance.

The Saving the Forest Service's Workforce Act places a moratorium on major staff reductions within the Forest Service until Congress passes the full-year budget for fiscal year 2026. This freeze prevents cuts due to budget issues or reorganization. However, the Forest Service can still terminate employees for documented misconduct, poor performance, or delinquency.

The TRICARE Travel Improvement Act modifies the reimbursement rules for military beneficiaries traveling for specialty medical care. Generally, the Department of Defense will now reimburse travel expenses for care received over 50 miles away. However, a specific exception maintains the 100-mile travel threshold for military retirees and their dependents seeking reimbursement.

The Wildfire Insurance Coverage Study Act of 2025 directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a comprehensive national study on wildfire risk, insurance coverage, and regulatory responses. This analysis will examine current insurance availability, rate changes, and insurer challenges related to wildfire damage across the country. The resulting report will provide Congress with findings and potential policy options to address the growing issues of wildfire insurance affordability and accessibility.

The Protect DREAMer Confidentiality Act of 2025 mandates that the Secretary of Homeland Security must keep all information submitted for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program confidential. This law strictly prohibits sharing DACA application data with agencies like ICE, CBP, or local law enforcement for general immigration enforcement purposes. Information can only be disclosed narrowly for DACA program administration, fraud prevention, or in specific, serious criminal or national security investigations.

The Maternal and Infant Syphilis Prevention Act addresses the alarming rise in syphilis cases, particularly congenital syphilis passed from mother to baby. This bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue guidance to states and tribal programs on improving syphilis screening and treatment within Medicaid and CHIP. The goal is to promote best practices, including third-trimester and delivery testing, to prevent serious health outcomes for newborns.

This resolution officially designates May 10, 2025, as "World Migratory Bird Day" to recognize the vital ecological and economic importance of migratory birds. It highlights the severe threats these species face and encourages public awareness and participation in conservation efforts. The resolution supports ongoing efforts to protect the habitats crucial for these traveling species across North America.

The Agriculture Resilience Act of 2025 establishes aggressive national goals for the agricultural sector to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 through mandated emission reductions, massive increases in climate and soil health research funding, and significant overhauls to conservation and crop insurance programs. The bill also focuses on bolstering farm viability by supporting local food systems, strengthening meat labeling integrity, and expanding on-farm renewable energy adoption. Overall, it directs substantial federal resources toward incentivizing climate-smart farming practices while placing new restrictions on land conversion and waste management.

This Act officially designates approximately 12,295 acres of federal land in Taos County, New Mexico, as the Cerro de la Olla Wilderness. It also updates related references within existing conservation law to reflect the new wilderness designation and modifies the boundary of the Ro Grande del Norte National Monument. The bill allows for the maintenance of existing wildlife water projects under strict environmental guidelines.

The Buffalo Tract Protection Act withdraws approximately 4,288 acres of federal land managed by the BLM near Placitas, New Mexico, from new mining claims and mineral or geothermal leasing. This action protects the subsurface mineral estate, even if the surface land is sold to private entities. The bill ensures that the mineral rights remain under federal ownership.

The M. H. Dutch Salmon Greater Gila Wild and Scenic River Act designates specific stretches of the Gila River system in New Mexico as protected Wild and Scenic Rivers, withdrawing federal lands within these boundaries from development. This legislation also transfers approximately 440 acres of federal land to be included within the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument boundary. Crucially, the Act preserves existing water rights, mining claims, and state jurisdiction while requiring comprehensive management plans developed in consultation with Tribes and the public.

The Gas-Operated Semi-Automatic Firearms Exclusion (GOSAFE) Act restricts the manufacture, sale, and possession of certain gas-operated semi-automatic firearms and large-capacity ammunition feeding devices. The bill establishes a federal process for determining which specific firearms are banned and makes it illegal to possess magazines holding more than 10 rounds manufactured after the enactment date. Furthermore, it allows states to use federal Byrne grant funds to establish buy-back programs for these prohibited items. Violations of the new prohibitions carry significant fines and potential prison sentences.

The Banning Unlawful Machinegun Parts Act (BUMP Act) prohibits the manufacture, sale, and possession of devices or modifications that significantly increase the firing rate of semiautomatic firearms to mimic machinegun function. Existing owners of such modified firearms must register them within 120 days of enactment to maintain lawful possession. This legislation updates federal law by classifying these rate-of-fire-enhancing modifications as regulated items under the National Firearms Act.

The Pecos Watershed Protection Act withdraws specific federal lands in New Mexico from development, mining, and mineral leasing to protect the watershed. The bill also officially designates approximately 11,599 acres of Forest Service land as the Thompson Peak Wilderness Area. This new wilderness area will be managed under the Wilderness Act, while preserving existing rights for wildlife management and authorized livestock grazing.

This bill officially renames the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Las Cruces, New Mexico, to the **Las Cruces Bataan Memorial Clinic**. The Act ensures that all official records and documents will use this new designation moving forward.

This resolution recognizes and honors teachers who have achieved or maintained National Board Certification, highlighting their significant contributions to student learning and leadership. It acknowledges the rigorous standards required for certification and the positive impact these teachers have, especially in addressing learning loss. The resolution encourages increased support for teachers pursuing National Board Certification to further enhance educational quality. As of March 2025, there are 141,464 National Board Certified teachers.

This bill ratifies the Ohkay Owingeh Rio Chama Water Rights Settlement Agreement to achieve a final resolution of the Pueblo's water rights claims in the Rio Chama Stream System. It establishes a federal Trust Fund, capitalized with $745 million, to support the implementation of the agreement and water infrastructure projects. In exchange for the recognized water rights and benefits, the Pueblo and the United States must waive most past and present water rights claims against each other in the stream system. The settlement becomes legally effective only upon the completion of several key actions, including court approval and necessary legislative enactments.

The "Navajo Nation Rio San Jos Stream System Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025" settles water rights claims of the Navajo Nation in New Mexico's Rio San Jose Stream System. It ratifies an agreement between the Navajo Nation, the State of New Mexico, and other parties, establishing a trust fund for water projects and infrastructure. The Act defines water rights, waivers, and releases of claims, and it addresses the rights of individual land allottees. It also authorizes the expansion of the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project to include communities within the Rio San Jos Basin.

This bill settles water rights claims for the Pueblos of Acoma, Laguna, Jemez, and Zia in New Mexico, ratifying agreements between the Pueblos, the state, and other parties. It authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to execute these agreements, establishes trust funds for water infrastructure and related projects, and defines the scope and protection of Pueblo water rights. The bill also outlines funding contributions from the federal government and the State of New Mexico, while requiring the Pueblos to waive certain claims in exchange for the settlement benefits. Ultimately, the goal is to resolve long-standing water disputes and promote economic development within the Pueblo communities.