Legislative Activity

The "Justice Thurgood Marshall National Historic Site Establishment Act of 2025" establishes Justice Thurgood Marshall's elementary school, Public School 103 in Baltimore, Maryland, as the Justice Thurgood Marshall National Historic Site, affiliated with the National Park System. The Beloved Community Services Corporation will continue to own and manage the site, while the Secretary of the Interior may provide technical and financial assistance. This act aims to preserve and interpret Justice Marshall's historic contributions without authorizing the federal acquisition of the property or assuming financial responsibility for its operation. Necessary funds are authorized to be appropriated for the implementation of this Act.

The FARM Act of 2025 restricts federal tax credits for renewable energy production, specifically solar and wind facilities, when placed on agricultural land by public utilities. This act amends the Internal Revenue Code to deny these credits, aiming to preserve agricultural land.

The Reciprocity Ensures Streamlined Use of Lifesaving Treatments Act of 2025 allows the FDA to grant reciprocal marketing approval for drugs, biological products, and devices already approved in specific countries or the United Kingdom, provided they meet certain safety and need requirements. This aims to expedite access to potentially life-saving treatments in the US. The FDA retains the authority to deny approval based on safety or ineffectiveness concerns, subject to Congressional review.

The SCREEN Act requires online platforms that host or provide pornographic content to implement technology verification measures to prevent minors from accessing harmful material. It mandates that these platforms use reliable age verification methods, undergo regular audits by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to ensure compliance, and protect user data collected during the verification process. The FTC is responsible for enforcing the Act, and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) must report to Congress on the effectiveness and impact of these measures. This act aims to protect children from the harmful effects of online pornography.

The "Parity for Athletic Recreation Act" or "PAR Act" removes the restriction that prohibits bond proceeds from being used for private or commercial golf courses and country clubs. This change applies to bonds issued after the enactment of this Act. Additionally, it affects the empowerment zone employment credit and applies to empowerment zone businesses and opportunity zones.

The "Protect and Serve Act of 2025" creates federal offenses for intentionally causing serious injury or death to law enforcement officers because of their status as officers. It sets penalties including imprisonment and fines, with increased penalties if death results or if kidnapping or attempted killing is involved. Federal prosecution requires certification from the Attorney General, based on a request from the state or if it is in the public interest to ensure substantial justice. The act defines "law enforcement officer" and "State" for the purposes of the new offenses.

The "Alien Removal Not Resort Stays Act" terminates federal funding for FEMA's Shelter and Services Program, which provides aid to migrants. Funds will be transferred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). ICE will use the funds for enforcement, detention, and removal operations.

The "No Deductions for Marijuana Businesses Act" amends the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit businesses involved in marijuana or controlled substance trafficking from claiming tax deductions or credits for their expenses. This restriction applies regardless of whether the business is violating federal or state law. The change will be effective for expenses paid after the bill is enacted.

The NIH Reform Act divides the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases into three separate entities: the National Institute of Allergic Diseases, the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, and the National Institute of Immunologic Diseases. It requires the President to appoint directors for each new institute. The act outlines the research focus of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases and the National Institute of Immunologic Diseases. It directs the NIH Director to manage the transition and makes necessary amendments to reflect these changes.

The "Protecting Life in Foreign Assistance Act" restricts federal funds from being used by foreign and domestic organizations that perform or promote abortions, furnish abortion-related items, or support entities that do so. This includes barring funds for referrals, counseling, lobbying, and training related to abortions. The restrictions do not apply to abortions in cases of rape, incest, or when the mother's life is at risk.

This bill amends the Social Security Act to equalize the negotiation period for drug price negotiations under the Drug Price Negotiation Program. It changes the negotiation period for small-molecule drugs from 7 years to 11 years, matching the period already in place for biologic drugs. This adjustment aims to create parity in negotiation timelines between different types of medications, effective as if included in the original legislation.

The LIABLE Act removes federal immunity and liability limitations for COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers, allowing individuals to sue for losses caused by the vaccines. Individuals can still seek compensation through existing federal programs, and doing so does not prevent civil action. This applies to any COVID-19 vaccine licensed or authorized by the FDA and is retroactive.

The Supporting the Local Radio Freedom Act prevents Congress from imposing new performance fees on local radio stations for playing music. It emphasizes the mutually beneficial relationship between broadcasters and the recording industry, where radio provides free publicity that boosts music sales and supports artists. The act recognizes local radio's crucial role in communities by providing news, weather updates, and public service announcements. Ultimately, this bill aims to protect local radio stations and businesses from economic harm, ensuring they can continue serving their communities without additional financial burdens.

The "Promoting American Patriotism In Our Schools Act" mandates that schools receiving federal funds must require daily Pledge of Allegiance recitation, prominently display the U.S. flag in classrooms and gyms, and provide education on the flag's history. Individuals can abstain from reciting the Pledge for religious or personal reasons. Non-compliant schools will face enforcement by the Secretary.

The "Death Tax Repeal Act" eliminates both estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes, effective from the date of enactment. It adjusts gift tax calculations by setting the lifetime gift exemption at $10,000,000, with inflation adjustments after 2011. The Act also includes transitional rules for applying certain sections of the Internal Revenue Code during the enactment year.

The "Combating Illicit Xylazine Act" aims to combat the illegal use of xylazine by adding it to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act, which would allow for increased regulation and tracking of the substance. The bill includes exemptions and delayed effective dates for certain requirements to ease the transition for legitimate users, such as veterinarians and animal handlers. It also directs the Sentencing Commission to review sentencing guidelines for xylazine-related offenses and mandates reports to Congress on the prevalence and impact of illicit xylazine use. Finally, it will include xylazine in Arcos tracking.

This bill repeals the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, eliminating the requirements for the President to report to Congress on decisions to withhold or delay spending of appropriated funds. This removes the process by which Congress can approve or disapprove of these presidential actions.

The Direct Medical Care Freedom Act of 2025 clarifies that direct medical care arrangements, where individuals pay a fixed periodic fee for medical services from practitioners, are not considered health plans under the Internal Revenue Code. It allows fees paid for these arrangements to be treated as medical expenses and mandates that fees for arrangements provided through employment are reported on employee W2 forms. This applies to primary care, specialty care, or other subsets of medical services, and will take effect for months beginning after December 31, 2024.

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.

The "Senior Citizens Tax Elimination Act" repeals the inclusion of Social Security benefits in gross income, effectively ending the taxation of these benefits for taxable years beginning after the enactment of this law. The Act mandates the allocation of funds each fiscal year to the Social Security Act or the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974, ensuring these programs are not negatively impacted by the tax elimination. The amount allocated must equal the reduction in transfers to these funds because of the change. Congress intends to offset the revenue reduction without raising taxes.