Legislative Activity

The "Ensuring Sound Guidance Act of 2025" amends the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, requiring brokers and advisors to prioritize financial factors in investment decisions unless clients provide written consent otherwise, and mandates disclosures of expected and actual financial effects of investments. Additionally, the SEC is required to conduct studies on climate change disclosures in the municipal bond market and on regulations preventing the use of funds to influence officials in exchange for municipal securities business, and provide recommendations to Congress based on the findings.

This bill recognizes and celebrates the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps on November 10, 2025. It acknowledges the Marine Corps' distinguished history, readiness, and role as a premier fighting force. The bill also encourages Americans to celebrate the anniversary through various activities and community engagement.

The "Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act" enables individuals with valid concealed carry permits or the legal right to carry concealed firearms in their home state to do so across state lines, provided they are not federally prohibited from possessing firearms and carry a valid photo ID. This law respects private and state/local government restrictions on firearms, protects individuals from unwarranted arrest, and allows legal action for violations of these rights. It also permits concealed carry in National Parks and other federal lands open to the public and clarifies that handguns include magazines and ammunition.

This resolution expresses support for designating March 18, 2025, as "National Agriculture Day." It recognizes and celebrates the significant impact of agriculture as a leading industry in the United States.

The "Access to Small Business Investor Capital Act" modifies reporting requirements for registered investment companies. It allows them to exclude certain indirect fees and expenses from their "Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses" calculations on registration statements. This exclusion applies specifically to fees and expenses resulting from investments in business development companies. The change affects fee disclosures on Forms N-1A, N-2, and N-3.

The Major Richard Star Act allows eligible combat-disabled veterans to receive both their retirement pay and disability compensation. This eliminates the previous offset that reduced retirement pay for those receiving disability compensation. The changes apply to payments beginning the month after enactment.

The Honey Integrity Act aims to protect the integrity of honey sold in the United States by establishing a clear standard of identity for honey and creating a Honey Integrity Program. This program mandates testing for adulteration by commercial honey packers, requires reporting of test results and any identified adulteration, and authorizes investigation and destruction of adulterated honey. The Act also directs the Secretary to submit a report to Congress detailing enforcement actions regarding misbranded honey.

The Veterans Patient Advocacy Act ensures rural veterans have access to patient advocates at Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities, including assigning advocates to rural community-based outpatient clinics when possible. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs must implement these changes within two years. The Comptroller General will submit a report to the House and Senate Committees on Veterans Affairs, evaluating the implementation within two years.

The "Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act" eliminates the waiting periods for Social Security disability benefits and Medicare coverage for individuals with metastatic breast cancer. This bill amends the Social Security Act to expedite access to disability insurance benefits and Medicare coverage for those with metastatic breast cancer, ensuring quicker access to essential care and support.

The American Innovation and R&D Competitiveness Act of 2025 modifies the tax treatment of research and experimental expenditures, allowing taxpayers to deduct these expenses in the year they are incurred rather than capitalizing them. This change applies to expenses related to the taxpayer's business and is effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2021. The act also includes provisions for electing to treat these expenditures as deferred expenses and updates related sections of the tax code.

The Arctic Watchers Act establishes a program within the Department of State to monitor and counteract malign influence from countries like China and Russia in the Arctic region, focusing on security, economic interests, and natural resources. This program deploys "Arctic Watchers" to key diplomatic posts in Europe and North America to strengthen U.S. engagement and protect U.S. interests in the Arctic. The Act requires annual reports to Congress and authorizes \$10 million in appropriations for fiscal year 2025 and subsequent years.

The "Great Lakes Mass Marking Program Act of 2025" establishes a program within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to mass mark hatchery fish in the Great Lakes. This program aims to evaluate the success of fish hatchery operations and fisheries management, supporting the recovery of native species, recreational fishing, and the Great Lakes regional economy. The Act authorizes $5,000,000 annually from 2026 through 2030 for program implementation, including equipment, tagging, personnel, and data sharing among stakeholders. This collaborative effort will involve federal, state, and tribal agencies to improve fisheries management and ecosystem restoration in the Great Lakes.

This bill disapproves and invalidates the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's rule regarding overdraft lending practices of very large financial institutions. The rule, found in the Federal Register, is nullified by this disapproval.

This bill expresses support for designating March 6, 2025, as "Great Lakes Day" to recognize the environmental and economic importance of the Great Lakes region. It highlights the Great Lakes' significance as a vital freshwater resource, economic driver, and ancestral home to Native American Tribes. The bill also supports initiatives like the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and encourages efforts to protect Lake St. Clair. Ultimately, it aims to raise awareness about the need to preserve and protect the Great Lakes for future generations.

The Great Lakes Fishery Research Reauthorization Act extends funding through 2030 for continued monitoring, assessment, and research activities within the Great Lakes Basin. This ensures the ongoing health and sustainable management of the Great Lakes fisheries.

The PLUS for Veterans Act of 2025 aims to protect veterans by clarifying who can assist with VA claims, reinstating penalties for charging unauthorized fees, and ensuring fair representation. It requires agents and attorneys to apply for recognition, limits fees for initial claims, and mandates transparency regarding free services available to veterans. The Act also overrides conflicting state laws to ensure consistent enforcement of these protections.

The "Supporting Farm Operations Act of 2025" freezes the wage rate for H-2A nonimmigrant workers at the level it was on December 31, 2023, through December 31, 2026. Additionally, the bill directs the Secretary of Labor to use a primary duties evaluation when deciding the required wage for employees who perform multiple duties or tasks.

The "Protecting Investors Personally Identifiable Information Act" prevents the SEC from requiring national securities exchanges or associations to provide personally identifiable information about market participants. Personally identifiable information includes data that can identify an individual, such as name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, phone number, email, and IP address. This ensures sensitive personal data is not part of consolidated audit trail reporting requirements.

The "Smithsonian American Women's History Museum Act" authorizes the creation of the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum on the National Mall. It ensures the museum's exhibits and programs reflect the diverse experiences and perspectives of women in the United States, seeking guidance from varied sources. The Act mandates regular reports to Congress on the museum's efforts to meet these diversity requirements.

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.