Legislative Activity

The American Franchise Act aims to protect the traditional franchise business model by clarifying the definition of a "joint employer." This legislation establishes that a franchisor is only considered a joint employer if it exercises "substantial direct and immediate control" over the essential terms of employment for a franchisee's workers. This change specifically targets liability risks associated with maintaining brand standards, ensuring franchisors are not automatically held responsible for local labor practices. The new standard applies prospectively to future legal proceedings.

This resolution formally condemns the horrific political assassination of conservative spokesman Charlie Kirk on September 10, 2025, in Orem, Utah. It expresses deep condolences to his family and recognizes the bravery of the first responders at the scene. Ultimately, the measure reaffirms the fundamental American right to peaceful assembly and stands firmly against political violence.

The Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act limits how consumer reporting agencies can share a consumer's report when it is requested in connection with a residential mortgage loan. Reports can only be shared with entities directly involved in the consumer's current mortgage or those providing a firm offer of credit or insurance. The Act also mandates a study by the GAO regarding the use and impact of "trigger leads" derived from credit checks.

The FEMA Act of 2025 establishes the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as an independent, cabinet-level agency to lead a unified, all-hazards approach to national emergency management. The bill enacts sweeping reforms across Public Assistance, Individual Assistance, and Mitigation programs to accelerate recovery, streamline funding, and reduce bureaucratic hurdles for disaster survivors and communities. Furthermore, it mandates significant new transparency measures, including public data reporting and GAO oversight, to ensure accountability for federal disaster spending.

This bill aims to streamline the process for approving commercial sales of U.S. defense items abroad by establishing priority lists for key national security partners. It mandates specific, faster decision timelines for export applications, setting a 45-day review for priority countries and a 60-day review for all others. Furthermore, the legislation requires the Secretary of State to report semi-annually to Congress on any applications that miss these new deadlines.

This joint resolution formally honors the thirteen U.S. service members who were killed in the August 26, 2021, bombing at Abbey Gate during the withdrawal from Afghanistan. It recognizes their ultimate sacrifice in service to the nation and expresses deep gratitude to their Gold Star Families. The bill essentially establishes a National Day of Remembrance to ensure their faithful service in the fight for liberty is never forgotten.

The Enduring Welcome Act of 2025 establishes a permanent Office of the Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts within the State Department to streamline and support the resettlement of Afghan allies. This Act mandates the creation of a secure, centralized database to track all applicants, beneficiaries, and relocation progress, ensuring accountability to Congress. The Coordinator will manage interagency efforts, resolve family reunification roadblocks, and provide integration support for covered persons. This entire framework is set to automatically expire five years after enactment unless otherwise specified.

The Business of Insurance Regulatory Reform Act of 2025 clarifies the authority of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) concerning entities already regulated by state insurance departments. This bill limits the CFPB's ability to enforce federal consumer protection laws against state-regulated entities acting within the business of insurance. The legislation prioritizes and supports the enforcement power of state insurance regulators over the CFPB in these specific areas.

The Great Lakes Mass Marking Program Act of 2025 establishes a dedicated, science-based program within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to systematically mark hatchery-stocked fish in the Great Lakes. This effort aims to accurately assess the effectiveness of stocking practices and fishery management plans in the region. The Act authorizes $2.7 million annually through 2030 to support this crucial collaborative effort with state and tribal partners.

The Medicare Mental Health Inpatient Equity Act of 2025 eliminates the outdated 190-day lifetime limit for inpatient psychiatric hospital services covered by Medicare. This crucial change ensures that beneficiaries will no longer face a cap on the total number of days Medicare will cover for necessary inpatient psychiatric care. The provision takes effect for services received on or after January 1, 2027.

The Burma Genocide Accountability and Protection Act (Burma GAP Act) establishes a comprehensive U.S. policy to address the ongoing atrocities against the Rohingya people in Myanmar. The bill mandates the appointment of a Special Representative for Burma, increases humanitarian and protection support for refugees, and prioritizes accountability for genocide and crimes against humanity. Furthermore, it commits the U.S. to isolating the military junta until civilian rule is restored.

The Living Donor Protection Act of 2025 prohibits life, disability, and long-term care insurance companies from denying coverage or increasing premiums solely because an individual is a living organ donor. This legislation ensures that living donors are not financially penalized for their altruistic act. Additionally, the bill requires the Secretary of HHS to update educational materials to accurately reflect the insurance protections afforded to living donors.

This bill amends the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to explicitly clarify that time taken off for an employee's own organ donation surgery qualifies as a serious health condition. This ensures both private and federal sector workers receive FMLA protection for recovery from organ donation. The legislation also specifies how federal employees must substitute existing paid leave when taking FMLA time for this purpose.

The Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act strictly prohibits the Federal Reserve from directly or indirectly issuing a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) to individuals. This legislation prevents the Fed from developing, testing, or implementing any digital currency that functions as a direct liability of the Federal Reserve. Furthermore, Congress asserts that any authority to create such a digital asset must explicitly come from Congress itself.

The Digital Asset Market Clarity Act establishes a comprehensive regulatory framework for digital assets, primarily focusing on defining and regulating "digital commodities" under the CFTC and SEC. It creates registration pathways for exchanges and intermediaries, clarifies rules for asset sales, protects individual self-custody rights, and explicitly prohibits the Federal Reserve from issuing a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). Overall, the bill aims to bring clarity and consumer safeguards to the digital asset market while encouraging technological innovation.

The BANNED in Latin America Act mandates the Secretary of State to develop a comprehensive strategy to counter Iranian and Hezbollah influence operations across Latin America. This plan must detail actions against cultural centers, restrict the activities of Iranian agents, and boost intelligence gathering on these networks. Furthermore, the strategy will outline measures to disrupt Iranian and Hezbollah media platforms and address radicalization efforts within university networks.

This bill, the Great Lakes Fishery Research Reauthorization Act, extends the authorization for federal funding dedicated to monitoring, assessing, and researching the Great Lakes Basin. It pushes the current funding expiration date from 2025 to the end of fiscal year 2030. This ensures continued support for vital Great Lakes protection and study programs for an additional five years.

This Act authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and sell special commemorative coins for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games and the 2034 Salt Lake City Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. The coins will feature designs celebrating American athletes and the Games themselves. All surcharges collected from the sale of these coins will be directed to the respective organizing committees to help fund the events and related youth sports programs. The entire program must be conducted at no cost to the U.S. Government.

This resolution expresses support for designating July 10th as Journeyman Lineworkers Recognition Day. It honors the essential and dangerous work performed by these skilled professionals, especially their heroic efforts in restoring power after major disasters. The day serves to recognize their service and remember those who have lost their lives performing this vital work.

The African Union Diplomatic Parity Act formally extends the same privileges and immunities enjoyed by other international missions to the African Union Mission. This legislation specifically updates existing law to ensure the African Union Mission receives parity in legal protections. Furthermore, it grants the African Union's Observer Mission in New York the same status and immunities as permanent missions of UN member states.