Legislative Activity

The Fair Access to Banking Act aims to ensure equal access to financial services by preventing banks and credit unions from denying services to individuals or entities engaged in lawful activities based on subjective or politically motivated reasons. It sets requirements for banks with over $10 billion in assets, prohibiting them from denying services based on reputational risk and requiring them to justify denials with documented, risk-based standards. The act also allows individuals to sue financial institutions that violate these requirements, with the potential for treble damages and attorney fees awarded to successful plaintiffs. Furthermore, it restricts access to Federal Reserve lending programs and the Automated Clearing House Network for institutions that fail to comply with the Act.

The JOBS Act of 2025 expands Federal Pell Grant eligibility to include students enrolled in high-quality, short-term career and technical education programs. By supporting training that leads to industry-recognized credentials, the bill aims to better align postsecondary education with the needs of high-demand job sectors. Additionally, the legislation lowers the minimum Pell Grant threshold to increase financial aid accessibility for students pursuing these career-focused pathways.

The Hearing Protection Act seeks to remove silencers from special regulation under federal tax law, treating them similarly to standard firearms components. This bill preempts state and local governments from imposing special taxes or registration requirements on silencers involved in interstate commerce. Furthermore, it mandates the destruction of existing federal records identifying silencer owners and establishes new serial number marking requirements for manufacturers.

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 Charitable Act renews and expands tax incentives for charitable giving by allowing individuals who do not itemize deductions to claim a deduction for charitable contributions during the 2026 and 2027 tax years. Under this provision, non-itemizers can deduct contributions up to one-third of their standard deduction amount. Additionally, the bill removes specific accuracy-related penalties associated with these deductions.

The Laken Riley Act mandates the detention of illegal aliens who commit theft, burglary, larceny, or shoplifting. It empowers state attorneys general to sue the Department of Homeland Security or the Secretary of State if they believe the state or its residents are harmed by violations of immigration enforcement or visa granting. The bill aims to ensure that these aliens are detained throughout their removal proceedings and to provide states with legal recourse against perceived failures in federal immigration enforcement.

This concurrent resolution recognizes the significant historical and ongoing contributions of tax-exempt fraternal benefit societies to communities across the United States. It acknowledges their extensive volunteer network and substantial charitable giving, which helps to meet various needs and support financial security. The resolution affirms that their tax-exempt status continues to benefit the country and that their work should be encouraged.

The Unborn Child Support Act amends the Social Security Act to allow states to establish and enforce child support obligations for unborn children, beginning from the month of conception. Upon the mother's request and consent, biological fathers may be required to provide financial support, with payment amounts determined by a court in consultation with the mother. The legislation ensures these requirements remain mandatory for states, prohibiting any waivers that would bypass these enforcement duties.

The Main Street Tax Certainty Act makes the 20% pass-through business deduction permanent by removing its scheduled expiration date. This legislation ensures that owners of sole proprietorships, partnerships, and S corporations can continue to benefit from this tax relief indefinitely.

The Promoting Domestic Energy Production Act amends the corporate alternative minimum tax to allow companies to fully deduct intangible drilling and development costs when calculating their adjusted financial statement income. By modernizing how these expenses are treated, the bill aims to incentivize increased domestic oil and gas production. These changes are set to take effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.

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 No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2025 prohibits the use of federal funds for abortion services and federally subsidized health insurance plans that include abortion coverage. The bill also mandates increased transparency by requiring health plans to clearly disclose abortion coverage and associated premium surcharges in all marketing and enrollment materials. Exceptions are provided for cases of rape, incest, or to save the life of the mother.

The Foreign Adversary Risk Management (FARM) Act strengthens national security by granting the Secretary of Agriculture a seat on the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). This legislation subjects foreign investments in U.S. agricultural supply chains to rigorous federal review and mandates comprehensive reporting on foreign influence and espionage threats within the agricultural sector.

The "Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act" ensures that infants born alive after an abortion receive the same medical care as any other newborn, mandating immediate hospital transport and requiring healthcare practitioners to report any failures to comply. Violators face fines, imprisonment, and potential prosecution for homicide or attempted homicide, while the mother of the child is protected from prosecution. The bill also allows the woman on whom the abortion was performed to file a civil action against anyone who violated the requirements if a child was born alive.

The Accelerate Long-term Investment Growth Now (ALIGN) Act permanently allows businesses to immediately deduct the full cost of qualifying property in the year it is placed in service. By establishing a permanent 100% bonus depreciation rate, this legislation eliminates scheduled phase-downs and simplifies tax code requirements. These changes apply retroactively to property placed in service after September 27, 2017, to encourage sustained capital investment.

This resolution honors Mississippi's Gestational Age Act and Representative Becky Currie's role in the Supreme Court's Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health decision, which overturned Roe v. Wade. It recognizes the decision to return the authority to regulate abortion to the states and expresses gratitude to states enacting laws to protect mothers and unborn children.

The Standing Against Houthi Aggression Act mandates that the Secretary of State designate Ansarallah (the Houthis) as a foreign terrorist organization. Additionally, the bill requires the President to impose targeted sanctions on the group and its affiliates within 90 days of enactment.

The CONTAINER Act authorizes states bordering Canada or Mexico to place movable, temporary structures on federal land to assist with border security without requiring prior federal permits. States must provide 45 days' notice for initial placements, which are permitted for one year with the option for 90-day extensions if operational control of the border has not been achieved.

The Protect and Serve Act of 2025 establishes a new federal crime for knowingly assaulting law enforcement officers and causing serious bodily injury. This legislation allows for federal prosecution in cases involving interstate commerce or federal officers, with penalties ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment depending on the severity of the offense. Federal intervention is strictly regulated, requiring written certification from the Attorney General to ensure the necessity of federal involvement.

The Dismantle Iran’s Proxy Act of 2025 mandates that the President designate Ansarallah (the Houthi movement) as a foreign terrorist organization and impose targeted sanctions on its leadership and affiliates. The bill further requires the administration to develop a comprehensive strategy to restore freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and degrade the group's offensive capabilities. Additionally, it mandates a formal report on how Ansarallah’s actions obstruct the delivery of humanitarian aid in Yemen.