Legislative Activity

The "Protect America's Lands Act" prevents national securities exchanges from handling transactions of securities issued by "natural asset companies." These companies manage land for conservation and aim to enhance the value of natural assets and ecosystem services. The bill defines specific criteria for what constitutes a "natural asset company" to ensure the prohibition is appropriately applied.

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 "Give Kids a Chance Act of 2025" aims to improve pediatric drug development and access by requiring more research into pediatric cancer drugs, ensuring completion of pediatric studies, and extending priority review vouchers for rare pediatric disease treatments. The act also addresses organ transplantation network improvements, limitations on orphan drug exclusivity, and establishes an FDA office to coordinate with Abraham Accords countries on regulatory standards. Additionally, the act allocates funding for pediatric drug studies and mandates reports and studies to assess the effectiveness of these changes.

The "Extending Limits of U.S. Customs Waters Act" updates the definition of "customs waters" to align with international law, Presidential Proclamation 5928, and Presidential Proclamation 7219. It extends U.S. customs authority to include the territorial sea and contiguous zone, as permitted by international law. These changes will take effect the day after the Act is enacted.

The "Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act" prevents payment card networks from assigning a unique merchant category code to firearm retailers. The Attorney General is responsible for enforcing the Act, investigating complaints, and reporting to Congress. This law overrides state and local laws regarding merchant category codes for firearm retailers and does not establish a private right of action.

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 "Emergency Border Control Resolution" establishes the federal budget for fiscal year 2025, replacing previous resolutions and setting budgetary levels through 2034. It outlines recommended levels and amounts for federal revenues, budget authority, outlays, deficits, and debt. The resolution instructs House committees to propose legislative changes to either increase or reduce the deficit by specific amounts. It also sets a policy to restore federal spending to pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels, adjusted to protect Social Security, Medicare, and debt service obligations.

The Port Crane Security and Inspection Act of 2025 mandates security inspections of foreign-made cranes used at high-risk U.S. ports, assessing and mitigating cybersecurity risks associated with these cranes. The Act prohibits the operation of new foreign cranes and, within five years, foreign software on cranes at U.S. ports, particularly those connected to a "covered foreign country". These covered foreign countries are identified as foreign adversaries by the intelligence community or the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Director of National Intelligence. The goal is to enhance port security and protect against potential cyber threats.

The "HALT Fentanyl Act" permanently classifies fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs under the Controlled Substances Act, streamlining research registration processes while maintaining controls. It also updates penalties for trafficking, importing, and exporting fentanyl-related substances, treating them similarly to fentanyl analogues. Additionally, the Act addresses technical errors in previous legislation and mandates the Attorney General to issue rules for implementation.

The Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs from sharing veterans' personal information with the national instant criminal background check system (NICS) based solely on the fact that the veteran requires assistance managing their benefits. Information can only be shared if a judge has determined the veteran to be a danger to themselves or others.

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to change how the population is counted for the purpose of allocating representatives to each state. Instead of counting all persons residing in a state, only the number of citizens would be counted. To be added to the constitution, the states must ratify this amendment within seven years.

The "Preventing SBA Assistance from Going to China Act" amends the Small Business Act to prevent businesses with significant ties to the People's Republic of China from being classified as a small business. A business is ineligible if it is based or incorporated in China, or if more than 25% of its voting stock is owned by Chinese citizens or entities. This ensures that SBA assistance is not directed towards businesses affiliated with the Chinese government.

The "Fair Access to Banking Act" aims to prevent financial institutions from denying services to legal businesses based on subjective or political reasons. It prohibits large banks, credit unions, and payment card networks from discriminating against legal businesses and requires them to provide fair access to financial services based on impartial, risk-based standards. Financial institutions that violate these provisions may face penalties, including ineligibility for taxpayer-funded discount window lending programs and civil penalties. Individuals or businesses who are unfairly denied services can sue the financial institution in U.S. district court.

The "Chinese Spy Balloon Assessment Act" mandates the Secretary of Defense to deliver a report to the Senate and House Armed Services Committees. This report will detail the national security implications resulting from China's surveillance activities, specifically those conducted via the high-altitude balloon that was downed in U.S. airspace in February 2023, including any impact on military installations. The report will include an analysis of recovered technology and materials, identifying their origins where possible.

The "No User Fees for Gun Owners Act" prohibits state and local governments from imposing taxes, fees, or insurance requirements on firearm or ammunition ownership and commerce. Regular sales taxes are permitted if applied at the same rate as other goods and services. This bill aims to protect gun owners and businesses from discriminatory financial burdens.

The Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act of 2025 ensures that monetary penalties from False Claims Act cases are deposited into the Crime Victims Fund through fiscal year 2029. This excludes payments to whistleblowers and reimbursements to the government. This will increase the amount of money available to help victims of crimes.

The Dismantle DEI Act of 2025 seeks to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and initiatives within the federal government, training programs, contracting, grants, advisory committees, and educational accreditation. It restricts the use of federal funds for DEI-related activities, prohibits the promotion of specific concepts related to race, gender, and identity, and protects federal employees from being penalized for disagreeing with DEI programs. The act also empowers individuals to sue over violations of the act. This legislation aims to ensure non-discrimination in federal programs and activities and sets standards for accrediting agencies.

The SHUSH Act removes firearm silencers from the definition of firearms under the National Firearms Act, thus eliminating federal regulations, registration, and transfer taxes on silencers. It ensures that legal acquisition of a silencer under federal law satisfies any NFA registration or licensing requirements. The Act also preempts state and local laws that tax, mark, record, or register silencers involved in interstate or foreign commerce.

The "No Regulation Through Litigation Act of 2025" limits the power of federal agencies in settlement agreements and consent decrees. It prevents agencies from entering into consent decrees that exceed a court's authority and prohibits the payment of attorney fees or litigation costs in settlements that lead to new regulations or guidance documents. The bill defines "guidance document" and "regulation" and ensures that if any part of the Act is found invalid, the rest of the Act remains in effect.

The "Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act" expands Medicare coverage to include FDA-approved multi-cancer early detection screening tests starting in 2028. It defines the criteria for these tests, sets payment guidelines, and establishes age and frequency limitations for coverage. The bill ensures that existing cancer screening coverage remains unaffected and allows for waivers of limitations based on recommendations from the United States Preventive Services Task Force.