Legislative Activity

The "Imported Seafood Quality Enforcement Act" aims to ensure the safety of seafood imported into the United States by requiring it to meet U.S. standards through regular inspections of foreign facilities and seafood shipments. It mandates inspection and testing of a significant percentage of imports, especially from new exporters, and imposes penalties for failed inspections, including potential import bans. The Act also enables cooperation with states to conduct inspections and testing, enhancing the oversight of imported seafood safety.

The "CATCH Fentanyl Act" directs the Department of Homeland Security to launch pilot projects at land ports of entry to test new technologies, including AI, for detecting contraband, illegal drugs, weapons, and human smuggling in vehicles and cargo. It requires detailed reports to Congress on the technologies' effectiveness, costs, and impact on privacy and civil liberties, while also outlining plans for broader implementation and protecting personal data. The Act emphasizes using existing resources, prohibiting new funding appropriations for these activities.

The "Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act" improves coordination between federal and state agencies and the Do Not Pay system to prevent improper payments to deceased individuals. It mandates the Social Security Administration to share necessary information with the Do Not Pay system while ensuring compliance with privacy and data protection requirements. The changes made by this bill will take effect on December 28, 2026.

The "Destruction of Hazardous Imports Act" amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, granting the Secretary of Health and Human Services the authority to destroy refused articles that pose a significant public health concern. It prohibits the unauthorized movement of articles marked for destruction into interstate commerce or export. The changes will take effect 180 days after enactment, with implementing regulations finalized within 90 days to align with international agreements.

The "District of Columbia Federal Immigration Compliance Act" prohibits the District of Columbia from acting as a sanctuary jurisdiction by preventing local entities from sharing immigration status information with federal authorities or complying with federal detainment requests. An exception is provided for policies protecting victims and witnesses of crimes.

The "Fair and Open Competition Act of 2025" seeks to ensure open competition and government neutrality in federal construction projects by preventing requirements for or bans against agreements with labor organizations. It prohibits discrimination based on labor affiliation, reduces construction costs, and expands job opportunities. The Act mandates revisions to regulations and allows exemptions only in special circumstances like public health or national security threats.

This bill nullifies the Environmental Protection Agency's recent updates to regulations for new chemicals under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). By disapproving the rule, the bill prevents the EPA from implementing the changes outlined in the update.

The "Emerging Digital Identity Ecosystem Report Act of 2025" mandates the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator to deliver a report to Congress on digital identity ecosystems. This report will detail the current status, benefits, and risks of these ecosystems in transportation, with a focus on enhancing homeland security and U.S. competitiveness. It also emphasizes incorporating insights from the private sector, as well as State, local, Tribal, and territorial governments.

The Law Enforcement Protection and Privacy Act of 2025 amends FOIA to protect sensitive firearms data, penalizes unauthorized disclosures of protected information by non-federal entities, and grants licensees the right to sue for damages resulting from such disclosures. It establishes financial penalties for improper disclosures and allows harmed parties to seek compensation in court. The act defines key terms and ensures that other legal remedies remain available.

The Federal Lands and Waters Leasing Transparency Act aims to increase transparency in oil and gas leasing on federal lands and waters. It requires the Secretary of Interior to provide detailed reports to bidders on offshore oil and gas leases when their bids are rejected and protects existing leases from legal challenges. Additionally, the Act sets a 60-day deadline for the Secretary of Interior to issue onshore oil and gas leases, regardless of court orders, unless issuing the lease would violate federal law. Finally, the Act ensures that court findings of noncompliance in offshore lease sales do not invalidate existing leases or delay related development plans and permit applications.

The "Restoring Competitive Property Insurance Availability Act" aims to support insurance companies providing real property coverage in federally declared disaster areas. It allows specified insurers to exclude qualified real property insurance income from their gross income for up to five years following a disaster. This applies to disasters occurring after December 31, 2024, and seeks to encourage the availability of property insurance in affected regions.

The "Safeguarding American Workers Benefits Act" amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify Social Security number (SSN) requirements for the Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit. It mandates that to claim these credits, the SSN must be issued by the Social Security Administration to a U.S. citizen or someone authorized to work in the U.S. These modifications will be effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

The Offshore Lands Authorities Act of 2025 nullifies previous presidential actions that withdrew unleased offshore lands from mineral leasing and limits the president's authority to withdraw such lands in the future. It sets acreage and time limits on withdrawals, mandates resource assessments and congressional notification, and establishes a process for Congress to disapprove withdrawals. The Act prioritizes resource assessments of withdrawn lands, emphasizing economic, energy, and national security value, and ensures withdrawals do not conflict with scheduled lease sales.

The "Imported Seafood Safety Standards Act" establishes a fund using duties on imported shrimp to enhance seafood safety and promote domestic shrimp consumption. Seventy percent of duties collected on specific imported shrimp products will be allocated to the "Inspection and Consumption of Shrimp and Shrimp Products Fund." Half of the funds will be used by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to inspect imported shrimp for safety and labor violations. The other half will be used by the Secretary of Agriculture to encourage domestic consumption of shrimp.

The CBP Workload Staffing Model Act requires the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to establish workload staffing models for the U.S. Border Patrol and Air and Marine Operations. These models must consider frontline activities, work environments, infrastructure, technology, and support levels. The Act also mandates the development of standard operating procedures for workforce tracking systems and requires annual status updates to Congress. Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security's Inspector General must review the workload staffing model and provide feedback.

The "Finish the Wall Act" mandates the resumption of border wall construction along the U.S.-Mexico border, as planned before January 20, 2021, and requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to use all available funds to complete the wall by September 30, 2026. It also requires the Department of Homeland Security to comply with the DNA Fingerprint Act of 2005 and submit implementation plans to Congress for tactical infrastructure and technology elements of the border wall system.