Legislative Activity

The Sovereign States Emergency Management Act abolishes FEMA, transferring its functions to the President within two years. It simultaneously establishes a new Disaster Relief Block Grant Program administered by the Treasury Secretary to provide direct funding to states for preparedness, response, and mitigation efforts. States must submit approved emergency management plans and detailed spending reports to receive and maintain these block grants.

The Imported Seafood Quality Enforcement Act significantly tightens safety standards for all seafood entering the U.S. by requiring foreign countries to have certified safety systems and mandating federal inspection and testing of at least 20% of all imported shipments annually. The bill establishes strict penalties for exporters who fail inspections, including temporary import bans, and allows the FDA to partner with states to expand inspection capabilities. Furthermore, it authorizes fees on exporters to fund these enhanced federal and state oversight operations.

The CATCH Fentanyl Act mandates the Department of Homeland Security to establish pilot projects at land ports of entry to test advanced inspection technologies, including those utilizing Artificial Intelligence. These tests aim to improve the detection of contraband like fentanyl while increasing inspection efficiency. The Secretary must report on the effectiveness of these technologies and provide recommendations for nationwide deployment within five years of enactment.

The Fair and Open Competition Act of 2025 ensures fair competition on federally funded construction projects by prohibiting the government from requiring or penalizing bidders based on union agreements. This legislation aims to keep federal agencies neutral in labor relations while promoting cost savings and opening opportunities for all businesses. Exceptions to this neutrality rule are strictly limited to specific public health, safety, or national security emergencies.

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 that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) deliver a comprehensive report to Congress within 180 days. This report must analyze current and emerging digital identity systems within the transportation sector, detailing their benefits, risks, and impact on homeland security. The TSA is also required to incorporate input from various governmental and private stakeholders in its findings.

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 "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 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 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.