Legislative Activity

The Defining Male and Female Act of 2025 establishes fixed, biological definitions for "male" and "female" based on reproductive function at conception for all federal law interpretations. This Act mandates that the federal government must use these biological definitions when defining sex, man, woman, and parental roles. Furthermore, it explicitly states that "gender identity" shall not be recognized as a substitute for biological sex in federal statutes or regulations.

The Disaster Reforestation Act establishes new rules for calculating tax deductions related to the loss of uncut timber due to natural disasters like fires or storms. This special casualty loss deduction is available only if the taxpayer agrees to replant the affected area within five years. The Act sets specific appraisal standards and allows taxpayers to use an estimate initially, provided an official appraisal is completed within one year.

This joint resolution nullifies the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management's rule on the Protection of Marine Archaeological Resources. By disapproving the rule, Congress prevents its enforcement or implementation.

This resolution recognizes and honors teachers who have achieved or maintained National Board Certification, highlighting their significant contributions to student learning and leadership. It acknowledges the rigorous standards required for certification and the positive impact these teachers have, especially in addressing learning loss. The resolution encourages increased support for teachers pursuing National Board Certification to further enhance educational quality. As of March 2025, there are 141,464 National Board Certified teachers.

The Military Spouse Hiring Act amends the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) to include military spouses as eligible hires. This allows employers to claim the tax credit for hiring individuals certified as spouses of active-duty military personnel. The provision applies to wages paid for individuals hired after the Act's enactment date.

The Home-Based Telemental Health Care Act of 2025 establishes a grant program to expand access to mental health and substance use services for rural and underserved populations via telehealth. Eligible entities will receive funding to deliver remote care directly to patients' homes, improving access where traditional services are scarce. Grantees must also focus on developing quality metrics for this remote care and supporting necessary technological infrastructure, such as broadband access.

The Fair and Open Competition Act (FOCA Act) ensures fair competition on federally funded construction projects by prohibiting the government from mandating or barring contractors from entering into agreements with labor unions. This promotes open bidding, reduces taxpayer costs, and prevents discrimination based on union membership. The law requires federal agencies to remain neutral regarding project labor agreements for both direct contracts and federal grants.

The Major Richard Star Act allows veterans with combat-related disabilities to receive both veteran's disability compensation and military retired pay concurrently, without reduction. This act amends Title 10 of the United States Code to ensure that disability retirees with combat-related disabilities are not subject to reductions in retired pay due to receiving veteran's disability compensation. These changes will take effect the first day of the month following the enactment of the Act.

This Act officially modifies the boundaries of the Vicksburg National Military Park by transferring two specific parcels of federal land to the State of Mississippi. The state intends to use these areas for public facilities, such as a welcome or interpretive center. Upon conveyance, the official park boundaries will be immediately adjusted to reflect the change in ownership.

The Rural Water System Disaster Preparedness and Assistance Act establishes a new program to provide technical assistance and grants to help rural water and wastewater systems prepare for and recover from disasters. This assistance will be delivered by experienced nonprofit organizations to aid in emergency response, planning, infrastructure repair, and securing federal aid. The program is authorized with $20 million annually from Fiscal Year 2025 through 2029.

The End Taxpayer Funding of Gender Experimentation Act of 2025 prohibits the use of any federal money for gender transition procedures, including for federal employees and at federal facilities. This ban also extends to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace, preventing individuals from using federal premium tax credits or cost-sharing reductions to cover plans that include these procedures. The law strictly defines "gender transition procedures" while excluding treatments for certain disorders of sex development or procedures necessary to prevent imminent death.

The Traveler's Gun Rights Act updates the federal definition of "State of residence" for individuals, including military members, to better reflect where they actually live or are stationed. This change also modifies the identification requirements for firearm background checks to accommodate those without a traditional physical residence. The goal is to clarify residency rules across various federal firearms laws.

The Protect Our Military Families’ 2nd Amendment Rights Act ensures that spouses of active-duty service members stationed overseas can legally receive firearms or ammunition under existing federal exceptions. This legislation also standardizes how a military spouse's residency is determined for federal firearms laws, aligning it with that of the service member. The goal is to provide consistent rights and recognition for military families regarding firearm ownership, regardless of their duty station location.

The ATF Transparency Act aims to streamline firearm transfer and registration processes by mandating a 3-business-day review period, after which applications are automatically approved unless legal requirements are not met. The bill also establishes an administrative appeal process for applicants whose transfers are denied based on federal or state law concerns, including reimbursement for legal fees upon a successful appeal. Furthermore, it requires reports on unresolved background checks and mandates an agreement between the ATF and FBI on processing future NICS inquiries.

This Act, the Hershel ‘Woody' Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act, designates a specific location for the National Medal of Honor Monument in Washington D.C. It overrides standard placement rules to ensure the monument is situated within the "Reserve." This action supports the immediate honoring of Medal of Honor recipients, whose numbers are rapidly declining.

The Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati Stopping Prison Contraband Act aims to reduce contraband in prisons by increasing penalties for providing or attempting to provide a phone to an inmate. It mandates the Director of the Bureau of Prisons to review and update policies regarding inmates who make, possess, or try to obtain prohibited items to improve safety.

This resolution celebrates Black History Month, acknowledging the historical injustices and significant contributions of African Americans to the United States. It recognizes Black History Month as a time for reflection, commemoration, and learning from the past. The resolution encourages the celebration of Black History Month and emphasizes the importance of moving forward as a united nation with liberty and justice for all.

The Ag Disputes Act aims to bolster U.S. agricultural competitiveness by addressing unfair foreign trade barriers. It mandates the creation of an Agricultural Trade Enforcement Task Force to identify and challenge trade violations, particularly those impacting U.S. agricultural exports. The task force will develop strategies, engage with stakeholders, and report to Congress on its progress, with a specific focus on addressing India's price support programs through World Trade Organization consultations. This act seeks to ensure fair global trade practices and protect American farmers and businesses.

The "Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow's Workforce Act" amends Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code to allow the use of 529 education savings accounts for expenses related to postsecondary credential programs. These programs include workforce training, professional certifications, and licenses. This change expands the definition of qualified higher education expenses to include tuition, fees, books, supplies, equipment, and testing fees associated with recognized postsecondary credentials. The bill aims to make workforce training and professional certifications more accessible and affordable.

This joint resolution nullifies the Environmental Protection Agency's rule regarding national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants in rubber tire manufacturing. By disapproving the rule, the resolution prevents the EPA from enforcing stricter emission standards in the rubber tire manufacturing industry.