Legislative Activity

The Punishing Illegal Immigrant Felons Act of 2025 significantly increases prison sentences for non-citizens who commit crimes after entering the U.S. illegally or after being previously removed. This legislation mandates substantial minimum prison terms—including an additional five years for illegal entry followed by a felony conviction and a new ten-year minimum for re-entry after deportation coupled with a crime. The bill aims to impose much harsher penalties on undocumented immigrants who commit serious offenses.

The Felony Murder for Deadly Fentanyl Distribution Act of 2025 amends federal law to classify the distribution of fentanyl that results in death as first-degree felony murder. This change subjects offenders to the death penalty or life imprisonment if they distribute specific quantities of fentanyl or its analogues, knowing the substance contained them, and that distribution caused a fatality. The bill specifically targets distributors of two grams or more of fentanyl mixtures or half a gram or more of fentanyl analogue mixtures.

The Start Applying Labor Transparency (SALT) Act updates the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959 to increase transparency regarding financial activities aimed at influencing employee organizing and bargaining rights. It mandates new, detailed reporting requirements for both labor organizations and labor relations consultants concerning payments made to persuade employees. The Secretary of Labor is required to issue all necessary regulations implementing these changes within six months of the Act's enactment.

The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE Act) significantly amends federal law to require individuals registering to vote in federal elections to present documentary proof of U.S. citizenship. This legislation mandates that states actively clean their voter rolls and cooperate with federal agencies to verify citizenship status. It establishes new criminal penalties for officials who fail to enforce these documentation requirements.

The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act aims to combat sophisticated, cross-border criminal organizations driving massive increases in retail and supply chain theft. This bill updates federal laws regarding stolen goods and money laundering to strengthen enforcement tools against these groups. Furthermore, it establishes a new federal Coordination Center within Homeland Security to share intelligence and coordinate efforts between federal, state, and private sector partners. The legislation recognizes that these theft rings often fund other serious criminal activities, threatening national security and the economy.

The Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act of 2025 aims to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and countering its support for terrorism by imposing sanctions on those involved in Iran's energy sector and those who provide financial support for its destabilizing activities. It mandates sanctions on foreign entities involved in processing, exporting, or selling Iranian oil, gas, and petrochemicals, while also establishing an interagency working group to coordinate and enforce these sanctions. The Act also amends existing legislation to require the identification of individuals involved in sanctionable activities or sanctions evasion related to Iranian oil and gas sales.

The Safeguarding American Property Act of 2025 expands mandatory detention requirements for certain non-citizens who commit specific property crimes. This legislation adds offenses like trespassing, vandalism, and arson to the list of crimes that require immigration authorities to detain an individual during removal proceedings. The bill also clarifies language related to violent offenses to ensure comprehensive grounds for detention.

The Nuclear Family Priority Act significantly restructures U.S. family-based immigration by redefining "immediate relatives" to only include spouses and children of U.S. citizens, removing parents from that top category. It also establishes a new, temporary nonimmigrant visa for parents of adult U.S. citizens, which prohibits work and public benefits. Furthermore, the bill revises the annual cap for family-sponsored visas and makes numerous technical amendments across immigration law to align with these changes.

The SHORT Act aims to reform federal firearms regulations by redefining what constitutes a "firearm" for tax purposes, largely excluding antique or collector's items. It eliminates disparate federal treatment for short-barreled rifles and shotguns used lawfully and preempts state and local governments from imposing special taxes or registration requirements on these specific weapons. Furthermore, the bill mandates the destruction of certain existing federal registration and transfer records related to defined firearms.

This Act officially authorizes the adjustment of the boundaries for Big Bend National Park. The Secretary of the Interior is permitted to acquire approximately 6,100 acres of land or rights through donation or exchange to expand the park. Crucially, this expansion explicitly prohibits the use of eminent domain to secure the additional property.

The Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2025 establishes a national standard for carrying concealed handguns across state lines. This act allows individuals legally permitted to carry in their home state to carry concealed in any other state that allows its residents to carry concealed firearms. The law does not override private property restrictions or prohibitions on government property, but it provides protections and legal recourse for those traveling in compliance with the new federal standard.

The Law-Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act of 2025 exempts specific, clearly defined less-than-lethal projectile devices from standard federal firearm restrictions under Title 18 of the U.S. Code. This exemption applies only to devices incapable of firing standard ammunition and designed to minimize the risk of serious injury or death. The bill also establishes a process for manufacturers to seek official confirmation from the Attorney General regarding a device's classification.

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.

The Veterans First Act of 2025 redirects $2 billion from foreign aid to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This funding is specifically allocated to provide grants for the construction, renovation, and improvement of state-run veterans' homes and facilities. The bill ensures these funds remain available until fully utilized for veteran care infrastructure projects.

**ESA Amendments Act of 2025 Summary:** The ESA Amendments Act of 2025 seeks to modify and update the Endangered Species Act of 1973 by prioritizing conservation efforts, incentivizing private land stewardship, and increasing transparency and accountability. The act focuses on streamlining regulations, limiting legal challenges, and ensuring that decisions are based on sound science and economic considerations. These changes aim to balance species protection with the needs of private landowners and state management, while also addressing international trade regulations.

The "End Congressional Stock Trading Act" prohibits Members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children from owning or trading stocks, bonds, commodities, futures, and other securities, with certain exceptions like diversified investment funds and U.S. Treasury securities. Current and new members, along with their families, must divest prohibited assets within specified timeframes, with extended periods for complex investments. Violators may face civil penalties up to $100,000 per violation, and the bill allows for deferred capital gains taxes on required asset sales reinvested in permissible assets.

The "No Immigration Benefits for Hamas Terrorists Act of 2025" amends immigration law to deny entry and immigration benefits to individuals involved in the Hamas attacks against Israel beginning on October 7, 2023. It deems these individuals inadmissible to the U.S. and ineligible for immigration relief. The Act also mandates the Secretary of Homeland Security to provide an annual report to Congress regarding the number of individuals found inadmissible or removable due to their participation in Hamas terrorism against Israel.

The "No Censors on Our Shores Act" amends immigration law to prevent foreign government officials who censor the free speech of U.S. citizens within the U.S. from entering or remaining in the country. This bill ensures that individuals who suppress the rights of American citizens are held accountable and are not welcome in the United States.

This bill expresses support for the Iranian people's desire for a democratic, secular, and nonnuclear republic, while condemning the Iranian regime's human rights abuses, support for terrorism, and attempts to develop nuclear weapons. It affirms the right of the Iranian people to self-determination and supports continued sanctions against the current regime. The bill also calls for the protection of Iranian political refugees in Albania.

The "Protect and Serve Act of 2025" creates federal offenses for intentionally causing serious injury or death to law enforcement officers because of their status as officers. It sets penalties including imprisonment and fines, with increased penalties if death results or if kidnapping or attempted killing is involved. Federal prosecution requires certification from the Attorney General, based on a request from the state or if it is in the public interest to ensure substantial justice. The act defines "law enforcement officer" and "State" for the purposes of the new offenses.