Legislative Activity

The American Victims of Terrorism Compensation Act amends the Justice for United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Act to increase funding for victims of state-sponsored terrorism by redirecting forfeited assets and penalties into the United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund. It mandates specific deposit timelines for forfeited funds, requires annual pro rata payments to eligible claimants beginning in 2026, and enhances transparency through detailed annual reports on fund activity. The Act also allows for the use of Department of Justice personnel to aid in the administration of the fund and ensures a supplemental payment to those already approved for fifth-round payments.

The Trafficking Survivors Relief Act of 2025 aims to provide legal relief to victims of trafficking by allowing them to vacate convictions or expunge arrests for certain federal offenses committed as a direct result of their trafficking. It also allows for reduced sentences for covered prisoners and enables the use of grant funds for legal representation in post-conviction relief cases. The act further establishes a "human trafficking defense," and mandates reports to Congress on the implementation and impact of these provisions. This bill seeks to address the exploitation of forced criminal activity by human traffickers and provide support and protection to survivors.

The "More Homes on the Market Act" increases the tax exclusion for profit from the sale of a primary residence, raising it to $500,000 for single filers and $1,000,000 for married couples filing jointly. These amounts will be adjusted for inflation starting in 2025. This change encourages homeowners to sell their properties, thereby increasing the availability of homes on the market.

The "One Flag for All Act" generally prohibits the display of flags other than the U.S. flag on the exterior or in public areas of covered federal buildings. There are explicit exceptions for flags such as POW/MIA flags, state flags displayed at a Member of Congress's office, flags representing the Armed Forces, flags of historical significance, and flags representing local jurisdictions where the building is located. The bill defines "covered public buildings" broadly, including federal buildings, Senate and House buildings, military installations, and U.S. embassies and consulates.

The Supporting the Local Radio Freedom Act prevents Congress from imposing new performance fees on local radio stations for playing music. It emphasizes the mutually beneficial relationship between broadcasters and the recording industry, where radio provides free publicity that boosts music sales and supports artists. The act recognizes local radio's crucial role in communities by providing news, weather updates, and public service announcements. Ultimately, this bill aims to protect local radio stations and businesses from economic harm, ensuring they can continue serving their communities without additional financial burdens.

The United States-Israel Defense Partnership Act of 2025 seeks to bolster the defense relationship between the United States and Israel through joint initiatives and increased cooperation. It establishes programs to counter unmanned systems, extend anti-tunnel and counter-UAS cooperation, and promote collaboration in emerging technologies like AI and cybersecurity. The act also mandates the establishment of a Defense Innovation Unit office in Israel and assesses integrated air and missile defense in the U.S. Central Command region. Finally, it explores Israel's potential inclusion in the national technology and industrial base.

The "Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act of 2025" amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to extend death benefits to retired law enforcement officers who die or are disabled from targeted attacks due to their service. The bill applies retroactively to pending matters before the Bureau of Justice Assistance, or those filed/accruing after the enactment date, with exceptions for actions against retired law enforcement officers that occurred on or after August 28, 2012.

The SAFE for America Act of 2025 eliminates the Diversity Visa Program, which makes visas available to persons from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. This is achieved through repealing subsection (c) of Section 203 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The Act also makes corresponding technical amendments to other sections of the Immigration and Nationality Act to reflect this change. These changes would take effect beginning October 1, 2025.

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 "Freight RAILCAR Act of 2025" introduces a tax credit for modernizing freight railcars, encouraging investments in newer, more efficient railcars. Taxpayers can claim a credit equal to 10% of their freight railcar fleet modernization expenses, with a limit of 1,000 qualified freight railcars per year. The credit applies to railcars that increase capacity, improve fuel efficiency, or meet updated performance standards, and is available for three years after the Act's enactment. The Secretary of the Treasury is required to submit a report to Congress detailing the credit's usage and impact on railcar modernization and scrapping.

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.

The "Marc Fischer Memorial Act" aims to combat the flow of synthetic drugs, particularly fentanyl, into Federal prisons through the mail. It mandates the Director of the Bureau of Prisons to develop and implement a strategy to equip all Federal correctional facilities with the technology and processes needed to scan mail, protect staff and inmates, and ensure timely delivery of mail copies while maintaining legal mail privileges. The strategy includes assessing current practices, identifying necessary resources, and providing a budgetary proposal for implementation, with ongoing reporting to Congress on its effectiveness.

The "Superior National Forest Restoration Act of 2025" aims to facilitate mineral development within Minnesota's Superior National Forest by rescinding a land withdrawal order and expediting the review and approval process for mining plans. It mandates the reissuance of canceled mineral leases and prospecting permits, establishes fixed terms for renewed leases, and limits judicial review of these reissued leases or permits. The Act also enables the issuance of permits for surface land use necessary for mining operations.

The US-Kazakhstan Trade Modernization Act allows the President to extend nondiscriminatory trade treatment to products from Kazakhstan, which would formally remove Kazakhstan from Title IV of the Trade Act of 1974. This action acknowledges Kazakhstan's compliance with emigration requirements since 1997 and its membership in the World Trade Organization since 2015, further solidifying trade relations between the United States and Kazakhstan.

The "Protection of Women in Olympic and Amateur Sports Act" amends Title 36 of the United States Code to define "female" and "male" based on reproductive systems. It stipulates that individuals whose sex is male are prohibited from participating in amateur athletic competitions designated for females.

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 "Fix Our Forests Act" aims to improve forest management and wildfire resilience through landscape-scale restoration, community protection in wildland-urban interfaces, and enhanced transparency and technology. It establishes programs for wildfire risk reduction, reforestation, and biochar development, while also focusing on restoring white oak populations and supporting the families of firefighters. The act streamlines project approvals, encourages collaboration, and implements litigation reforms to expedite forest management activities. Additionally, it creates a casualty assistance program for firefighters and support personnel who are seriously injured, become ill, or die while on duty.

The "Main Street Tax Certainty Act" amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permanently extend the deduction for qualified business income. This removes the previous expiration date, providing long-term tax certainty for eligible businesses. The change applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

The "Promoting Domestic Energy Production Act" revises the tax treatment of intangible drilling and development costs for oil and gas operations. It modifies how these costs are handled when calculating adjusted financial statement income, aligning depreciation and expense deductions more closely with taxable income standards. These adjustments impact depreciation deductions under section 167 and deductions for expenses under section 263(c) of the Internal Revenue Code. The changes will be effective for taxable years starting after December 31, 2025.

The "National Constitutional Carry Act" aims to protect the Second Amendment rights of individuals to carry firearms in public for self-defense, as affirmed by Supreme Court decisions. It prevents state and local governments from restricting the carrying of firearms by legal U.S. citizens, whether residents or non-residents, in any public place, with exceptions for private property where firearms are prohibited and places with firearm screening. This act asserts that any state or local laws conflicting with this provision will be rendered ineffective.