Legislative Activity

The Major Richard Star Act ensures that military retirees with combat-related disabilities can receive both their military retirement pay and VA disability compensation concurrently without reduction. This law removes previous restrictions that caused military retirement pay to be offset by VA disability payments for these specific cases. The changes take effect on the first day of the month following the Act's 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.

The Providing Veterans Essential Medications Act allows State homes caring for veterans to choose how they receive reimbursement for very high-cost medications. State homes can opt to be reimbursed directly for the medication's cost or have the Secretary of the VA furnish the drug directly. This provision applies only when the cost of a specific medication exceeds a defined threshold relative to the standard monthly payment for that veteran's care.

The Productive Public Lands Act mandates the Secretary of the Interior to promptly reissue nine specific Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land management plans finalized between late 2024 and early 2025. This reissuance requires the BLM to formally update its preferred alternative for each plan. Crucially, these reissued documents are automatically deemed compliant with major environmental review and administrative procedure laws, bypassing further environmental analysis.

The "Federal Reserve Board Abolition Act" eliminates the Federal Reserve Board and Federal Reserve Banks one year after enactment, repealing the Federal Reserve Act. During the dissolution period, the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board will manage the winding down of affairs, and the Office of Management and Budget Director will liquidate assets to maximize returns to the Treasury. The Treasury Secretary will assume outstanding liabilities and, along with the Office of Management and Budget Director, report to Congress on the implementation of the Act.

This bill aims to enhance security along the southern border by constructing roads, increasing access for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and allowing temporary placement of structures by border states. It also seeks to mitigate environmental damage on federal lands caused by illegal activities through initiatives focused on reducing trash, preventing wildfires, and remediating contamination. Additionally, the bill restricts housing options for non-citizens who have not been formally admitted into the country by preventing the use of federal funds to house these individuals on federally managed lands.

The SAFER Voter Act seeks to eliminate the age restriction that prevents individuals under 21 from purchasing handguns and handgun ammunition from licensed federal firearms dealers. This bill would amend title 18 of the United States Code, specifically sections 922(b)(1) and 922(c)(1), to allow adults 18 and over to purchase handguns.

The "Protecting American Agriculture from Foreign Adversaries Act of 2025" adds the Secretary of Agriculture to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) for agricultural matters. It mandates CFIUS review of agricultural land transactions, particularly those involving entities from China, North Korea, Russia, or Iran, to safeguard American agriculture. This ensures scrutiny of foreign investments in agricultural land and related industries, addressing potential threats to national security. The requirements for a specific country will end if that country is removed from the list of foreign adversaries in section 791.4 of title 15, Code of Federal Regulations.

The "No American Land for Communist China Act" prohibits the President from allowing individuals or entities associated with the Chinese government from purchasing real estate near covered federal lands. Covered lands include those managed by the Departments of Interior, Defense, Agriculture (Forest Service), and Energy, as well as Indian country. This restriction applies to entities with at least 25% equity interest held by Chinese government-affiliated individuals or businesses. The Act defines "United States" broadly to include states, territories, and other U.S. possessions.

The "Access Technology Affordability Act of 2025" introduces a tax credit for blind individuals who purchase qualified access technology, such as hardware or software that converts visual information into accessible formats. The credit is capped at $2,000 per blind individual over any three consecutive tax years and will be adjusted for inflation after 2026. This credit is effective for tax years starting after December 31, 2025, and expires after December 31, 2030. It ensures that individuals cannot claim double benefits for the same expenses.

The "DOC Access Act of 2025" aims to enhance health care coverage under vision and dental plans by ensuring fair payment practices, protecting doctors' choices in labs and suppliers, and respecting state laws. It allows optometrists and dentists to charge their standard rate for non-covered services if the plan's payment is unreasonable, while ensuring they can only charge the contracted rate for dental cleanings. The bill also gives doctors more control over agreement extensions with limited benefit plans and allows them to opt out of certain provisions. Ultimately, this act seeks to balance federal guidelines with state oversight in regulating health insurance issuers and dental or vision benefit plans.

The DEFUND Act of 2025 terminates U.S. membership in the United Nations and all affiliated organizations, repeals existing acts that enable U.S. participation, and prohibits future funding or involvement in UN activities, including peacekeeping operations and conventions. It also revokes diplomatic immunity for UN personnel within the U.S. and requires the Secretary of State to notify the UN of these changes. The bill further prevents the U.S. from reentering the UN without Senate approval and a guaranteed right to withdraw.

This bill repeals the 1991 Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution and the 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution, formally ending the legal basis for military actions in Iraq under these authorizations.

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to disallow both the production tax credit and the investment tax credit for offshore wind facilities placed in service in the inland navigable waters or coastal waters of the United States. These changes will be effective for energy produced and property placed in service after December 31, 2025.

The "Ending the Cycle of Dependency Act of 2025" modifies work requirements for both the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 and the Social Security Act. It raises the age limit for exemption from work requirements for SNAP benefits and mandates that certain Medicaid recipients between the ages of 19 and 59 must complete at least 80 hours of work, community service, or a work program per month to maintain eligibility. The bill outlines specific exemptions to these work requirements, including individuals with medical conditions, pregnant individuals, and caretakers of young children. States are allowed to disenroll individuals from Medicaid if they do not comply with the work requirements and federal funding is unavailable.

The NIH Reform Act divides the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases into three separate entities: the National Institute of Allergic Diseases, the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, and the National Institute of Immunologic Diseases. It requires the President to appoint directors for each new institute. The act outlines the research focus of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases and the National Institute of Immunologic Diseases. It directs the NIH Director to manage the transition and makes necessary amendments to reflect these changes.

The "Make American Flags in America Act of 2025" mandates that U.S. flags displayed on Federal property or bought by Federal agencies be entirely manufactured in the U.S. using 100% U.S.-made materials, in accordance with international agreements. It also directs the Federal Trade Commission to study and report on country-of-origin labeling enforcement for U.S. flags, aiming to improve enforcement and deter violations.

The Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025 extends critical federal funding for states and counties containing national forest land through 2026. This legislation ensures the continuation of essential community services and maintains the authority for resource advisory committees and local special projects.

The Local Radio Freedom Act expresses Congressional opposition to imposing new performance fees, taxes, or royalties on local radio stations and businesses for playing music. It argues that the current system of free airplay provides essential promotional value to artists and that new fees would threaten the financial viability of local broadcasters and the vital community services they provide.

The "Protect America's Lands Act" prevents national securities exchanges from handling transactions of securities issued by "natural asset companies." These companies manage land for conservation and aim to enhance the value of natural assets and ecosystem services. The bill defines specific criteria for what constitutes a "natural asset company" to ensure the prohibition is appropriately applied.