Legislative Activity

The "Weather Innovation for the Next Generation Act of 2025" directs the National Weather Service to establish a program researching how obstructions like wind turbines impact weather radar performance. The program will test technologies and develop solutions to mitigate these impacts, focusing on technology-based solutions and collaboration with various entities. It requires annual reports to Congress and a final recommendation on the need for further research. The program is set to conclude by September 30, 2030.

This bill reauthorizes the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009, updating references and adding a clause to develop requirements for data sharing. It also authorizes $56,000,000 for each fiscal year from 2026 through 2030 to support these activities.

The "Fair and Open Competition Act of 2025" seeks to ensure open competition and government neutrality in federal construction projects by preventing requirements for or bans against agreements with labor organizations. It prohibits discrimination based on labor affiliation, reduces construction costs, and expands job opportunities. The Act mandates revisions to regulations and allows exemptions only in special circumstances like public health or national security threats.

The "Save Our Shrimpers Act" aims to protect the U.S. shrimping industry by preventing federal funds from supporting foreign shrimp farming through international financial institutions. It prohibits the Secretary of the Treasury from providing funds to international financial institutions that use the funds for shrimp farming, processing, or export activities in foreign countries. Additionally, the Act mandates an annual report from the Comptroller General to Congress on the compliance of U.S. Executive Directors at international financial institutions regarding opposition to financial assistance for surplus commodities and minerals.

The "Sanctuary City Accountability Act" enables U.S. nationals to sue sanctuary jurisdictions in federal court if they or their family members are victims of crimes committed by aliens residing in those jurisdictions. It defines "sanctuary jurisdiction" as any state or local government obstructing federal immigration enforcement by shielding criminals from ICE. Lawsuits can seek injunctions or compensatory damages. The bill aims to hold sanctuary jurisdictions accountable for policies that hinder immigration enforcement.

The "Deporting Fraudsters Act of 2025" amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to deem aliens inadmissible to the U.S. if they have defrauded the U.S. government or unlawfully received public benefits. The act also makes aliens deportable if convicted of such offenses.

This bill disapproves and invalidates the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's rule regarding overdraft lending practices of very large financial institutions. The rule, found in the Federal Register, is nullified by this disapproval.

The "Stop Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act of 2025" postpones tax deadlines and waives penalties for U.S. nationals held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad, including their spouses, by disregarding the period of detention when determining tax liabilities. It requires the Secretary of State and the Attorney General to identify affected individuals and inform the Secretary of the Treasury. The Secretary of the Treasury will establish a program for eligible individuals to apply for a refund or abatement of penalties and fines related to the "applicable period" from January 1, 2021, to the date this law is enacted. This ensures that those who have been held hostage or wrongfully detained are not penalized for their inability to meet tax obligations during their captivity.

The "No Tax Dollars for the United Nations Immigration Invasion Act" prohibits the U.S. government from financially contributing to the United Nations International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). It also mandates a study by the Comptroller General to identify all federal assistance programs that provide funds to these organizations, detailing amounts, restrictions, and potential repayments, as well as an audit of the Department of State’s Refugee Travel Loan Program. A report summarizing the study and audit results must be submitted to Congress within 180 days of the Act's enactment.

The Veterans Readiness and Employment Transparency Act of 2025 aims to improve outreach by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for training and rehabilitation programs for veterans with service-connected disabilities by establishing a dedicated phone number and contact information on regional office websites. It also mandates monthly Q&A sessions between VA employees and school certifying officials, as well as in-person briefings at educational institutions. The Act requires the Secretary to submit an annual report on vocational rehabilitation program extensions and approve or reject extension requests within 30 days.

The SAFE Act of 2025 amends existing legislation to explicitly prohibit the slaughter of horses for human consumption, reinforcing protections for these animals. This bill seeks to prevent the inhumane treatment of American equines by closing loopholes that allow their slaughter and export for human consumption.

The "Make State Wildlife Action Plans Efficient Act of 2025" aims to streamline the approval process for state wildlife conservation programs. It mandates the Secretary to approve or deny a state's program within 180 days of submission. Failure to act within this timeframe results in automatic approval of the state's program.

The "End FEMA Benefits for Illegal Immigrants Act" terminates FEMA's program that funds shelters and services for migrants, which aimed to reduce overcrowding in Customs and Border Protection facilities. It also rescinds any remaining funds allocated to FEMA from previous appropriations acts that were intended for Customs and Border Protection operations.

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 "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.

This bill amends the Social Security Act to equalize the negotiation period for drug price negotiations under the Drug Price Negotiation Program. It changes the negotiation period for small-molecule drugs from 7 years to 11 years, matching the period already in place for biologic drugs. This adjustment aims to create parity in negotiation timelines between different types of medications, effective as if included in the original legislation.

The U.S. Citrus Protection Act prohibits the importation of commercially produced fresh citrus fruit from China into the United States. This ban will take effect 90 days after the enactment of the Act.

The "Death Tax Repeal Act" eliminates both estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes, effective from the date of enactment. It adjusts gift tax calculations by setting the lifetime gift exemption at $10,000,000, with inflation adjustments after 2011. The Act also includes transitional rules for applying certain sections of the Internal Revenue Code during the enactment year.

The "Midnight Rules Relief Act" allows Congress to group together and vote on multiple resolutions disapproving regulations finalized during a President's last year in office. This enables Congress to overturn several "midnight rules" with a single vote. The joint resolution would specify the rules being disapproved and declare that those rules have no legal authority.

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.