Legislative Activity

The MERICA Act of 2025 seeks to update the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands by extending its leasing authority to cover hardrock minerals. This bill specifically defines hardrock minerals to include base metals, precious metals, and gemstones, while excluding resources like coal, oil, and gas. This change expands the federal leasing framework for certain hardrock mineral deposits on acquired lands.

This bill, the Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act, officially authorizes Congress to award Congressional Gold Medals to the 1980 U.S. Men's Olympic Ice Hockey Team for their historic "Miracle on Ice" victory. The medals will be struck by the Treasury and permanently displayed at specific national sports museums. The Act also permits the sale of duplicate bronze medals to cover production costs.

The Energy Choice Act prevents state and local governments from enacting bans or restrictions on the type or source of energy services consumers can access. This legislation protects consumer choice across various energy sources, including natural gas, hydrogen, propane, and electricity, provided the energy is sold across state lines. Essentially, it limits local interference with energy delivery options.

The Reliable Federal Infrastructure Act focuses on repealing specific, revised energy efficiency performance standards for federal buildings. This action voids the recently established rules for how new and existing federal buildings must operate regarding energy use. The bill also makes necessary conforming amendments across other related federal energy and green building legislation.

The Ensuring a Qualified Civil Service Act of 2025 (EQUALS Act) significantly extends probationary and trial periods for new federal employees in the competitive and excepted services to two years, while maintaining a one-year period for preference eligibles. This legislation also increases the required service time for non-preference eligible employees to access certain adverse action protections from one year to two years. The Act mandates that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) issue necessary implementing regulations within 180 days of enactment. Finally, it extends these new probationary rules to personnel within the FAA and TSA.

The Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act focuses primarily on improving pediatric drug development and ensuring patient access to necessary treatments. This legislation mandates new research requirements for molecularly targeted pediatric cancer drugs, strengthens FDA enforcement of pediatric study completion, and extends incentives for developing drugs for rare pediatric diseases. Additionally, the bill updates organ transplant network functions and establishes an Abraham Accords Office within the FDA to enhance international regulatory cooperation.

This Act establishes a clear U.S. policy to advocate for Taiwan's full participation and membership in the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol). It directs the Secretary of State to develop a comprehensive strategy to secure Taiwan's inclusion and involvement in Interpol's activities. Furthermore, the bill mandates reports to Congress detailing the strategy and assessing the threats Taiwan faces due to its current exclusion from global crime-fighting networks.

The Bill to Outlaw Wounding of Official Working Animals Act of 2025 (BOWOW Act) establishes new immigration consequences for harming animals used in federal law enforcement. This legislation makes noncitizens inadmissible to the U.S. and subject to deportation if they have committed acts that violate federal laws against harming these working animals.

This act, the Heat Workforce Standards Act of 2025, prohibits the Secretary of Labor from finalizing, implementing, or enforcing the proposed rule regarding heat injury and illness prevention published in August 2024. This restriction extends to any future standard substantially similar to the one proposed.

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 Federal Carjacking Enforcement Act amends federal carjacking law by modifying the required mental state for the offense, replacing a specific intent requirement with the standard of "knowingly." Additionally, it clarifies the circumstances under which a death resulting from the act constitutes an enhanced offense.

The Bringing Assistance for Rural Needs During Shutdowns Act designates services provided by the Farm Services Agency (FSA) as essential during a government shutdown. This ensures that FSA officers and employees can continue their work, recognizing their services as necessary for protecting human life and property.

The LABEL Act proposes new federal labeling requirements for abortion-inducing drugs, mandating that the label include the dispenser's name and address, as well as the prescriber's name. This legislation also prohibits states or localities from enforcing labeling requirements for these drugs that are less strict than the new federal standard. The bill specifically defines which drugs fall under this labeling requirement, excluding those used for ectopic pregnancies or to remove a deceased fetus.

The Non-Essential Workers Transparency Act mandates that Executive agencies report detailed information regarding furloughed employees, known as "covered employees," following a lapse in appropriations. These reports must be submitted to relevant congressional committees and subsequently published online. Additionally, the Congressional Budget Office is required to produce and release a public report detailing the economic effects of the funding lapse.

The Firearm Access During Shutdowns Act ensures that essential firearm-related government operations continue without interruption during a federal shutdown. This legislation specifically mandates the continuation of the FBI's NICS background check system and related processing at the ATF, Department of Commerce, and Department of State. By deeming these functions essential for protecting life and property, the bill prevents delays in firearm transfers and export licensing during lapses in appropriations.

The Disqualifying Dual Loyalty Act of 2025 prohibits any individual holding citizenship or nationality in a foreign country from being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives or the Senate. This measure establishes a strict requirement that candidates for Congress must exclusively hold United States citizenship. Essentially, dual citizenship disqualifies a person from serving in Congress under this Act.

The Natural Gas Export Expansion Act aims to boost the U.S. economy by streamlining and expediting the approval process for exporting natural gas to allied nations. This legislation removes previous regulatory hurdles, ensuring faster authorization for exports, while maintaining exclusions for sanctioned countries or those deemed national security risks. Furthermore, it automatically approves natural gas trade with Canada and Mexico.

The Non-Domiciled CDL Integrity Act establishes new federal standards for states issuing Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDLs) to individuals who do not reside in that state. This bill sets specific, strict requirements for foreign nationals seeking a CDL, including proof of lawful status and job-related visas, while also outlining distinct procedures for applicants residing in U.S. territories. The legislation mandates enhanced record-keeping and reporting by states to the Secretary of Transportation regarding these non-domiciled licenses.

The No Funding for Lawless Jurisdictions Act restricts federal crime-fighting grants to state and local governments that limit cash bail for serious offenses or release convicted felons on personal recognizance. Furthermore, jurisdictions that cut their police budgets in the preceding year are ineligible for these funds, unless the cut was part of a fair, government-wide budget reduction. This legislation aims to ensure federal support only goes to jurisdictions maintaining traditional public safety and law enforcement funding standards.

The Restoring Safeguards for Dangerous Abortion Drugs Act mandates that the FDA immediately revert the safety requirements for mifepristone to the 2011 Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS). This legislation also establishes a new federal cause of action allowing individuals harmed by illegally imported abortion drugs to sue the responsible entities. Finally, the Act explicitly bans the importation of mifepristone into the United States.