Legislative Activity

The Shipbuilding and Harbor Infrastructure for Prosperity and Security for America Act of 2025 establishes a comprehensive framework to revitalize the U.S. maritime industry, shipbuilding capacity, and merchant marine workforce. It centralizes national maritime oversight, creates a dedicated Maritime Security Trust Fund financed partly by penalties on foreign-linked vessels, and mandates increased use of U.S.-flagged ships for government and certain commercial cargo. Ultimately, the bill aims to secure critical sealift capabilities and boost domestic maritime economic competitiveness against foreign rivals.

The Building Ships in America Act of 2025 introduces significant tax incentives to revitalize the U.S. shipbuilding industry, including a new investment tax credit for building qualifying vessels in American shipyards. The bill also establishes a 25% credit for constructing shipyard facilities and provides tax exemptions for certain maritime security payments and student incentive agreements. Furthermore, it treats designated "maritime prosperity zones" as Opportunity Zones to encourage related economic development.

The Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025 settles water rights claims for the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, and San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe by ratifying a settlement agreement, allocating Arizona Colorado River Water, and authorizing the construction of the iin b paa tuwaqatsi pipeline to deliver potable water. The Act establishes trust funds for each tribe to manage water projects, operation and maintenance, agricultural conservation, and renewable energy development, while also including waivers, releases, and retention of specific claims. The Act requires the Secretary of the Interior to execute the settlement agreement and fulfill its provisions, contingent upon specific conditions and funding authorizations, to ensure the tribes receive the water resources necessary for their communities and future development. Additionally, the Act ratifies a treaty and creates a reservation for the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe.

The Save Our Forests Act of 2025 aims to strengthen the management of our national forests by immediately boosting Forest Service staffing levels. This legislation mandates the hiring of new personnel and the reinstatement of employees dismissed between January 20 and February 25, 2025. Furthermore, it ensures the continuation of authorized Forest Service projects funded under existing major conservation and infrastructure laws.

The Protect our Parks Act of 2025 mandates the Secretary of the Interior to immediately ensure full staffing, including all maintenance positions, across the National Park Service. This Act also requires the reinstatement of any NPS employees involuntarily removed between January 20 and February 25, 2025. Furthermore, it authorizes the continuation of existing, funded National Park Service projects under several key federal acts.

The HIDTA Enhancement Act reauthorizes funding for High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTAs) through 2030, mandating specific reporting on fentanyl trafficking and associated challenges. It increases funding for the Counterdrug Technology Assessment Center to support law enforcement efforts against fentanyl and directs the Attorney General to prioritize fentanyl trafficking prosecutions by providing additional resources. The bill allocates $333,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2025 through 2030 for HIDTAs.

The Water Infrastructure Subcontractor and Taxpayer Protection Act of 2025 amends the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014 to protect taxpayers and subcontractors. It mandates payment and performance security for construction projects receiving federal financial assistance. The Act ensures that either state/local laws provide sufficient security or the Secretary/Administrator enforces federal bond requirements.

The "Combating Cartels on Social Media Act of 2025" aims to combat transnational criminal organizations' use of social media and online platforms for illicit activities, including recruitment. It mandates a joint assessment by the Department of Homeland Security, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of State on how these organizations use online services for recruitment and illegal operations. The Act further requires a joint strategy to counter these recruitment efforts, enhance cooperation between law enforcement, and increase outreach to at-risk communities, while ensuring the protection of civil rights and liberties. This act does not authorize additional funding for implementation and clarifies that it does not expand the existing powers of the involved departments.

The PRECEPT Nurses Act establishes a $2,000 tax credit for nurses who serve at least 200 hours per year as preceptors in designated health professional shortage areas. To qualify, preceptors must supervise and mentor nursing students, advanced practice nursing students, or newly hired nurses and receive certification from a partnering academic institution or clinical site. The Treasury Secretary will report to Congress on the credit's usage and effectiveness, which is set to expire after 2032. This act aims to incentivize experienced nurses to train the next generation, particularly in underserved communities.