Legislative Activity

The United States Colored Troops Congressional Gold Medal Act directs the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the posthumous presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to the African Americans who served with Union forces during the Civil War in recognition of their service and bravery. The Act directs the Secretary of the Treasury to strike the gold medal, which will then be given to the Smithsonian Institution for display and research. The Act also allows for the creation and sale of bronze duplicates of the medal to cover production costs, with proceeds going back to the Mint's Public Enterprise Fund.

The "Carried Interest Fairness Act of 2025" changes the tax treatment of certain partnership interests, especially those related to investment management services. It reclassifies certain capital gains as ordinary income for partners providing these services, modifies the valuation and tax implications of partnership interests transferred for services, and introduces stricter rules to prevent tax avoidance. This act aims to ensure that income derived from investment management is taxed at ordinary income rates rather than more favorable capital gains rates. It also includes provisions addressing qualified dividend income, gains from qualified small business stock, and the treatment of income from special purpose acquisition companies.

The "Alternatives to PAIN Act" aims to improve access to non-opioid pain management for Medicare Part D beneficiaries starting in 2026. It eliminates the standard deductible and places qualifying non-opioid pain management drugs on the lowest cost-sharing tier. The bill also prohibits the use of step therapy and prior authorization requirements for these drugs, ensuring quicker access to alternative pain relief options.

This resolution honors the memory of the 67 victims who lost their lives in the tragic mid-air collision between American Airlines Flight 5342 and a U.S. Army helicopter on January 29, 2025. It extends heartfelt condolences to the grieving families and expresses profound gratitude to the numerous first responder organizations that provided dedicated rescue and recovery efforts.

The "End Double Taxation of Successful Consumer Claims Act" allows taxpayers to deduct attorney fees and court costs related to claims of consumer protection violations. This deduction applies to a broad range of violations under federal, state, and local laws, including those related to real estate, lending, credit, debt collection, product safety, and more. This change applies to attorney fees and court costs paid in taxable years ending after the enactment date of this Act, for judgments or settlements occurring in those taxable years.

The "Incentivizing Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Sales Act of 2025" incentivizes land conservation by excluding from gross income the gains from sales of real property to qualified organizations for the purposes of the Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) program. This exclusion applies to various real property interests, including remainder interests and restrictions on property use, as long as the sale aligns with Department of Defense REPI program goals. There are limitations to prevent short-term property speculation by pass-through entities, with exceptions for family-owned entities. This act aims to promote both military readiness and environmental protection through strategic land conservation.

The "Responsibility in Drug Advertising Act of 2025" amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to regulate direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription drugs. It prohibits advertising of newly approved drugs for the first three years and allows the Secretary to extend the prohibition if significant adverse health effects are identified. The Secretary of Health and Human Services is required to revise drug advertisement regulations within one year to implement these changes.

The "Retirement Fairness for Charities and Educational Institutions Act of 2025" modifies regulations for 403(b) plans under the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Securities Act of 1933, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These modifications broaden exemptions from registration provisions for certain interests, participations, or securities related to 403(b) plans, especially those subject to Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, or where the employer acts as a fiduciary, or are governmental plans as defined in section 414. The goal is to expand the types of trusts, plans, and accounts that are excluded from being defined as investment companies. It also updates a section regarding exemptions from registration requirements for securities, adding a reference to plans described in section 3(a)(12)(C)(iv) of the Act.

The "Right to Contraception Act" establishes a statutory right for individuals to access and for health care providers to offer contraception, free from governmental restrictions or bans. It overrides any conflicting federal or state laws, ensuring access to contraception and related services, and allows legal recourse for violations of these rights. The Act aims to protect individual autonomy in making decisions about contraception and reproductive health.

The "Focus on Learning Act" aims to study and address the impact of mobile devices on students in schools. It directs the Surgeon General to conduct a comprehensive study on the effects of mobile device use on various aspects of student life and academics. The Act also establishes a pilot program providing grants to schools for creating mobile device-free environments, with specific exemptions and communication protocols. Finally, it allocates funding for the program and the associated administrative and data collection efforts.

This resolution designates January 2025 as "National Mentoring Month" to celebrate the vital role mentors play in fostering youth development and community strength. It highlights the academic, social, and career benefits of mentoring while calling for increased collaboration to expand access to these life-changing relationships. By promoting quality mentoring programs, the bill aims to close the national mentoring gap and ensure more young people have the guidance needed to reach their full potential.

The National Origin-Based Antidiscrimination for Nonimmigrants Act, or NO BAN Act, amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to prohibit discrimination based on religion and national origin in nonimmigrant visas and immigration benefits. It limits the President's authority to suspend or restrict the entry of aliens, requiring specific justification, narrow tailoring, and congressional consultation. The Act also mandates reports on visa applicants and the impact of any suspensions or restrictions. Finally, it allows affected parties to sue the government if these regulations are not followed.

The Stop Arming Cartels Act of 2025 aims to restrict the flow of firearms to criminal organizations by banning the future sale of .50 caliber rifles and expanding federal background check requirements to include designated foreign narcotics traffickers. The bill also removes legal immunity for firearm manufacturers and sellers who knowingly conduct business with these sanctioned individuals. Additionally, it mandates that federal firearms licensees report the sale of multiple rifles to the same person within a five-day period.

This resolution affirms that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is vital to advancing American national security interests. It highlights the agency's role in promoting global stability, mitigating foreign threats, and maintaining U.S. leadership in an era of strategic competition.

The Fred Korematsu Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2025 authorizes the posthumous awarding of a Congressional Gold Medal to Fred Korematsu in recognition of his lifelong dedication to civil rights, justice, and equality. This legislation honors his legacy as a champion for constitutional guarantees and his courageous stand against the unjust incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II.

The Rural Hospital Support Act strengthens the financial stability of rural healthcare providers by permanently extending key Medicare payment programs, including the Medicare-dependent hospital (MDH) and low-volume hospital programs. The bill also updates payment calculation formulas for sole community and Medicare-dependent hospitals to reflect more recent cost data, ensuring these facilities receive fair and sustainable reimbursement.

The STABLE Trade Policy Act restricts the President’s authority to impose tariffs on goods from U.S. allies and free trade agreement partners. Under this bill, the President must submit a formal request to Congress detailing the necessity and potential impact of any proposed tariff. These tariffs can only be implemented following the passage of a joint resolution of approval by Congress through an expedited legislative process.

This resolution designates January 30, 2025, as Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution. It recognizes Fred Korematsu's resistance to the unjust incarceration of Japanese-Americans during World War II. The resolution encourages reflection on the importance of political leadership, vigilance, justice, and civil rights.

This resolution supports and recognizes the contributions of Catholic schools in the United States, highlighting their academic excellence, values-based education, and service to diverse communities. It acknowledges the role of Catholic schools in instilling values and serving a diverse student population while maintaining affordability. The resolution designates January 26, 2025, to February 1, 2025, as National Catholic Schools Week and supports the commitment of Catholic schools to academic excellence and community.

The Global Health, Empowerment and Rights (Global HER) Act ensures that foreign nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) remain eligible for U.S. foreign assistance regardless of the legal health services or advocacy they provide using their own non-U.S. funds. By overriding restrictive policies, the bill protects the autonomy of these organizations to deliver comprehensive care and engage in advocacy, provided their activities comply with local laws and would be legal if performed in the United States.