Legislative Activity

The Financial Integrity and Regulation Management Act (FIRM Act) removes "reputational risk" as a supervisory factor for federal banking agencies when overseeing financial institutions. This bill prohibits these agencies from using reputational risk to regulate, supervise, or examine banks, ensuring that all legal businesses and citizens have equal access to financial services. The Act requires federal banking agencies to report to Congress on their implementation of these changes.

The "One Agency Act" aims to consolidate federal antitrust enforcement by transferring the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) antitrust powers, staff, assets, and funding to the Department of Justice (DOJ). This transfer seeks to eliminate overlapping enforcement, reduce taxpayer costs, and provide more regulatory certainty for businesses. The Attorney General will oversee the transition, manage ongoing cases, and have the authority to modify or rescind agreements and rules related to antitrust enforcement. The FTC will no longer have the authority to start new investigations or enforcement actions related to antitrust laws without the Attorney General's approval.

This bill permits the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to grant extensions, up to six years, for commencing construction on hydropower projects licensed before March 13, 2020. These extensions, in increments of up to two years, are available to licensees who demonstrate good cause. The bill also allows FERC to reinstate expired licenses under certain conditions, with the extension period calculated from the original expiration date.

The "Fair and Open Competition Act" seeks to ensure open competition on federal and federally funded construction projects by preventing requirements or prohibitions related to agreements with labor organizations. It promotes federal government neutrality in labor relations, aims to reduce construction costs, and expands job opportunities, especially for small and disadvantaged businesses. The Act allows exemptions only in special circumstances, such as threats to public health or national security, but not based on labor disputes.

The "Protecting Life and Integrity in Research Act of 2025" prohibits the federal government from conducting, funding, or supporting research using human fetal tissue obtained from induced abortions. It allows for research on fetal tissue from miscarriages or stillbirths and promotes the development of alternative cell lines. The bill also prohibits the solicitation or acceptance of fetal tissue donations from induced abortions.

The Fair College Admissions for Students Act prohibits colleges and universities from giving admissions preference to applicants based on their relationships to donors or alumni. This law will go into effect the first day of the second award year after the enactment of this law.

This resolution acknowledges the significant contributions of women-owned businesses in the United States, which have experienced substantial growth and play a vital role in the nation's economy. It recognizes the increasing number of women-owned businesses, their employment figures, and their revenue generation. The resolution commends the entrepreneurial spirit of women business owners and celebrates their achievements.

The Fighter Force Preservation and Recapitalization Act of 2025 aims to maintain and modernize the Air Force's fighter aircraft fleet by setting minimum inventory levels, requiring regular reports on the status of the fleet, prioritizing the assignment of new aircraft to existing squadrons, and preserving the Air National Guard's fighter capabilities. It mandates the Air Force to retain a minimum number of fighter aircraft, with allowances for temporary reductions during unit recapitalizations, and ensures the Air National Guard maintains a specific number of fighter squadrons while receiving modern aircraft. The Act also includes provisions for annual recapitalization plans for the Air National Guard and defines key terms related to fighter aircraft.

The "Farmers Freedom Act of 2025" amends the Clean Water Act to redefine "navigable waters" and exclude "prior converted cropland" from federal oversight. It defines key terms like "abandoned," "agricultural purpose," and "prior converted cropland" to clarify which lands are exempt. The bill also prevents the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers from regulating prior converted cropland under the "change in use policy."

This joint resolution nullifies the Environmental Protection Agency's rule regarding national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants in rubber tire manufacturing. By disapproving the rule, the resolution prevents the EPA from enforcing stricter emission standards in the rubber tire manufacturing industry.

The Disaster Loan Accountability and Reform Act aims to improve the Small Business Administration's (SBA) disaster loan program by increasing oversight and accountability. It mandates regular risk assessments, enhances loan eligibility verification, and requires the SBA to develop better performance metrics. The act also seeks to streamline the loan application process and improve communication with disaster victims.

The "Chemical Tax Repeal Act" repeals excise taxes on specific taxable chemicals and substances listed under subchapters B and C of Chapter 38 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. This repeal is set to take effect on January 1, 2025.

The "Death Tax Repeal Act of 2025" eliminates both estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes, while also modifying gift tax laws. It adjusts gift tax calculations, addresses transfers in trust, sets an initial $10,000,000 amount for calculating tentative tax, and adjusts for inflation. These changes apply to estates of decedents dying, generation-skipping transfers occurring, and gifts made on or after the enactment date of this Act.

The Simplifying Subcontracting Act requires prime contractors to use plain language when soliciting subcontracts, making it easier for small businesses to understand the solicitations. Prime contractors must confirm they will use plain writing in solicitations and include this requirement in all subcontracts. Failure to comply requires the contractor to issue a new solicitation in plain writing within 30 days. The Small Business Administration will issue regulations to implement these requirements within 90 days.

The "HELP Response and Recovery Act" repeals an obsolete Department of Homeland Security (DHS) contracting requirement from the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006. It mandates the Secretary of Homeland Security to submit annual reports to Congress for five years, detailing the impact of this repeal on preventing waste, fraud, and abuse, as well as any contracts entered into without soliciting bids under urgent circumstances by the FEMA Administrator. These reports will include contract details such as subject, funding, and the related disaster or emergency.

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.

The "Respect State Housing Laws Act" repeals a provision in the CARES Act that restricted states' abilities to enforce their own eviction moratoriums. This change clarifies that state laws regarding evictions should be respected.

The "AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025" requires that all new vehicles manufactured or sold in the United States include AM radio receivers as standard equipment, ensuring continued access to AM radio for drivers. The Act directs the Comptroller General to study the role of vehicles and AM radio in emergency alert dissemination and requires the Secretary of Transportation to regularly review the rule's impact. Penalties will be enforced for violations, and states are prohibited from enacting their own laws regarding AM radio access in vehicles.

The Fair Access to Banking Act aims to ensure equal access to financial services by preventing banks and credit unions from denying services to individuals or entities engaged in lawful activities based on subjective or politically motivated reasons. It sets requirements for banks with over $10 billion in assets, prohibiting them from denying services based on reputational risk and requiring them to justify denials with documented, risk-based standards. The act also allows individuals to sue financial institutions that violate these requirements, with the potential for treble damages and attorney fees awarded to successful plaintiffs. Furthermore, it restricts access to Federal Reserve lending programs and the Automated Clearing House Network for institutions that fail to comply with the Act.

The FDA Modernization Act 3.0 mandates the Secretary of Health and Human Services to update regulations, replacing "animal tests" with "nonclinical tests" to align with the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, thus modernizing drug development and evaluation processes. This interim rule will take effect immediately and aims to refine terminology and definitions within Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations, while also correcting technical errors in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.