Legislative Activity

The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection-Inspector General Reform Act of 2025 establishes an independent Inspector General within the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (BCFP), appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, to provide oversight and accountability. It mandates the BCFP to allocate 2% of its funds to the Office of the Inspector General and requires the Inspector General to appear before Congress semi-annually. This act removes the Federal Reserve Chairman's authority to appoint the BCFP Inspector General, ensuring direct oversight of the BCFP's operations. The changes take effect upon Senate confirmation of the new Inspector General.

The Financial Exploitation Prevention Act of 2025 amends the Investment Company Act of 1940 to protect senior investors from financial exploitation. It allows investment companies to request contact information for a trusted contact person, and to postpone the redemption of securities if financial exploitation of a "specified adult" (age 65+ or an adult believed to be impaired) is suspected. The postponement is limited to 15 business days, with a possible 10-business-day extension, and requires internal review, notification to the designated contact, and reporting to state regulators or courts. The SEC must submit a report to Congress with recommendations for regulatory and legislative changes needed to address the financial exploitation of security holders who are specified adults.

The "John W. Walsh Alpha-1 Home Infusion Act of 2025" amends the Social Security Act to include Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency Disorder treatment under Medicare Part B starting January 1, 2027. This covers augmentation therapy provided at home, intravenous administration kits, and associated nursing services for eligible individuals with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency. Medicare will cover 80% of the costs for these home infusion services, with payments made directly to qualified suppliers. These services will not be classified as home health services under Medicare.

This resolution supports the use of distributed ledger technologies (DLT) like blockchain to strengthen democratic governance, human rights, transparency, and sustainability. It urges U.S. agencies to explore and support DLT applications, promote its use to combat censorship, and engage with experts to develop ethical regulations and policies. The resolution emphasizes DLT's potential to enhance government accountability, secure data, and improve aid distribution, while also calling for further research and investment in DLT to benefit the public and democratic institutions.

The Puppy Protection Act of 2025 amends the Animal Welfare Act to establish comprehensive standards for dog dealers, focusing on humane treatment. These standards include requirements for flooring, space, temperature, nutrition, exercise, socialization, veterinary care, and breeding practices. The Act sets specific guidelines for breeding frequency, age, and veterinary procedures, as well as humane placement for retired breeding dogs. It directs the Secretary to finalize regulations for these standards within 18 months.

The "SPEAK Act of 2025" directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to form a task force to improve access to healthcare information technology for those who do not speak English. It requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue guidance within one year, in consultation with various entities, on best practices for telehealth services for people with limited English proficiency. The guidance will cover a variety of topics, including using interpreters during telemedicine appointments and providing accessible instructions on accessing telecommunications systems. The goal is to ensure that non-English speakers have equal access to telehealth services and healthcare information.

The Major Richard Star Act allows eligible combat-disabled veterans to receive both their retirement pay and disability compensation. This eliminates the previous offset that reduced retirement pay for those receiving disability compensation. The changes apply to payments beginning the month after enactment.

The Combating Houthi Threats and Aggression Act mandates reports on Houthi capabilities, attacks on Red Sea and Gulf of Aden shipping, and violations of the UN arms embargo against Yemen. It authorizes the President to impose sanctions on those involved in Houthi attacks on international shipping or those providing support to the Houthis. The Act aims to protect maritime security and U.S. national security interests in the region. This act will terminate 5 years after it becomes law.

The Wildland Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act of 2025 aims to improve compensation and working conditions for federal wildland firefighters by establishing special base rates of pay, providing incident response premium pay, and granting paid rest and recuperation leave following deployments to qualifying incidents. These changes will take effect after the expiration of previously authorized temporary salary increases for federal wildland firefighters. The Act also allows for the transfer of funds to ensure the continuation of base salary increases.

The James Earl Jones 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 James Earl Jones, honoring his contributions to the United States and his work promoting inclusion in film and theatre. The Secretary of the Treasury will create the gold medal, and bronze duplicates will be made available for sale to the public.

The "Cutting Red Tape on Child Care Providers Act of 2025" aims to improve children's nutrition by removing obstacles that child care providers face when serving fresh fruits and vegetables. It defines "simple food preparation" as basic preparation of produce. The Act prohibits states from creating barriers to this simple preparation in child care facilities through amendments to the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990. This will allow providers to easily offer healthier food options.

The "Stop Fentanyl Money Laundering Act of 2025" aims to combat fentanyl and narcotics trafficking by enhancing financial institutions' ability to detect and report money laundering activities. It authorizes the Treasury Secretary to impose special measures against financial institutions involved in illicit fentanyl financing, mandates updated advisories on identifying Chinese professional money laundering networks, and requires guidance for reporting suspicious transactions linked to transnational criminal organizations involved in narcotics trafficking. The Act also calls for a comprehensive report on lessons learned from past drug crises to inform strategies for addressing the opioid crisis.

The "Stop Chinese Fentanyl Act of 2025" aims to combat the flow of illicit fentanyl by imposing sanctions on Chinese entities and officials involved in the production and trafficking of synthetic opioids and their precursors. It broadens the definition of "foreign opioid trafficker" to include those who enable opioid trafficking through inaction and extends the period for reporting identified traffickers to Congress. The Act also requires the President to annually evaluate and report on the effectiveness of using presidential authority to address international drug trafficking, including considerations of costs, benefits, and stakeholder input. Additionally, it amends the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and the Trading with the Enemy Act to enhance oversight and accountability in addressing national emergencies related to international drug trafficking.

This bill disapproves and nullifies the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's rule that defines larger participants in the market for general-use digital consumer payment applications. The disapproval effectively cancels the rule.

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 PAST Act of 2025 amends the Horse Protection Act to strengthen enforcement against horse soring, a cruel practice used to create an exaggerated gait. It bans action devices and weighted shoes, increases penalties for violations, and mandates the licensing and oversight of qualified inspectors, prioritizing veterinarians, to ensure fair competition and protect horses. The Act also requires the USDA to publish violation information and sets clear disqualification periods for horses found to be sore, aiming to eliminate soring in specific horse breeds.

The Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act establishes a grant program to expand commercial truck parking and improve safety. The program provides funds to states, local governments, and tribal entities for projects that increase parking availability, improve existing facilities, and use technology to manage parking. The Act also requires a biennial report to Congress on the availability of truck parking and the effectiveness of funded projects. It authorizes $151 million per fiscal year from 2025 through 2029 for these initiatives.

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 Federal Retirement Fairness Act amends title 5 of the United States Code, allowing civilian service in a temporary position after December 31, 1988, to be creditable under the Federal Employees Retirement System. This change applies to current employees and Members of the United States Postal Service, and requires the Office of Personnel Management to notify eligible individuals and issue implementing regulations.

The Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino Act authorizes the creation of the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino on the National Mall. It ensures the museum's exhibits and programs accurately represent the diverse cultures, histories, events, and values of Hispanic and Latino communities, seeking guidance from diverse sources. The Act also mandates regular reports to Congress on the museum's efforts to meet these diversity requirements.