Legislative Activity

The Public Land Search and Rescue Act establishes a new federal grant program to support search and rescue operations conducted on remote federal lands managed by the Department of the Interior or Agriculture. This program prioritizes funding for high-visitation areas, covering up to 75% of eligible costs for equipment, maintenance, and direct rescue activities. Eligible recipients include state and local entities with existing legal authority and proven capability to perform these specialized remote rescues.

The Research Integrity and Foreign Influence Prevention Act updates existing restrictions on talent recruitment from countries of concern. Effective January 1, 2026, this bill broadens the definition of a "foreign country" to explicitly include special administrative regions and controlled territories of those nations. This measure aims to enhance research integrity by strengthening limitations against malign foreign influence.

This bill, the Preventing the Abuse of Immigration Parole Act, aims to drastically restrict the Secretary of Homeland Security's authority to grant immigration parole. It mandates that parole decisions must be made strictly on a case-by-case basis for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit. Furthermore, the legislation imposes an annual cap on parole grants starting in FY 2029 and grants states the authority to sue the Secretary over perceived misuse of this authority.

The Strengthening American Nuclear Energy Act officially codifies several recent Executive Orders into federal law. This action solidifies policies aimed at modernizing nuclear reactor testing, accelerating advanced nuclear technology deployment for national security, reforming the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), and revitalizing the domestic nuclear industry. Essentially, the bill makes key presidential directives regarding nuclear energy permanent law.

This resolution strongly condemns the rise of antisemitism in the United States and around the world. It specifically honors the memory of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, who were tragically murdered while promoting peace. Ultimately, Congress reaffirms its commitment to combating all forms of hate and ensuring the vigorous enforcement of laws protecting religious freedom.

This Joint Resolution expresses the disapproval of Congress regarding a recent rule submitted by the National Park Service concerning motor vehicles within the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. By invoking the Congressional Review Act, this bill effectively nullifies and cancels the Park Service's submitted regulation. As a result, the proposed motor vehicle restrictions will not take effect.

The Full Responsibility and Expedited Enforcement (FREE) Act mandates that federal agencies develop and implement a "permitting by rule" system as an alternative to slow, traditional permitting processes. This new system requires applicants to certify compliance with written standards, streamlining approval with a 180-day automatic grant deadline if the agency fails to act. Agencies retain the right to audit and enforce compliance after permits are issued, with the burden of proof shifting to the agency during appeals.

This bill prohibits graduate medical schools from receiving federal funding or participating in federal student loan programs unless they certify they do not mandate adherence to specific diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) tenets. This certification bans forcing faculty, staff, or students to pledge beliefs regarding inherent group status or collective guilt, and prevents the establishment of offices that compel such adherence. Furthermore, accrediting agencies cannot require medical programs to adopt policies conflicting with these restrictions to maintain accreditation.

The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2025 aims to streamline and modernize the prior authorization process within Medicare Advantage plans. This bill mandates the adoption of electronic prior authorization systems and significantly increases transparency regarding approval rates and decision times starting in 2027. Furthermore, it establishes new enrollee protections and grants the Secretary authority to enforce faster decision timeframes for medical services.

The Punishing Illegal Immigrant Felons Act of 2025 significantly increases prison sentences for non-citizens who commit crimes after entering the U.S. illegally or after being previously removed. This legislation mandates substantial minimum prison terms—including an additional five years for illegal entry followed by a felony conviction and a new ten-year minimum for re-entry after deportation coupled with a crime. The bill aims to impose much harsher penalties on undocumented immigrants who commit serious offenses.

The "Prove It Act of 2025" aims to reduce regulatory burdens on small businesses by requiring agencies to consider indirect costs when creating new rules, allowing small businesses to petition for reviews of agency certifications, and mandating agencies to publish guidance documents and allow comments on rules with a significant economic impact on small businesses. Additionally, the Act amends the periodic review process for rules, requiring agencies to consider indirect costs and providing a mechanism for the Small Business Administration to address rules not reviewed within a 10-year period. The Act specifies that no additional funds will be allocated for its implementation.

This bill directs the Department of Energy to establish a research program focused on developing novel technologies to rapidly detect fentanyl vapor or particles. The Secretary of Energy must coordinate this research with the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security, as well as the Postal Service. The goal is to support rapid screening efforts in high-risk areas such as mail facilities, prisons, and U.S. borders.

The Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act of 2025 aims to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and countering its support for terrorism by imposing sanctions on those involved in Iran's energy sector and those who provide financial support for its destabilizing activities. It mandates sanctions on foreign entities involved in processing, exporting, or selling Iranian oil, gas, and petrochemicals, while also establishing an interagency working group to coordinate and enforce these sanctions. The Act also amends existing legislation to require the identification of individuals involved in sanctionable activities or sanctions evasion related to Iranian oil and gas sales.

The Safeguarding American Property Act of 2025 expands mandatory detention requirements for certain non-citizens who commit specific property crimes. This legislation adds offenses like trespassing, vandalism, and arson to the list of crimes that require immigration authorities to detain an individual during removal proceedings. The bill also clarifies language related to violent offenses to ensure comprehensive grounds for detention.

The Worker Enfranchisement Act establishes stricter requirements for a union to become the exclusive representative for a group of employees. Under the new rules, a union must win a secret ballot election where more than half of the votes cast favor the union, and at least two-thirds of all eligible employees must participate in the vote. These new turnout and majority standards will apply to elections held six months after the Act's enactment.

The SNAP Reform and Upward Mobility Act of 2025 aims to overhaul poverty measurement by mandating more detailed data collection and establishing new valuation methods for federal benefits. Additionally, the bill significantly modifies the SNAP program by tightening work requirements, increasing state financial responsibility for administration, and imposing new eligibility hurdles for recipients. These changes seek to better reflect economic reality while increasing incentives for employment within the nutrition assistance program.

The Reducing Medically Unnecessary Delays in Care Act of 2025 aims to establish stricter federal standards for prior authorization decisions made by Medicare contractors and private Medicare plans. This bill mandates that coverage denials must be based on clear, evidence-based clinical criteria developed with input from practicing physicians. Furthermore, it requires plans to post their authorization rules online, provide advance notice of changes, and publicly report approval and denial statistics. Finally, all final denials of care must be reviewed and issued by a qualified, board-certified physician.

The Dietary Guidelines Reform Act of 2025 changes the required update cycle for official dietary guidelines from every five years to at least every ten years, requiring adherence to formal rulemaking procedures. The bill mandates that future guidelines must be based on rigorous, evidence-based scientific review and address accessibility and affordability for all populations. If updates occur sooner than the ten-year cycle, an independent, temporary advisory board must be established to submit guiding scientific questions. The Act also strictly limits the scope of the guidelines, excluding topics like taxation, social welfare, and food production methods.

The John W. Walsh Alpha-1 Home Infusion Act of 2025 amends Medicare to specifically cover augmentation therapy for individuals with severe Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency Disorder when administered in the home. This legislation establishes new payment rules under Medicare Part B for the necessary intravenous kits and associated nursing services. The goal is to ensure qualified home infusion suppliers are reimbursed directly for providing this essential, ongoing maintenance treatment.

The Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2025 establishes a national standard for carrying concealed handguns across state lines. This act allows individuals legally permitted to carry in their home state to carry concealed in any other state that allows its residents to carry concealed firearms. The law does not override private property restrictions or prohibitions on government property, but it provides protections and legal recourse for those traveling in compliance with the new federal standard.