Legislative Activity

The REFINER Act directs the Secretary of Energy to commission a report from the National Petroleum Council on the contributions of U.S. petrochemical refineries to energy security. This report will analyze refinery capacity, identify factors causing decline, and recommend actions for Federal agencies and Congress to enhance refinery capacity. The report will also be made publicly available.

The ROUTERS Act mandates the Secretary of Commerce to study and report on the national security risks and cybersecurity vulnerabilities of consumer routers, modems, and modem-router combinations from entities tied to covered countries. This study will assess devices from countries like China and Russia, known for potential security threats. The report, due within a year, will be submitted to the House and Senate Committees on Commerce.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration Reauthorization Act of 2025 reauthorizes the NTIA, allocating \$57 million for both fiscal years 2025 and 2026, and establishes a Deputy Under Secretary position. The act also creates an Office of Spectrum Management and an Office of International Affairs within the NTIA to manage spectrum allocation and international telecommunications policy, respectively. Additionally, the bill eliminates several outdated reporting requirements and consolidates others into a single annual report to Congress. Finally, the act updates titles, replacing "Assistant Secretary" with "Under Secretary" in various acts to reflect the current organizational structure.

The Precision Agriculture Satellite Connectivity Act directs the FCC to review and identify potential rule changes for satellite services that could benefit precision agriculture. The FCC must then develop recommendations for implementing these changes. Within 15 months, the FCC is required to submit a report to Congress detailing the review results and recommendations.

The "SAVE Moms and Babies Act of 2025" prohibits the approval of new abortion drugs and restricts the use of previously approved abortion drugs by limiting label changes, mandating in-person dispensing by certified healthcare practitioners, and requiring comprehensive reporting of adverse events. It defines key terms such as "abortion drug," "adverse event," and "unborn child," and it rescinds conflicting investigational use exemptions three years after enactment. This bill aims to ensure patient safety and regulatory oversight in the use of abortion drugs.

The "Protecting the Dignity of Unborn Children Act of 2025" prohibits the reckless disposal or abandonment of fetal remains in landfills or U.S. navigable waters. Violators may face up to 3 years in prison, a fine, or both. This law specifically exempts women from prosecution related to the disposal of their unborn child's remains.