Legislative Activity

The "Stopping Political Discrimination in Disaster Assistance Act" amends the Stafford Act to prohibit discrimination based on political affiliation when providing disaster relief. This ensures that disaster assistance is distributed fairly, regardless of a person's political beliefs.

The "Investing in Community Resilience Act of 2025" amends the Stafford Act to prioritize disaster preparedness and community resilience. It broadens FEMA's support to include programs that enhance resilience through improved building standards and land use practices. The Act also supports community emergency response teams by providing resources for training and outreach. These changes will be funded through existing FEMA appropriations, taking effect one year after enactment.

The "Charitable Act" modifies and extends the deduction for charitable contributions for individuals who do not itemize deductions. For the 2026 and 2027 tax years, the deduction is capped at one-third of the standard deduction for the individual. The bill also eliminates a penalty related to this deduction. These changes are effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

This bill establishes a Commission on Federal Natural Disaster Resilience and Recovery to examine and recommend reforms to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and budget funding of federal programs supporting natural disaster resilience and recovery. The commission will consist of 15 members appointed by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, representing various levels of government, the private sector, and non-governmental organizations. The Commission is required to submit a final report to Congress with recommendations within 2 years of its first meeting, with interim reports every 180 days after the bill's enactment. Funding for the commission will come from existing appropriations to the Office of Management and Budget.

The "Fairness for Crime Victims Act of 2025" aims to protect the Crime Victims Fund by establishing a point of order in the House and Senate against legislative maneuvers ("CHIMPs") that reduce the fund's availability below a 3-year average. This fund, which supports victims of crimes like child abuse and sexual assault, is financed through federal crime fines and penalties. The point of order can be waived with a three-fifths vote, and it does not apply if the fund balance is within $2 billion of the prior year's balance. This bill seeks to ensure that funds intended for crime victims are not diverted for other purposes.

The "Promoting Domestic Energy Production Act" amends the Internal Revenue Code to change how intangible drilling and development costs are calculated for adjusted financial statement income, specifically regarding depreciation and depletion expenses. It allows companies to deduct these costs, aligning financial statement income calculations more closely with taxable income calculations. These changes apply to taxable years starting after December 31, 2025.

The "Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act" ensures that infants born alive after an abortion receive the same medical care as any other newborn, mandating immediate hospital transport and requiring healthcare practitioners to report any failures to comply. Violators face fines, imprisonment, and potential prosecution for homicide or attempted homicide, while the mother of the child is protected from prosecution. The bill also allows the woman on whom the abortion was performed to file a civil action against anyone who violated the requirements if a child was born alive.

The ALIGN Act makes full expensing permanent for qualified property placed in service after September 27, 2017, by amending Section 168(k) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. It also removes outdated clauses and updates references within Section 168(k) and amends Section 460(c)(6)(B) to clarify its application to property with a recovery period of 7 years or less. These changes are retroactive, as if included in Public Law 115-97.

The "Recover Fraudulent COVID Funds Act" extends the statute of limitations for criminal charges and civil actions related to fraud in pandemic-era programs, increasing the time to bring charges or initiate actions to 10 years after the offense or discovery of the violation. This extension applies to offenses and violations related to funding and programs authorized under laws like the CARES Act and the American Rescue Plan Act. The bill aims to provide more time to identify and prosecute those who defrauded COVID-19 relief programs.

The Early Participation in Regulations Act of 2025 amends Title 5 of the U.S. Code to require agencies to publish advance notice of proposed rulemaking for major rules, providing the public with an opportunity to comment on potential regulations before they are formally proposed. This advance notice must include details about the problem the agency aims to address, regulatory alternatives under consideration, and the legal basis for the proposed rule. Exceptions are provided for situations where advance notice is unnecessary, not in the public interest, or impractical due to deadlines, as determined by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA). OIRA's decisions on these exceptions are not subject to judicial review, nor are differences between the initial statement and the proposed rule.

The TRUE Accountability Act mandates the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to provide guidance to federal agencies on developing internal control plans for emergency spending, aimed at preventing improper payments and fraud. Agencies must create and regularly update these plans, submitting them to OMB and Congress for oversight. This act seeks to improve the financial management and accountability of taxpayer resources used during emergencies.

The Telework Reform Act of 2025 updates federal telework policies by clarifying definitions, requiring annual reviews of telework agreements, and mandating training and monitoring protocols. It also directs agencies to conduct surveys, update telework policies, and report on telework usage and outcomes. Additionally, the Act allows for non-competitive appointments of qualified veterans and military spouses to remote work positions and establishes a pilot program for spouses of law enforcement officers.

The Guidance Clarity Act of 2025 requires federal agencies to include a "guidance clarity statement" on all guidance documents, clarifying that these documents do not have the force of law and are only intended to clarify existing legal or agency policy requirements. This statement must be prominently displayed on the first page of the guidance document. The Office of Management and Budget is responsible for issuing guidance to implement this act.

The SMART Act of 2025 seeks to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of major federal regulations by requiring agencies to develop frameworks for assessing the impacts of new rules, including costs, benefits, and whether the rule is still necessary. Agencies must analyze the data gathered and publish their assessment results, and the head of each agency will be responsible for ensuring timely compliance and publication. The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs will provide guidance and may grant exemptions or extend deadlines. Judicial review is limited to whether the agency published the required framework and assessments, not the substance of those documents, and necessary appropriations are authorized to carry out the amendments.

The "Safeguarding the Transparency and Efficiency of Payments Act" or "STEP Act," aims to enhance transparency and reduce improper payments within federal programs. It mandates executive agencies to identify and report on programs susceptible to significant improper payments, implement corrective action plans, and report annually to Congress on their progress in curbing fraud. The Act stipulates that no additional funds will be allocated for its implementation.

The "Improving Federal Financial Management Act" aims to improve federal financial management by modifying the responsibilities of Chief Financial Officers (CFOs), updating the government-wide financial management plan, and requiring agencies to conduct audits. It mandates CFOs to oversee various financial aspects, prepare agency plans with performance metrics, and coordinate with other senior personnel. The act also updates the government-wide financial management plan to a 4-year strategic plan with performance-based metrics and requires annual financial management status reports.

The ACCESS Act aims to reform contractor education requirements in federal contracts. It mandates that contracting officers provide written justification when a minimum education level is required for contractor personnel, ensuring the agency's needs cannot be met otherwise. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is directed to issue guidance to executive agencies on implementing these changes and encouraging alternatives to strict education requirements. The Comptroller General will also submit a report to Congress evaluating executive agency compliance within 3 years.