Legislative Activity

The Transparency and Honesty in Energy Regulations Act establishes strict definitions for various social cost metrics related to greenhouse gas emissions. The core provision of the bill prohibits federal agencies from using these specific social cost estimates—including the social cost of carbon, methane, and nitrous oxide—in their required cost-benefit analyses for rulemaking and official actions. Furthermore, the Act mandates that federal agencies must report to Congress on all past uses of these climate-related cost figures in their decision-making processes since 2009.

The Better CARE for Animals Act of 2025 significantly strengthens enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act by clarifying definitions and expanding the scope of investigations. It grants the Attorney General explicit authority to file civil actions seeking penalties up to $10,000 per day, and mandates that collected fines help cover temporary animal care costs. The bill also requires the Secretary of Agriculture and the Attorney General to establish a formal agreement for coordinated enforcement.

The Drone Espionage Act updates federal law to specifically prohibit the unauthorized taking or transmission of **video** of national defense information. This amendment modernizes existing statutes, ensuring that capturing sensitive material via video is treated the same as capturing it via photographs or negatives. The bill aims to strengthen protections against the illicit sharing of defense secrets using modern recording technology.

The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE Act) significantly amends federal law to require individuals registering to vote in federal elections to present documentary proof of U.S. citizenship. This legislation mandates that states actively clean their voter rolls and cooperate with federal agencies to verify citizenship status. It establishes new criminal penalties for officials who fail to enforce these documentation requirements.

The FEMA Loan Interest Payment Relief Act establishes a program for FEMA to reimburse local governments and electric cooperatives for interest paid on specific disaster recovery loans. This reimbursement is capped at the lesser of the actual interest paid or the interest calculated using the Federal Reserve's prime rate. The law mandates FEMA to quickly establish procedures for states to apply for reimbursement of qualifying interest paid up to nine years prior to enactment.

The High-Quality Charter Schools Act establishes a new federal tax credit for individuals who donate to eligible, high-performing charter school organizations for expansion purposes. This credit is set at 75% of the qualified contribution, subject to annual income limitations and an overall national cap of $5 billion starting in 2026. The bill also mandates specific spending deadlines for recipient organizations and ensures that participation does not subject these charter schools to government control. These provisions will take effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.

The Countering Transnational Repression Act of 2025 establishes a working group within the Department of Homeland Security to monitor and counter transnational repression activities, such as harassment and intimidation, targeting individuals in the U.S. by foreign governments. The working group will coordinate with intelligence agencies, review information from various partners, and provide annual reports to Congress on its findings and efforts. The Act also directs research and development into technologies to counter transnational repression, ensuring all activities comply with constitutional and privacy protections.

The NO FAKES Act of 2025 establishes a new federal property right protecting an individual's voice and visual likeness from unauthorized creation and distribution as a "Digital Replica" via AI or other means. This right belongs to the individual while alive and transfers to their heirs for a limited time after death, allowing them to control and license their digital identity. The Act outlines specific liability rules for unauthorized use, provides safe harbors for online services that comply with takedown notices, and sets penalties for false claims.

This resolution declares that the retirement of reliable, always-on power generation facilities before adequate replacements are available poses a significant threat to the stability of the U.S. electric grid. Congress expresses concern that current policies are leading to insufficient energy reserves, risking power shortages amid rising demand from sectors like AI. The resolution supports executive actions aimed at immediately boosting domestic energy production to ensure grid reliability and affordability.

The POWER Act of 2025 establishes a new, temporary tax credit of up to $500 for individuals who purchase an emergency generator for their primary residence. To qualify, homeowners must have experienced at least two major disasters in their area within the last five years and personally received federal assistance for one of those events. The credit amount is subject to phase-out based on the taxpayer's modified adjusted gross income.

The CAPE Canaveral Act mandates the relocation of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) headquarters to Brevard County, Florida. This transfer must be completed within one year of the Act becoming law. The legislation aims to consolidate aerospace programs efficiently at the Canaveral location.

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.

The American Genetic Privacy Act of 2025 prohibits the sale or disclosure of covered genetic information obtained from commercial DNA testing services to the People's Republic of China or entities it controls. This measure is designed to safeguard personal genetic data from being transferred to China. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is tasked with enforcing this prohibition as an unfair or deceptive business practice.

The Puppy Protection Act of 2025 significantly increases humane treatment standards for dog dealers under the Animal Welfare Act. This legislation mandates specific minimum space requirements, daily exercise access, and mandatory socialization for housed dogs. Furthermore, it establishes strict limits on female dog breeding frequency and age, alongside enhanced veterinary care protocols.

The Fair and Open Competition Act of 2025 ensures fair competition on federally funded construction projects by prohibiting the government from requiring or penalizing bidders based on union agreements. This legislation aims to keep federal agencies neutral in labor relations while promoting cost savings and opening opportunities for all businesses. Exceptions to this neutrality rule are strictly limited to specific public health, safety, or national security emergencies.

The HELPER Act of 2025 establishes a new FHA mortgage insurance program to assist first responders, educators, and law enforcement officers in purchasing homes. This program offers eligible first-time homebuyers 100% financing with no down payment required. Instead of monthly premiums, borrowers pay an upfront FHA insurance premium at closing.

The Major Richard Star Act ensures that military retirees with combat-related disabilities can receive both their military retirement pay and VA disability compensation concurrently without reduction. This law removes previous restrictions that caused military retirement pay to be offset by VA disability payments for these specific cases. The changes take effect on the first day of the month following the Act's enactment.

The Maintaining Cooperative Permitting Act of 2025 secures the existing state-run dredge and fill material permitting programs for Michigan, New Jersey, and Florida, preventing the EPA from unilaterally withdrawing approval for these specific programs. It establishes a 90-day transition period for Florida permitting authority and clarifies the process for approving future state programs similar to these established ones. Essentially, the bill locks in the current cooperative federalism structure for wetland permitting in these three states.

This bill, the Donut Dollies Congressional Gold Medal Act, directs the striking of a Congressional Gold Medal to honor the American Red Cross volunteers who served in the Supplemental Recreation Activities Overseas (SRAO) program during the Vietnam War. These volunteers, known as "Donut Dollies," provided crucial morale support to troops on the front lines. The original medal will be presented on behalf of Congress and ultimately housed at the Smithsonian Institution, with provisions made for selling bronze duplicates.

The Homeland Heroes Pay Act provides continuing appropriations for Customs and Border Protection agents and officers, as well as Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and agents. These funds will cover salaries and expenses for essential duties such as border security, immigration enforcement, and combating criminal operations. Funding will continue until a regular appropriation is enacted for these purposes.