Legislative Activity

The Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act establishes an office within the Department of Agriculture, headed by a Special Investigator, to investigate and prosecute violations of the Packers and Stockyards Act. This office will serve as a liaison between various government entities on competition and trade practices in the food and agricultural sector. It will also consult with the Department of Homeland Security on national security and infrastructure security. The office is granted the authority to bring civil or administrative action.

This bill extends the temporary increase in the limitation on the cover over of distilled spirits taxes to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. It amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, pushing the expiration date from January 1, 2022, to January 1, 2032. This extension applies to distilled spirits brought into the United States after December 31, 2021.

This bill authorizes the Department of State to protect its facilities and assets from drone threats by detecting, tracking, disrupting, and, if necessary, destroying drones. It mandates coordination with agencies like the FAA and FCC, requires adherence to constitutional protections, and includes congressional oversight through regular briefings and funding reports. The authorization terminates after seven years.

The "Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025" extends the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000, providing continued financial support to states and counties with federal lands through 2026. It extends secure payments, distribution of payments, and the authority for special projects on federal land. Additionally, it extends the Resource Advisory Committee pilot program and makes several technical corrections to the original Act.

The Trafficking Survivors Relief Act of 2025 aims to provide legal relief to victims of trafficking by allowing them to vacate convictions or expunge arrests for certain federal offenses committed as a direct result of their trafficking. It also allows for reduced sentences for covered prisoners and enables the use of grant funds for legal representation in post-conviction relief cases. The act further establishes a "human trafficking defense," and mandates reports to Congress on the implementation and impact of these provisions. This bill seeks to address the exploitation of forced criminal activity by human traffickers and provide support and protection to survivors.

The "Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act" establishes federal criminal penalties for evading arrest or detention in a vehicle near the U.S. border, with increased penalties if serious injury or death results. It also makes individuals convicted of this offense inadmissible to the U.S., deportable, and ineligible for immigration benefits. Finally, it mandates an annual report from the Attorney General and Homeland Security Secretary to Congress on the enforcement and impact of this new law.

The "Supply Chain Security and Growth Act of 2025" introduces a 40% tax credit for investments in critical supply chain facilities located in U.S. possessions or Puerto Rico, aimed at encouraging reshoring. This credit applies to facilities manufacturing essential items like pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, aerospace equipment and artificial nanomaterials. The bill also increases the deemed credit for taxes paid to a U.S. possession from 80% to 100%. It allows taxpayers to elect to receive direct payments from the IRS for the credit or transfer the credit to unrelated parties.

The "Tax Fairness for Survivors Act" exempts from federal income tax any monetary awards from settlements related to sexual assault or sexual harassment claims. This exemption also applies to social security, railroad retirement, unemployment taxes, and wage withholding. This change applies to taxable years starting after the enactment of this law.

The "First Rhode Island Regiment Congressional Gold Medal Act" authorizes the creation of a Congressional Gold Medal to honor the First Rhode Island Regiment, a historically significant integrated unit that fought valiantly during the Revolutionary War. The medal will be presented to the Rhode Island State Library for public display and research. The Act also allows for the creation and sale of bronze duplicates of the medal to support the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.

The EAGLES Act of 2025 codifies and expands the National Threat Assessment Center within the Secret Service to focus on preventing targeted violence through research, training, and information sharing. It establishes a national program on targeted school violence prevention, mandating research, training courses, and coordination among various departments and agencies. The Act authorizes \$10 million annually from 2026 to 2030 for these activities, emphasizing early intervention and support for individuals exhibiting concerning behavior, while explicitly prohibiting the use of funds for firearms training. This act aims to standardize threat assessment and prevention practices at all levels, ensuring a proactive and comprehensive approach to school safety.

The DRIVE Act of 2025 ensures that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) travel reimbursement rate for veterans' medical appointments will never fall below the standard federal employee mileage rate. This legislation mandates that the VA must process and pay these mileage allowances within 90 days of a veteran submitting a complete request. Essentially, the bill aims to increase equity and speed in compensating veterans for necessary travel to VA healthcare.

The "Collision Avoidance Systems Act of 2025" permits and sets performance standards for pulsating light systems on vehicles to help prevent rear-end collisions. It mandates the Secretary of Transportation to update Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number 108 within 180 days to include these systems. The bill defines a pulsating light system as a high-mounted stop lamp that pulses rapidly up to 4 times within 1.2 seconds upon braking before converting to a continuous light.

The Supporting the Local Radio Freedom Act prevents Congress from imposing new performance fees on local radio stations for playing music. It emphasizes the mutually beneficial relationship between broadcasters and the recording industry, where radio provides free publicity that boosts music sales and supports artists. The act recognizes local radio's crucial role in communities by providing news, weather updates, and public service announcements. Ultimately, this bill aims to protect local radio stations and businesses from economic harm, ensuring they can continue serving their communities without additional financial burdens.

The Officer John Barnes Act requires the Bureau to inform claimants of their benefit eligibility determination within 270 days of receiving a claim.

The Water Infrastructure Subcontractor and Taxpayer Protection Act of 2025 amends the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014 to ensure payment and performance security for construction projects receiving federal assistance. It allows the Secretary of Transportation or the Administrator to consider state or local laws mandating payment and performance security as fulfilling this requirement if they cover at least 50% of the construction contract. If state or local laws don't apply or meet the 50% threshold, adherence to federal bond requirements under 40 U.S.C. 3131(b)(1) and (2) is required.

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.

The "More Homes on the Market Act" increases the tax exclusion for profit from the sale of a primary residence, raising it to $500,000 for single filers and $1,000,000 for married couples filing jointly. These amounts will be adjusted for inflation starting in 2025. This change encourages homeowners to sell their properties, thereby increasing the availability of homes on the market.

The "Death Tax Repeal Act" eliminates both estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes, effective from the date of enactment. It adjusts gift tax calculations by setting the lifetime gift exemption at $10,000,000, with inflation adjustments after 2011. The Act also includes transitional rules for applying certain sections of the Internal Revenue Code during the enactment year.

This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to include Irish nationals in the E-3 visa program if reciprocity is determined by the Secretary of State. Employers hiring Irish nationals under this program must participate in E-Verify. The number of E-3 visas available to Irish nationals annually is capped at the difference between 10,500 and the number of visas issued to Australian nationals in the previous fiscal year.

The Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act aims to improve maternal health outcomes in rural areas by establishing programs to train healthcare providers in obstetric emergency care, provide funding for necessary equipment and workforce development, implement teleconsultation programs, and study the challenges facing rural obstetric units. The Act authorizes grants for training, equipment, and telehealth programs, and requires a study on rural maternity ward closures and patient transport patterns.