Legislative Activity

The PAAW Act, or Preventing Animal Abuse and Waste Act, prohibits the National Institutes of Health (NIH) from conducting or supporting research that causes significant pain or distress to dogs and cats. This ban specifically targets studies categorized as causing pain levels D or E according to established animal welfare standards. The prohibition takes effect 90 days after the Act is officially enacted into law.

The RESPECT Act significantly increases the criminal penalties for intentionally sharing nonconsensual intimate visual depictions, commonly known as "revenge porn." This legislation stiffens maximum jail sentences for both first-time offenders and repeat or aggravated offenders involved in such violations. The goal is to provide much tougher consequences for the exploitation and sharing of private explicit content.

The TRANS MICE Act prohibits the use of federal funds for animal research that involves interventions like drugs or surgery intended to alter a non-human vertebrate animal's body to change its biological sex characteristics. This ban specifically targets research that disrupts natural development or physical appearance, while exempting animals that naturally change sex or possess both reproductive organs.

The American Homeowner Crypto Modernization Act of 2025 mandates that federal housing agencies update their mortgage underwriting guidelines to require lenders to consider a borrower's cryptocurrency holdings. This ensures that digital assets held in brokerage accounts are factored into the mortgage credit evaluation process. The goal is to modernize lending standards to reflect current asset ownership for homeowners seeking mortgages through HUD, VA, USDA, and FHFA-backed programs.

Tyler's Law establishes mandatory reporting requirements for hospitals and medical examiner/coroner offices regarding serious injuries or deaths of children potentially linked to consumer products. These facilities must report specific incidents to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) within seven days of making a determination. Failure to comply can result in penalties, including ineligibility for certain federal grants and, for hospitals, jeopardizing Medicare participation.

The VA Flood Preparedness Act authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to use existing funds to mitigate flood risks, including those from rising sea levels, affecting property adjacent to its medical facilities. Furthermore, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs must submit a comprehensive report to Congress detailing the flood risk assessment for every VA medical facility and identifying any necessary funding to address these vulnerabilities.

The Restoring Biological Truth in Government Act prohibits federal executive agencies from asking about or accepting responses regarding gender identity on official forms or surveys. This legislation mandates that agencies only allow selections for "male" or "female," strictly defining these terms based on biological sex characteristics related to reproductive capability. The Office of Management and Budget is tasked with issuing guidance to ensure agency compliance within 180 days.

The Expedited Removal Expansion Act of 2025 modifies immigration inspection procedures by streamlining references to inadmissibility grounds under Section 235(b)(1) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. This legislation removes specific exceptions related to misrepresentation and documentation requirements during initial entry screenings. The bill simplifies the language officers use when determining inadmissibility for applicants seeking admission to the U.S.

The Lawless Cities Accountability Act of 2025 authorizes the Attorney General to designate jurisdictions as "lawless" if they fail to maintain public order or actively impede law enforcement. Jurisdictions labeled as lawless will immediately cease receiving federal funding. Funds can only be restored after a minimum 180-day waiting period and official recertification by the Attorney General.

This Act mandates the Secretary of State to formally designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a foreign terrorist organization under existing federal law. This designation requires the Secretary to follow the procedures outlined in Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

The AI Training Extension Act of 2025 expands mandatory Artificial Intelligence (AI) training across the executive branch to include a wider range of federal employees, such as those in data, technology, and management positions. This legislation shifts the responsibility for establishing and overseeing the comprehensive AI training program to the Administrator of the General Services Administration (GSA). The required curriculum will now cover the science, benefits, and risks of AI, ensuring employees understand its proper development and deployment within the government. Finally, the bill renames the original training act to the broader "Artificial Intelligence Training Act."

The No Amnesty for Hamas Sympathizers Act seeks to prohibit various immigration benefits for individuals who habitually resided in the Palestinian-administered territories of Judea and Samaria or Gaza, or who hold Palestinian Authority travel documents. This bill voids recent executive actions granting deferred departure status to certain Palestinians. Furthermore, it bars these individuals from receiving Temporary Protected Status, parole, asylum, or refugee status. The legislation also establishes grounds for inadmissibility and deportability based on residency in these territories or possession of Palestinian Authority documents.

The Rape Shield Enhancement Act of 2025 mandates a comprehensive review of federal rules governing evidence and discovery in court cases involving sexual assault. This review, conducted by the Judicial Conference, aims to strengthen protections for alleged victims by further limiting the admissibility of their past sexual behavior. The Act specifically calls for amendments to rules to narrow pre-trial information requests and enhance privacy safeguards for any sensitive victim information that is deemed admissible.

The No Resettlement Without Representation Act shifts authority over the annual refugee cap from the President to Congress, requiring a joint resolution to set the number before any refugees can be admitted. Furthermore, this bill grants state governors the final authority to reject the resettlement of refugees within their state borders, overriding federal placement plans. This legislation ensures that both the overall number of refugees and their specific placement locations require explicit approval.

This resolution formally initiates the expulsion of Representative LaMonica McIver from the United States House of Representatives. The action is based on allegations that the Representative physically assaulted federal law enforcement agents while they were performing their duties. Citing violations of federal law and standards of conduct, the resolution asserts that her actions render her unfit to continue serving in Congress.

The Opportunities for Fairness in Farming Act of 2025 aims to increase transparency and prevent conflicts of interest within agricultural commodity checkoff programs. It strictly prohibits Boards from using assessment funds for lobbying activities and mandates detailed public disclosure of all spending. Furthermore, the bill requires regular audits by the Inspector General and the GAO to ensure compliance and integrity in how these producer funds are managed.

The SEAT Act of 2025 requires third-party restaurant reservation services to have a written contract with an establishment before listing or selling its tables. This new regulation grants the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) authority to enforce compliance as an unfair business practice. Furthermore, the Act voids any contract clauses that force restaurants to cover damages caused by the reservation service's own errors.

Violet's Law mandates that federal research facilities establish procedures to place retired research animals, including dogs, cats, and primates, into new homes. These facilities must adhere to the Animal Welfare Act standards and ensure animals are certified healthy by a veterinarian before adoption. Eligible placements include registered animal rescue organizations, sanctuaries, shelters, or private individuals.

The Modernizing Government Technology Reform Act realigns the use of technology modernization funds to strictly match Congress's original intent, focusing on replacing outdated IT systems and boosting cybersecurity. It establishes new repayment rules to ensure the fund remains solvent until its sunset date of December 31, 2032. Furthermore, the bill mandates that agency CIOs report their high-risk legacy IT systems, which the Federal CIO will use to create and publicly report a prioritized list of the government's riskiest systems.

The Veterans for Mustangs Act amends existing law to prioritize humane, on-range fertility control for managing wild horse and burro populations. This legislation mandates that the Secretary of the Interior must prioritize recruiting, training, and hiring military veterans to administer these fertility control measures. This ensures population management goals are met while providing employment opportunities for veterans.