Legislative Activity

The LIZARD Act of 2025 mandates the immediate delisting of the dunes sagebrush lizard from the federal lists of threatened and endangered species. This legislation specifically prohibits the Secretary from ever determining the lizard to be a threatened or endangered species under the Endangered Species Act going forward.

The Trucker Bathroom Access Act ensures that commercial truck drivers are allowed to use restrooms at businesses where they are delivering or picking up goods. This legislation also mandates that operators of marine terminals provide adequate and safe restroom facilities for drayage truck drivers working on port property. The goal is to guarantee basic sanitation access for professional drivers during their work hours.

The Dairy Nutrition Incentive Program Act of 2025 establishes a new federal program to test methods for increasing the purchase of nutrient-rich dairy products by households using SNAP benefits. The Secretary of Agriculture will award competitive grants to eligible entities to implement incentive projects at the point of sale. These projects must prioritize direct incentives that can only be spent on buying more eligible dairy items, and all projects will undergo rigorous independent evaluation. The Act also mandates the transition of existing dairy incentive projects into this new framework without interruption.

The Rural Veterinary Workforce Act aims to encourage more veterinarians to serve in underserved rural areas by making participation in certain loan repayment or forgiveness programs more financially appealing. This bill amends the tax code to exclude amounts received through qualifying state or federal veterinary student loan repayment programs from being counted as taxable income. This tax benefit applies to amounts received for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

The Revitalizing Downtowns and Main Streets Act establishes a new 20% federal tax credit for converting eligible, older commercial buildings into affordable housing. This incentive aims to increase housing supply by requiring that at least 20% of the converted units remain rent-restricted for low-income residents for 30 years. State agencies will allocate these credits, which are subject to a national cap of $12 billion, based on approved plans prioritizing financially necessary projects.

This bill establishes the **Southwestern Power Administration Fund** as a dedicated account within the U.S. Treasury to consolidate all revenues and existing balances of the Southwestern Power Administration (SWPA). The Fund will finance the SWPA's operational costs, including facility maintenance and new construction. The Secretary of Energy is authorized to use these funds for approved purposes, even ahead of annual appropriations, with excess funds being returned to the Treasury.

The Safer Skies Act of 2025 mandates enhanced security screening for certain smaller charter and commuter air carriers that sell individual passenger seats publicly. This legislation requires these specific operations, currently exempt from TSA checkpoints, to adopt the security standards applied to larger commercial airlines. The goal is to raise the baseline security level across a broader segment of air travel operations.

This bill permanently extends the existing exemption allowing qualified school bus drivers to skip the engine compartment portion of the commercial driver's license (CDL) skills test. It mandates the Secretary of Transportation to maintain this specific "under-the-hood" inspection waiver indefinitely. States utilizing this permanent exemption must still submit annual reports on the number of drivers licensed under it for the next six years.

The Collegiate Housing and Infrastructure Act of 2025 permits qualifying charities to provide grants to college social or athletic organizations specifically for collegiate housing and infrastructure projects without jeopardizing their tax-exempt status. This legislation clarifies that such grants remain eligible for donor deductions, provided the housing primarily serves full-time students. The Act specifically excludes funding for physical fitness facilities from these provisions.

The Dietary Guidelines Reform Act of 2025 changes the required update cycle for official dietary guidelines from every five years to at least every ten years, requiring adherence to formal rulemaking procedures. The bill mandates that future guidelines must be based on rigorous, evidence-based scientific review and address accessibility and affordability for all populations. If updates occur sooner than the ten-year cycle, an independent, temporary advisory board must be established to submit guiding scientific questions. The Act also strictly limits the scope of the guidelines, excluding topics like taxation, social welfare, and food production methods.

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 FRIDGE Act of 2025 aims to boost U.S. agricultural exports by addressing critical infrastructure weaknesses in foreign markets. This legislation authorizes funding to provide technical assistance and training specifically focused on improving foreign cold chain capacity and storage. By strengthening these global supply chains, the bill seeks to reduce spoilage of American food products and expand market access for U.S. commodities.

The Firearm Due Process Protection Act of 2025 aims to strengthen due process rights for individuals challenging denials in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). It mandates expedited court hearings for record correction lawsuits and shifts the burden of proof onto the government to demonstrate why a person should be ineligible to own a firearm. Additionally, the bill requires the FBI to submit annual reports detailing the outcomes and timelines of all NICS record challenges.

The Protecting Individuals with Down Syndrome Act prohibits performing an abortion solely because an unborn child has been diagnosed with Down syndrome. This law establishes criminal penalties for providers who violate the prohibition and allows civil lawsuits to be brought by qualified relatives. It also requires medical professionals to report suspected violations.

This resolution expresses support for designating March 18, 2025, as "National Agriculture Day." It recognizes and celebrates the significant impact of agriculture as a leading industry in the United States.

The Air America Act of 2025 recognizes the sacrifices of former Air America employees who served the U.S. Government between 1950 and 1976. This Act authorizes a one-time monetary award, up to $40,000 plus potential additional amounts, for qualifying service members or their survivors. The CIA Director is responsible for administering these payments, which are capped at a total of $60 million, and establishing the application procedures. Decisions made by the Director regarding these awards are final and not subject to judicial review.

The Protecting Access to Ground Ambulance Medical Services Act of 2025 extends the current Medicare payment structure for ground ambulance services. This change ensures continuity in how these vital services are reimbursed under existing rules. Specifically, the temporary payment pilot program is extended through 2028, preventing an immediate change in payment policy.

This resolution urges Congress and the administration to work together to address the decline in U.S. food and agricultural exports by expanding market access, reducing trade barriers, and supporting domestic trade promotion programs. It emphasizes the importance of trade agreements and the enforcement of existing commitments to ensure global competitiveness for U.S. farmers and ranchers. The resolution seeks a global trading system grounded in scientific principles to bolster the U.S. agricultural sector.

The Pre-Pilot Pathway Act establishes a new, voluntary apprenticeship program designed to create a steady pipeline of qualified commercial pilots. This program allows certified flight training providers to enroll apprentices who must complete all standard flight curriculum requirements. The Secretary of Transportation is tasked with overseeing the program, setting regulations, and encouraging experienced pilots to become instructors. Annual reports will track the program's effectiveness in addressing pilot shortages.

The Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act aims to prevent private health insurance plans from discriminating against patients with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). This legislation clarifies that plans cannot offer worse benefits or unfairly limit coverage for dialysis treatments compared to other medical services. Furthermore, it stops these plans from shifting the primary financial responsibility for ESRD care onto Medicare. The bill maintains existing rules ensuring fair treatment while preserving a health plan's ability to select its network of dialysis providers.