Legislative Activity

The Local Radio Freedom Act expresses Congressional opposition to imposing new performance fees, taxes, or royalties on local radio stations and businesses for playing music. It argues that the current system of free airplay provides essential promotional value to artists and that new fees would threaten the financial viability of local broadcasters and the vital community services they provide.

The "Extending Limits of U.S. Customs Waters Act" updates the definition of "customs waters" to align with international law, Presidential Proclamation 5928, and Presidential Proclamation 7219. It extends U.S. customs authority to include the territorial sea and contiguous zone, as permitted by international law. These changes will take effect the day after the Act is enacted.

The "Freight RAILCAR Act of 2025" introduces a tax credit for modernizing freight railcars, encouraging investments in newer, more efficient railcars. Taxpayers can claim a credit equal to 10% of their freight railcar fleet modernization expenses, with a limit of 1,000 qualified freight railcars per year. The credit applies to railcars that increase capacity, improve fuel efficiency, or meet updated performance standards, and is available for three years after the Act's enactment. The Secretary of the Treasury is required to submit a report to Congress detailing the credit's usage and impact on railcar modernization and scrapping.

The "Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow's Workforce Act" amends Section 529 savings accounts to include expenses related to postsecondary credentialing programs. This allows 529 funds to cover costs like tuition, fees, books, supplies, and testing fees for recognized programs and credentials, as defined by the bill. These changes would apply to distributions made after the bill is enacted.

The "Family Farm and Small Business Exemption Act" amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to exclude the net value of a family farm (on which the family resides) or a small business (with no more than 100 employees and owned/controlled by the family) from consideration as an asset when determining financial need for federal student aid. This change aims to make higher education more accessible for students from family farm and small business backgrounds.

The CARTEL Act of 2025 mandates U.S. Customs and Border Protection to publish detailed monthly reports on various border security operational statistics, including alien encounters, drug seizures, and terrorist watchlist matches. It also requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to submit an annual report to Congress assessing attempts by foreign terrorist organizations and transnational criminal organizations to infiltrate the United States.

This bill designates the United States Postal Service facility located at 2600 Wesley Street in Greenville, Texas, as the "Cooper Dawson Post Office Building." All official references to this facility will be updated to reflect this new name.

The Semiconductor Technology Advancement and Research (STAR) Act of 2025 establishes a 25 percent tax credit for qualified semiconductor design expenditures conducted within the United States. This legislation aims to bolster domestic innovation by incentivizing both in-house and contract design costs for advanced semiconductor technology. The credit is available through 2036 and is designed to complement existing manufacturing investment incentives.

The Holocaust Education and Antisemitism Lessons Act directs the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum to conduct a comprehensive study of Holocaust education in public elementary and secondary schools across the United States. This study will evaluate current curriculum standards, teaching methods, and available resources to identify gaps and improve how students learn about the Holocaust and the history of antisemitism. The findings will be compiled into a report submitted to Congress to help strengthen educational efforts in preventing hate and bigotry.

The Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act imposes sanctions on individuals and their families who assist the International Criminal Court (ICC) in investigating, arresting, detaining, or prosecuting "protected persons," which include U.S. citizens, military personnel, government officials, and citizens/residents of U.S. allies not consenting to the ICC. It requires the President to block the property of those who aid the ICC, deny them entry into the U.S., and rescinds any funds for the ICC. The bill allows for waivers of these sanctions if vital to U.S. national security and termination of sanctions if the ICC ceases action against protected persons.

The Main Street Tax Certainty Act makes the 20% pass-through business income deduction permanent. By removing the current 2025 expiration date, this legislation ensures long-term tax relief for owners of qualified pass-through entities.

The "No Medicaid for Illegal Immigrants Act of 2025" prohibits states from providing full Medicaid coverage to individuals who are not lawfully admitted for permanent residence. Under this legislation, state-funded medical assistance for these individuals would be restricted exclusively to federally qualified emergency care.

The CONTAINER Act allows border states to place temporary, movable structures on federal land for border security purposes without needing a special use authorization. States must provide 45 days' notice to the relevant federal agency, with placements initially permitted for up to one year. Extensions may be granted in 90-day increments if U.S. Customs and Border Protection determines that operational control of the border has not yet been achieved.

This bill asserts the constitutional right of states to defend themselves against invasion, citing the situation at the southern border from 2021-2024 as an invasion by cartels, terrorists, and criminal elements. It criticizes the Biden administration's border policies and claims the federal government failed to protect southern border states, thus empowering states to take defensive action.

The FORCE Act prohibits the President and the Secretary of State from removing Cuba from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list. This restriction remains in effect until the administration certifies that Cuba has met the specific democratic and human rights requirements outlined in the LIBERTAD Act of 1996.

The REMAIN in Mexico Act of 2025 mandates that the Secretary of Homeland Security reinstate the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP). This legislation requires that asylum seekers be returned to Mexico to await their U.S. immigration proceedings, effectively codifying the 2019 policy guidance into law.

The Grant Integrity and Border Security Act requires federal grant applicants to certify that they have not violated, and will not violate, federal laws prohibiting the harboring or transporting of illegal aliens. The bill mandates that agencies withhold grant funding from any recipient found to be in violation of these immigration statutes. Additionally, it establishes a reporting process for the Attorney General to notify the Office of Management and Budget of any individuals or entities investigated for or convicted of such violations.

This bill officially designates the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Lubbock, Texas, as the "General Bernie Mittemeyer VA Clinic." All future federal references to this facility will reflect this new name.

This bill designates the United States Postal Service facility located at 107 North Hoyne Avenue in Fritch, Texas, as the "Chief Zeb Smith Post Office." All official references to this facility will henceforth bear this name in honor of Chief Zeb Smith.

The Laken Riley Act mandates the detention of undocumented immigrants who are charged with or convicted of theft-related offenses. Additionally, the bill empowers state attorneys general to sue federal officials for failures in enforcing immigration detention, removal, and parole laws.