Legislative Activity

The Keeping Our Agents on the Line Act seeks to refocus U.S. Border Patrol on traditional border security duties by reaffirming a 25-mile operational limit from the border. This legislation restricts Border Patrol's interior arrest authority, which Congress finds has led to inappropriate enforcement actions. Furthermore, the bill mandates increased public reporting on checkpoint performance and detailed data regarding any Border Patrol enforcement activities conducted beyond the established limit.

The Americas Regional Monitoring of Arms Sales (ARMAS) Act of 2025 aims to curb violence in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean fueled by U.S. firearms trafficking. This bill transfers regulatory control of certain munitions exports from the Commerce Department back to the State Department. It mandates comprehensive reporting and strategy development to disrupt illegal trafficking networks and tightens restrictions on future arms exports to designated "covered countries."

The Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act aims to immediately improve financial and healthcare access for individuals diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. This legislation eliminates the standard five-month waiting period for Social Security disability insurance benefits. Furthermore, it waives the 24-month waiting period required before these patients become eligible for Medicare coverage.

The Keeping All Students Safe Act prohibits dangerous restraint and seclusion practices in federally funded schools and educational programs. It establishes strict national standards for when physical restraint is permitted, mandates comprehensive staff training, and empowers parents with immediate notification rights and the ability to sue for violations. Furthermore, the bill requires states to submit plans, publicly report data on restraint incidents, and utilize federal grants to implement preventative, evidence-based safety strategies.

The Background Check Expansion Act mandates that nearly all private firearm transfers between unlicensed individuals must go through a licensed dealer to complete a federal background check. This legislation establishes a universal background check requirement for these transactions, with specific exceptions for family gifts and law enforcement transfers. The bill aims to close loopholes in existing firearm transfer laws while explicitly prohibiting the creation of a national firearms registry.

This bill, the Restoring Access for Detainees Act, mandates that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) provide detained individuals with free, limited telephone and electronic communication services. It aims to ensure detainees can consult with legal counsel and maintain essential family ties at no cost. The legislation specifies minimum free calling minutes, required access for legal consultation, and prohibits monitoring of confidential communications with attorneys.

The Stop Sycophants in Government Act of 2025 prohibits the federal government from requiring political loyalty tests for hiring, appointment, promotion, or retention in any federal job. This ban applies broadly across the executive branch, including Senate-confirmed appointees and Postal Service employees. The Act ensures that political beliefs cannot be used as a barrier to federal employment.

This resolution supports the designation of a week in September 2025 as "Malnutrition Awareness Week" to highlight the widespread and costly problem of malnutrition in the U.S. It recognizes that this issue disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, including communities of color, children, and older adults. The bill encourages increased support for federal nutrition programs and better integration of nutrition therapy to improve health outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.

The Community-based Refugee Reception Act of 2025 establishes a new program allowing vetted community sponsorship groups to directly refer and resettle refugees, supplementing existing federal efforts. This initiative aims to expand citizen involvement in welcoming refugees and supporting their initial 90 days of settlement. Refugees admitted through this community sponsorship track will not count against the annual numerical cap of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. The Act mandates the creation of training and support systems for these local groups while ensuring refugees maintain access to all other eligible public benefits.

The College Athlete Right to Organize Act seeks to classify certain student athletes at public colleges as employees under federal labor law. This grants them the right to organize and collectively bargain with their schools over terms and conditions of their participation. The bill ensures that this new employment status does not automatically alter the tax treatment of their compensation or affect their eligibility for federal financial aid. Ultimately, it establishes the National Labor Relations Board as the authority to oversee these new labor relations.

The College Athlete Economic Freedom Act grants college athletes the right to profit from their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) without interference from their schools or athletic associations. This legislation ensures NIL compensation does not jeopardize an athlete's academic eligibility or financial aid. Furthermore, it establishes reporting requirements for institutional NIL collectives and creates a pathway for international student-athletes to engage in NIL activities while maintaining their student visa status. Violations of these new NIL protections will be enforced by the FTC and allow individuals to sue for damages.

The Workforce Mobility Act of 2025 generally bans the use of noncompete agreements for most employees and contractors, finding that they suppress wages and hinder economic productivity. This prohibition includes exceptions for specific business sale scenarios and senior executives with severance packages. The Act empowers the FTC and Department of Labor to enforce these new rules, while also preserving an employer's right to protect genuine trade secrets through confidentiality agreements.

This joint resolution disapproves of a proposed foreign military sale of defense articles and services to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It specifically blocks the transfer of certain defense equipment, including Chinook helicopters and related support systems, that was previously planned for the UAE government. Congress is using its authority to halt this specific arms deal.

This joint resolution provides for congressional disapproval of a proposed foreign military sale to the United Arab Emirates. However, the accompanying text indicates this resolution is actually **approving** the extension of spare parts and support for the UAE's existing helicopter fleet, including Apache, Black Hawk, and Chinook aircraft. It confirms Congress's acceptance of this specific logistics and maintenance sale renewal.

This joint resolution addresses two separate actions regarding foreign military sales. First, it formally blocks a proposed defense article and services sale to the United Arab Emirates. Second, it approves a different, specific sale of non-Major Defense Equipment, spare parts, and support services to the UAE, as detailed in Transmittal No. 2525.

This joint resolution expresses the disapproval of Congress regarding a proposed foreign military sale of defense articles and services to the Government of Qatar. Specifically, this action blocks the planned sale which includes MQ9B drones, guided bombs, and associated support equipment. Congress is utilizing this resolution to formally halt the specified arms transaction.

The MEME Act, or Modern Emoluments and Malfeasance Enforcement Act, prohibits federal officials and their close associates from promoting or profiting from the sale of specific financial assets, including cryptocurrencies, while in office or shortly thereafter. This legislation aims to prevent public officials from using their positions for private financial gain by banning these "prohibited financial transactions." Violations carry significant civil penalties, including fines up to $250,000 and disgorgement of profits, with severe criminal penalties for corruption or insider trading.

The Strengthening Immigration Procedures Act of 2025 establishes a clear, standardized process for immigrants to claim ineffective assistance of counsel in immigration proceedings. This Act mandates that immigration courts apply the established *Strickland v. Washington* standard when evaluating claims that a prior lawyer's deficient performance prejudiced an immigrant's case. By setting these new standards, the bill aims to ensure fair representation and remove procedural roadblocks for those seeking relief. This new right to challenge poor legal representation applies retroactively to all immigration matters.

The "Office of Gun Violence Prevention Act of 2025" establishes an Office of Gun Violence Prevention within the Department of Justice, led by a Director, to coordinate and improve gun violence prevention programs and policies. The Director will evaluate and modernize laws, recommend evidence-based strategies to Congress and the President, improve data collection and research, educate the public, assist affected communities, and coordinate with other agencies. An advisory council will be convened, including a diverse group of experts and individuals affected by gun violence, to advise the Director. The Act authorizes necessary appropriations to support these activities.

The Fair Play for Women Act aims to address sex-based discrimination in athletics by improving data collection and transparency, ensuring understanding of Title IX rights, and guaranteeing equal access to quality athletic opportunities for all students. It prohibits discrimination based on sex in athletics by State and intercollegiate athletic associations, local educational agencies, and covered institutions of higher education. The Act also expands athletic disclosure requirements for colleges and universities, as well as elementary and secondary schools, and mandates annual Title IX training for specific individuals. Finally, it allows the Secretary of Education to identify and penalize institutions that did not comply with Section 7 or Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 in the previous year.