Legislative Activity

The Mental Health Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2025 establishes a federal loan and loan guarantee program managed by HHS to finance the construction, renovation, and equipment upgrades for mental health and substance use disorder treatment facilities. Priority will be given to projects that increase bed capacity in underserved areas, with at least 25% of funds reserved for pediatric facilities. Furthermore, the bill creates a dedicated Trust Fund to hold surplus revenue from the loan program, which Congress can then appropriate as block grants for community mental health services.

The Traveler Privacy Protection Act of 2025 strictly limits the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) use of facial recognition technology during airport security screening. This bill establishes a default ban on collecting or storing passenger biometric data, requiring explicit opt-in consent for general passengers and clear opt-out rights for Trusted Traveler members. Furthermore, it imposes strict data minimization and storage limits, and prohibits the use of this technology for surveillance outside of the screening process.

The End Crypto Corruption Act of 2025 prohibits high-ranking government officials and their immediate families from issuing, sponsoring, or endorsing specific digital assets while in office and for one year after leaving. This legislation establishes both civil penalties, including fines based on financial gain, and criminal penalties, including imprisonment, for knowing violations involving digital assets like cryptocurrencies and NFTs. The Act specifically targets conflicts of interest by treating these prohibited financial transactions as unofficial acts, removing official immunity protections.

The Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program Reauthorization Act of 2025 extends the successful restoration program through 2034 and significantly expands its scope and capacity. This bill increases the number of projects funded annually, allows projects to address forest pathogens, and encourages innovative funding and implementation methods. Furthermore, it strengthens support for local collaboratives and prioritizes projects focused on wildfire risk reduction and watershed health across all land types.

This resolution officially supports the goals and ideals of National Nurses Week, observed from May 6 through May 12, 2025. It recognizes the vital contributions of nurses as frontline healthcare providers and patient advocates. The measure encourages the public to observe the week with appropriate events honoring the nursing profession.

The Taiwan Relations Reinforcement Act of 2025 aims to significantly strengthen the U.S. partnership with Taiwan by prioritizing its inclusion in international organizations and urging a swift bilateral trade agreement. The bill mandates the creation of an Interagency Taiwan Policy Task Force to coordinate efforts to bolster Taiwan's defense and counter Chinese influence operations, known as "sharp power." Furthermore, it codifies U.S. policy against recognizing PRC sovereignty over Taiwan unless democratically agreed upon by the Taiwanese people.

The Reduction in Force Review Act enhances congressional oversight of federal agency workforce reductions. It mandates that agencies provide detailed justifications, including alternatives considered and impact assessments, when announcing a planned reduction in force (RIF). This ensures that significant workforce restructuring actions receive thorough review by Congress.

The Make Sense Not Cents Act asserts Congress's exclusive authority over U.S. currency and immediately halts the production of the one-cent coin. While eliminating the penny from future minting, the bill ensures that all existing pennies remain valid legal tender for all debts. The legislation also updates various federal codes to remove obsolete references to the discontinued coin.

The Equality Act comprehensively amends federal civil rights laws to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity across key areas of American life. This legislation expands existing protections in public accommodations, employment, housing, credit access, and jury service. Its purpose is to ensure consistent and clear nationwide enforcement of non-discrimination principles for LGBTQ individuals and women.

The Clean Energy Victory Bond Act of 2025 establishes voluntary, government-backed bonds to fund domestic clean energy projects and energy efficiency upgrades. Proceeds from these bonds will flow into a dedicated Trust Fund to finance initiatives like grid modernization, building retrofits, and clean technology research. A key goal is to boost U.S. energy security, create green jobs, and ensure at least 40% of funding benefits disadvantaged communities.

The Stop Arctic Ocean Drilling Act of 2025 permanently prohibits the Secretary of the Interior from issuing any new oil and gas leases or extending existing ones in the Arctic areas of the outer Continental Shelf. This legislation establishes an outright ban on the exploration, development, or production of minerals in these specific Arctic waters. The defined geographic scope of this prohibition aligns with the existing definition used in the Arctic Research and Policy Act of 1984.

This Act prohibits the export or resale of U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) and petroleum products to entities connected with China, Russia, North Korea, or Iran, unless a strict national security waiver is granted. The Secretary of Energy is responsible for enforcing these new restrictions. Violations carry severe civil penalties, including fines up to $250 million, and knowing criminal violations can result in up to 20 years in prison.

The Savings Opportunity and Affordable Repayment Act establishes a new income-contingent student loan repayment plan designed to lower monthly payments based on family size and income relative to the poverty line. This plan offers loan forgiveness after 10 years for undergraduate-only debt or 15 years for debt including graduate loans. Furthermore, the bill eliminates interest accrual that exceeds the borrower's calculated monthly payment.

The Deschutes River Conservancy Reauthorization Act of 2025 extends the authorization for the Deschutes River Conservancy Working Group until 2032. This bill updates the composition of the group, requiring representation from environmental, agricultural, tribal, and governmental interests. Additionally, it increases the allowable administrative cost percentage for the group from 5% to 10%.

This resolution designates the first week of April 2025 as National Asbestos Awareness Week to highlight the severe, often delayed health risks associated with asbestos exposure. The measure urges the Surgeon General to educate the public about the dangers of these invisible fibers, which cause incurable diseases like mesothelioma and asbestosis. By raising awareness, the goal is to reduce future occupational and environmental exposures.

The Mass Timber Federal Buildings Act of 2025 requires federal agencies to prioritize the use of domestically sourced mass timber and innovative wood products in new government construction and leases. This preference applies when the materials are responsibly sourced from U.S. forestlands through certified or regulated practices. Furthermore, the bill mandates lifecycle assessments for new buildings utilizing these wood products to measure their environmental impact.

The Smith River National Recreation Area Expansion Act formally expands the boundaries of the recreation area to include new lands, primarily in Oregon, and updates management directives for these additions. The bill also designates numerous new segments of the North Fork Smith River tributaries in Oregon for protection under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Furthermore, it clarifies administrative rules, protects Tribal rights, and mandates a future study of the newly added areas.

This concurrent resolution acknowledges the League of Oregon Cities for its century-long commitment to supporting Oregon's cities through advocacy, resource provision, and promotion of best practices in municipal governance. It highlights the League's role in fostering collaboration among cities and its advocacy for key areas like sustainable development, infrastructure, and public safety. The resolution also recognizes the League's work with federal leaders to advance policies that align with local government priorities, acknowledging their contribution to the resilience and vitality of Oregon communities.

The Fair College Admissions for Students Act prohibits colleges and universities that receive federal student aid from giving preferential treatment in admissions based on an applicant's relationship to alumni or donors. This legislation aims to eliminate legacy and donor preferences in the college application review process. The ban will take effect starting with the second award year following the law's enactment.

The HOPE for Homeownership Act imposes new federal excise taxes on large investment entities, such as hedge funds, that own excess single-family residences. These taxes apply both at the time of purchase and annually based on the number of homes owned above a set limit. Furthermore, taxpayers subject to these new taxes are disallowed from claiming mortgage interest deductions or depreciation on those residential properties. The goal is to discourage large-scale corporate ownership of single-family homes.