Legislative Activity

The Infrastructure Expansion Act of 2025 significantly alters liability standards for injuries on federally funded infrastructure projects involving height or gravity risks. This bill replaces strict or absolute liability with a comparative negligence standard for covered persons injured on these sites. Consequently, an injured worker's compensation will be reduced based on their own percentage of fault, overriding conflicting state laws. This new federal standard applies to projects receiving federal financial assistance beginning January 1, 2026.

The Forest Protection and Wildland Firefighter Safety Act of 2025 exempts discharges resulting from the use of Forest Service-approved products for fire control and suppression from certain federal water pollution permit requirements. This change streamlines firefighting operations by removing unnecessary permitting hurdles for using approved suppression agents. The Act also includes technical updates to related environmental statutes.

The Constitutional Hearing Protection Act aims to treat firearm silencers equally under federal tax law by updating definitions and removing certain registration requirements if existing firearm laws are followed. The bill also preempts state and local governments from imposing special taxes or registration burdens on silencers. Furthermore, it mandates the destruction of existing federal records identifying silencer owners within one year of enactment.

This joint resolution expresses the disapproval of Congress regarding a recent rule from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Specifically, it rejects the Service's decision to list the San Francisco Bay-Delta Distinct Population Segment of the Longfin Smelt as an endangered or threatened species. By disapproving the rule, Congress nullifies the listing status for this specific smelt population.

The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE Act) significantly amends federal law to require individuals registering to vote in federal elections to present documentary proof of U.S. citizenship. This legislation mandates that states actively clean their voter rolls and cooperate with federal agencies to verify citizenship status. It establishes new criminal penalties for officials who fail to enforce these documentation requirements.

The Save Our Sequoias Act establishes a comprehensive, multi-agency strategy to protect giant sequoias from threats like catastrophic wildfire, drought, and pests. It mandates a scientific assessment of grove health, creates emergency response authorities to expedite hazardous fuel reduction, and sets up dedicated funding and grant programs. The legislation emphasizes collaboration with California and Native American Tribes to ensure long-term reforestation and resilience for these iconic trees.

The Election Results Accountability Act establishes strict, new deadlines for states to count and officially certify the results of federal elections. States must release initial results within 72 hours and finalize certification within two weeks of poll closure. Penalties for missing these deadlines include the loss of federal election assistance funds, unless the delay is due to specific, agreed-upon emergencies or technical issues.

The No Partisan Radio and Partisan Broadcasting Services Act (NPR and PBS Act) prohibits all federal funding, direct or indirect, for the National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). This measure immediately ends government financial support for these two national broadcasting entities. The restriction also applies to any successor organizations.

The Eliminating the RFS and Its Destructive Outcomes Act completely repeals the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program established under Section 211(o) of the Clean Air Act. This legislation removes all references to the repealed standard throughout related environmental and petroleum marketing laws. In essence, the bill eliminates the federal renewable fuel mandate.

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 Fair and Open Competition Act of 2025 ensures fair competition on federally funded construction projects by prohibiting the government from requiring or penalizing bidders based on union agreements. This legislation aims to keep federal agencies neutral in labor relations while promoting cost savings and opening opportunities for all businesses. Exceptions to this neutrality rule are strictly limited to specific public health, safety, or national security emergencies.

The Major Richard Star Act ensures that military retirees with combat-related disabilities can receive both their military retirement pay and VA disability compensation concurrently without reduction. This law removes previous restrictions that caused military retirement pay to be offset by VA disability payments for these specific cases. The changes take effect on the first day of the month following the Act's enactment.

The FISH Act of 2025 transfers authority over anadromous and catadromous fish species from the Secretary of Commerce to the Secretary of the Interior. It redefines anadromous and catadromous species within the Endangered Species Act of 1973. The Act allows for reconsideration of certain past administrative decisions and addresses administrative and legal details related to the transfer, ensuring continuity in existing legal documents, proceedings, and lawsuits. It also defines key terms like "function" and "office" to clarify the scope and implementation of the transfer.

This bill nullifies the Internal Revenue Service's rule concerning supervisory approval processes for penalties. By disapproving the rule as published in the Federal Register, the bill prevents the implementation of the IRS's updated penalty approval procedures.

The "Death Tax Repeal Act" eliminates both estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes, effective from the date of enactment. It adjusts gift tax calculations by setting the lifetime gift exemption at $10,000,000, with inflation adjustments after 2011. The Act also includes transitional rules for applying certain sections of the Internal Revenue Code during the enactment year.

This bill prohibits federal funds from being used for disinformation research grants. It also blocks funding for Secure and Trustworthy Cyberspace grants. Additionally, the bill defunds programs within the National Science Foundation's Track F: Trust and Authenticity in Communications Systems.

The "Safe Passage on Interstates Act of 2025" aims to prevent the obstruction of interstate highways. It establishes penalties, including fines and imprisonment, for individuals who knowingly disrupt traffic flow or endanger vehicles on these highways. Increased penalties are applied if emergency vehicles are obstructed or if a death occurs as a result of the obstruction.

The "Cost Estimates Improvement Act" requires the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and the Joint Committee on Taxation to include the costs of servicing the public debt when preparing cost estimates for legislation. This aims to provide a more complete picture of the long-term financial implications of proposed laws.

The American Music Fairness Act of 2025 updates copyright law to include terrestrial broadcasts and internet services for audio transmissions, ensuring that artists are compensated for their work when played on these platforms. It establishes specific royalty fees for small broadcasters and ensures that the promotional value that broadcasters provide to artists is considered when setting royalty rates. The Act also protects songwriters and music copyright owners by ensuring the law does not negatively impact their public performance rights or royalties. A portion of royalties from direct licenses will be paid to a collective for distribution to artists, copyright owners, and record labels.

The "Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act" ensures that infants born alive after an abortion receive the same medical care as any other newborn, mandating immediate hospitalization and requiring healthcare practitioners to report any failures to comply. Violators face fines, imprisonment, and potential prosecution for homicide or attempted homicide, while the mother of the child cannot be prosecuted. The bill also allows the woman who had the abortion to file a civil action against anyone who violated the act. It defines abortion and attempts at abortion, and renames "Partial-Birth Abortions" to "Abortions" in relevant sections of the U.S. Code.