Legislative Activity

The Pet and Livestock Protection Act mandates the Secretary of the Interior to reissue the 2020 final rule removing the gray wolf from the list of endangered and threatened wildlife within 60 days of enactment. This action is intended to finalize the gray wolf's delisting status. Furthermore, this section prohibits any judicial review of the Secretary's reissued rule.

The Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2025 updates federal housing tax credit allocations to reflect current economic realities and boosts minimum state allotments. It reforms tenant eligibility rules to stabilize tenancy and enhance protections for vulnerable residents, including victims of abuse. The bill also provides disaster relief for property owners, increases incentives for housing the extremely low-income, and directs greater resources toward Native American and rural housing needs. Finally, it streamlines administrative processes and signals a future focus on data transparency and discouraging restrictive local zoning.

The Carnivals are Real Entertainment Act establishes a specific P visa pathway for temporary workers employed by traveling carnivals, circuses, and associated concession providers. This new classification ensures essential mobile entertainment staff can enter the U.S. while adhering to existing H-2B temporary worker program regulations. The law mandates that the Secretaries of Homeland Security and Labor develop and finalize the necessary rules within one year of enactment.

This Act mandates that the Secretary of State must regularly determine whether Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices (HKETOs) still qualify for special U.S. privileges granted in 1997. If the Secretary finds they no longer merit these benefits, the offices must close within 180 days, subject to expedited Congressional review. Furthermore, the bill restricts U.S. government contracting with HKETOs and establishes a U.S. policy against promoting Hong Kong's autonomy if it is deemed not sufficiently independent from mainland China.

The Improve Employer-Directed Skills Act aims to streamline workforce training by allowing employers to directly refer candidates for on-the-job development without initial interviews, provided certain conditions are met. This legislation also enables employers to contract directly with local workforce boards to provide this new "employer-directed skills development." The bill replaces the term "customized training" with "employer-directed skills development" throughout the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

The Manifest Modernization Act of 2025 updates federal requirements for public disclosure of cargo manifest information for all incoming ships, vehicles, and aircraft. This bill mandates that manifests include more specific details, such as the Harmonized Tariff Schedule subheading and precise country of origin data for all cargo. These new disclosure standards will take effect thirty days after the Act is signed into law.

The Taiwan Allies Fund Act establishes a dedicated fund to support countries that maintain relationships with Taiwan despite pressure from the People's Republic of China (PRC). This fund authorizes up to $40 million annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2028 to help eligible nations counter PRC coercion. Aid will focus on strengthening democratic partnerships, supporting Taiwan's international participation, and offering alternatives to PRC economic influence. The Secretary of State will manage the fund, coordinating with Taiwan, and must report annually to Congress on the fund's activities and Taiwan's matching contributions.

The Repealing Illegal Freedom and Liberty Excises Act (RIFLE Act) eliminates the existing federal tax on firearm transfers. This legislation strikes the relevant section from the Internal Revenue Code and makes necessary technical updates to related statutes. Importantly, this Act does not grant the Consumer Product Safety Commission any new authority over regulated firearms.

The Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025 imposes sweeping economic penalties on the Russian Federation in response to its aggression against Ukraine. This legislation mandates severe, immediate sanctions against key Russian officials, financial institutions, and energy sector entities, including asset freezes and trade prohibitions. Furthermore, the Act dramatically increases import duties on Russian goods and requires the President to review and reimpose these measures until Russia negotiates a lasting peace with Ukraine.

The Maximum Pressure Act dramatically tightens and expands U.S. sanctions against Iran across its military, missile, and economic sectors, codifying existing restrictions and severely limiting the President's authority to grant sanctions relief. It mandates immediate sanctions on top Iranian officials and increases penalties for international parties aiding Iran's weapons programs. Furthermore, the bill enhances oversight by requiring numerous detailed reports to Congress regarding Iran's terrorism financing, nuclear timeline, and economic influence, while also redirecting certain frozen Iranian funds to victims of state-sponsored terrorism.

This bill officially designates a section of 18th Street Northwest in Washington, D.C., as "Jimmy Lai Way" and changes the address of a specific building to "1 Jimmy Lai Way Northwest." Furthermore, the legislation strongly condemns the arbitrary detention and mistreatment of Hong Kong media entrepreneur Jimmy Lai, urging the immediate release of all political prisoners. Finally, it directs the U.S. Postal Service on how to handle mail addressed to the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office at the newly designated address.

The DETERRENT Act significantly increases transparency requirements for colleges and universities regarding foreign gifts, contracts, and investments, especially those involving "countries or entities of concern." It mandates detailed public disclosure reports, establishes strict prohibitions and waiver processes for contracts with risky foreign entities, and imposes severe financial penalties for non-compliance. Furthermore, the bill requires specified large private institutions to report their holdings in concerning foreign assets annually.

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 SHORT Act aims to reform federal firearms regulations by redefining what constitutes a "firearm" for tax purposes, largely excluding antique or collector's items. It eliminates disparate federal treatment for short-barreled rifles and shotguns used lawfully and preempts state and local governments from imposing special taxes or registration requirements on these specific weapons. Furthermore, the bill mandates the destruction of certain existing federal registration and transfer records related to defined firearms.

This Act establishes the **Taiwan Travel and Tourism Coordination Act** to strengthen tourism cooperation between the United States and Taiwan through joint initiatives. It mandates the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Travel and Tourism to engage with Taiwanese officials to ease travel and support industry partners. Furthermore, the bill requires a comprehensive report on the feasibility and impact of establishing U.S. preclearance facilities in Taiwan.

This resolution formally recognizes the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States Marine Corps in 2025. Congress is honoring the Corps' long history, core values of honor, courage, and commitment, and its consistent readiness to defend the nation. The bill encourages the public to join in celebrating this significant milestone and acknowledging the service and sacrifice of all Marines.

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 Foreign Investment Guardrails to Help Thwart (FIGHT) China Act aims to protect U.S. national security by imposing sanctions on certain foreign persons and restricting U.S. investments in sensitive technologies within China. The bill establishes new prohibitions and mandatory reporting requirements for U.S. persons engaging in covered national security transactions involving specific prohibited technologies. Furthermore, it mandates the creation of a "Non-SDN Chinese Military-Industrial Complex Companies List" and requires divestment from securities in companies placed on that list.

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.

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.