Legislative Activity

The TASK Act amends the Fair Labor Standards Act to exclude certain vocational students from the definition of "employee." This change specifically exempts individuals performing required tasks for a postsecondary vocational institution to earn a recognized credential. Essentially, it addresses the employment status of students engaged in required vocational training.

The GAIN AI Act of 2025 establishes new export controls on advanced integrated circuits destined for "countries of concern." This legislation mandates that exporters must first offer a right of first refusal to United States persons before seeking a license for such exports. The Act also creates a "trusted United States person" designation to exempt certain domestic entities from these licensing requirements.

This resolution expresses the official support of Congress for designating the week of October 19 through 25, 2025, as "National Chemistry Week." It recognizes the vital role chemistry plays in daily life, innovation, and economic growth. The bill specifically encourages public education about chemistry and promotes STEM career paths for students, particularly those from underrepresented groups.

The FARMS Act temporarily pauses the calculation of the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) for H-2A agricultural visa workers for up to two years. This allows the Secretary of Labor to continue using the existing AEWR if a reliable new calculation method cannot be determined. The goal is to maintain wage stability for temporary foreign agricultural workers during this period.

The Adams Memorial-Great American Heroes Act extends the authority of the Adams Memorial Commission until 2032 and updates the compliance and location approval process for the commemorative work. This bill specifies the approved areas for the memorial's location, overriding certain general restrictions, and makes conforming amendments to existing law.

The "Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act of 2025" amends the National Labor Relations Act by clarifying that Indian tribes and their tribally owned businesses on Indian lands are considered employers. This act defines key terms such as "Indian tribe," "Indian," and "Indian lands" to ensure clarity in its application. The change aims to affirm tribal sovereignty over labor relations within their lands.

This resolution expresses strong support for designating the week of September 11 through September 17, 2025, as "Patriot Week." It encourages citizens and institutions to recognize foundational American documents, core values, and historical figures that embody the nation's principles. The goal is to foster a renewed commitment to the ideals of the republic, especially in remembrance of the September 11th attacks.

The District of Columbia Sister City Integrity Act prohibits the District from establishing new Sister City relationships with any city or region located in a country designated as a foreign adversary. Existing partnerships with such nations must be terminated within 180 days or upon the agreement's expiration. Furthermore, the District cannot use federal funds for international liaison services without certifying compliance with this Act to the President.

The No Adversarial AI Act establishes a process for identifying and publicly listing Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools developed by foreign adversaries. This legislation then prohibits U.S. executive agencies from acquiring or using these listed AI systems. Exceptions to this ban are narrowly defined, requiring high-level written approval if the AI is deemed absolutely necessary for specific national security or critical mission functions.

The Shandra Eisenga Human Cell and Tissue Product Safety Act aims to enhance public safety and transparency regarding human cell and tissue products. This legislation establishes significant civil penalties for regulatory violations and mandates public awareness campaigns supporting organ and tissue donation education. Furthermore, it directs the FDA to increase transparency by publishing operational data and creating public forums to gather input on modernizing regulatory guidance.

The Line 5 Act officially codifies and protects the 1977 U.S.-Canada Agreement Concerning Transit Pipelines. This legislation explicitly prevents the President or any executive branch official from unilaterally breaking or undermining this existing international treaty regarding cross-border pipelines. It ensures the long-standing pipeline agreement remains legally binding and enforceable.

The Lifting Overburdensome Commerce Obstructions and Motives (LOCOMOTIVES) Act clarifies and strengthens federal authority over emission standards for existing locomotives and engines. This legislation limits the ability of states to set their own pollution control standards for certain railroad equipment. Specifically, it expands federal preemption to cover more nonroad engines and locomotives engaged in commerce.

The NO LIMITS Act of 2025 aims to counter Chinese support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine by authorizing the President to impose significant sanctions on Chinese entities aiding Russia's defense sector. This legislation specifically targets Chinese companies involved in supplying dual-use technology or defense materials to Russia, effectively blocking their access to the U.S. financial system. Furthermore, the Act expands existing restrictions to automatically cover subsidiaries controlled by sanctioned Chinese or Russian entities to prevent sanctions evasion. The Treasury Secretary is also mandated to review specific major Chinese arms manufacturers for potential sanctions.

The Defense of Conscience in Health Care Act mandates the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to reinstate federal regulations protecting statutory conscience rights in healthcare. Specifically, it requires HHS to issue a final rule mirroring the version of 45 CFR Part 88 that was in effect on July 22, 2019. This new rule will immediately supersede any conflicting existing regulations to ensure these conscience protections are upheld.

The Veterans Patient Advocacy Act ensures that veterans living in rural areas have reliable access to patient advocates at VA medical facilities. This requires the VA to assign advocates specifically to community-based outpatient clinics in rural locations. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs must implement these changes within two years, followed by a GAO review of the implementation progress.

The Protecting Americans Retirement Savings Act (PARSA) prohibits retirement plan fiduciaries from investing in or transacting with entities identified as "foreign adversary entities" or "sanctioned entities." The bill mandates significant new disclosure requirements for employee retirement funds regarding their existing or potential holdings connected to these restricted foreign entities. Existing investments may be grandfathered in, provided specific reporting requirements are met.

The Veterans Fellowship Act establishes a new pilot program allowing select states to offer short-term fellowships for veterans. These fellowships, managed in partnership with non-profits, will provide veterans with up to 20 weeks of work experience, a monthly stipend, and a pathway to long-term employment. The program is authorized for five fiscal years, with a required review of its effectiveness.

The "Supporting Farm Operations Act of 2025" freezes the wage rate for H-2A nonimmigrant workers at the level it was on December 31, 2023, through December 31, 2026. Additionally, the bill directs the Secretary of Labor to use a primary duties evaluation when deciding the required wage for employees who perform multiple duties or tasks.

The "No Social Security for Illegal Aliens Act of 2025" amends the Social Security Act to exclude wages and self-employment income earned by unauthorized aliens in the U.S. from being used to calculate Social Security benefits. This change applies to income earned both before, on, and after the law's enactment, with benefit adjustments taking effect after enactment. The Social Security Administration will recalculate insurance amounts to reflect these changes.

The BOOST Act introduces a refundable tax credit for individuals who purchase communications signal boosters to improve broadband internet access in their primary residence, if that residence is in an unserved area. The credit covers 75% of the cost, up to $400, for signal boosters, satellite network equipment, and related ground station equipment. This credit is available for taxable years between 2025 and 2029 and is limited to one claim per individual.