Legislative Activity

The Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati Stopping Prison Contraband Act focuses on strengthening penalties for introducing prohibited items, specifically phones, into prisons. It mandates the Director of the Bureau of Prisons to review and update policies concerning prohibited objects to enhance the safety of inmates and staff. This legislation aims to curb contraband flow within correctional facilities.

The Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act mandates that group health plans and insurance policies provide comprehensive coverage for medically necessary treatment related to congenital anomalies or birth defects affecting the eyes, ears, teeth, mouth, or jaw. This coverage must include services needed to restore normal function and appearance, including necessary dental and orthodontic support. Plans must apply cost-sharing rules no more restrictive than those for other medical benefits, excluding purely cosmetic procedures.

The Justice for Victims of Illegal Alien Murders Act establishes stricter penalties for certain non-citizens who commit murder in the United States. If an inadmissible or deportable alien is convicted of first-degree murder, they will face the death penalty or life imprisonment. Similar enhanced sentencing, including life imprisonment, applies to those convicted of second-degree murder under these specific immigration grounds.

The Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act expands the definition of "law enforcement officer" for federal retirement purposes under both the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). This change adds specific IRS, Postal Inspection Service, and VA police roles to those eligible for enhanced retirement benefits. The bill also establishes procedures for current officers to elect to have their prior service counted under these new definitions, which may require a payment from the employee and their employing agency.

This resolution supports designating May 8, 2025, as "National Scam Survivor Day" to raise public awareness about the growing threat of sophisticated scams. It acknowledges the billions lost annually to fraud targeting all age groups, including veterans and seniors. The bill calls for improved consumer education, better use of federal resources, and enhanced law enforcement efforts to combat these criminal operations. Ultimately, it seeks to support survivors and encourage collaboration to prevent future victimization.

The CHOICE for Veterans Act of 2025 aims to overhaul how veterans receive assistance with their Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefit claims. It establishes new rules for the recognition, fees, and conduct of agents and attorneys who represent veterans. The bill also mandates increased transparency regarding available assistance and requires a review of the entire representative recognition process.

The Protecting America's Property Rights Act aims to enhance the security of mortgages purchased by Federal Housing Enterprises by requiring the use of state-regulated title protection products. If these regulated products are not used, the Enterprises must hold additional capital reserves against those mortgages. This legislation mandates the Director to quickly establish rules ensuring compliance with these new title risk management standards.

The Restoring Court Authority Over Litigation Act of 2025 seeks to re-establish state and federal courts as the sole regulators of attorney conduct during litigation. This bill explicitly prevents federal agencies from supervising or enforcing rules on lawyers' litigation activities. Furthermore, it bars private lawsuits in federal court against opposing counsel based solely on their actions within a case. Finally, it amends existing law to exempt attorneys engaged in litigation for debt collection from being classified as "debt collectors."

The CFPB Budget Integrity Act limits the amount of unspent funds, or "unobligated balances," the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) can retain to no more than 5% of a specified statutory amount. Any excess savings must be transferred to the Treasury general fund. This legislation also enhances reporting requirements to provide greater transparency regarding the CFPB's retained balances.

The Prove It Act aims to strengthen protections for small businesses against burdensome federal regulations. It establishes a formal process for small entities to challenge agency claims that a proposed rule will not significantly impact them. The bill also expands the required analysis of indirect costs and imposes consequences if agencies fail to periodically review existing rules on time.

The Better CARE for Animals Act of 2025 significantly strengthens enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act by clarifying definitions and expanding the scope of investigations. It grants the Attorney General explicit authority to file civil actions seeking penalties up to $10,000 per day, and mandates that collected fines help cover temporary animal care costs. The bill also requires the Secretary of Agriculture and the Attorney General to establish a formal agreement for coordinated enforcement.

The Business over Ballots Act reaffirms that the Small Business Administration's (SBA) primary mission is solely to support small businesses. This legislation explicitly prohibits the SBA from engaging in or facilitating voter registration activities. Furthermore, it mandates that all new contracts and existing assistance agreements must restrict recipients from using SBA funds for voter registration efforts.

The Accounting STEM Pursuit Act of 2025 officially recognizes accounting education as a vital component of a well-rounded K-12 curriculum. This legislation amends federal education law to ensure accounting is counted within core curriculum planning frameworks. The Act specifically directs states and districts to improve access to quality accounting programs, with a focus on increasing opportunities for underrepresented students.

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 No Rogue Rulings Act of 2025 significantly restricts federal district courts from issuing injunctions that affect parties not directly involved in a lawsuit. An exception allows a specially convened, randomly selected three-judge panel to issue broad injunctions in multi-state lawsuits against the executive branch. Decisions made by this panel regarding injunctions can be appealed directly to the Supreme Court or the relevant circuit court at the losing party's discretion.

The Neighborhood Homes Investment Act establishes a new federal tax credit designed to close the financing gap hindering the construction and rehabilitation of affordable starter homes in distressed communities. This credit incentivizes developers to build or substantially renovate housing in specific low-income census tracts and sell it affordably to qualified moderate-income homeowners. State agencies will manage the allocation of these credits, ensuring projects meet affordability standards and promoting revitalization in struggling neighborhoods.

The Prison Staffing Reform Act of 2025 mandates a comprehensive, external review of staffing shortages across the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to address risks to inmates and staff. Following this review, the BOP Director must submit a detailed plan to Congress and the union outlining strategies for recruitment, reducing overtime, and establishing specific staffing ratios for all roles. The goal is to implement these new staffing standards within three years to improve safety, inmate care, and overall prison security.

The Housing Supply Frameworks Act aims to address the national housing shortage by encouraging state and local governments to reform restrictive zoning and land use regulations. It directs the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to develop and publish comprehensive guidelines and best practices for these reforms. The Act also establishes reporting requirements to track the adoption of these new frameworks and authorizes funding to support these efforts.

The S-CAP Act of 2025 significantly increases the maximum number of shareholders a business can have while qualifying for S corporation tax status, raising the limit from 100 to 250. This change is designed to allow more small businesses to benefit from pass-through taxation. This new 250-shareholder limit will take effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.

The CATCH Fentanyl Act mandates the Department of Homeland Security to establish pilot projects at land ports of entry to test advanced inspection technologies, including those utilizing Artificial Intelligence. These tests aim to improve the detection of contraband like fentanyl while increasing inspection efficiency. The Secretary must report on the effectiveness of these technologies and provide recommendations for nationwide deployment within five years of enactment.