Legislative Activity

The Forest Data Modernization Act of 2025 aims to significantly update how the Forest Service tracks the health and resources of U.S. forests. This legislation mandates the inclusion of forest carbon data in inventory and analysis programs and requires the strategic integration of modern technologies like remote sensing. The goal is to produce more precise, accessible, and current forest statistics for both national and sub-state levels.

This bill repeals the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, eliminating the requirements for the President to report to Congress on decisions to withhold or delay spending of appropriated funds. This removes the process by which Congress can approve or disapprove of these presidential actions.

The Alpha-gal Allergen Inclusion Act amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to include alpha-gal, a sugar found in non-catarrhine primate mammals and red algae, as a major food allergen. This will require food labels to clearly identify the presence of alpha-gal. The amendment will take effect 18 months after the enactment of this Act, with an exception for mammal-derived ingredients where alpha-gal is below a detectable limit as determined by the Secretary.

The "Family Farm and Small Business Exemption Act" amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to exclude the net value of a family farm (on which the family resides) or a small business (with no more than 100 employees and owned/controlled by the family) from consideration as an asset when determining financial need for federal student aid. This change aims to make higher education more accessible for students from family farm and small business backgrounds.

The Direct Medical Care Freedom Act of 2025 clarifies that direct medical care arrangements, where individuals pay a fixed periodic fee for medical services from practitioners, are not considered health plans under the Internal Revenue Code. It allows fees paid for these arrangements to be treated as medical expenses and mandates that fees for arrangements provided through employment are reported on employee W2 forms. This applies to primary care, specialty care, or other subsets of medical services, and will take effect for months beginning after December 31, 2024.

The "No Kill Switches in Cars Act" repeals a section of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The repealed section required the Department of Transportation to create a rule mandating that all new cars have advanced drunk and impaired driving prevention technology. This bill prohibits the government from requiring car manufacturers to install kill switches in vehicles.

The Litigation Transparency Act of 2025 requires parties in civil actions to disclose the identity of any third party entitled to payment contingent on the outcome of the case, along with the relevant agreements. This disclosure aims to increase transparency in civil litigation by revealing who financially benefits from the lawsuit's outcome. Certain payments, such as loan repayments and attorney's fees, are exempt from this disclosure requirement. The Act applies to both ongoing and future court cases.

The "Marc Fischer Memorial Act" aims to combat the flow of synthetic drugs, particularly fentanyl, into Federal prisons through the mail. It mandates the Director of the Bureau of Prisons to develop and implement a strategy to equip all Federal correctional facilities with the technology and processes needed to scan mail, protect staff and inmates, and ensure timely delivery of mail copies while maintaining legal mail privileges. The strategy includes assessing current practices, identifying necessary resources, and providing a budgetary proposal for implementation, with ongoing reporting to Congress on its effectiveness.

The "Restoring American Sovereignty Act" allows the President to use previously paused funds to deport illegal aliens from the United States. This overrides any conflicting laws that may be in place.

The "Senior Citizens Tax Elimination Act" repeals the inclusion of Social Security benefits in gross income, effectively ending the taxation of these benefits for taxable years beginning after the enactment of this law. The Act mandates the allocation of funds each fiscal year to the Social Security Act or the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974, ensuring these programs are not negatively impacted by the tax elimination. The amount allocated must equal the reduction in transfers to these funds because of the change. Congress intends to offset the revenue reduction without raising taxes.

The "Protecting Women’s Private Spaces Act" restricts access to single-sex facilities on federal property to individuals whose biological sex corresponds to the facility's designation. Biological sex is defined as the biological determination of male or female, based on reproductive systems. Exceptions are provided for emergency medical personnel and law enforcement officers in specific situations. "Single-sex facilities" are defined as restrooms, locker rooms, and changing rooms.

The "Fair Access to Banking Act" aims to prevent financial institutions from denying services to legal businesses based on subjective or political reasons. It prohibits large banks, credit unions, and payment card networks from discriminating against legal businesses and requires them to provide fair access to financial services based on impartial, risk-based standards. Financial institutions that violate these provisions may face penalties, including ineligibility for taxpayer-funded discount window lending programs and civil penalties. Individuals or businesses who are unfairly denied services can sue the financial institution in U.S. district court.

The Dismantle DEI Act of 2025 aims to immediately rescind diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) mandates across the federal government, including shutting down related offices and banning specific ideological training for federal personnel and contractors. The bill prohibits the use of federal funds for DEI activities by grant recipients and mandates that federal advisory committees cease all such practices or face termination. Furthermore, it establishes strong enforcement mechanisms, allowing individuals to sue violators and seek financial penalties for non-compliance.

The "No User Fees for Gun Owners Act" prohibits state and local governments from imposing taxes, fees, or insurance requirements on firearm or ammunition ownership and commerce. Regular sales taxes are permitted if applied at the same rate as other goods and services. This bill aims to protect gun owners and businesses from discriminatory financial burdens.

The "RECOGNIZING Judea and Samaria Act" seeks to officially recognize areas annexed by Israel from Jordan during the Six-Day War as Judea and Samaria. It prohibits the use of federal funds for documents referring to this region as the "West Bank," and amends existing laws to reflect this change, with a waiver option for the Secretary of State under certain conditions. This bill aims to change how the U.S. government refers to these territories in all official documents and communications.

The "Drug Cartel Terrorist Designation Act" mandates the Secretary of State to report to Congress on whether certain Mexican drug cartels meet the criteria to be designated as foreign terrorist organizations, and to designate those that meet the criteria as such. This report must include detailed justifications for any cartel not designated. The Act does not expand asylum eligibility based on these designations.

This bill terminates the Department of Education, effectively eliminating the department on December 31, 2026.

The "Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act" aims to address and prevent sexual harassment and sexual assault against Bureau of Prisons staff by incarcerated individuals. It mandates a comprehensive review and analysis by the Inspector General of the incidence and effects of such acts, including current punishment practices. Following the review, the Attorney General is directed to establish national standards for preventing, reducing, and punishing sexual harassment and sexual assault in prisons.

The "Parental Notification and Intervention Act of 2025" requires parental notification before an abortion can be performed on an unemancipated minor, with exceptions for medical emergencies or court waivers. It allows parents to sue in federal court to stop an abortion from occurring. States can enact stricter parental notification or intervention laws. The act would take effect immediately upon becoming law.

The "Personalized Care Act of 2025" expands Health Savings Account (HSA) eligibility, increases contribution limits, and allows HSA funds to be used for a broader range of healthcare expenses, including health plan premiums and healthcare sharing ministry fees. It also reduces the penalty for non-qualified HSA distributions and clarifies the treatment of medical care service arrangements and periodic provider fees. These changes aim to provide individuals with greater flexibility and control over their healthcare spending and coverage.