Legislative Activity

The Training and Nutrition Stability Act amends the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by removing an outdated rule. Crucially, this bill excludes income earned from specific employment and job training programs when calculating a household's SNAP eligibility. This change aims to encourage participation in workforce development and rehabilitation efforts without negatively impacting food assistance benefits.

The National Veterans Advocate Act of 2025 establishes an independent Office of the National Veterans Advocate within the VA, reporting directly to the Secretary. This new office will monitor VA operations, identify systemic veteran issues, and make direct, unreviewed recommendations to Congress for improvements. It also restructures advocacy by ensuring dedicated local advocates are available based on veteran enrollment numbers.

The PREPARE Act of 2025 establishes a federal commission to study and recommend a regulatory framework for adult-use cannabis, modeling it after existing alcohol regulations. This commission must investigate the social, economic, and criminal justice impacts of past prohibition. Its primary purpose is to ensure the federal government is prepared for the end of cannabis prohibition by developing comprehensive guidelines for safety, research, and industry access.

The STATES 2.0 Act aims to respect state and tribal authority by exempting marijuana activities compliant with local law from federal drug prohibitions. It mandates federal regulation of interstate cannabis commerce while establishing a new federal excise tax to cover oversight costs. Furthermore, the bill directs the FDA to respect tribal self-governance in marijuana regulation and requires a study on the effects of legalization on traffic safety.

The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act aims to combat sophisticated, cross-border criminal organizations driving massive increases in retail and supply chain theft. This bill updates federal laws regarding stolen goods and money laundering to strengthen enforcement tools against these groups. Furthermore, it establishes a new federal Coordination Center within Homeland Security to share intelligence and coordinate efforts between federal, state, and private sector partners. The legislation recognizes that these theft rings often fund other serious criminal activities, threatening national security and the economy.

The National Biotechnology Initiative Act of 2025 establishes a comprehensive, whole-of-government effort to advance U.S. leadership in biotechnology for national security and economic competitiveness. This Act creates the National Biotechnology Initiative, overseen by a new National Biotechnology Coordination Office within the Executive Office of the President. Participating federal agencies are mandated to coordinate strategies across research, data management, biomanufacturing, regulatory streamlining, and workforce development. The law also establishes mechanisms for interagency coordination, public reporting, and the development of a national biotechnology strategy.

The Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act of 2025 aims to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and countering its support for terrorism by imposing sanctions on those involved in Iran's energy sector and those who provide financial support for its destabilizing activities. It mandates sanctions on foreign entities involved in processing, exporting, or selling Iranian oil, gas, and petrochemicals, while also establishing an interagency working group to coordinate and enforce these sanctions. The Act also amends existing legislation to require the identification of individuals involved in sanctionable activities or sanctions evasion related to Iranian oil and gas sales.

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 NO FAKES Act of 2025 establishes a new federal property right protecting an individual's voice and visual likeness from unauthorized creation and distribution as a "Digital Replica" via AI or other means. This right belongs to the individual while alive and transfers to their heirs for a limited time after death, allowing them to control and license their digital identity. The Act outlines specific liability rules for unauthorized use, provides safe harbors for online services that comply with takedown notices, and sets penalties for false claims.

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 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 Secure Family Futures Act of 2025 modifies tax treatment for certain debt holdings of applicable insurance companies, excluding specific debt instruments from being treated as capital assets for tax purposes. Additionally, this Act extends the capital loss carryover period to 10 years for specified losses incurred by these insurance companies. These changes apply only to transactions occurring after December 31, 2025.

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.

The Dairy Nutrition Incentive Program Act of 2025 establishes a new federal program to test methods for increasing the purchase of nutrient-rich dairy products by households using SNAP benefits. The Secretary of Agriculture will award competitive grants to eligible entities to implement incentive projects at the point of sale. These projects must prioritize direct incentives that can only be spent on buying more eligible dairy items, and all projects will undergo rigorous independent evaluation. The Act also mandates the transition of existing dairy incentive projects into this new framework without interruption.

The Modern, Clean, and Safe Trucks Act of 2025 repeals the outdated 12-percent Federal excise tax on new heavy trucks and trailers. This repeal aims to lower costs, encouraging fleet owners to replace aging vehicles with modern, safer, and more fuel-efficient models. By removing this significant tax burden, the bill seeks to accelerate the adoption of cleaner engine technology and improve overall road safety. The Act also includes technical updates to the tax code related to the removal of this long-standing tax.

The Revitalizing Downtowns and Main Streets Act establishes a new 20% federal tax credit for converting eligible, older commercial buildings into affordable housing. This incentive aims to increase housing supply by requiring that at least 20% of the converted units remain rent-restricted for low-income residents for 30 years. State agencies will allocate these credits, which are subject to a national cap of $12 billion, based on approved plans prioritizing financially necessary projects.

The Unfair Tax Prevention Act amends the Base Erosion and Anti-Abuse Tax (BEAT) rules to specifically target certain U.S. companies connected to foreign tax systems operating outside their direct jurisdiction. These "foreign-owned extraterritorial tax regime entities" will now be automatically subject to BEAT, with specific exceptions removed and a portion of their cost of goods sold automatically treated as a base erosion benefit. This legislation aims to close loopholes related to complex, indirect foreign ownership structures.

The Improve Transparency and Stability for Families and Children Act modifies the deadlines for states to obligate and expend funds received under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, beginning in fiscal year 2027. This legislation allows states to reserve a limited percentage of future funds for later use, provided they notify the Secretary of Health and Human Services. The goal is to ensure timely use of federal assistance while offering limited flexibility for state planning.

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.