Legislative Activity

The Mexican Energy Trade Enforcement Act mandates the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to take specific actions to compel Mexico to comply with its energy trade obligations under the USMCA. The USTR must either request a dispute resolution panel or require non-discriminatory market access for U.S. energy companies. This legislation aims to protect U.S. commerce from Mexican policies that favor state-owned energy companies.

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.

The Natural Gas Export Expansion Act aims to boost the U.S. economy by streamlining and expediting the approval process for exporting natural gas to allied nations. This legislation removes previous regulatory hurdles, ensuring faster authorization for exports, while maintaining exclusions for sanctioned countries or those deemed national security risks. Furthermore, it automatically approves natural gas trade with Canada and Mexico.

The SAFE Drivers Act mandates that all applicants for a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) or learner's permit must pass a standardized English proficiency test approved by the FMCSA. This requirement applies immediately upon the bill's enactment for all new and renewing applicants. States are responsible for administering the test, and failure to comply with these new federal oversight rules may result in the withholding of federal highway funding.

The Non-Domiciled CDL Integrity Act establishes new federal standards for states issuing Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDLs) to individuals who do not reside in that state. This bill sets specific, strict requirements for foreign nationals seeking a CDL, including proof of lawful status and job-related visas, while also outlining distinct procedures for applicants residing in U.S. territories. The legislation mandates enhanced record-keeping and reporting by states to the Secretary of Transportation regarding these non-domiciled licenses.

The Protect Consumers from Reallocation Costs Act of 2025 prohibits the EPA from reallocating the renewable fuel volume obligations of small refineries that receive exemption extensions. This ensures that the volume remains tied to the exempt refinery rather than being shifted to other obligated parties. Furthermore, the bill requires the EPA to count the fuel produced by an exempt small refinery when calculating the overall production obligations for its parent company.

This bill authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue up to 400,000 special one-dollar silver commemorative coins honoring the late activist Charles "Charlie" Kirk. The coins must feature his likeness on the obverse and the inscription "well done, good and faithful servant" on the reverse. All costs associated with the production and sale of these coins must be covered by the revenue generated, ensuring no net cost to the U.S. Treasury.

The USA Workforce Investment Act establishes a new federal tax credit for individuals who donate cash to approved workforce development or apprenticeship training programs. This credit is capped at \$1,700 annually and cannot be claimed alongside a standard charitable deduction for the same contribution. Any unused credit can be carried forward for up to five years.

The Choice Arrangement Act of 2025 establishes new rules for employer-funded Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs) integrated with individual health insurance, creating a "CHOICE arrangement." This legislation outlines specific nondiscrimination, substantiation, and notice requirements for employers offering these plans. Furthermore, the Act allows participants to use pre-tax cafeteria plan funds for their coverage and introduces a new, temporary tax credit for eligible small and medium-sized employers who offer these arrangements.

The Equal Campus Access Act of 2025 ensures that public colleges and universities receiving federal funding must grant religious student groups the same rights, benefits, and privileges afforded to all other student organizations. This legislation prohibits discrimination against religious groups based on their beliefs, speech, leadership, or standards of conduct. Essentially, it mandates equal access to campus resources for all student organizations.

The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025 mandates that the Secretary of Transportation establish a rule requiring AM broadcast radio receivers to be installed as standard equipment in new passenger motor vehicles. This requirement aims to ensure public access to AM radio signals, which are often used for emergency alerts. The bill also directs a GAO study on the effectiveness of AM radio within the national emergency alert system compared to other technologies. Finally, the Act preempts state and local laws on this matter and includes a sunset provision eight years after enactment.

The Direct Seller and Real Estate Agent Harmonization Act amends the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to explicitly exclude direct sellers and qualified real estate agents from the definition of "employee." This reclassification means these workers are generally not covered by federal minimum wage and overtime protections. The bill aims to solidify the independent contractor status for these specific sales professionals.

The "Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act" expands Medicare coverage to include FDA-approved multi-cancer early detection screening tests starting in 2028. It defines the criteria for these tests, sets payment guidelines, and establishes age and frequency limitations for coverage. The bill ensures that existing cancer screening coverage remains unaffected and allows for waivers of limitations based on recommendations from the United States Preventive Services Task Force.

The Pay Our Troops Act of 2026 ensures that active duty military personnel and essential civilian support staff continue to receive their pay if Congress has not yet passed the full budget for fiscal year 2026. This act provides automatic continuing appropriations from the Treasury to prevent a lapse in military salaries due to budget delays. The funding automatically terminates once a new budget or continuing resolution is passed, or on January 1, 2027, whichever comes first.

This resolution strongly condemns the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on September 10, 2025, during his national speaking tour. It honors his life, his founding of Turning Point USA, and his dedication to conservative principles. Ultimately, the document calls for national unity and reaffirms the commitment to protecting the right to peaceful assembly and free expression.

The Pay Our Border Patrol and Customs Agents Act ensures that essential U.S. Border Patrol Agents and Customs and Border Protection officers who must work during a government shutdown in fiscal year 2026 will receive their salaries. This legislation appropriates necessary funds from the Treasury to cover these payments during the lapse in appropriations. The goal is to guarantee that critical border security personnel are paid even if the government temporarily closes.

The American Franchise Act aims to protect the traditional franchise business model by clarifying the definition of a "joint employer." This legislation establishes that a franchisor is only considered a joint employer if it exercises "substantial direct and immediate control" over the essential terms of employment for a franchisee's workers. This change specifically targets liability risks associated with maintaining brand standards, ensuring franchisors are not automatically held responsible for local labor practices. The new standard applies prospectively to future legal proceedings.

The Home Health Stabilization Act of 2025 aims to ensure continued access to Medicare home health services by pausing automatic payment reductions scheduled for 2026 and 2027. This is achieved by mandating a positive adjustment to the standard payment rate to fully offset proposed cuts. Furthermore, the bill clarifies that these temporary payment increases will not negatively impact future rate calculations for providers.

The DETECT Act of 2025 mandates a report from the Comptroller General assessing the potential for the IRS to utilize artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the detection of tax fraud. This report must be delivered to key Congressional committees within 180 days of the Act's enactment. Essentially, the bill initiates a study on leveraging AI for improved tax compliance tracking.

The CREATE Act, or Creative Relief and Expensing for Artistic Entertainment Act, modifies tax rules for qualified productions by significantly increasing the allowable spending limits for certain tax benefits. This legislation also introduces automatic inflation adjustments for these dollar amounts starting in 2027. Furthermore, the bill extends the expiration date for these beneficial tax provisions from the end of 2025 to the end of 2030.