Legislative Activity

This resolution expresses the support of the House of Representatives for designating October 14, 2025, as a "National Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk." It honors his legacy as a leading advocate for free speech, individual liberty, and civic education, particularly among young Americans through his founding of Turning Point USA. The bill encourages citizens and groups nationwide to observe the day with activities promoting faith, liberty, and democracy.

The Nitazene Control Act of 2025 permanently classifies the entire class of highly potent synthetic opioids known as nitazenes (2-Benzylbenzimidazole opioids) as Schedule I controlled substances. This action is taken due to their extreme danger, high potential for abuse, and role in fatal overdoses across the country. By scheduling the entire chemical class at once, the bill aims to proactively stop the emergence of new, dangerous analogs. This permanent scheduling subjects nitazenes to the strictest federal controls, mirroring those applied to fentanyl.

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.

The Ian Kalvinskas Pediatric Liver Cancer Early Detection and Screening Act aims to improve outcomes for children with liver disease by initiating studies on current federal efforts and waitlist mortality. It mandates the development of a public education program to raise awareness about early liver disease signs and living liver donation. Furthermore, the bill directs an assessment of the cost-effectiveness of adding direct bilirubin testing to newborn screening panels to catch conditions like biliary atresia earlier.

The Regional China Officer Authorization Act formally establishes and expands the State Department's Regional China Officer (RCO) program within a new dedicated unit. This unit will deploy Mandarin-proficient Foreign Service Officers globally to monitor, report on, and counter the People's Republic of China's activities in key areas like trade and infrastructure. The Act authorizes specific funding for the program's expansion and operations for five years, after which the unit will sunset.

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 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 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 Pakistan Freedom and Accountability Act expresses strong U.S. support for democracy and human rights in Pakistan, citing concerns over military influence and recent election interference. This legislation directs the President to identify and impose sanctions on Pakistani officials responsible for undermining democratic processes or committing serious human rights abuses. The Act emphasizes the need for civilian control over the military and sets an expiration date for its provisions in September 2030.

The Restore Trust in Congress Act establishes strict new rules prohibiting Members of Congress and their immediate families from owning or trading specific financial assets, referred to as "covered investments," while in office. Covered individuals must divest existing prohibited holdings within a set timeframe or face significant financial penalties, including fines and forfeiture of profits. The legislation aims to eliminate conflicts of interest arising from personal financial trading while serving in federal office.

This Act establishes a mandatory supply fee for Medicare drug plans to pay long-term care pharmacies for specific prescriptions dispensed in 2026 and 2027. The bill mandates a $30 fee per prescription in 2026, increasing in 2027, with penalties for non-payment. Additionally, the GAO is required to study the financial sustainability of the current payment structure for these essential pharmacies. This legislation aims to ensure continued access to medications for patients in long-term care settings.

The Transit Funding Flexibility Act amends federal law to allow Urbanized Area Formula grant funds to be used more flexibly for public transportation operating costs. It removes specific population-based restrictions on grant eligibility. Crucially, recipients must now annually certify they will maintain their local spending effort for federally funded equipment and facilities, or face a mandatory 13% reduction in future federal funding.

The Nitazene Control Act permanently classifies the entire class of highly potent synthetic opioids known as nitazenes as Schedule I controlled substances. This action aims to proactively combat the rising threat of these dangerous analogues, which are often more potent than fentanyl. By scheduling the entire chemical class, the law seeks to simplify enforcement and enhance public health protection against fatal overdoses. The Act also includes provisions to ensure ongoing, approved medical research can continue temporarily under specific conditions.

The Coal Ash for American Infrastructure Act allows owners of coal ash storage facilities to temporarily designate their sites as "beneficial use staging units" to set aside ash for reuse in infrastructure projects. To qualify, units must meet strict technical standards, including proper lining and groundwater monitoring. Operators must adhere to mandatory removal schedules for beneficial use, and compliant staging units are protected from conflicting state closure requirements. The EPA will track and report annually on the amount of coal ash stored and removed under this designation.

The Local Farmers Feeding our Communities Act establishes a new program to support local food producers and strengthen regional food security. This initiative requires the Secretary of Agriculture to fund agreements that ensure nutritious, locally sourced food is purchased and distributed widely, prioritizing small and beginning farmers. Funds must be used to buy minimally processed local products and provide technical assistance to producers. The program is backed by mandatory funding starting in Fiscal Year 2026.

The Spotted Lanternfly Research and Development Act prioritizes federal funding for research and extension programs specifically aimed at controlling the invasive Spotted Lanternfly. This legislation ensures that developing effective tools and treatments against this pest becomes a high-priority initiative. Additionally, the Act extends the authorization for several existing high-priority agricultural research programs until 2030.

The Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2025 enhances efforts to combat human trafficking both within the United States and internationally. The act focuses on prevention education, survivor support, and international cooperation, while increasing funding authorizations for key anti-trafficking programs. It prioritizes resources for areas with high trafficking rates, improves data collection, and ensures that foreign assistance aligns with counter-trafficking goals. This legislation aims to protect vulnerable populations, empower survivors, and hold perpetrators accountable.

The Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act strictly prohibits the Federal Reserve from directly or indirectly issuing a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) to individuals. This legislation prevents the Fed from developing, testing, or implementing any digital currency that functions as a direct liability of the Federal Reserve. Furthermore, Congress asserts that any authority to create such a digital asset must explicitly come from Congress itself.

The Microplastics Safety Act mandates the FDA to conduct a comprehensive study on the human health impacts of microplastic exposure through food and water. This research must specifically investigate risks to children's health, endocrine function, cancer, and reproduction. Following the study, the FDA is required to report its findings and recommend necessary legislative or regulatory actions to Congress.

The Veteran Burial Timeliness and Death Certificate Accountability Act addresses significant delays in obtaining death certificates for veterans who die from natural causes, often due to VA medical staff delays. This bill mandates that VA medical providers must certify a veteran's death within 48 hours or allow the local medical examiner to step in. Furthermore, the VA must annually report on its compliance with this new timely certification requirement.