Legislative Activity

The Easter Monday Act of 2025 amends federal law to recognize Easter Monday as a legal public holiday. This act adds Easter Monday to the list of days on which federal government offices are closed and federal employees are granted paid time off.

The "Fairness for Stay-at-Home Parents Act" amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, allowing employees to take leave for the birth of a son or daughter. It also mandates employers to inform employees taking leave for a birth that the employer cannot recover insurance premiums if the employee chooses not to return to work due to the birth.

The "Respect Parents’ Childcare Choices Act" amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990, reauthorizing funding and prioritizing parental choice in childcare through child care certificates, particularly for relative caregivers. It also removes barriers for married parents and religious childcare providers, while increasing funding for direct services and quality improvements. Additionally, the bill repeals Section 21 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, eliminating the credit for household and dependent care expenses and makes corresponding updates to other sections of the tax code. Finally, the bill establishes pilot programs to prevent fraud and promote child care provided by relative caregivers.

The Stop CCP VISAs Act of 2025 prohibits the admission of Chinese nationals into the United States as nonimmigrant students. This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to prevent nationals of the People's Republic of China from receiving visas for academic research or study.

The "Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act" prevents payment card networks from assigning a unique merchant category code to firearm retailers. The Attorney General is responsible for enforcing the Act, investigating complaints, and reporting to Congress. This law overrides state and local laws regarding merchant category codes for firearm retailers and does not establish a private right of action.

The United States Reciprocal Trade Act aims to address trade imbalances by granting the President authority to impose reciprocal tariffs on goods from countries with significantly higher tariffs or non-tariff barriers on U.S. goods. It requires the President to notify Congress before taking action and allows Congress to reject Presidential tariffs through a disapproval resolution. The Act also directs the USTR to report on trade agreements and sets a sunset clause on the President's authority to impose import duties, with a possible extension subject to congressional approval. Ultimately, this bill seeks to empower the President to negotiate fairer trade terms and protect American businesses, farmers, and workers by ensuring reciprocal treatment in international trade.