Legislative Activity

This bill mandates the Secretary of Energy to conduct a comprehensive study on the practicality, benefits, costs, and risks associated with recycling spent nuclear fuel into new fuels. The study must analyze various recycling technologies, facility siting options, and necessary policy changes. The findings, including recommendations, will be submitted to Congress and made available to the public within one year.

The Disaster Loan Accountability and Reform Act (DLARA) aims to increase transparency and oversight of Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loan programs. It mandates more frequent and detailed monthly reporting on loan funding and requires comprehensive budget disclosures from the President regarding loan costs. Furthermore, the bill directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct reports analyzing loan disbursement rates and the impact of recent regulatory changes.

The Stop Gang Violence Act aims to enhance federal efforts against gang activity by expanding data collection requirements. This legislation mandates that jurisdictions reporting to the FBI must now include information on offenses suspected to be gang-related.

The Tailored Regulatory Updates for Supervisory Testing Act of 2025 (TRUST Act) adjusts federal banking regulations to reduce the examination burden on smaller, well-managed financial institutions. Specifically, it raises the asset threshold for banks qualifying for an extended 18-month supervisory examination cycle from \$3 billion to \$6 billion. This modification aims to tailor regulatory oversight based on institutional size and management quality.

The Banning Perpetrators of Religious Persecution Act of 2026 restricts foreign individuals who have committed severe violations of religious freedom from entering the United States. The bill mandates that the State Department maintain a public list of these inadmissible individuals, ensuring transparency regarding those responsible for religious persecution. Exceptions to this public disclosure may be granted by the Secretary of State only when necessary to protect U.S. foreign policy interests.

The Unlocking Homeownership Act allows first-time homebuyers to make tax-free withdrawals from their 529 college savings plans to purchase a principal residence. These distributions can be used for qualified acquisition costs for the beneficiary, their spouse, or certain family members. The bill also includes special provisions for transferring or recontributing funds if a planned home purchase is delayed or canceled due to a federally declared disaster.

This Act requires the Attorney General to create victim-centered guidance to strengthen protections for child sex trafficking victims who testify against their traffickers. It mandates training on these new protocols for law enforcement, prosecutors, and judges, and expands how block grant funds can be used to support these child witnesses. Finally, the bill modernizes federal rights for child victims and witnesses by updating terminology and explicitly allowing for digital recording technology in testimony procedures.

The No Bounties on Badges Act authorizes the Attorney General to offer rewards for information leading to the arrest, conviction, or prevention of acts involving individuals offering bounties to harm or kill U.S. law enforcement officers. This legislation specifically expands the scope of existing reward programs to cover threats against officers.

This bill officially designates January 9, 2026, as "National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day" to honor the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers nationwide. It also establishes National Police Week and National Peace Officers Memorial Day (May 15th) to commemorate officers who have died in the line of duty. The legislation encourages the President to issue annual proclamations recognizing these days and calls for flags to be flown at half-staff on Memorial Day.

The Next Generation Nuclear Deployment Act establishes a program to test and develop advanced nuclear reactor designs, including small modular and micro-reactors, across at least ten diverse sites. This initiative encourages partnerships with the private sector to accelerate the demonstration of next-generation nuclear technologies.

The SALAMANDER Act aims to expedite recovery following presidential-declared natural disasters by streamlining the permitting process for essential cleanup and restoration activities. It allows the Secretary of the Army to issue special, time-limited general permits for post-disaster work, provided these activities are coordinated with environmental agencies and adhere to agreed-upon best management practices. This measure is designed to reduce regulatory delays while maintaining necessary safeguards for threatened and endangered species.

The Critical Minerals Trade Security Act establishes a Chief Critical Minerals Negotiator within the U.S. Trade Representative's office to address foreign trade practices impacting vital mineral supply chains. This position will conduct trade negotiations and enforce agreements related to these essential resources. The Negotiator is required to submit annual reports detailing foreign policies that create supply chain vulnerabilities or violate trade agreements, along with corresponding response plans.

The Flight Risk Reduction Act amends federal law to establish a new presumption against pretrial release for non-citizens who are not lawful permanent residents. This legislation mandates a detention hearing for such individuals and shifts the burden to them to prove, with clear and convincing evidence, that release conditions will ensure their court appearance and community safety. Notably, the bill prohibits using a non-citizen defendant's U.S. family or employment ties as evidence to overcome this detention presumption.

The No Budget, No Pay Act mandates that Congress must pass the concurrent budget resolution and all necessary appropriations bills by October 1st each year. If Congress fails to meet this deadline, Members of Congress will have their pay suspended for the period of non-compliance. This suspension includes a prohibition on receiving any retroactive back pay for the time they were out of compliance. These provisions are set to take effect starting September 29, 2027.

The Disaster Relief Continuity Act of 2025 ensures FEMA has immediate access to necessary funding to respond to declared disasters if Congress has not yet passed the budget for Fiscal Year 2026. This automatic funding allows essential disaster aid, operational costs, and ongoing recovery projects to continue without interruption. This temporary measure remains in effect until a new budget is passed or until January 1, 2027.

The Judicial Accountability for Public Safety Act of 2025 establishes a new civil cause of action allowing individuals to sue judges for serious harm resulting from decisions made with intentional disregard for public safety or gross negligence during bail or sentencing hearings. This law specifically targets egregious judicial conduct and removes standard judicial immunity protections for claims brought under this new section. The Act carefully defines key terms like "judicial officer" and sets a high bar for proving liability, requiring "clear and convincing evidence" of misconduct.

The Securing our Border Act reallocates existing federal funds to significantly enhance border security infrastructure, primarily by mandating 100% nonintrusive scanning at all land ports of entry and funding construction of the southwest border wall system. The bill also authorizes new financial incentives, including signing and retention bonuses, for Customs and Border Protection agents. Finally, it mandates stricter processing for individuals arriving from contiguous territories, requiring detention or immediate return while asylum claims are reviewed.

The Enhanced Penalties for Criminal Flag Burners Act aims to increase punishments for individuals who use fire or incendiary devices while committing federal crimes. This legislation specifically targets the use of open flames, including the burning of the U.S. flag, during the commission of federal offenses that endanger the public or damage property. Anyone convicted under these enhanced provisions will face an additional minimum of one year in prison, though the penalties do not apply to constitutionally protected speech.

This resolution expresses strong support for designating a specific week as "National Tire Safety Week" to promote public awareness. The bill encourages all Americans to learn about and practice proper tire care and maintenance. Its goal is to reduce accidents, injuries, and fatalities caused by tire-related issues.

The National Airport Supersonic Readiness Act of 2025 mandates the FAA to conduct a comprehensive study assessing whether major U.S. airports are prepared for the arrival of next-generation supersonic and hypersonic aircraft. This assessment will evaluate runway capacity, ground support infrastructure, air traffic control, and environmental regulations. The resulting report will provide Congress with necessary recommendations and cost estimates for future infrastructure upgrades to support high-speed air travel.