Legislative Activity

The "Fort Monroe National Historical Park Establishment Act" establishes the Fort Monroe National Historical Park, incorporating the former Fort Monroe National Monument, to preserve and interpret its significant historical, natural, and recreational resources. It defines the park's boundaries and authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire land within these boundaries. The Act also outlines administrative guidelines, including cooperative agreements with the Commonwealth of Virginia, to ensure the preservation and appropriate use of historic resources within and near the park.

This bill amends the Social Security Act to equalize the negotiation period for drug price negotiations under the Drug Price Negotiation Program. It changes the negotiation period for small-molecule drugs from 7 years to 11 years, matching the period already in place for biologic drugs. This adjustment aims to create parity in negotiation timelines between different types of medications, effective as if included in the original legislation.

The "Protecting America's Agricultural Land from Foreign Harm Act of 2025" aims to safeguard U.S. agricultural land by prohibiting its purchase or lease by individuals or entities associated with the governments of Iran, North Korea, China, and Russia, while also preventing their participation in USDA programs. The bill expands reporting requirements under the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act of 1978, increases penalties for violations, and mandates public online databases of foreign ownership. Additionally, it requires regular reports from the Secretary of Agriculture, the Director of National Intelligence, and the Government Accountability Office on foreign ownership and its potential risks.

The "Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act" establishes federal criminal penalties for evading arrest or detention in a vehicle near the U.S. border, with increased penalties if serious injury or death results. It also makes individuals convicted of this offense inadmissible to the U.S., deportable, and ineligible for immigration benefits. Finally, it mandates an annual report from the Attorney General and Homeland Security Secretary to Congress on the enforcement and impact of this new law.

The "Smithsonian American Women's History Museum Act" authorizes the creation of the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum on the National Mall. It ensures the museum's exhibits and programs reflect the diverse experiences and perspectives of women in the United States, seeking guidance from varied sources. The Act mandates regular reports to Congress on the museum's efforts to meet these diversity requirements.

The Women's Protection in Telehealth Act amends the Social Security Act to exclude individuals or entities from Medicare if they provide abortion-inducing drugs via telehealth. To be eligible for Medicare, a physician must physically examine the patient, be present during the drug's administration, and schedule an in-person follow-up within 14 days. This exclusion is permanent and not subject to standard waivers.

The Supporting the Local Radio Freedom Act prevents Congress from imposing new performance fees on local radio stations for playing music. It emphasizes the mutually beneficial relationship between broadcasters and the recording industry, where radio provides free publicity that boosts music sales and supports artists. The act recognizes local radio's crucial role in communities by providing news, weather updates, and public service announcements. Ultimately, this bill aims to protect local radio stations and businesses from economic harm, ensuring they can continue serving their communities without additional financial burdens.

The "Death Tax Repeal Act" eliminates both estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes, effective from the date of enactment. It adjusts gift tax calculations by setting the lifetime gift exemption at $10,000,000, with inflation adjustments after 2011. The Act also includes transitional rules for applying certain sections of the Internal Revenue Code during the enactment year.

The United States-Israel Defense Partnership Act of 2025 seeks to bolster the defense relationship between the United States and Israel through joint initiatives and increased cooperation. It establishes programs to counter unmanned systems, extend anti-tunnel and counter-UAS cooperation, and promote collaboration in emerging technologies like AI and cybersecurity. The act also mandates the establishment of a Defense Innovation Unit office in Israel and assesses integrated air and missile defense in the U.S. Central Command region. Finally, it explores Israel's potential inclusion in the national technology and industrial base.

The Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act of 2025 expands public safety officer benefits to include deaths and disabilities caused by exposure-related cancers, presuming that certain cancers diagnosed within 15 years of service are line-of-duty injuries if the officer served for at least 5 years. It defines "exposure-related cancer" and allows for updates to the list based on medical evidence, while also permitting individuals to petition for additions. The Act also clarifies "line of duty action" and applies retroactively to claims dating back to January 1, 2020, with a three-year window for filing claims based on these amendments.

The "National Right-to-Work Act" amends both the National Labor Relations Act and the Railway Labor Act to protect an employee's right to choose whether or not to join or support a labor union. It eliminates the possibility of mandatory union membership or dues payments as a condition of employment, ensuring that employees cannot be forced to join or support a union against their will.

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 "Protecting American Energy Production Act" affirms that states have primary regulatory authority over hydraulic fracturing on state and private lands. It prohibits the President from enacting a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing unless explicitly authorized by Congress.

The "Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow's Workforce Act" amends Section 529 savings accounts to include expenses related to postsecondary credentialing programs. This allows 529 funds to cover costs like tuition, fees, books, supplies, and testing fees for recognized programs and credentials, as defined by the bill. These changes would apply to distributions made after the bill is enacted.

The "HALT Fentanyl Act" permanently classifies fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs under the Controlled Substances Act, streamlining research registration processes while maintaining controls. It also updates penalties for trafficking, importing, and exporting fentanyl-related substances, treating them similarly to fentanyl analogues. Additionally, the Act addresses technical errors in previous legislation and mandates the Attorney General to issue rules for implementation.

The "Respect State Housing Laws Act" repeals a provision in the CARES Act that restricted states' abilities to enforce their own eviction moratoriums. This change clarifies that state laws regarding evictions should be respected and not overridden by federal measures. By removing the subsection, the bill aims to restore states' authority over housing regulations and eviction processes within their jurisdictions.

The "Marc Fischer Memorial Act" aims to combat the flow of synthetic drugs, particularly fentanyl, into Federal prisons through the mail. It mandates the Director of the Bureau of Prisons to develop and implement a strategy to equip all Federal correctional facilities with the technology and processes needed to scan mail, protect staff and inmates, and ensure timely delivery of mail copies while maintaining legal mail privileges. The strategy includes assessing current practices, identifying necessary resources, and providing a budgetary proposal for implementation, with ongoing reporting to Congress on its effectiveness.

The "Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act" aims to protect amateur radio operators' ability to install and use antennas on their property, despite private land use restrictions that may otherwise prohibit or impair such installations. It allows for reasonable restrictions based on safety and aesthetics, while limiting prior approval requirements and offering legal recourse for violations. The Act seeks to balance community interests with the need for effective emergency communication capabilities provided by amateur radio operators. The FCC is required to issue regulations to implement the act within 180 days of enactment.

The "Fair Access to Banking Act" aims to prevent financial institutions from denying services to legal businesses based on subjective or political reasons. It prohibits large banks, credit unions, and payment card networks from discriminating against legal businesses and requires them to provide fair access to financial services based on impartial, risk-based standards. Financial institutions that violate these provisions may face penalties, including ineligibility for taxpayer-funded discount window lending programs and civil penalties. Individuals or businesses who are unfairly denied services can sue the financial institution in U.S. district court.

The Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2025 requires the Department of Education to consider the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of antisemitism when evaluating discrimination complaints under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, concerning race, color, and national origin. This aims to address rising antisemitism in educational settings. The Act clarifies that it does not expand the Department of Education's authority, change existing discrimination standards, reduce existing rights, or infringe upon First Amendment rights.