Legislative Activity

The Veterans Education and Technical Skills Opportunity Act of 2025 modernizes GI Bill benefits by establishing new timelines for repaying service members' educational contributions. It also updates rules for independent study programs, provides service members with options for managing coursework during active duty, and sets new notification requirements for VA compliance surveys and handbook updates. These provisions aim to improve educational support and administrative clarity for veterans and educational institutions.

The Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act aims to enhance professional boxer safety and provide them with greater operational choice. It establishes an alternative compliance system for "Unified Boxing Organizations" (UBOs) that must meet stringent medical testing, emergency service, and anti-doping requirements for their boxers. Additionally, the Act upgrades general safety standards, mandates minimum insurance coverage, and sets a minimum per-round payment for all professional boxers.

The Stop Insider Trading Act restricts Members of Congress and their immediate families from purchasing new securities issued by publicly traded companies. It requires advance public disclosure for any sale of existing covered investments, with a mandatory 7-to-14-day notice period before the transaction. Violations result in significant financial penalties, including disgorgement of any net gains, payable by the Member personally.

This Act mandates a comprehensive risk assessment by the State Department regarding the use of generative AI by foreign adversaries against U.S. national security interests. It requires the development of a diplomatic strategy to engage allies and counter malicious AI use. Furthermore, the bill establishes a requirement for regular, public assessments of specific malicious AI incidents and emerging trends involving foreign adversaries.

The Deporting Fraudsters Act of 2026 amends immigration law to make non-citizens inadmissible and deportable if they commit specific fraud offenses against the U.S. government or unlawfully receive public benefits. This legislation explicitly bars individuals found inadmissible or deportable under these new grounds from receiving any form of immigration relief.

The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025 targets the increasing threat posed by organized theft groups impacting retail and the national supply chain. This bill strengthens federal law by expanding money laundering statutes and lowering thresholds for property crimes related to theft. Crucially, it establishes a new federal coordination center within Homeland Security Investigations to align efforts across all levels of law enforcement and the private sector to combat these cross-jurisdictional crimes.

The SAFE KIDS Act addresses national security concerns by invalidating surrogacy agreements between U.S. surrogates and prospective parents from designated "foreign entities of concern." This legislation voids such contracts and imposes penalties on surrogacy brokers who facilitate these arrangements. The bill ensures that custody decisions for children born under these void agreements are based solely on the child's best interests under state law.

The Coercion and Sexual Abuse Free Environment (CSAFE) Act establishes a new federal crime for intentionally compelling a minor to engage in harmful acts, including self-harm, animal crushing, or abusive nonsexual or sexually explicit conduct. This law applies when using mail, interstate commerce, or within U.S. jurisdiction, defining "compel" to include threats, fraud, or manipulation. Penalties range up to 10 years imprisonment, increasing significantly if serious bodily injury or death results.

This bill amends the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 to temporarily exclude certain False Claims Act recoveries from being deposited into the Crime Victims Fund through fiscal year 2029. It also mandates a comprehensive audit by the Department of Justice Inspector General on the Fund's sustainability and the impact of recent legislative changes. The resulting report will provide recommendations for improving the Fund's effectiveness and oversight.

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 Cashless Bail Reporting Act mandates the Attorney General to publish and regularly update a public list of all state and local jurisdictions that allow defendants to be released before trial without posting cash bail. This ensures transparency by identifying governments utilizing personal recognizance or unsecured bond systems. The initial list must be published within 30 days, followed by quarterly updates.

The Protect Children’s Innocence Act establishes federal criminal penalties for performing genital or bodily mutilation or chemical castration on individuals under 18 years old. This law applies when the act involves interstate commerce or occurs in U.S. territories. It explicitly prohibits procedures intended to change a minor's body to correspond with a different sex, with narrow exceptions for specific medical necessities.

The Reliable Power Act mandates annual long-term reliability assessments by the Electric Reliability Organization (ERO) to proactively identify risks of power shortages. If a "generation inadequacy" is found, it triggers a review process for certain federal agency regulations that affect power generation resources. This ensures federal agencies must address and respond to FERC's recommendations on how their proposed rules might impact the reliability of the bulk-power system before finalizing those actions.

**ESA Amendments Act of 2025 Summary:** The ESA Amendments Act of 2025 seeks to modify and update the Endangered Species Act of 1973 by prioritizing conservation efforts, incentivizing private land stewardship, and increasing transparency and accountability. The act focuses on streamlining regulations, limiting legal challenges, and ensuring that decisions are based on sound science and economic considerations. These changes aim to balance species protection with the needs of private landowners and state management, while also addressing international trade regulations.

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.

This act explicitly prohibits foreign nationals from making contributions or donations intended to influence state or local ballot initiatives and referenda. It amends existing federal election law to extend the current ban on foreign political spending to cover ballot measures.

This bill, the Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act, officially authorizes Congress to award Congressional Gold Medals to the 1980 U.S. Men's Olympic Ice Hockey Team for their historic "Miracle on Ice" victory. The medals will be struck by the Treasury and permanently displayed at specific national sports museums. The Act also permits the sale of duplicate bronze medals to cover production costs.

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 Presidential Fitness Test Act of 2025 reestablishes the President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition to advise the President on national fitness goals. This Council will focus on reviving the Presidential Fitness Test as the primary tool for earning an award and developing strategies to promote physical education and sports participation. Its duties include setting innovative fitness goals for youth and addressing the national security threat posed by sedentary lifestyles.

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.