Legislative Activity

The Cellphone Jamming Reform Act of 2025 allows state and federal correctional facilities to use jamming systems that interfere with wireless communications to or from contraband devices within the facility. The jamming system's operation must be limited to the housing facilities, and the state is responsible for funding the entire cost if a state correctional facility operates the system. Before implementing the system, correctional facilities must consult with local law enforcement and public safety officials and notify the Director of the Bureau of Prisons about its operation. This act limits the FCC's authority regarding jamming systems in correctional facilities.

The "Accountability Through Electronic Verification Act" mandates and expands the use of E-Verify for all employers in the United States, phasing in requirements for federal agencies, contractors, and critical infrastructure employers first. It increases penalties for employers who fail to comply with E-Verify or who hire unauthorized workers, and it protects employers from liability if they act in good faith based on E-Verify information. The act also includes provisions for information sharing between agencies, improvements to the E-Verify system, measures to combat identity theft, and the establishment of an Employer Compliance Inspection Center. Additionally, the bill requires reverification of employees' work authorization and simplifies the Form I-9 process.

The College Employment Accountability Act aims to ensure that institutions of higher education do not employ unauthorized aliens. It mandates that these institutions participate in the E-Verify Program and makes them ineligible for federal student and institutional aid if they violate employment laws related to unauthorized aliens. The Department of Homeland Security will monitor institutions' compliance and notify the Department of Education of any violations.

The Nationwide Injunction Abuse Prevention Act of 2025 limits the scope of injunctive relief issued by U.S. district courts. Under this act, a court order for injunctive relief can only apply to parties involved in the specific case or within the court's judicial district, restricting the use of nationwide injunctions.

The "Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act" prohibits Federal Reserve Banks from offering services directly to individuals, maintaining accounts for individuals, or issuing a central bank digital currency (CBDC). It also prevents the Federal Reserve from testing, creating, or implementing a CBDC, or using it to implement monetary policy. The bill clarifies that it does not apply to digital currencies that preserve the privacy protections of physical currency.

The "Restraining Judicial Insurrectionist Act of 2025" modifies procedures for civil actions against the executive branch. It mandates a three-judge panel for cases seeking to restrain executive actions or presidential executive orders. This panel would be randomly selected by the Chief Justice, and requires a majority vote to grant any injunctive relief.

The Financial Integrity and Regulation Management Act (FIRM Act) removes "reputational risk" as a supervisory factor for federal banking agencies when overseeing financial institutions. This bill prohibits these agencies from using reputational risk to regulate, supervise, or examine banks, ensuring that all legal businesses and citizens have equal access to financial services. The Act requires federal banking agencies to report to Congress on their implementation of these changes.

The "Youth Poisoning Protection Act" bans the sale of consumer products containing 10% or more sodium nitrite by weight, classifying them as hazardous under the Consumer Product Safety Act. Exceptions are made for commercial, industrial, and certain food-related uses. This ban aims to protect individuals from the dangers of highly concentrated sodium nitrite.

The "BITCOIN Act of 2025" directs the U.S. Treasury to establish a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve by purchasing 200,000 Bitcoins annually for five years, totaling 1,000,000 Bitcoins, to be held in secure, decentralized storage. It mandates a Proof of Reserve system for transparency, consolidates government Bitcoin holdings, and allows states to voluntarily store their Bitcoin in the Reserve. The Act offsets the costs by adjusting Federal Reserve surplus funds and utilizing a portion of their net earnings remittances, as well as requiring Federal Reserve banks to tender all gold certificates to the Secretary of the Treasury. Additionally, the bill protects private property rights related to Bitcoin and modifies the Exchange Stabilization Fund to include Bitcoin as an asset.

The "Protecting Americans Retirement Savings Act" (PARSA) amends ERISA to prohibit retirement plan fiduciaries from knowingly investing in or transacting with foreign adversary or sanctioned entities. It requires disclosure of existing plan investments in these entities, including their value and the rationale behind maintaining such investments. The bill defines "foreign adversary entity" and "sanctioned entity" based on existing federal regulations and lists. PARSA mandates the Secretary issue implementing regulations within 180 days of enactment, effective no later than one year after enactment.

The "Space National Guard Establishment Act of 2025" establishes a Space National Guard in select states as the reserve component of the Space Force, utilizing existing National Guard space operation units and personnel. It mandates the use of existing facilities and infrastructure, and requires regular briefings to Congress on the Space National Guard's implementation and operations. The bill also amends Title 10 and Title 32 of the U.S. Code to incorporate the Space National Guard into existing National Guard definitions and provisions.

The "Stop Secret Spending Act of 2025" aims to increase transparency in federal spending by mandating the reporting of "other transaction agreements" on USAspending.gov. It requires the Secretary of the Treasury to ensure this data is accessible within three years and to publish annual reports on federal spending data. The Act also directs Inspectors General to submit reports to Congress, mandates specific federal agencies to post information, and instructs the Comptroller General to provide recommendations for updating the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

The Faster Labor Contracts Act aims to expedite the collective bargaining process for initial labor agreements under the National Labor Relations Act. It mandates quicker meeting times between employers and newly recognized unions, introduces mediation through the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, and if necessary, utilizes binding arbitration to finalize agreements. A report will be created by the Comptroller General, examining the average time it takes to reach a collective bargaining agreement. The arbitration panel's decision will be binding for two years, promoting stability while considering various factors like the employer's finances and employee needs.

This joint resolution disapproves and nullifies the Environmental Protection Agency's rule that withdrew a technical amendment to Ohio's air quality plan. The disapproval is made under the Congressional Review Act, which allows Congress to overturn agency regulations.

The "CATCH Fentanyl Act" mandates pilot projects to evaluate advanced technologies, including AI, for detecting contraband, illegal drugs, weapons, and human smuggling at U.S. land ports of entry. These projects aim to enhance inspection efficiency, reduce wait times, and improve existing detection equipment. The Act requires reports to Congress on the effectiveness, impacts on privacy and civil liberties, and recommendations for implementing new technologies, while forbidding new funding appropriations.

This joint resolution nullifies the Environmental Protection Agency's rule regarding national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants in rubber tire manufacturing. By disapproving the rule, the resolution prevents the EPA from enforcing stricter emission standards in the rubber tire manufacturing industry.

The "Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act" aims to enhance cooperation between federal and local law enforcement by allowing state and local officers to act as agents of the Department of Homeland Security and protecting them from liability when complying with immigration detainers. It defines "sanctuary jurisdictions" as those that restrict information sharing or compliance with federal detainment requests, and it makes these jurisdictions ineligible for certain federal grants, reallocating those funds to non-sanctuary jurisdictions. This act does not protect individuals who knowingly violate civil or constitutional rights.

The "Death Tax Repeal Act of 2025" eliminates both estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes, while also modifying gift tax laws. It adjusts gift tax calculations, addresses transfers in trust, sets an initial $10,000,000 amount for calculating tentative tax, and adjusts for inflation. These changes apply to estates of decedents dying, generation-skipping transfers occurring, and gifts made on or after the enactment date of this Act.

The "One Flag for All Act" generally prohibits the display of flags other than the United States flag on the exterior and publicly accessible areas of federal buildings, military installations, and U.S. embassies. It includes exceptions for flags such as the POW/MIA flag, flags of visiting diplomats, state flags displayed by Members of Congress, flags representing branches of the Armed Forces, flags of historical significance, and flags representing religious organizations or churches during religious events at military installations. Additional exceptions are made for flags representing public safety, special national observances, a Federal agency, an Indian Tribe, and the State, territory, county, city, or local jurisdiction where the covered public building is located.

The GLRI Act of 2025 reauthorizes the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, allocating $500 million annually from 2027 through 2031. This initiative aims to protect and restore the Great Lakes ecosystem.