Legislative Activity

The Secure Takedown and Obstruction Prevention (STOP) Act establishes a new federal offense for barricading oneself while forcibly resisting or evading arrest by a federal law enforcement officer. This legislation aims to enhance officer safety by penalizing individuals who create dangerous standoffs during apprehension attempts. Penalties range from up to three years in prison, increasing to five years if aggravating circumstances like weapon possession or risk of serious harm are present.

This resolution congratulates former President Donald J. Trump for his efforts toward achieving peace in the Middle East, specifically citing the Abraham Accords. It praises his proposed peace plan as a viable path forward for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Senate urges global support for this plan, celebrating the prospect of future regional stability and prosperity.

The Halting International Relocation of Employment Act (HIRE Act) imposes a steep 25% excise tax on U.S. companies making payments for services directed toward U.S. consumers that are performed overseas. Furthermore, the bill prohibits businesses from deducting these "outsourcing payments" from their taxable income. Revenue generated from this tax and related penalties will fund a new Domestic Workforce Fund dedicated to American job training and development programs. These provisions are set to take effect for payments made after December 31, 2025.

The SHUTDOWN Act imposes a new daily tax on all members of Congress during any lapse in government appropriations. This tax is calculated proportionally based on the number of days a member serves while the government is unfunded. The goal is to hold lawmakers financially accountable for government shutdowns.

This Senate resolution expresses the view that the Federal Reserve should immediately lower interest rates to stimulate economic growth and improve affordability for families and businesses. It argues that current high rates are hindering job creation, increasing borrowing costs, and slowing down consumer spending. While respecting the Fed's independence, the Senate urges the Board of Governors to adjust policy to prioritize economic expansion.

The SAFE HIRE Act requires top executives of publicly traded companies to personally certify the accuracy of their annual reports regarding employment eligibility compliance. This certification must confirm the effectiveness of internal controls designed to prevent illegal hiring practices. Executives who knowingly make false certifications or fail to disclose significant hiring violations face severe civil and criminal penalties.

The Compressed Gas Cylinder Safety and Oversight Improvements Act of 2025 aims to enhance the safety and accountability of foreign manufacturers supplying compressed gas cylinders for transporting hazardous materials into the U.S. This bill tightens approval processes, mandates increased transparency, and allows the Secretary of Transportation to conduct more rigorous inspections of foreign facilities. It also introduces new disclosure requirements regarding compliance history and potential penalties for non-adherence.

This Senate resolution formally expresses support for nominating former President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize based on his actions regarding Iran's nuclear program. The resolution simultaneously argues that former President Barack Obama should have his 2009 Nobel Peace Prize revoked due to his use of drone strikes and handling of the Iran nuclear deal. Ultimately, the Senate urges the Norwegian Nobel Committee to award the 2025 prize to President Trump for allegedly ending Iran's nuclear threat in 12 days.

The Larry Henderson Act significantly increases penalties for assaulting federal officers or employees while they are performing their duties, establishing a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 20 years for such offenses. This legislation ensures that the federal mandatory minimum standard supersedes any conflicting state laws in these specific cases. These new, stricter rules only apply to offenses committed on or after the date the Act is officially enacted.

The United States Automobile Consumer Assistance and Relief Act (USA CAR Act) allows taxpayers to deduct interest paid on loans taken out after January 1, 2025, for vehicles assembled in the United States. This new "qualified automobile interest" deduction can be taken "above-the-line," meaning it reduces gross income even if the taxpayer claims the standard deduction. This provision aims to provide direct financial relief to consumers purchasing domestically assembled vehicles.

The Deploying American Blockchains Act of 2025 establishes the Department of Commerce as the lead federal agency for developing a national strategy for blockchain technology. This Act mandates the creation of the National Blockchain Deployment Advisory Committee to examine risks, promote security, and develop best practices for federal adoption. The Secretary of Commerce will advise the President and report annually to Congress on U.S. competitiveness and emerging trends in the blockchain space.

The PROTECT Act of 2025 mandates that the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) rigorously review certain greenfield and brownfield real estate investments made by foreign countries of concern. This legislation broadens the definition of a "covered transaction" to include specific U.S. property deals involving the establishment of new facilities by these foreign entities. Crucially, the bill requires mandatory filing and reporting to CFIUS for any such transaction where a country of concern holds even a 5% stake or influence over the resulting business.

The United States Automobile Consumer Assistance and Relief Act (USA CAR Act) introduces a new tax deduction for interest paid on specific car loans taken out after January 1, 2025. This deduction applies only to loans used to purchase a "qualified automobile," defined as a vehicle whose final assembly was completed within the United States. This provision aims to provide financial assistance to consumers purchasing domestically assembled vehicles.

The Allegiance Act of 2025 prohibits the display of any foreign national flags on United States Capitol Grounds. Furthermore, the bill restricts the use of official congressional office allowances to purchase flags from any country other than the United States. This legislation aims to ensure that only the American flag is displayed on Capitol grounds and purchased with taxpayer funds for official use.

The Transportation Freedom Act aims to boost American auto manufacturing through tax incentives for companies that keep production and jobs in the U.S. while also rolling back recent vehicle emissions and fuel efficiency regulations. It restricts states' abilities to set their own emission standards and directs the EPA and DOT to establish new, flexible emissions standards based on technological and economic feasibility. This could lead to more fuel-efficient vehicles, reduced emissions, and shifts in the automotive industry.

The "English Language Unity Act of 2025" establishes English as the official language of the United States, mandating its use in official government functions while allowing exceptions for specific circumstances. It sets a uniform English language standard for naturalization, ensuring new citizens can understand core U.S. documents. The Act also includes rules for interpreting U.S. laws in English, emphasizing the protection of individual rights and state powers, and directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to propose a rule for uniform English language testing of naturalization candidates.

This resolution congratulates The Ohio State University Buckeyes for their victory in the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship. It recognizes the contributions of key players, coaches, and the university community to the team's success. The resolution also acknowledges the team's challenging path to the championship and requests official copies be prepared for presentation to university leaders and the head coach.

The "Refugees Using Legal Entry Safely Act" modifies asylum eligibility by requiring aliens to apply for asylum only at a U.S. port of entry and prohibits their parole or release into the United States. These restrictions would not apply to aliens who have already entered the U.S. without inspection or have overstayed their authorized period of stay.

This bill rescinds all unspent funds previously allocated to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) under Public Law 117-169. Congress intends for the rescinded funds to be used for establishing and running an External Revenue Service.