Legislative Activity

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 Water Infrastructure Subcontractor and Taxpayer Protection Act of 2025 amends the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014 to ensure payment and performance security for construction projects receiving federal assistance. It allows the Secretary of Transportation or the Administrator to consider state or local laws mandating payment and performance security as fulfilling this requirement if they cover at least 50% of the construction contract. If state or local laws don't apply or meet the 50% threshold, adherence to federal bond requirements under 40 U.S.C. 3131(b)(1) and (2) is required.

The USA Batteries Act seeks to amend Superfund excise taxes by removing lead oxide, antimony, and sulfuric acid from the list of taxable chemicals. This change aims to alleviate the tax burden on domestic battery manufacturers, ensuring fair competition with imported batteries. The Act recognizes the economic importance and high recyclability of lead batteries, which are crucial for various sectors, and emphasizes the need to support American manufacturing and jobs in the battery industry. Ultimately, the Act intends to bolster the global competitiveness of the U.S. lead battery industry by reducing raw material costs.

The SAFE for America Act of 2025 eliminates the Diversity Visa Program, which makes visas available to persons from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. This is achieved through repealing subsection (c) of Section 203 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The Act also makes corresponding technical amendments to other sections of the Immigration and Nationality Act to reflect this change. These changes would take effect beginning October 1, 2025.

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 "Combating Illicit Xylazine Act" aims to combat the illegal use of xylazine by adding it to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act, which would allow for increased regulation and tracking of the substance. The bill includes exemptions and delayed effective dates for certain requirements to ease the transition for legitimate users, such as veterinarians and animal handlers. It also directs the Sentencing Commission to review sentencing guidelines for xylazine-related offenses and mandates reports to Congress on the prevalence and impact of illicit xylazine use. Finally, it will include xylazine in Arcos tracking.

The "Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act of 2025" amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to extend death benefits to retired law enforcement officers who die or are disabled from targeted attacks due to their service. The bill applies retroactively to pending matters before the Bureau of Justice Assistance, or those filed/accruing after the enactment date, with exceptions for actions against retired law enforcement officers that occurred on or after August 28, 2012.

The "Alternatives to PAIN Act" amends Medicare Part D to improve access to non-opioid pain management drugs by waiving deductibles and ensuring they are placed on the lowest cost-sharing tier starting in 2026. The Act also prohibits the use of step therapy and prior authorization requirements for these drugs, further easing access for patients. These changes aim to provide more accessible alternatives for pain management, reducing reliance on opioids.

The "SHIELD Act of 2025" aims to protect individuals from the non-consensual distribution of intimate visual depictions, establishing federal offenses and penalties for those who knowingly distribute such images with reckless disregard for the depicted individual's lack of consent, or distribute depictions of nude minors. It defines key terms, sets forth specific offenses, and outlines penalties including fines and imprisonment, while also providing exceptions for law enforcement activities, good-faith distributions, and protecting communications service providers from liability under certain conditions. The act also addresses threats related to the distribution of intimate images and establishes extraterritorial jurisdiction in certain cases.

This bill repeals the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, eliminating the requirements for the President to report to Congress on decisions to withhold or delay spending of appropriated funds. This removes the process by which Congress can approve or disapprove of these presidential actions.

The "Freight RAILCAR Act of 2025" introduces a tax credit for modernizing freight railcars, encouraging investments in newer, more efficient railcars. Taxpayers can claim a credit equal to 10% of their freight railcar fleet modernization expenses, with a limit of 1,000 qualified freight railcars per year. The credit applies to railcars that increase capacity, improve fuel efficiency, or meet updated performance standards, and is available for three years after the Act's enactment. The Secretary of the Treasury is required to submit a report to Congress detailing the credit's usage and impact on railcar modernization and scrapping.

The SAFE Act amends the Social Security Act to include physical and occupational therapy benefits in Medicare annual wellness visits and initial preventive physical exams starting in 2026 for individuals determined to have fallen in the previous year. It mandates that these individuals receive falls risk assessments, fall prevention services, and outpatient therapy services. Additionally, the Act requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to submit annual reports to Congress on falls experienced by individuals aged 65 and older.

The Port Crane Security and Inspection Act of 2025 mandates security inspections of foreign-made cranes used at high-risk U.S. ports, assessing and mitigating cybersecurity risks associated with these cranes. The Act prohibits the operation of new foreign cranes and, within five years, foreign software on cranes at U.S. ports, particularly those connected to a "covered foreign country". These covered foreign countries are identified as foreign adversaries by the intelligence community or the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Director of National Intelligence. The goal is to enhance port security and protect against potential cyber threats.

The Litigation Transparency Act of 2025 requires parties in civil actions to disclose the identity of any third party entitled to payment contingent on the outcome of the case, along with the relevant agreements. This disclosure aims to increase transparency in civil litigation by revealing who financially benefits from the lawsuit's outcome. Certain payments, such as loan repayments and attorney's fees, are exempt from this disclosure requirement. The Act applies to both ongoing and future court cases.

The "No Kill Switches in Cars Act" repeals a section of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The repealed section required the Department of Transportation to create a rule mandating that all new cars have advanced drunk and impaired driving prevention technology. This bill prohibits the government from requiring car manufacturers to install kill switches in vehicles.

The "REAL Meat Act of 2025" prohibits federal funding for cell-cultured meat production, research, and promotion, defining it as lab-grown meat from animal cells. An exception is made, allowing NASA to use federal funds for cell-cultured meat intended for consumption off-planet.

The "UNPLUG EVs Act" rescinds any unspent funds allocated for electric vehicle charging and fueling grants, as well as funds from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program. The recovered funds will be deposited into the Treasury's general fund and used to reduce the federal deficit.

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 "Safe Passage on Interstates Act of 2025" aims to prevent the obstruction of interstate highways. It establishes penalties, including fines and imprisonment, for individuals who knowingly disrupt traffic flow or endanger vehicles on these highways. Increased penalties are applied if emergency vehicles are obstructed or if a death occurs as a result of the obstruction.

The BOWSER Act repeals the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, which currently grants a degree of self-governance to the District of Columbia. This repeal would take effect one year after the enactment of the BOWSER Act. Effectively, this would end the current form of local government in DC.