Legislative Activity

The "No Partisan Radio and Partisan Broadcasting Services Act" prohibits federal funding for National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). This includes direct funding, indirect support, or purchasing programming. The prohibition extends to any successor organizations of NPR and PBS.

The "Stop Harassing Owners of Rifles Today Act" or "SHORT Act" modifies firearm regulations by redefining "firearm" under the National Firearms Act, removing short-barreled rifles and shotguns from certain restrictions, and preempting state laws that tax, mark, record, or register these weapons. The Act also mandates the destruction of records related to these specific weapons held by the Attorney General.

The Kairo Act of 2025 mandates that child care and early learning programs receiving federal funds, such as Child Care Development Block Grants and Head Start, must establish a parents' bill of rights. This bill of rights includes access to records, video footage related to abuse or neglect, and information about the facility's compliance history. Child care providers must provide parents with a written copy of these rights. The Department of Health and Human Services will inform funding recipients about these new requirements.

The Dual Loyalty Disclosure Act mandates that candidates for federal office must disclose in their statement of candidacy if they hold citizenship in any country besides the United States, specifying the country. This disclosure requirement will be enforced by the Federal Election Commission immediately upon the enactment of the law.

This bill permanently extends the exemption for school bus drivers from the engine compartment (under-the-hood) portion of the pre-trip vehicle inspection skills test. The Secretary of Transportation is required to collect annual reports from participating states regarding the number of drivers licensed under this exemption for six years.

The "Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act" enables individuals with valid concealed carry permits or the legal right to carry concealed firearms in their home state to do so across state lines, provided they are not federally prohibited from possessing firearms and carry a valid photo ID. This law respects private and state/local government restrictions on firearms, protects individuals from unwarranted arrest, and allows legal action for violations of these rights. It also permits concealed carry in National Parks and other federal lands open to the public and clarifies that handguns include magazines and ammunition.

The "Law-Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act of 2025" exempts less-than-lethal projectile devices from certain federal restrictions, defining these devices based on their inability to fire lethal ammunition, a velocity cap of 500 feet per second, design for non-lethal use, and magazine compatibility. It tasks the Attorney General with determining whether a device meets the Act's definition within 90 days of a request.

The "Pre-Pilot Pathway Act" establishes an apprenticeship program under the Department of Transportation to help individuals become commercial pilots. This program partners with certified flight training academies, allowing them to select apprentices who meet standard curriculum requirements, with the goal of addressing pilot shortages. The Act encourages experienced pilots to become instructors and requires annual reports and reviews to assess the program's effectiveness. Within one year, the Secretary of Transportation must issue regulations to implement the program.

The "End Taxpayer Funding of Gender Experimentation Act of 2025" prohibits the use of federal funds for gender transition procedures and health plans that cover them, extending this prohibition to premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). It defines key terms like "gender transition procedure" and clarifies exceptions, such as treatments for medically verifiable disorders of sex development. The bill allows individuals and employers to purchase separate coverage for gender transition procedures using non-federal funds, ensuring no federal subsidies are applied to such coverage. These changes would apply to taxable years ending one year after the law's enactment, but only for plan years starting after that date.

The "Fair and Open Competition Act of 2025" seeks to ensure open competition and government neutrality in federal construction projects by preventing requirements for or bans against agreements with labor organizations. It prohibits discrimination based on labor affiliation, reduces construction costs, and expands job opportunities. The Act mandates revisions to regulations and allows exemptions only in special circumstances like public health or national security threats.

This bill recognizes and celebrates the 100th anniversary of Delta Air Lines, acknowledging its historical significance as the first U.S. airline to reach this milestone. It highlights Delta's growth, global connectivity, commitment to community, and industry leadership.

The HELPER Act of 2025 amends the National Housing Act to establish an FHA mortgage insurance program for first responders, including law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics, EMTs, and teachers. This program allows the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to insure mortgages up to 100% of the appraised value for eligible first-time homebuyers, waiving down payment requirements but requiring an up-front mortgage insurance premium. Mortgagors must meet specific eligibility criteria, including being a first-time homebuyer, completing a housing counseling program, and meeting employment and good standing requirements as a first responder. The bill authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 2026 through 2032 and requires reauthorization of the program after 5 years.

The Stop CCP VISAs Act of 2025 prohibits the admission of Chinese nationals into the United States as nonimmigrant students. This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to prevent nationals of the People's Republic of China from receiving visas for academic research or study.

The "SHRED Act of 2025" increases the penalties for officers and employees of the Department of Justice and the intelligence community who conceal, remove, or mutilate government records. If convicted, individuals could face imprisonment for no less than 20 years, up to life, be fined, or both.

The "Protecting the Right to Keep and Bear Arms Act of 2025" prevents the President and the Department of Health and Human Services from using national emergencies or public health emergencies to enact gun control measures. It also amends the Stafford Act to ensure that disaster relief efforts do not infringe on Second Amendment rights related to firearms, ammunition, and accessories.

The BITCOIN Act of 2025 directs the U.S. Treasury Secretary to establish a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve by purchasing 200,000 Bitcoins annually for five years, totaling one million Bitcoins, to be held securely for at least 20 years. The Act mandates a Proof of Reserve system for transparency, consolidates government Bitcoin holdings, and allows states to voluntarily store their Bitcoin in the Reserve. To offset costs, the Act reduces discretionary surplus funds of Federal Reserve Banks, uses a portion of their net earnings, and requires a gold certificate exchange. The Act also protects private property rights related to Bitcoin and modifies the Exchange Stabilization Fund to include Bitcoin.

This bill designates the United States Postal Service facility located at 620 East Pecan Boulevard in McAllen, Texas, as the "Agent Raul H. Gonzalez Jr. Memorial Post Office Building." It also mandates that all legal and official documents will refer to the facility by this new name.

The TREAT PTSD Act mandates the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense to provide stellate ganglion block (SGB) to veterans and members of the Armed Forces diagnosed with PTSD who elect to receive it after being fully informed of its risks and benefits. It allows the treatment to be furnished through VA or military medical facilities, or qualified healthcare providers. The bill also requires updating the VADOD Clinical Practice Guideline for PTSD management to include SGB as a therapy option.

The "No Tax Breaks for Sanctuary Cities Act" denies tax-exempt status for bonds issued by state and local governments deemed to be sanctuary jurisdictions. A sanctuary jurisdiction is defined as one that prevents or restricts its entities or officials from sharing immigration information with other government entities or complying with Department of Homeland Security requests. The Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, is required to publish a list of these jurisdictions annually. This applies to taxable years ending after the enactment date for obligations issued after the enactment date.

The JUDGES Act of 2025 aims to address the increasing caseloads in district courts by creating new judgeships in multiple states over the next decade, as well as a temporary judgeship in the Eastern District of Oklahoma. It also authorizes appropriations to support these new positions and adjusts the organization of district courts in Texas and California. Additionally, the Act mandates Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports to evaluate workload measures, judicial activities, and the effectiveness of policies regarding senior judges, as well as the needs and efforts to acquire federal detention space. Finally, the Act ensures public accessibility to the Judicial Conference's recommendations for Article III judgeships by requiring the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts to publish these reports on its website.