Legislative Activity

The Rare Earth Solutions and Carbon Utilization Enhancement Act of 2025 (RESCUE Act) streamlines the permitting process for projects recovering critical materials from sources like mine waste and coal byproducts. This amendment expands eligibility under the FAST Act's expedited review to include the extraction of rare earth elements and specific forms of carbon from these secondary sources. The goal is to accelerate the development of domestic supplies of these vital resources.

The WAGER Act of 2025 simplifies the statutory language regarding the deduction of gambling losses for federal tax purposes. This amendment clarifies the existing rule that limits the deduction of gambling losses to the amount of gambling winnings. This change will take effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.

The PRIME Act, or Processing Revival and Intrastate Meat Exemption Act, exempts custom slaughter facilities from federal inspection requirements for meat that is processed and sold only within the state of origin. To qualify, facilities must comply with all applicable state laws regarding slaughter and preparation. This legislation ensures that states retain the authority to enforce their own, potentially stricter, regulations on local meat processing.

The End the Vaccine Carveout Act fundamentally changes vaccine injury compensation by allowing individuals to choose between filing a claim through the existing National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program or suing the manufacturer or administrator directly in court. This legislation removes the liability shield for vaccine makers and eliminates time limits for filing claims with the Program. Additionally, it specifically excludes COVID-19 vaccines from existing countermeasure liability protections.

The SAVES Act establishes a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) pilot program to award grants to nonprofit organizations that provide service dogs to eligible veterans. These grants, up to $\$2,000,000$ each, will fund the training and provision of service dogs for veterans with qualifying conditions like PTSD or TBI. The bill also extends the expiration date for certain limits on veterans' pension payments until February 2033.

The PAAW Act, or Preventing Animal Abuse and Waste Act, prohibits the National Institutes of Health (NIH) from conducting or supporting research that causes significant pain or distress to dogs and cats. This ban specifically targets studies categorized as causing pain levels D or E according to established animal welfare standards. The prohibition takes effect 90 days after the Act is officially enacted into law.

This bill officially renames the United States Postal Service facility located at 505 East 9th Avenue in Amarillo, Texas. The building will now be known as the "Mayor Jerry H. Hodge Post Office Building." This designation requires all official records and documents to use the new name for this specific location.

The U.S.-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act of 2025 mandates the President to formally assess South Africa's foreign policy alignment, particularly concerning its ties with Russia, China, and Hamas. This review requires the President to certify whether South Africa's actions harm U.S. national security interests within 30 days of enactment. Furthermore, the bill requires a comprehensive review of the entire bilateral relationship and a classified report identifying South African officials eligible for sanctions due to corruption or human rights abuses.

The Seasonal Agriculture CDL Modernization Act streamlines the process for farm workers by allowing states to establish online systems for renewing seasonal, restricted Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDLs). This legislation also clarifies that implements of husbandry (farm equipment) are not classified as commercial motor vehicles for licensing purposes. Overall, the bill aims to modernize and simplify CDL requirements for those in the farm-related service industries.

This bill amends federal law to explicitly include violations related to rioting within the definition of "racketeering activity." By adding this specific crime to the list under Title 18, Section 1961(1), the legislation makes participation in such activities subject to serious federal racketeering charges. This change treats rioting violations similarly to other established offenses like bribery or extortion for the purposes of federal prosecution.

The Agricultural and Rural Road Improvement Program Act establishes a new federal program dedicated to repairing and improving critical local and rural roads essential for agriculture. This program aims to enhance access to farms and agricultural facilities, reduce weight-restricted bridges, and increase the safety and resilience of rural transportation networks. Federal funding for these projects will cover up to 90 percent of the total cost.

This bill directs the United States Postal Service (USPS) to assign a single, unique ZIP Code to 66 specific communities across numerous states. The USPS is required to complete this designation process within 270 days of the law's enactment. This measure aims to ensure these designated towns and areas each have their own distinct postal code.

The Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act strictly prohibits the Federal Reserve from directly or indirectly issuing a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) to individuals. This legislation prevents the Fed from developing, testing, or implementing any digital currency that functions as a direct liability of the Federal Reserve. Furthermore, Congress asserts that any authority to create such a digital asset must explicitly come from Congress itself.

This resolution formally condemns the slogan "Globalize the Intifada" as a call for violence against Israeli and Jewish people worldwide. It cites the historical context of past Intifadas and recent antisemitic incidents to support this position. The bill urges all levels of U.S. leadership to publicly denounce the slogan.

The Federal Interviews Reform Act mandates the audio or video recording of interviews conducted by Department of Justice officers with individuals suspected of federal crimes. If an interview is not recorded as required, any statements made during that interview cannot be used as evidence in federal court. The Attorney General is responsible for establishing the necessary procedures to implement these recording requirements.

This resolution formally condemns the violent attack on the U.S. Border Patrol facility in McAllen, Texas, on July 7, 2025. It expresses support for the injured agents and reaffirms Congress's strong backing for the dedicated men and women of the Border Patrol. The bill emphasizes that such violence against law enforcement is unacceptable and undermines national security efforts.

The Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act generally prohibits federal agencies from banning the use of lead ammunition or tackle on federal lands and waters open to hunting or fishing. Exceptions are allowed only for specific federal units where scientific data proves lead use is causing wildlife decline, and the restriction aligns with state law or policy. This legislation aims to maintain traditional hunting and fishing practices across most federal domains.

The Veteran Burial Timeliness and Death Certificate Accountability Act addresses significant delays in obtaining death certificates for veterans who die from natural causes, often due to VA medical staff delays. This bill mandates that VA medical providers must certify a veteran's death within 48 hours or allow the local medical examiner to step in. Furthermore, the VA must annually report on its compliance with this new timely certification requirement.

The Defend Girls Athletics Act mandates that elementary, secondary, and higher education institutions must certify compliance with Executive Order 14201 regarding biological fairness in women's sports to receive federal funding. This certification must be renewed annually for K-12 districts and by July 1st for colleges and universities. Failure to comply or report results in the immediate requirement to return unobligated federal funds and ineligibility for future federal financial assistance until compliance is restored.

The FAIR Bet Act amends tax law to allow taxpayers to deduct wagering losses dollar-for-dollar against their wagering winnings, up to 100% of those winnings. This change modifies the previous limitation on deducting gambling losses. Essentially, it ensures that gambling losses can fully offset gambling income for tax purposes.