Legislative Activity

The Fairness for High-Skilled Americans Act of 2025 aims to eliminate the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which currently allows F-1 student visa holders to gain temporary work authorization after completing their studies. This bill removes the government's authority to grant such work permission unless explicitly authorized by a future Act of Congress.

This joint resolution authorizes the President to use the U.S. Armed Forces against specific, named international criminal organizations designated as "covered cartels." It declares these groups are acting as terrorist organizations due to their actions against the U.S., including drug trafficking and human exploitation. The measure explicitly complies with the requirements of the War Powers Resolution.

The Pre-Pilot Pathway Act establishes a new, voluntary apprenticeship program designed to create a steady pipeline of qualified commercial pilots. This program allows certified flight training providers to enroll apprentices who must complete all standard flight curriculum requirements. The Secretary of Transportation is tasked with overseeing the program, setting regulations, and encouraging experienced pilots to become instructors. Annual reports will track the program's effectiveness in addressing pilot shortages.

The Shifting Limits on Thresholds Act of 2025 (SLOT Act) revises the federal tax reporting requirement for slot machine winnings. Under this act, businesses will only need to file an information return for slot machine payouts of **$5,000 or more** per single play, effective after December 31, 2025. Furthermore, this $5,000 threshold will be automatically adjusted annually for inflation starting in 2027.

The Air America Act of 2025 recognizes the sacrifices of former Air America employees who served the U.S. Government between 1950 and 1976. This Act authorizes a one-time monetary award, up to $40,000 plus potential additional amounts, for qualifying service members or their survivors. The CIA Director is responsible for administering these payments, which are capped at a total of $60 million, and establishing the application procedures. Decisions made by the Director regarding these awards are final and not subject to judicial review.

The End Taxpayer Funding of Gender Experimentation Act of 2025 prohibits the use of any federal funds for gender transition procedures, including those provided through federal health plans or facilities. This ban also extends to the Affordable Care Act, preventing individuals from using federal premium tax credits or cost-sharing reductions to cover plans that include such procedures. The legislation broadly defines gender transition procedures while excluding care for certain disorders of sex development and life-threatening emergencies.

The SHRED Act of 2025 significantly increases penalties for Department of Justice and intelligence community employees who conceal, remove, or destroy official government records. This legislation mandates severe punishment, including a minimum of 20 years up to life in prison, for these specific acts of record tampering.

The Fair and Open Competition Act of 2025 ensures fair competition on federally funded construction projects by prohibiting the government from requiring or penalizing bidders based on union agreements. This legislation aims to keep federal agencies neutral in labor relations while promoting cost savings and opening opportunities for all businesses. Exceptions to this neutrality rule are strictly limited to specific public health, safety, or national security emergencies.

The TRACE Act mandates updates to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NMUPS) to specifically track cases involving federal land. This includes adding data fields to record when a missing person's last known location or the discovery of unidentified remains occurred on federal property. Furthermore, the Attorney General must submit an annual report detailing these cases, categorized by the managing federal agency.

The HELPER Act of 2025 establishes a new FHA mortgage insurance program to assist first responders, educators, and law enforcement officers in purchasing homes. This program offers eligible first-time homebuyers 100% financing with no down payment required. Instead of monthly premiums, borrowers pay an upfront FHA insurance premium at closing.

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 Stop CCP VISAs Act of 2025 prohibits the issuance of F, J, and M nonimmigrant visas to nationals of the People's Republic of China if their primary purpose for entering the U.S. is to conduct research or study. This legislation aims to safeguard American intellectual property by restricting academic and student exchange visas for Chinese nationals.

The BITCOIN Act of 2025 establishes a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve to secure and manage government-held Bitcoin, viewing it as a national asset for financial stability. The Act mandates the Secretary of the Treasury to initiate a five-year program to purchase 1,000,000 Bitcoins for long-term holding. Furthermore, it institutes strict public proof-of-reserve requirements and explicitly protects the private property rights of individuals to own and control their own Bitcoin.

The Protecting the Right to Keep and Bear Arms Act of 2025 restricts the President and the Secretary of Health and Human Services from using emergency declarations to enact gun control measures. This bill specifically prevents the use of the National Emergencies Act and the Public Health Service Act for imposing new firearm restrictions. Furthermore, it amends disaster relief law to prohibit federal disaster declarations from banning the possession, sale, or transfer of firearms, ammunition, or related accessories.

This bill officially 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." The legislation ensures that all official records and documents reflect this new memorial name for the building.

The Deportation Compliance Act prohibits U.S. foreign assistance to countries that have been penalized by the Secretary of State for delaying or refusing to accept their own citizens, subjects, nationals, or residents for longer than 180 days. This prohibition remains in effect as long as the country continues to delay or refuse acceptance.

The Guaranteeing Overtime for Truckers Act amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, eliminating the overtime pay exemption for certain motor carrier employees. This change ensures that these employees are entitled to overtime pay, promoting fair compensation for their work.

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 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.

The No Tax Breaks for Sanctuary Cities Act proposes to revoke the tax-exempt status for bonds issued by state or local governments designated as "sanctuary jurisdictions." A sanctuary jurisdiction is defined as one that restricts its officials from sharing immigration status information or complying with federal detainers/release notifications from Homeland Security. This change would apply to bonds issued after the date the Act becomes law.