Legislative Activity

The Strengthening Child Exploitation Enforcement Act updates federal laws concerning kidnapping and sexual abuse of minors. It clarifies kidnapping definitions, bars consent as a defense for offenses against victims under 16 unless reasonable belief of age is proven, and creates a new federal offense for non-consensual touching of minors for sexual gratification. The bill also makes technical amendments to sentencing guidelines and cross-references related to abusive sexual contact.

The AFRIKANER Act designates specific persecuted Caucasian residents of South Africa, along with their immediate family, as Priority 2 refugees for resettlement in the United States. This legislation streamlines their application process and ensures they are not disqualified from other immigration paths due to their status under this Act. Furthermore, refugees granted status under this bill will not count against standard annual refugee caps. The State and Homeland Security Departments are required to regularly report to Congress on the implementation and progress of this program.

The Amtrak Transparency and Accountability for Passengers and Taxpayers Act generally subjects Amtrak to federal open meeting and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) rules. However, the bill carves out significant exceptions, allowing Amtrak to hold closed meetings regarding contract talks, labor negotiations, personnel matters, and confidential business secrets to protect its competitive standing. Additionally, Amtrak can keep information private if its release would compromise safety.

The Trucker Bathroom Access Act ensures that commercial truck drivers are allowed to use restrooms at businesses where they are delivering or picking up goods. This legislation also mandates that operators of marine terminals provide adequate and safe restroom facilities for drayage truck drivers working on port property. The goal is to guarantee basic sanitation access for professional drivers during their work hours.

The American Tank Car Modernization Act of 2025 establishes grant programs to help freight rail owners install advanced telematics systems for near real-time tracking and health monitoring of railcars, prioritizing those carrying hazardous materials. It also creates a pilot program to fund the development of new onboard sensors for enhanced safety data collection. These measures aim to improve asset visibility, efficiency, and proactive maintenance across the freight rail fleet.

The Stop CARB Act of 2025 centralizes federal control over emission standards for nonroad engines and vehicles, immediately revoking any state authority or existing waivers to set stricter rules. This bill specifically prohibits states from creating or enforcing their own emission standards for equipment like construction and farm machinery. Furthermore, it repeals the provision of the Clean Air Act that allowed other states to adopt California's stricter new motor vehicle emission standards.

This resolution censures Representative Al Green for disrupting President Trump's address to Congress, violating decorum, and bringing disrepute to the House. It mandates that Representative Green present himself to the House for a public reading of the censure resolution by the Speaker.

The CARGO Act of 2025 prohibits the National Institutes of Health (NIH) from funding research or programs involving live animals outside of the United States. This bill addresses concerns over the lack of oversight and potential mistreatment of animals in foreign research projects funded by American taxpayers. The Act ensures that NIH funding for animal research is restricted to projects conducted within the U.S. and its territories.

The **End Unaccountable Amnesty Act** seeks to restrict executive authority over immigration by shifting Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and parole designations to congressional oversight. The bill also tightens eligibility for unaccompanied minors, repeals "cancellation of removal" as a form of immigration relief, and prohibits the use of certain DHS-issued documents for air travel. Additionally, it imposes strict annual caps on parole grants and mandates the removal of sponsors who are unlawfully present in the United States.

The Endowment Tax Fairness Act proposes increasing the excise tax on the net investment income of private colleges and universities from 1.4 percent to 21 percent. Revenue generated from this tax increase would be directed toward reducing the national deficit and the national debt.

The Justice for Jocelyn Act mandates stricter detention requirements for non-citizens by limiting the use of Alternatives to Detention (ATD) programs to situations where no other detention capacity exists. The bill requires continuous GPS monitoring and nightly curfews for all individuals on the ICE non-detained docket throughout their immigration proceedings. Additionally, it establishes that any violation of release conditions will result in an automatic order of removal in absentia.