Legislative Activity

The CHOICE for Veterans Act of 2025 amends title 38 of the U.S. Code to modify the process and oversight of agents and attorneys who assist veterans with initial and supplemental benefit claims. It mandates increased transparency, including public lists of accredited representatives and warnings about fees, and sets guidelines for fee agreements, including caps and installment options. The Act also expands the grounds for disciplinary actions against agents and attorneys and requires reviews and reports to ensure effective implementation and oversight. Finally, the bill extends certain limits on pension payments.

The Local Food Recycling and Regenerative Opportunities Act introduces a tax credit to encourage individuals to reduce food waste. It allows a credit for 30% of the cost of qualified residential food recycling appliances (up to $300) and organic waste services (up to $120) used at a taxpayer's primary US residence. This credit aims to promote local management and diversion of organic waste from landfills, and is effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, and does not apply after December 31, 2031.

This bill disapproves of and nullifies the Department of Energy's rule on energy conservation standards for commercial refrigerators, freezers, and refrigerator-freezers.

The "Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act" authorizes the presentation of three Congressional Gold Medals to honor the 1980 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team for their historic "Miracle on Ice" victory. These medals will be given to the Lake Placid Olympic Center, the United States Hockey Hall of Fame, and the US Olympic and Paralympic Museum for public display. The Act also allows for the creation and sale of bronze duplicates to fund the medal production.

The "Restoring WIFIA Eligibility Act" amends the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014, to specify that repaid financial aid to non-federal entities using non-federal funds will be considered non-federal financial assistance under certain federal regulations. This change affects how these funds are classified and managed under the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990.

This bill commends Jason Owens on his retirement after 29 years of exemplary service to the United States Border Patrol. It recognizes his leadership and commitment, particularly as the 26th Chief of the Border Patrol, in the face of increased illegal immigration and cartel activity.

The Special District Fairness and Accessibility Act aims to improve special districts' access to federal financial assistance. It mandates the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to provide guidance on how federal agencies should recognize special districts as local government units. Federal agencies will then be required to update their policies to align with this guidance. Finally, the OMB Director must report to Congress on how well agencies have implemented the new guidance.

The Pet and Livestock Protection Act of 2025 directs the Secretary of the Interior to remove the gray wolf from the list of endangered and threatened wildlife, as previously established in the 2020 rule. This action must be completed within 60 days of the Act's enactment. The Act explicitly prohibits any judicial review of this reissuance.

The "Save Our Sequoias Act" aims to protect giant sequoia groves from wildfires, insects, and drought by streamlining environmental review processes for emergency response projects, establishing a collaborative coalition, and creating a reforestation strategy. This act directs the Secretary to create agreements, assessments, and strike teams to address threats to giant sequoias on both public and National Forest System lands. It also establishes grant programs and amends existing laws to support these efforts, including stewardship contracting and good neighbor agreements. Finally, the act authorizes appropriations for these protection and restoration activities.

The Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2025 aims to increase affordable housing options by updating state housing credit formulas, refining tenant eligibility rules, and improving credit eligibility and determination. This includes adjusting income verification processes, modifying student occupancy rules, and protecting domestic abuse victims. The bill also focuses on Native American and rural assistance by addressing housing needs in Indian areas and streamlining income eligibility for rural projects. Additionally, it revises rules for exempt facility bonds and renames the "low-income housing tax credit" to the "affordable housing tax credit" while encouraging data sharing and discouraging discriminatory land use policies.

The Trade Review Act of 2025 requires the President to notify Congress within 48 hours of imposing or increasing import duties, including justifications and potential impacts. Any such duty will expire after 60 days unless Congress passes a joint resolution of approval. Congress can also disapprove and nullify a duty through a joint resolution of disapproval. This act excludes antidumping and countervailing duties and establishes expedited procedures for congressional review.

The "Congressional Oversight of the Antiquities Act" amends the Antiquities Act to require congressional approval for national monument designations. Designations are temporary, lasting only six months or until the end of the current congressional session. Land included in designations that are not extended or are rejected cannot be included in new national monuments for 25 years.

The "RIFLE Act" repeals the existing tax on firearm transfers outlined in Section 5811 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Additionally, it amends related sections of the code to align with the repeal. The act clarifies that it does not grant the Consumer Product Safety Commission any authority over firearms regulated under the Internal Revenue Code.

The "Dairy Nutrition Incentive Program Act of 2025" amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to establish a program encouraging SNAP recipients to purchase and consume naturally nutrient-rich dairy products like fluid milk, yogurt, and cheese through purchase incentives. The Act authorizes the Secretary to provide grants to eligible entities for project implementation, mandates rigorous project evaluations, and requires biennial reports to Congress. It appropriates $10,000,000 annually, with an additional $10,000,000 authorized for fiscal year 2026 and beyond, and transitions existing pilot programs into this new initiative.

The Community Wood Facilities Assistance Act of 2025 amends existing grant programs to support and expand wood products manufacturing and biomass energy facilities. It increases funding, expands project eligibility, and raises grant limits for both the Community Wood Facilities Grant Program and the Wood Innovations Grant Program. The act aims to bolster the wood products industry and promote the use of biomass energy by supporting the construction and enhancement of related facilities.

The Firearm Due Process Protection Act aims to protect individuals' Second Amendment rights by ensuring due process in firearm-related matters. It allows individuals affected by Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act violations to take legal action, shifting the burden of proof to the government to justify denying firearm ownership. Additionally, it mandates the FBI to provide annual reports to Congress on the challenges to the accuracy of NICS records. The Act reinforces the importance of due process in protecting the right to bear arms.

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 "National Landslide Preparedness Act Reauthorization Act of 2025" reauthorizes and amends the National Landslide Preparedness Act, updating the national strategy to include risks from atmospheric river flooding and extreme precipitation events, expanding the national landslide hazards database, and including Native Hawaiian organizations in preparedness efforts. It also establishes regional partnerships for landslide expertise, expands grant programs to include Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations, and increases authorized funding to $35,000,000 per year through 2030, with a focus on early warning systems. Additionally, the bill modifies and extends the authorization of appropriations for the 3D Elevation Program through 2030.

The "Innovative FEED Act of 2025" amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to regulate zootechnical animal food substances—additives that affect digestion or gut health, but are not intended to treat animal diseases. It classifies these substances as food additives, requiring FDA approval based on safety and intended effect, with specific labeling requirements. The FDA retains authority over approval and can reject substances that do not achieve their intended effect. This act does not authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to require the use of any zootechnical food substance or food additive.

This resolution urges Congress and the administration to work together to address the decline in U.S. food and agricultural exports by expanding market access, reducing trade barriers, and supporting domestic trade promotion programs. It emphasizes the importance of trade agreements and the enforcement of existing commitments to ensure global competitiveness for U.S. farmers and ranchers. The resolution seeks a global trading system grounded in scientific principles to bolster the U.S. agricultural sector.