Legislative Activity

This bill expresses the House of Representatives' support for maintaining the stepped-up basis under section 1014 of the Internal Revenue Code, which allows inherited assets to be adjusted to their current market value, protecting family-owned farms and small businesses from increased taxes. It opposes any changes to the tax code that would negatively impact the ability of these businesses to pass their operations on to the next generation. The bill recognizes the importance of generational transfers for the continuation of family farms, ranches, agribusinesses, and small businesses.

The "Tanning Tax Repeal Act of 2025" eliminates the federal excise tax on indoor tanning services. This bill removes Chapter 49 from the Internal Revenue Code, effectively repealing the tax. The repeal is applicable for services provided after the bill's enactment.

The "Pay Our Border Patrol and Customs Agents Act of 2025" ensures that U.S. Border Patrol agents and Customs and Border Protection officers are paid during any government shutdown in fiscal year 2025. The bill appropriates the necessary funds to cover the salaries and expenses of these essential employees, guaranteeing they continue to receive paychecks even when the government is shut down.

**ESA Amendments Act of 2025 Summary:** The ESA Amendments Act of 2025 seeks to modify and update the Endangered Species Act of 1973 by prioritizing conservation efforts, incentivizing private land stewardship, and increasing transparency and accountability. The act focuses on streamlining regulations, limiting legal challenges, and ensuring that decisions are based on sound science and economic considerations. These changes aim to balance species protection with the needs of private landowners and state management, while also addressing international trade regulations.

The "Protecting American Industry and Labor from International Trade Crimes Act of 2025" aims to combat trade-related crimes by establishing a specialized task force within the Department of Justice, enhancing the investigation and prosecution of illegal activities related to imports and exports. It mandates the Attorney General to develop partnerships, provide training, and submit annual reports to Congress on the progress and financial needs in addressing these crimes. The act allocates \$20 million for fiscal year 2026 to support these efforts, with a focus on bolstering the Criminal Division's capacity to prosecute trade-related offenses.

The Roberto Clemente Commemorative Coin Act directs the Department of Treasury to mint and issue gold, silver, and half-dollar coins in 2027 to commemorate the life and legacy of Roberto Clemente. The coins' designs will represent Clemente's life, including his baseball achievements and humanitarian work. Surcharges from the coin sales will benefit the Roberto Clemente Foundation, supporting their educational programs, youth sports initiatives, disaster relief efforts, and historic preservation projects. The Act ensures that the coin program will not incur any net cost to the United States government.

The "Grown in America Act of 2025" introduces a tax credit for businesses that use domestic agricultural commodities in their products for human consumption. This credit, capped at $100,000,000, aims to incentivize the use of U.S.-produced agricultural inputs by offering a tax benefit based on the percentage of domestic agricultural commodities used. The percentage of domestic inputs required to receive the full credit increases over time, with the Secretary of Agriculture maintaining a list of agricultural commodities that cannot be produced domestically. These provisions will be effective for taxable years starting after December 31, 2025.

The Forest Service Accountability Act mandates that the President, with Senate approval, appoint the Chief of the Forest Service, choosing someone with expertise in forest and natural resources management. The Senate Committees on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and Energy and Natural Resources will jointly review the nomination. Within 30 days of the Act's enactment, the President must submit a nomination for the Chief of the Forest Service to the Senate.

The "GUARD VA Benefits Act" reinstates penalties for individuals who charge veterans unauthorized fees for assistance with their VA benefits claims. This bill amends title 38 of the United States Code to ensure that those who exploit veterans by charging unlawful fees face appropriate fines. The aim is to protect veterans from financial exploitation related to their benefits claims.

This bill expresses support for the Iranian people's desire for a democratic, secular, and nonnuclear republic, while condemning the Iranian regime's human rights abuses, support for terrorism, and attempts to develop nuclear weapons. It affirms the right of the Iranian people to self-determination and supports continued sanctions against the current regime. The bill also calls for the protection of Iranian political refugees in Albania.

The "Supporting Farm Operations Act of 2025" freezes the wage rate for H-2A nonimmigrant workers at the level it was on December 31, 2023, through December 31, 2026. Additionally, the bill directs the Secretary of Labor to use a primary duties evaluation when deciding the required wage for employees who perform multiple duties or tasks.

The "Protect and Serve Act of 2025" creates federal offenses for intentionally causing serious injury or death to law enforcement officers because of their status as officers. It sets penalties including imprisonment and fines, with increased penalties if death results or if kidnapping or attempted killing is involved. Federal prosecution requires certification from the Attorney General, based on a request from the state or if it is in the public interest to ensure substantial justice. The act defines "law enforcement officer" and "State" for the purposes of the new offenses.

The "Protecting Life from Chemical Abortions Act" restricts the Department of Health and Human Services and the FDA, requiring them to enforce Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) requirements for abortion drugs, reinstate the in-person dispensing requirement, and prohibits reducing REMS protections until standardized abortion data is collected by the CDC from every state. It also defines key terms such as "abortion," "abortion drug," and "unborn child" and prohibits the HHS secretary from declaring a public health emergency with respect to abortion.

The SBA Disaster Transparency Act requires the Small Business Administration (SBA) to publish reports related to disaster assistance on its website. This ensures transparency by making information accessible to the public after the reports are submitted to Representatives.

The "Purchased and Referred Care Improvement Act of 2025" ensures that Native American patients are not liable for the cost of purchased/referred care, and mandates a process for reimbursing patients who have already paid for such services. It updates the Indian Health Care Improvement Act by replacing the term "contract health service" with "purchased/referred care" to modernize the language used in the Act. These changes aim to streamline the payment process and reduce the financial burden on patients.

The "Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025" extends the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000, providing continued financial support to states and counties with federal lands through 2026. It extends secure payments, distribution of payments, and the authority for special projects on federal land. Additionally, it extends the Resource Advisory Committee pilot program and makes several technical corrections to the original Act.

The Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino Act authorizes the creation of the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino on the National Mall. It ensures the museum's exhibits and programs accurately represent the diverse cultures, histories, events, and values of Hispanic and Latino communities, seeking guidance from diverse sources. The Act also mandates regular reports to Congress on the museum's efforts to meet these diversity requirements.

This bill expresses support for designating February 15-22, 2025, as "National FFA Week," celebrating the National FFA Organization's role in developing future leaders through agricultural education. It also recognizes the 90th anniversary of New Farmers of America and the 75th anniversary of the Future Farmers of America federal charter.

The "Death Tax Repeal Act" eliminates both estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes, effective from the date of enactment. It adjusts gift tax calculations by setting the lifetime gift exemption at $10,000,000, with inflation adjustments after 2011. The Act also includes transitional rules for applying certain sections of the Internal Revenue Code during the enactment year.

The "Protect America's Lands Act" prevents national securities exchanges from handling transactions of securities issued by "natural asset companies." These companies manage land for conservation and aim to enhance the value of natural assets and ecosystem services. The bill defines specific criteria for what constitutes a "natural asset company" to ensure the prohibition is appropriately applied.