Legislative Activity

The "Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow's Workforce Act" amends Section 529 savings accounts to include expenses related to postsecondary credentialing programs. This allows 529 funds to cover costs like tuition, fees, books, supplies, and testing fees for recognized programs and credentials, as defined by the bill. These changes would apply to distributions made after the bill is enacted.

The "Bonus Tax Relief for America's Seniors Act" increases the standard tax deduction for seniors by raising it from $600 to $5,000. This change will be adjusted for inflation starting in 2026. This adjustment aims to provide additional tax relief to senior citizens. The provisions of this bill will be enacted for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

The "Family Farm and Small Business Exemption Act" amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to exclude the net value of a family farm (on which the family resides) or a small business (with no more than 100 employees and owned/controlled by the family) from consideration as an asset when determining financial need for federal student aid. This change aims to make higher education more accessible for students from family farm and small business backgrounds.

The "No DeepSeek on Government Devices Act" prohibits the use of the DeepSeek application on government devices, with exceptions for law enforcement, national security, and security research. The Office of Management and Budget is tasked with creating guidelines for executive agencies to remove DeepSeek from their information technology. Any authorized use of DeepSeek under the exceptions requires documented risk mitigation actions.

The "HALT Fentanyl Act" permanently classifies fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs under the Controlled Substances Act, streamlining research registration processes while maintaining controls. It also updates penalties for trafficking, importing, and exporting fentanyl-related substances, treating them similarly to fentanyl analogues. Additionally, the Act addresses technical errors in previous legislation and mandates the Attorney General to issue rules for implementation.

The DRONE Act of 2025 allows the Department of Justice to use certain grants to purchase and operate unmanned aircraft systems (drones) for public safety purposes. This includes grants from the Byrne program and the COPS program. The goal of the act is to provide law enforcement and other public safety agencies with an additional tool to improve their effectiveness and efficiency.

This bill expresses the sense of Congress that the U.S. should resume normal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, recognizing it as an independent country. It urges the President to replace the "One China Policy," establish formal diplomatic ties with Taipei, and support Taiwan's membership in international organizations. The bill also calls for the United States Trade Representative to begin free trade agreement negotiations with Taiwan.

The "Combating Rural Inflation Act" directs the Bureau of Labor Statistics to create a monthly Consumer Price Index for Rural Consumers, starting in January 2026. This index will track changes in typical spending for people living in rural communities in the United States.

The "QUIET Act" aims to regulate robocalls using artificial intelligence by requiring disclosure when AI is used to mimic a real person in robocalls or text messages. It mandates that callers reveal the use of AI at the beginning of the communication. The Act also doubles the penalties for illegal robocalls or texts that use AI to impersonate individuals with the intent to defraud or cause harm.

The "Retirement Fairness for Charities and Educational Institutions Act of 2025" modifies regulations for 403(b) retirement plans, expanding the types of entities whose assets can be included in collective trust funds. It requires employers to act as fiduciaries and approve investment options for governmental 403(b) plans. The act also adds 403(b) plans to the types of plans that are exempt from certain registration requirements under specific securities regulations.

The "Banning Strategic Petroleum Reserve Oil Exports to Foreign Adversaries Act" prohibits the Secretary of Energy from selling or exporting petroleum products from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to China, North Korea, Russia, Iran, or any entities controlled by them, including the Chinese Communist Party. The Secretary of Energy can waive this prohibition if it is deemed to be in the national security interest of the United States. A rule to carry out this section must be issued within 60 days of the enactment of this Act.

The Small LENDER Act amends the Equal Credit Opportunity Act to ease the burden of new small business lending data collection rules. It provides financial institutions with a three-year compliance period, followed by a two-year safe harbor from penalties. The act defines "financial institution" as one originating at least 500 small business credit transactions in each of the previous two years, and "small business" as one with $1,000,000 or less in gross annual revenue.

The "Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act" expands Medicare coverage to include FDA-approved multi-cancer early detection screening tests starting in 2028. It defines the criteria for these tests, sets payment guidelines, and establishes age and frequency limitations for coverage. The bill ensures that existing cancer screening coverage remains unaffected and allows for waivers of limitations based on recommendations from the United States Preventive Services Task Force.

The "Fighting Budget Waste Act" requires the President and the Office of Management and Budget to consider the Government Accountability Office's (GAO) annual report on government efficiency when preparing the annual budget submission. The Director of the Office of Management and Budget must then submit a report to Congress detailing their findings related to the GAO's recommendations. This aims to reduce government waste by incorporating GAO's insights into the budget process.

This bill recognizes the significant historical and ongoing contributions of tax-exempt fraternal benefit societies to communities across the United States through charitable activities, volunteer work, and financial support for members. It expresses the sense of Congress that these societies are a valuable support system that addresses unmet needs and generates substantial returns to the U.S. through their tax-exempt status. The bill also advocates for the continued promotion of fraternal benefit societies.

This bill establishes a bipartisan Task Force on the Legislative Process to identify and recommend ways for the House and Senate to more efficiently consider and vote on legislation that has already passed the other chamber with significant bipartisan support. The Task Force will consist of 12 members appointed by House and Senate leaders, and will submit a report with its findings and recommendations within one year. The House and Senate Rules Committees will then post the report on their websites. The task force will terminate after the report is issued.

This bill mandates the United States Postal Service to establish unique ZIP Codes for specific communities in California, Connecticut, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Wyoming within 270 days. The communities that will be assigned a unique ZIP code are Eastvale, California; Scotland, Connecticut; Castle Pines and Silver Cliff, Colorado; Hollywood, Miami Lakes, and Ocoee, Florida; Urbandale, Iowa; Franklin, Greenfield, Caledonia, Mount Pleasant, and Somers, Wisconsin; and Mills, Wyoming.

The "Main Street Tax Certainty Act" amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permanently extend the deduction for qualified business income. This removes the previous expiration date, providing long-term tax certainty for eligible businesses. The change applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Sarah's Law mandates the detention of aliens who are charged with or have committed crimes resulting in death or serious bodily injury. It requires the Department of Homeland Security to gather information about victims of crimes committed by these aliens and provide them with timely updates about the alien's status and removal efforts. The law also ensures that victims' rights under other laws are protected.

The "Preventing Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act" amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to deem aliens inadmissible and deportable if they have committed or admitted to acts constituting sex offenses, domestic violence, stalking, child abuse, or violating protection orders. It broadens the definition of crimes against children to include any crime constituting domestic violence.