Legislative Activity

The Association Health Plans Act modifies the definition of "employer" under ERISA to include groups or associations of employers that meet specific criteria, such as having at least 51 employees and being formed for purposes other than providing medical care. It allows these plans to establish base premium rates using a modified community rating methodology and adjust contribution rates based on employer risk profile, while prohibiting discrimination based on health status. The Act clarifies that providing coverage through these associations does not create an employer relationship and that these group health plans must still adhere to existing regulations under ERISA and the Public Health Service Act.

The DETERRENT Act aims to increase transparency and oversight of foreign funding and influence in higher education. It mandates institutions to disclose foreign gifts, contracts, and investments of concern, especially those tied to countries or entities that pose a risk to U.S. national security. The Act also requires institutions to maintain policies regarding conflicts of interest and establishes penalties for non-compliance, including fines and potential ineligibility for federal student aid programs. Additionally, the Department of Education is required to maintain a public database of disclosed information and share it with relevant federal agencies.

The "Keep Our Girls Safe Act of 2025" prohibits individuals from entering a locker room while members of the opposite sex are present. This prohibition applies to any education program or activity under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. The law will take effect 30 days after enactment.

The "Stop Antisemitism on College Campuses Act" amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prohibit colleges and universities from supporting events promoting antisemitism. Antisemitism is defined using the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's working definition. This bill aims to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for Jewish students on college campuses by preventing the authorization, facilitation, funding, or support of antisemitic events.

The "John W. Walsh Alpha-1 Home Infusion Act of 2025" amends the Social Security Act to include Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency Disorder treatment under Medicare Part B starting January 1, 2027. This covers augmentation therapy provided at home, intravenous administration kits, and associated nursing services for eligible individuals with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency. Medicare will cover 80% of the costs for these home infusion services, with payments made directly to qualified suppliers. These services will not be classified as home health services under Medicare.

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 Major Richard Star Act allows eligible combat-disabled veterans to receive both their retirement pay and disability compensation. This eliminates the previous offset that reduced retirement pay for those receiving disability compensation. The changes apply to payments beginning the month after enactment.

The Stop CCP VISAs Act of 2025 prohibits the admission of Chinese nationals into the United States as nonimmigrant students. This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to prevent nationals of the People's Republic of China from receiving visas for academic research or study.

The "Crucial Communism Teaching Act" aims to educate high school students about the history and dangers of communism and similar ideologies, highlighting their contrast with American principles of freedom and democracy. It directs the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation to develop a civic education curriculum and oral history resources, featuring stories from victims of communism. The curriculum will cover past and present communist regimes, focusing on human rights abuses and aggression against democratic entities. The Foundation will collaborate with education officials to implement the curriculum in high schools.

The "Retirement Proxy Protection Act" amends ERISA to clarify that managing shareholder rights, like proxy voting, is part of a fiduciary's duty to act prudently and solely in the financial interest of retirement plan participants. It sets requirements for exercising these rights, including cost considerations, fact evaluation, and record-keeping, while prohibiting the subordination of financial interests to non-financial objectives. The act allows for "safe harbor" proxy voting policies that focus on economic interests, while mandating the monitoring of advisors and periodic review of policies.

This bill censures Representative Al Green of Texas for disrupting the President's address to Congress on March 4, 2025. It condemns his actions and orders him to appear before the House of Representatives to receive a formal reprimand. During this time the Speaker of the House will publicly read the resolution of censure.

The TAP Promotion Act requires a standardized presentation on veterans' benefits during pre-separation counseling, developed in collaboration with veterans service organizations and approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. This presentation will inform service members about how veteran service organizations can assist in filing claims. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs must submit an annual report on the presentation to Congress.

The "Access to Credit for our Rural Economy Act of 2025" (ACRE Act) aims to bolster rural economies by excluding interest earned on qualified real estate loans by qualified lenders from gross income. These loans must be secured by rural or agricultural real estate, forestland, or related leaseholds, and cannot be made to foreign adversary entities. For single-family residences, the loan must be used for purchase or improvement, with a principal not exceeding $750,000. The Treasury Secretary is required to report to Congress on the impact of this act.

The Aviation Workforce Development Act amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow expenses for aviation maintenance and commercial pilot courses to be considered qualified higher education expenses for qualified tuition programs. This change applies to distributions made after the enactment of this law, aiming to support workforce development in the aviation sector.

The "Federal Firearms Licensee Protection Act of 2025" increases penalties for stealing firearms from licensed dealers. It sets stricter punishments, including up to 20 years in prison, for violating laws related to firearm theft. The act also mandates minimum prison sentences of 3 years for burglaries and 5 years for robberies targeting licensed firearm businesses.

The Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act establishes a grant program to expand commercial truck parking and improve safety. The program provides funds to states, local governments, and tribal entities for projects that increase parking availability, improve existing facilities, and use technology to manage parking. The Act also requires a biennial report to Congress on the availability of truck parking and the effectiveness of funded projects. It authorizes $151 million per fiscal year from 2025 through 2029 for these initiatives.

The "Workforce Reentry Act" aims to improve workforce reentry for ex-offenders by establishing the "ex-offenders Reentry Program Start-up Grants." These grants will be awarded to various entities, including nonprofits, local boards, and educational institutions, to provide skills development, job placement, and mentoring services to individuals recently released from prison or jail. The program prioritizes partnerships with businesses and educational institutions to offer training in high-demand occupations. Grantees must report on performance indicators, including recidivism rates, to ensure accountability and program effectiveness.

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 "No Immigration Benefits for Hamas Terrorists Act of 2025" amends immigration law to deny entry and immigration benefits to individuals involved in the Hamas attacks against Israel beginning on October 7, 2023. It deems these individuals inadmissible to the U.S. and ineligible for immigration relief. The Act also mandates the Secretary of Homeland Security to provide an annual report to Congress regarding the number of individuals found inadmissible or removable due to their participation in Hamas terrorism against Israel.

The DEFUND Act of 2025 terminates U.S. membership in the United Nations and all affiliated organizations, repeals existing acts that enable U.S. participation, and prohibits future funding or involvement in UN activities, including peacekeeping operations and conventions. It also revokes diplomatic immunity for UN personnel within the U.S. and requires the Secretary of State to notify the UN of these changes. The bill further prevents the U.S. from reentering the UN without Senate approval and a guaranteed right to withdraw.