Legislative Activity

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.

The Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2025 expands Post-9/11 GI Bill eligibility to National Guard members performing specific full-time duties. This expansion applies to service performed on or after September 11, 2001. The changes will take effect one year after the enactment of this Act, with the time limitation for using educational assistance applied as if enacted immediately after the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008.

The "Downwinders Parity Act of 2025" amends the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act to expand coverage areas to include all acreage in counties partially within the covered area, while removing specific townships. It extends the trust fund supporting the Act until December 31, 2030. Additionally, it requires the Attorney General to report on outreach efforts to newly eligible individuals.

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.

The Officer John Barnes Act requires the Bureau to inform claimants of their benefit eligibility determination within 270 days of receiving a claim.

This Act establishes a three-year pilot program to provide hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) to veterans suffering from traumatic brain injury (TBI) or PTSD, funded solely through donations. It also mandates an updated Government Accountability Office (GAO) report assessing recent clinical trials on HBOT for these conditions. Finally, the bill extends the expiration date for certain limitations on veteran pension payments.

The "Collision Avoidance Systems Act of 2025" permits and sets performance standards for pulsating light systems on vehicles to help prevent rear-end collisions. It mandates the Secretary of Transportation to update Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number 108 within 180 days to include these systems. The bill defines a pulsating light system as a high-mounted stop lamp that pulses rapidly up to 4 times within 1.2 seconds upon braking before converting to a continuous light.

The Supporting the Local Radio Freedom Act prevents Congress from imposing new performance fees on local radio stations for playing music. It emphasizes the mutually beneficial relationship between broadcasters and the recording industry, where radio provides free publicity that boosts music sales and supports artists. The act recognizes local radio's crucial role in communities by providing news, weather updates, and public service announcements. Ultimately, this bill aims to protect local radio stations and businesses from economic harm, ensuring they can continue serving their communities without additional financial burdens.

The "Smithsonian American Women's History Museum Act" authorizes the creation of the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum on the National Mall. It ensures the museum's exhibits and programs reflect the diverse experiences and perspectives of women in the United States, seeking guidance from varied sources. The Act mandates regular reports to Congress on the museum's efforts to meet these diversity requirements.

The Water Infrastructure Subcontractor and Taxpayer Protection Act of 2025 amends the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014 to ensure payment and performance security for construction projects receiving federal assistance. It allows the Secretary of Transportation or the Administrator to consider state or local laws mandating payment and performance security as fulfilling this requirement if they cover at least 50% of the construction contract. If state or local laws don't apply or meet the 50% threshold, adherence to federal bond requirements under 40 U.S.C. 3131(b)(1) and (2) is required.

The Water Rights Protection Act affirms the long-standing authority of states in evaluating, regulating, and allocating water use. It prohibits federal agencies from imposing restrictions on water rights that exceed those established under state law when issuing land use agreements. Furthermore, the Act explicitly forbids federal agencies from conditioning permits on the transfer of state-recognized water rights to the United States. This legislation ensures federal actions remain consistent with state water law without altering existing reserved water rights or certain federal environmental laws.

The "National Right-to-Work Act" amends both the National Labor Relations Act and the Railway Labor Act to protect an employee's right to choose whether or not to join or support a labor union. It eliminates the possibility of mandatory union membership or dues payments as a condition of employment, ensuring that employees cannot be forced to join or support a union against their will.

The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025 expands milk options available to students in the National School Lunch Program by allowing schools to offer organic or non-organic whole milk. This legislation provides greater flexibility for schools in providing fluid milk choices while maintaining accommodations for students with special dietary needs. Importantly, the saturated fat content of these offered milk options will not count toward the meal's overall saturated fat limits.

The WEST Act of 2025 nullifies the Bureau of Land Management's Conservation and Landscape Health rule. This prevents the rule from being implemented.

The "Health Care Provider Shortage Minimization Act of 2025" aims to address healthcare provider shortages by clarifying the tax status of qualified locum tenens physicians and advanced care practitioners. It ensures that these temporary healthcare providers are not classified as employees for tax purposes, provided they meet specific conditions such as working under a written contract and for no more than one continuous year at a service site. This clarification applies to services performed after the Act's enactment.

The Clock Hour Program Student Protection Act amends the Higher Education Act of 1965, Section 481(b) to allow training programs to exceed the state minimum for clock hours, up to 150% of the state or federal agency's minimum clock hour requirements, while still remaining eligible. This change applies to the 2024-2025 award year and beyond.

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.

This bill disapproves and nullifies the Environmental Protection Agency's rule concerning the phasedown of hydrofluorocarbons, specifically addressing the management of certain hydrofluorocarbons and their substitutes as outlined in the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act of 2020.

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 "Safe Passage on Interstates Act of 2025" aims to prevent the obstruction of interstate highways. It establishes penalties, including fines and imprisonment, for individuals who knowingly disrupt traffic flow or endanger vehicles on these highways. Increased penalties are applied if emergency vehicles are obstructed or if a death occurs as a result of the obstruction.