Legislative Activity

The American Energy Security Act of 2025 establishes a new federal grant program to modernize and improve the safety of community-owned natural gas distribution pipelines. These funds will help public utilities repair leaks, reduce accidents, and upgrade infrastructure to handle future energy sources. The Secretary of Transportation will award grants based on pipeline risk, job creation, and economic benefits, with $200 million authorized annually through fiscal year 2029.

The Skilled Workforce Act establishes a new federal tax credit for non-foreign entities investing in projects that expand job training for high-demand fields like advanced manufacturing and high-tech. This credit equals 30% of the qualified investment in eligible property used to upgrade career and technical education institutions. The program is capped at $500 million in total credits and requires the Secretary to establish a certification process within 180 days.

This bill establishes the Ralph David Abernathy, Sr., National Historic Site as part of the National Park System to preserve the legacy of the civil rights leader. The site will focus on interpreting his role and the historic West Hunter Street Baptist Church. The Secretary of the Interior is authorized to acquire necessary property and develop a comprehensive management plan for the site.

This bill, the Ban Congressional Stock Trading Act, requires Members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children to place most stock and commodity investments into qualified blind trusts or sell them within 120 days of the law taking effect or taking office. The legislation strictly prohibits acquiring new covered investments while serving in office, with exceptions for inheritance. Failure to comply results in escalating civil penalties equal to a member's monthly salary until the requirements are met.

The Improving SCRA Benefit Utilization Act of 2025 aims to strengthen protections for service members under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA). This bill mandates updated financial literacy training that specifically covers SCRA interest rate protections and requires new notification procedures when service members enter active duty or are called up for extended service. Furthermore, it expands the requirement for financial institutions to apply the maximum interest rate cap to *all* pre-service debts upon notification, while also providing flexible options for submitting necessary documentation.

The Youth Sports Facilities Act of 2024 amends federal public works law to explicitly allow funding for the construction of youth sports facilities. This legislation prioritizes projects that address childhood health issues, support highly rural and low-income communities, and focus on areas affected by opioid addiction or violence. The goal is to increase access to recreational spaces while simultaneously boosting local economic development and job creation.

The Family Notification of Death, Injury, or Illness in Custody Act of 2025 establishes mandatory national standards for promptly and compassionately notifying emergency contacts when an individual dies, is seriously injured, or becomes seriously ill while in government custody. The Act requires federal, state, and local detention agencies to create and implement specific notification policies, including strict timelines for reporting deaths. These rules aim to uphold human dignity by ensuring families receive timely and detailed information following a critical incident involving a detained loved one.

This Act officially redesignates the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park as the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and establishes an adjacent National Preserve, both managed by the Secretary of the Interior. The legislation authorizes the acquisition of necessary lands, without using eminent domain, to define the boundaries of these new units. It also mandates the creation of a joint management plan, establishes an Advisory Council with significant Tribal representation, and transfers specific federal acreage into trust for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.

The Preventing Child Trafficking Act of 2025 mandates the continued implementation of federal programs aimed at combating child trafficking and supporting survivors. This legislation requires relevant agencies to follow specific recommendations from a 2023 GAO report when coordinating these efforts. Furthermore, the Act requires the establishment of measurable performance goals for these programs and a subsequent progress report to Congress.

This resolution celebrates the 100th anniversary of Delta Air Lines, acknowledging its historical roots as the first aerial crop-dusting company and its evolution into a major global airline. It recognizes Delta's significant impact on connecting people worldwide, its commitment to community, and its achievements in service and reliability.

The Rural Veterans Transportation to Care Act modifies the Department of Veterans Affairs' transportation grant program by including county and tribal organizations as eligible grant recipients. The bill sets the maximum grant amount to $60,000, but allows it to increase to $80,000 if a vehicle purchase is required to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. It defines "rural" and "highly rural" using the Department of Agriculture's Rural-Urban Commuting Areas (RUCA) coding system and authorizes such sums as may be necessary.

The Births in Custody Reporting Act of 2025 (BCRA) mandates states to report anonymized, aggregate data to the Attorney General on pregnant inmates and those who give birth in custody. This includes details on pregnancy outcomes, prenatal care, use of restraints, and postpartum care. Non-compliant states may face a reduction in federal funding, which will be reallocated to compliant states. The Attorney General will then publish these reports, conduct a study, and report to Congress on improving the treatment of pregnant inmates.

The "Forest Data Modernization Act of 2025" aims to modernize forest inventory and analysis through updated methods, improved carbon data collection, and national consistency in standards. It mandates a strategic plan focusing on data integration, transparency, and expanded data collection using advanced technologies. The bill also ensures data accessibility while protecting confidentiality, requires regular statistical compilations, and establishes a data platform for external requests, along with annual progress reports. It also specifies remote sensing technologies and machine learning for improved data collection and modeling.

The "Supporting Victims of Human Trafficking Act" amends the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 to increase the allowable grant funding for administrative costs, technical assistance, and training activities. It raises the cap for administrative costs from 3% to 7% and for technical assistance and training from 5% to 10%, to strengthen program administration and budgeting. Additionally, it increases the amount of grant funding that can be used for direct victim services from 75% to 95%.