Legislative Activity

The Reliable Power Act strengthens the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (FERC) oversight of federal agency actions that could impact electric grid reliability. It mandates annual long-term assessments by the Electric Reliability Organization (ERO) to identify potential generation shortfalls. If a shortfall is found, FERC must review proposed agency rules affecting power generation to ensure they do not negatively impact the bulk-power system's reliability before those rules can be finalized.

The Power Plant Reliability Act of 2025 grants the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) new authority to order utilities to maintain adequate interstate electric service upon complaint. This includes the power to require the continued operation of specific generating units for up to five years. Furthermore, the bill mandates that power plant owners provide FERC and relevant state bodies with at least five years' advance notice before retiring an electric generating unit. Actions taken to comply with a FERC service order are shielded from related environmental law violations.

The Student Financial Clarity Act of 2025 aims to dramatically increase transparency in college costs for consumers. It mandates the publication of detailed, program-specific financial data on the College Scorecard website, broken down by student demographics. Furthermore, the bill establishes a Universal Net Price Calculator to provide personalized cost estimates for prospective students. These changes are designed to help students better understand the true net price of specific programs before enrolling.

The Energy Choice Act prevents state and local governments from enacting bans or restrictions on the type or source of energy services consumers can access. This legislation protects consumer choice across various energy sources, including natural gas, hydrogen, propane, and electricity, provided the energy is sold across state lines. Essentially, it limits local interference with energy delivery options.

This act grants the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) exclusive authority to approve or deny applications for natural gas and LNG export/import facilities, mandating that such actions be considered consistent with the public interest. The legislation clarifies that it does not limit the President's existing authority to impose sanctions through trade restrictions.

The Law-Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act of 2025 exempts specific, clearly defined less-than-lethal projectile devices from standard federal firearm restrictions under Title 18 of the U.S. Code. This exemption applies only to devices incapable of firing standard ammunition and designed to minimize the risk of serious injury or death. The bill also establishes a process for manufacturers to seek official confirmation from the Attorney General regarding a device's classification.

This bill, the "No Taxpayer Funded Abortion Travel for Illegal Aliens Act," prohibits the use of federal funds to cover any expenses related to abortion services for individuals unlawfully present in the United States. These prohibited expenses include travel, lodging, meals, and related support services. The legislation specifically targets federal funding for aiding unlawful immigrants in accessing abortion care.

This act, the Heat Workforce Standards Act of 2025, prohibits the Secretary of Labor from finalizing, implementing, or enforcing the proposed rule regarding heat injury and illness prevention published in August 2024. This restriction extends to any future standard substantially similar to the one proposed.

The Ask the Union Members Act mandates that labor organizations must secure approval from a majority of their members through a secret ballot referendum to ratify a collective bargaining agreement or authorize a strike. This ensures that major decisions affecting union members are approved directly by those members via a secret vote. These new requirements will take effect 18 months after the Act's enactment.

The Fair Access to Justice for Union Members Act removes the requirement for union members to complete internal hearing procedures before pursuing legal or administrative action against their union or its officers. This change aims to streamline the process for members seeking justice or resolution outside of the union's internal structure. The provision will take effect 18 months after enactment.

The SAFE Drivers Act mandates that all applicants for a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) or learner's permit must pass a standardized English proficiency test approved by the FMCSA. This requirement applies immediately upon the bill's enactment for all new and renewing applicants. States are responsible for administering the test, and failure to comply with these new federal oversight rules may result in the withholding of federal highway funding.

The No Budget, No Pay Act mandates that Congress must pass the concurrent budget resolution and all necessary appropriations bills by October 1st each year. If Congress fails to meet this deadline, Members of Congress will have their pay suspended for the period of non-compliance. This suspension includes a prohibition on receiving any retroactive back pay for the time they were out of compliance. These provisions are set to take effect starting September 29, 2027.

The Penicillin Allergy Verification and Evaluation (PAVE) Act addresses the widespread issue of inaccurate penicillin allergy labels, which often lead to poorer patient outcomes. This bill mandates that Medicare cover and require physicians to perform a formal penicillin allergy verification and evaluation for seniors during their initial and annual wellness visits. The goal is to correctly identify patients who can safely take penicillin, improving care and promoting responsible antibiotic stewardship.

This resolution formally honors the life and legacy of Charles "Charlie" James Kirk, who was tragically assassinated at Utah Valley University. It condemns political violence and calls upon all Americans to reject extremism in favor of civil debate. The bill expresses deep sympathy to his family and urges a renewal of commitment to the values of faith, family, and freedom he championed.

The Safe Step Act establishes mandatory, transparent exception processes for health plans that use "step therapy" protocols for prescription drugs. This ensures patients or their doctors can quickly request coverage for a prescribed medication when specific clinical criteria are met, such as previous treatment failure or risk of harm. Plans must decide on standard requests within 72 hours and urgent requests within 24 hours, and approved exceptions must last for at least one year. Furthermore, insurers must report detailed data annually on exception requests, approvals, and denials to the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

The GRID Power Act directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to rapidly update rules governing how new power plants connect to the electric grid. This legislation mandates that FERC prioritize and streamline the interconnection process for dispatchable power projects that demonstrably improve grid reliability and resilience. The goal is to ensure that necessary, dependable power sources can connect quickly while maintaining public input and regular review of the new procedures.

The Equal Campus Access Act of 2025 ensures that public colleges and universities receiving federal funding must grant religious student groups the same rights, benefits, and privileges afforded to all other student organizations. This legislation prohibits discrimination against religious groups based on their beliefs, speech, leadership, or standards of conduct. Essentially, it mandates equal access to campus resources for all student organizations.

The Aviation Funding Stability Act of 2025 establishes a mechanism to ensure the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) remains operational during a lapse in appropriations. If Congress fails to pass a budget, the FAA can draw from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund to continue existing programs and projects at the previous year's spending rate. This temporary funding lasts until a new budget is enacted or for a maximum of 30 days, whichever comes first. This measure aims to prevent disruptions to critical aviation services during government shutdowns.

The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025 mandates that the Secretary of Transportation establish a rule requiring AM broadcast radio receivers to be installed as standard equipment in new passenger motor vehicles. This requirement aims to ensure public access to AM radio signals, which are often used for emergency alerts. The bill also directs a GAO study on the effectiveness of AM radio within the national emergency alert system compared to other technologies. Finally, the Act preempts state and local laws on this matter and includes a sunset provision eight years after enactment.

The Pay Our Troops Act of 2026 ensures that active duty military personnel and essential civilian support staff continue to receive their pay if Congress has not yet passed the full budget for fiscal year 2026. This act provides automatic continuing appropriations from the Treasury to prevent a lapse in military salaries due to budget delays. The funding automatically terminates once a new budget or continuing resolution is passed, or on January 1, 2027, whichever comes first.