Legislative Activity

The "Combating Organized Retail Crime Act" aims to combat the rise in organized retail theft and related crimes by amending Title 18 of the U.S. Code to include provisions that target the theft, fraud, and illegal redistribution of goods. It also establishes an "Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center" to coordinate federal, state, and local law enforcement efforts, share information, and track trends related to organized retail crime. The center will work to support training and technical assistance to combat organized retail crime and organized supply chain crime. Finally, the Act requires the evaluation of existing federal programs to identify ways to expand support for state, local, and tribal law enforcement.

The "PROTECT Kids Act" mandates that public schools obtain parental consent before altering a student's gender markers, pronouns, or preferred name on school forms, as well as before changing their access to sex-based accommodations. This requirement applies to elementary and middle school students in schools receiving federal education funds.

The "Protecting Student Athletes’ Economic Freedom Act of 2025" clarifies that student-athletes are not considered employees of their institution, conference, or association. This classification applies under any Federal or State law or regulation, ensuring that their participation in varsity intercollegiate athletics does not create an employer-employee relationship. The bill also defines key terms such as "association," "conference," "institution," and "student-athlete" to provide clarity on the scope and application of the Act.

The "RIFLE Act" repeals the existing tax on firearm transfers outlined in Section 5811 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Additionally, it amends related sections of the code to align with the repeal. The act clarifies that it does not grant the Consumer Product Safety Commission any authority over firearms regulated under the Internal Revenue Code.

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 "Accreditation for College Excellence Act of 2025" amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prevent accreditation agencies from imposing political or ideological requirements on institutions, ensuring viewpoint neutrality. It protects religious institutions' rights to maintain their religious missions and standards. The bill also limits the Secretary of Education's authority to set criteria for accrediting agencies and ensures institutions meeting federal standards remain eligible for program participation.

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.

This bill disapproves of the Insurance Regulation Amendment Act of 2024 passed by the District of Columbia Council. Congress is reviewing the act under the District of Columbia Home Rule Act.

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 "Defining Male and Female Act of 2025" seeks to establish clear, biological definitions of "male" and "female" based on reproductive systems at conception. These definitions would apply to the interpretation of all federal laws, regulations, and agency actions. The bill explicitly defines related terms like "boy," "girl," "man," and "woman" in accordance with these biological distinctions. It also clarifies that "gender identity" will not be recognized by the federal government as a replacement for biological sex.

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 "Law-Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act of 2025" exempts less-than-lethal projectile devices from certain federal restrictions, defining these devices based on their inability to fire lethal ammunition, a velocity cap of 500 feet per second, design for non-lethal use, and magazine compatibility. It tasks the Attorney General with determining whether a device meets the Act's definition within 90 days of a request.

The "Let Pregnancy Centers Serve Act of 2025" prohibits federal, state, and local governments receiving federal funds from discriminating against entities that offer support to women facing unexpected pregnancies or provide alternatives to abortion. It allows legal action against those who violate conscience rights related to abortion alternatives and ensures that if one part of the act is deemed unconstitutional, the rest remains valid. This bill aims to protect organizations that do not participate in abortions and provide resources related to pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting.

The Physician Led and Rural Access to Quality Care Act modifies the Social Security Act to revise physician self-referral exemptions, particularly for rural hospitals. It exempts "covered rural hospitals" located in rural areas far from other hospitals from certain restrictions. Additionally, it allows existing physician-owned hospitals to expand their facilities.

The "End Taxpayer Funding of Gender Experimentation Act of 2025" prohibits the use of federal funds for gender transition procedures and health plans that cover them, extending this prohibition to premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). It defines key terms like "gender transition procedure" and clarifies exceptions, such as treatments for medically verifiable disorders of sex development. The bill allows individuals and employers to purchase separate coverage for gender transition procedures using non-federal funds, ensuring no federal subsidies are applied to such coverage. These changes would apply to taxable years ending one year after the law's enactment, but only for plan years starting after that date.

The "Fair and Open Competition Act of 2025" seeks to ensure open competition and government neutrality in federal construction projects by preventing requirements for or bans against agreements with labor organizations. It prohibits discrimination based on labor affiliation, reduces construction costs, and expands job opportunities. The Act mandates revisions to regulations and allows exemptions only in special circumstances like public health or national security threats.

The Veterans First Act of 2025 provides $2 billion in funding to the Department of Veterans Affairs for grants to states to construct or improve veteran care facilities. This funding will support nursing homes and domiciliary facilities for veterans. The funding is offset by rescinding $2 billion from unobligated funds available to the United States Agency for International Development.

The BITCOIN Act of 2025 directs the U.S. Treasury Secretary to establish a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve by purchasing 200,000 Bitcoins annually for five years, totaling one million Bitcoins, to be held securely for at least 20 years. The Act mandates a Proof of Reserve system for transparency, consolidates government Bitcoin holdings, and allows states to voluntarily store their Bitcoin in the Reserve. To offset costs, the Act reduces discretionary surplus funds of Federal Reserve Banks, uses a portion of their net earnings, and requires a gold certificate exchange. The Act also protects private property rights related to Bitcoin and modifies the Exchange Stabilization Fund to include Bitcoin.

The "Protecting the Right to Keep and Bear Arms Act of 2025" prevents the President and the Department of Health and Human Services from using national emergencies or public health emergencies to enact gun control measures. It also amends the Stafford Act to ensure that disaster relief efforts do not infringe on Second Amendment rights related to firearms, ammunition, and accessories.

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.