Legislative Activity

This bill ensures that offering portable benefits, like health insurance or retirement savings that workers can take with them between jobs, will not be used to classify them as employees under federal law. The bill defines portable benefits as work-related benefits, such as health insurance, retirement savings, or paid leave, that an individual can retain even when they change jobs. This clarification aims to encourage the provision of such benefits without affecting worker classification status.

The Save Local Business Act establishes a strict, uniform standard for defining "joint employment" under federal labor law. This legislation ensures a company is only considered a joint employer if it directly and immediately exercises significant control over essential terms of another company's employees' work. This clarification applies to both the National Labor Relations Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act.

This bill amends the Fair Labor Standards Act and the National Labor Relations Act to establish a clear standard for determining whether a worker is an employee or an independent contractor. It specifies that a worker is an independent contractor if the hiring entity does not have significant control over the work and the worker has entrepreneurial opportunities and risks. Certain factors, such as legal compliance or carrying insurance, are excluded from consideration of employee status.

The No Surprises Act Enforcement Act significantly increases financial penalties for group health plans and insurance issuers that violate balance billing protections. It establishes steep fines, including up to $\$10,000$ per affected individual for serious non-compliance. Furthermore, the bill imposes severe penalties, including triple the disputed amount plus interest, for failing to make required payments promptly after an Independent Dispute Resolution (IDR) determination. Finally, it mandates more frequent and detailed transparency reporting on enforcement actions and violations.

This Act prohibits "covered foreign entities," primarily defined as those connected to the People's Republic of China, from acquiring or leasing U.S. agricultural land. Covered entities currently owning such land must divest within one year or face severe daily fines and potential criminal forfeiture. Additionally, the bill imposes a temporary two-year ban on these same entities purchasing residential real estate, with separate penalties for non-compliance. The legislation mandates the creation of new enforcement offices within the Departments of Agriculture and Commerce to oversee compliance.

The Agricultural and Rural Road Improvement Program Act establishes a new federal program dedicated to repairing and improving critical local and rural roads essential for agriculture. This program aims to enhance access to farms and agricultural facilities, reduce weight-restricted bridges, and increase the safety and resilience of rural transportation networks. Federal funding for these projects will cover up to 90 percent of the total cost.

The Law Enforcement Officer and Firefighter Recreation Pass Act expands the availability of the free National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass. This legislation mandates that the pass be provided at no cost to qualifying active law enforcement officers and firefighters. This benefit is added to the existing provision for members of the Armed Forces.

The No DOT Funds for Sanctuary Cities Act prohibits the Secretary of Transportation from awarding federal transportation funds to any city designated as a "sanctuary city." This designation applies to localities with policies that restrict sharing immigration status information or complying with certain federal immigration detainers. Waivers for funding may only be granted if the Secretary certifies the activity is in the national interest and notifies relevant Congressional committees.

The National Education Association Charter Repeal Act aims to revoke the federal charter granted to the National Education Association (NEA). This legislation specifically repeals the section of U.S. Code that provides the NEA with its official federal recognition status. In essence, the bill removes the legal standing previously conferred upon the NEA by Congress.

The Ban on Inkless Directives and Executive Notarizations Act of 2025 mandates that the President must personally sign engrossed bills, Executive Orders, and pardons, explicitly banning the use of automatic signing devices for these actions. Furthermore, this Act invalidates any prior official document signed by an unauthorized individual, even if the signing occurred before the law's enactment. This legislation ensures that the highest level of presidential authority is conveyed through the President's own physical signature.

The SAMS Act of 2025 codifies several previous Executive Orders into permanent law, specifically focusing on policies related to critical minerals. This action elevates existing presidential directives concerning these vital resources to the full force and effect of statutory law. The bill ensures the long-term legal standing of established critical mineral supply chain strategies.

This bill mandates increased transparency and verification for all federal government spending by requiring agencies to report detailed payment information to the Treasury. It enhances program integrity by granting the Treasury access to new hire and tax data to prevent and recover improper payments. Agencies must also verify recipient bank accounts before disbursement, with exceptions allowed only for sensitive national security or law enforcement operations.

This bill grants limited legal immunity to manufacturers of essential critical infrastructure equipment against lawsuits stemming from wildfire-related losses. This protection applies unless a plaintiff can prove the manufacturer engaged in willful misconduct during the design or production of the equipment. The legislation aims to bolster the security and resilience of vital national systems by supporting their manufacturers.

The Employee Rights Act fundamentally reforms U.S. labor law by mandating secret ballot elections for union representation and restricting union access to employee contact information. It also clarifies definitions for independent contractors and joint employers under federal wage and labor relations statutes. Furthermore, the bill prohibits Diversity, Equity, or Inclusion (DEI) clauses in collective bargaining agreements and establishes federal penalties for violence during labor disputes, while prioritizing state authority for minor incidents.

The Association Health Plans Act amends federal law to allow certain groups or associations of employers to sponsor a single group health plan, treating them as a single employer for coverage purposes. This aims to expand access to health coverage by enabling broader risk pooling across different industries. The bill establishes specific criteria these associations must meet to qualify, including minimum size and operational standards. Finally, it outlines rules for setting premium rates and prohibits discrimination based on health status for plans established under this Act.

The Accreditation for College Excellence Act of 2025 prohibits accrediting agencies from imposing political litmus tests on institutions of higher education. This legislation ensures that accreditation decisions are based on academic quality and financial stability, not on an institution's ideological or political viewpoints. Furthermore, it protects the ability of religious institutions to maintain standards consistent with their faith-based missions.

The LEDGER Act mandates the creation of a comprehensive, centralized system managed by the Secretary of the Treasury to track every expenditure made by all branches of the U.S. Government. This new system must detail exactly where federal funds are spent and how long those funds were available for obligation. The goal is to significantly enhance the traceability and transparency of government spending.

The FACE Act Repeal Act of 2025 repeals the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, which prohibits certain actions that obstruct or interfere with access to reproductive health services. This repeal would apply to both ongoing and future prosecutions that begin on or after the date this Act is enacted.

The Baseload Reliability Protection Act prohibits owners of certain dispatchable power plants in areas facing high or elevated risk of electricity shortages from retiring those units or switching their fuel source. Owners can seek an exemption from this ban from FERC, which must grant it if continued operation causes financial hardship or if retirement does not harm grid reliability. The Department of Energy may offer financial assistance to keep essential, money-losing plants operational.

The Visa Overstays Penalties Act significantly increases penalties for individuals who enter the country illegally or overstay their authorized visas. This legislation establishes a new violation specifically targeting nonimmigrant visa holders who remain in the U.S. for more than 10 days past their authorized status. Consequences include increased criminal penalties, up to two years in jail for repeat offenses, and substantial civil fines ranging from $\$500$ to $\$1,000$ per violation.