Legislative Activity

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 resolution solemnly marks the one-year anniversary of the attempted assassination of President Donald J. Trump, condemning the multiple violent attempts against the President's life. It honors the victims of the shooting, including the late Corey D. Comperatore, and recognizes the bravery of first responders. Furthermore, the resolution condemns all incitement of violence against elected officials and calls for national unity against political violence.

This resolution officially commends Petty Officer 3d Class Scott Ruskan for his heroic actions during the devastating central Texas floods of July 2025. It specifically recognizes him for personally rescuing 165 individuals and coordinating triage efforts under hazardous conditions. Furthermore, the bill extends deep gratitude to all federal, state, and volunteer responders who risked their lives during this major natural disaster.

This bill, the Protecting Patient Access to Cancer and Complex Therapies Act, establishes a new mandatory rebate system for manufacturers of certain drugs selected for Maximum Fair Price (MFP) negotiation under Medicare. Manufacturers must pay quarterly rebates based on the difference between the standard Medicare payment and the lower negotiated MFP for units sold under Part B. These changes also adjust beneficiary coinsurance calculations to reflect the lower MFP, ensuring patient out-of-pocket costs are based on the negotiated price.

The Iranian Campaign Medal Act establishes a new military decoration, the Iranian Campaign Medal, to recognize service members deployed in support of operations during the Iran-Israel War. This medal will be awarded by the Secretaries of the military branches upon approval of its design by the Secretary of Defense. Eligibility requires active duty service in a designated area or performing qualifying service related to the operation.

This resolution strongly supports President Trump's decisive actions against Iran's nuclear program and affirms unwavering support for Israel's right to self-defense. It justifies recent U.S. military action by citing Iran's state sponsorship of terrorism, regional aggression, and material support for the October 7th attacks. The bill advocates for a permanent end to Iran's nuclear ambitions through verifiable agreements backed by sustained pressure.

The Special Interest Alien Reporting Act of 2025 mandates that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) publish monthly public reports detailing the number and nationalities of "special interest aliens" encountered. These reports must break down encounters by geographic region and location (e.g., port of entry vs. interior). The initial report must also retroactively cover this data from January 20, 2021, through January 19, 2025.

The Supporting Trade and Rebuilding Opportunity for National Growth Act, or STRONG Act, significantly increases the maximum loan amounts available through key Small Business Administration (SBA) programs. Specifically, it doubles the maximum size for standard 7(a) loans from $\$3.75$ million to $\$7.5$ million. Additionally, the bill raises the maximum loan amount for development company loans from $\$5$ million to $\$10$ million. These changes aim to provide greater capital access for small business growth and development.

This bill officially renames the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge in Texas to the **Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge**. The renaming honors the memory of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray, who was tragically murdered near Houston. This legislation codifies the name change across all official government records and documents.

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 Apples to Apples Comparison Act of 2025 mandates greater public transparency regarding Medicare spending by requiring the Secretary of HHS to publish detailed, machine-readable expenditure data broken down by county and beneficiary type. Furthermore, the bill requires the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) to annually compare the average cost of Medicare Advantage enrollees versus traditional Medicare beneficiaries, accounting for plan differences and risk factors. Finally, the Medicare Trustees must also report detailed expenditure information categorized by specific beneficiary enrollment statuses.

The "No Tax Dollars for Terrorists Act" establishes a U.S. policy to oppose foreign assistance to the Taliban from other countries and NGOs, requiring the Secretary of State to develop a strategy to discourage such support. The bill mandates several reports detailing foreign aid given to the Taliban and oversight of U.S. cash assistance programs in Afghanistan. Furthermore, it requires recurring reports on the status and controls surrounding the Afghan Fund to prevent Taliban misuse of assets.

The Nuclear REFUEL Act amends the Atomic Energy Act to clarify regulations surrounding nuclear fuel processing. Specifically, it excludes the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel from the definition of a "production facility" if the process does not separate plutonium from other transuranic elements. This change aims to streamline regulatory oversight for certain fuel recycling activities.

This joint resolution expresses Congressional disapproval of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) rule regarding California's "Advanced Clean Cars II" vehicle pollution standards. By rejecting this rule, Congress is effectively canceling the EPA's decision to grant California a waiver allowing it to set stricter emission standards than federal law typically permits. Consequently, the approved California standards will not take effect.

The Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act of 2025 aims to repeal specific provisions within the Affordable Care Act and related legislation that limited exceptions to the prohibition on certain physician referrals to hospitals under Medicare. This action effectively restores pre-ACA rules regarding physician referrals for hospital services. The bill focuses on modifying existing Medicare regulations concerning physician-hospital relationships.

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 New World Screwworm Preparedness Act of 2025 mandates a comprehensive study on the United States' readiness to combat the reintroduction of the New World screwworm, a devastating parasite of warm-blooded animals. This study, led by the Secretary of Agriculture, must assess current threat levels, sterile fly production capacity, surveillance systems, and emergency response plans. The resulting report will provide Congress with critical recommendations to strengthen national preparedness against this costly agricultural and wildlife pest.

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.

The Tribal Gaming Regulatory Compliance Act aims to standardize gaming regulations for the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo and the Alabama-Coushatta Indian Tribes in Texas. This bill ensures these two Tribes are regulated consistently under the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, just like all other Tribes nationwide. It achieves this by removing confusing, outdated language specific to Texas and fully applying existing federal gaming laws to their operations.

This resolution strongly condemns the antisemitic terrorist attack in Boulder, Colorado, and expresses solidarity with the victims and first responders. It highlights the alarming rise of antisemitism across the nation and calls for the perpetrator to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Furthermore, the bill urges immediate action to secure the border and address visa overstays.