Legislative Activity

The "DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act" restricts institutions of higher education with ties to Confucius Institutes, the Thousand Talents Program, or Chinese entities of concern from receiving Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funds, unless they terminate such relationships. The Secretary of Homeland Security may waive these restrictions under certain national security conditions, and must provide Congress with justification for any waivers. The Act also requires the DHS to offer guidance to help institutions comply with the law and to submit annual reports to Congress on its implementation.

The ACES Act mandates a National Academies study on cancer prevalence and mortality among veterans who served as active duty aircrew, identifying potential links between military exposures and cancer rates. Additionally, it extends certain limits on pension payments to December 31, 2031.

The Countering Transnational Repression Act of 2025 establishes a working group within the Department of Homeland Security to monitor and counter transnational repression activities, such as harassment and intimidation, targeting individuals in the U.S. by foreign governments. The working group will coordinate with intelligence agencies, review information from various partners, and provide annual reports to Congress on its findings and efforts. The Act also directs research and development into technologies to counter transnational repression, ensuring all activities comply with constitutional and privacy protections.

The "No Iranian Energy Act" amends the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act of 2012 to impose sanctions on the sale, supply, or transfer of natural gas to or from Iran.

The LIZARD Act of 2025 removes the dunes sagebrush lizard from the list of threatened and endangered species. The Act also prohibits the Secretary from relisting the dunes sagebrush lizard as a threatened or endangered species in the future.

This bill rescinds a waiver that allowed the transfer of funds from South Korea to Qatar, as well as any related licenses issued by the Treasury Department. It also prevents the President from reissuing similar waivers or licenses for the same purpose. Additionally, the bill prohibits the President from waiving restrictions or issuing licenses that would allow Iran to access or benefit from certain restricted accounts.

The UPRISERS Act mandates the Secretary of State to revoke the visas of foreign students who are convicted of assaulting a police officer or committing offenses related to rioting. Additionally, any student visa holder convicted of such offenses would be subject to deportation.

The "FAFSA Act of 2025" terminates federal student aid eligibility for individuals convicted of assaulting a police officer or rioting. Any grants received by these individuals will be converted into Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, which must be repaid with interest. These converted loans will not be eligible for any loan forgiveness programs.

This bill disapproves and nullifies the Environmental Protection Agency's rule regarding waste emissions charges for petroleum and natural gas systems. The rule outlined compliance procedures, netting, and exemptions, but will no longer be implemented.

The "Unlocking our Domestic LNG Potential Act of 2025" aims to solidify the United States' role in the global energy market by granting the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission sole authority over approving or denying natural gas export and import facilities. This includes LNG terminals, streamlining the approval process. The Act does not alter the authority of other federal agencies, and it preserves the President's power to restrict imports or exports under existing laws and sanctions, particularly concerning state sponsors of terrorism. "State sponsor of terrorism" is defined by referencing specific sections of existing law.

The Generative AI Terrorism Risk Assessment Act requires the Department of Homeland Security to produce annual assessments for the next five years on how terrorist groups might use generative AI to threaten the U.S., and recommend how to counter these threats. These assessments will analyze terrorist groups' use of generative AI for spreading extremist messages, radicalizing or recruiting individuals, or enhancing their ability to develop weapons. The assessments will be submitted in an unclassified format, with a classified annex if needed, and shared with relevant congressional committees, state and local fusion centers, and the National Network of Fusion Centers.

The "EARLY Minds Act" amends the Public Health Service Act to emphasize early intervention for mental health by requiring states to outline prevention strategies in their plans. States can use up to 5% of their funding to support these programs. The Secretary must report to Congress biennially on state prevention and early intervention activities, including outcomes and demographics.

The Broadband Buildout Accountability Act exempts the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program from the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), with one specific exception. This exception pertains to 5 U.S. Code § 552, suggesting a limited allowance for information disclosure under specific circumstances within the program.

The "Digital Economy Cybersecurity Advisory Act of 2025" establishes a Digital Economy and Cybersecurity Board of Advisors within the NTIA. The board will advise the Assistant Secretary on cybersecurity best practices, policies, and strategies to secure information and communication networks while promoting economic growth and innovation. The board will consist of cybersecurity experts from various sectors, ensuring balanced representation and prohibiting lobbyists. The board is set to terminate four years after the enactment of the act.

The Federal Broadband Deployment Tracking Act requires the Assistant Secretary of Commerce to create a plan for tracking and increasing transparency in the processing of Form 299, which is required for communications use authorization on federal lands. The goal is to expedite the implementation process for broadband deployment and identify potential obstacles.

The "Countering Online Radicalization and Terrorism Act" directs the Department of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Director of National Intelligence, to conduct annual assessments on how terrorist organizations use foreign cloud-based messaging apps to threaten the United States. These assessments will analyze terrorist recruitment and radicalization, examine the use of online payment features to support terrorist financing, and provide recommendations to counter these threats. The goal of the act is to evaluate and address the national security risks associated with terrorist groups using these applications, while also ensuring compliance with legal, privacy, and civil rights protections.

The "Protecting American Energy Production Act" affirms that states have primary regulatory authority over hydraulic fracturing on state and private lands. It prohibits the President from enacting a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing unless explicitly authorized by Congress.

The "Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act" aims to protect amateur radio operators' ability to install and use antennas on their property, despite private land use restrictions that may otherwise prohibit or impair such installations. It allows for reasonable restrictions based on safety and aesthetics, while limiting prior approval requirements and offering legal recourse for violations. The Act seeks to balance community interests with the need for effective emergency communication capabilities provided by amateur radio operators. The FCC is required to issue regulations to implement the act within 180 days of enactment.

The "Counter SNIPER Act" mandates that the Secretary of Homeland Security provide presidential candidates with a written justification if they are deemed ineligible for Secret Service protection, allowing candidates to request reconsideration. This bill also requires Senate confirmation of the Director of the United States Secret Service.

The "No Foreign Persons Administering Our Elections Act" prohibits states and local jurisdictions from hiring non-U.S. citizens to administer any Federal election. This law applies to all Federal elections held after the enactment of the law.