Legislative Activity

This bill authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor to Captain Thomas H. Griffin for his extraordinary valor during the Vietnam War in March 1969. It recognizes his repeated acts of heroism, including leading assaults and saving wounded soldiers under heavy fire. The legislation bypasses standard time limits to ensure his distinguished service is recognized with the nation's highest military decoration.

This bill mandates a comprehensive review of the cost of living adjustment (COLA) calculations for Armed Forces members and Department of Defense civilians stationed in California's 19th Congressional District. The resulting report must assess the accuracy of current COLA rates and examine the impact of on-base benefits, such as the Monterey commissary, on the adjustment process. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure fair and effective compensation for personnel facing high costs in this specific region.

The Central Coast of California Conservation Act of 2025 permanently prohibits the Secretary of the Interior from issuing new oil and gas leases in the Central California Planning Area. This legislation secures the protection of this offshore region from future energy exploration and development.

The Reclaim Trade Powers Act focuses on streamlining U.S. trade law by eliminating outdated presidential authority. Specifically, this bill repeals Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, which granted the President powers related to balancing international payments. This action reclaims and modernizes existing trade statutes.

The Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act creates an exception to income limits for certain federal agriculture disaster payments. This exception applies to individuals or businesses where at least 75% of their average adjusted gross income is derived from farming, ranching, or forestry. Consequently, these deeply involved agricultural producers will not be subject to standard payment caps on specific disaster assistance programs.

This bill extends combat zone tax benefits to members of the Armed Forces serving in Kenya, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Chad. It treats these locations as "qualified hazardous duty areas" for tax purposes, applying the same favorable rules used for official combat zones. This change impacts filing deadlines, income exclusions, and tax liability for service members in these specific regions.

The NATO Edge Act affirms the critical importance of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to U.S. security and international stability. This bill significantly restricts the President's ability to unilaterally withdraw the United States from NATO. Any withdrawal would require an Act of Congress or Senate approval, contingent upon remaining allies meeting their 2% defense spending commitments. These restrictions are set to expire on September 30, 2033.

This resolution reaffirms the House of Representatives' unequivocal support for Ukraine as it marks three years of defending its sovereignty against Russia’s unprovoked, full-scale invasion. It condemns Russia’s atrocities and its military collaboration with North Korea, Iran, and China. Furthermore, the bill advocates for continued U.S. and international assistance, including the use of frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine’s ongoing defense and democratic reforms.

The "Sporting Goods Excise Tax Modernization Act" modifies excise tax regulations by treating marketplace providers as the importer and seller for excise tax purposes on taxable sporting goods sold through their platform if the goods are shipped from outside the U.S. This applies when the marketplace provider lists the product, collects payments, and the manufacturer is not the marketplace provider. The regulations will be applied to sales in calendar quarters starting 60 days after the enactment of this Act.

The "Marriage Equality for Disabled Adults Act" removes the marriage penalty for adult children with disabilities receiving Social Security benefits based on their parent's work record, ensuring equal treatment in marital relationship determinations across different titles of the Social Security Act. It also protects Medicaid eligibility for these individuals and ensures that one spouse's income or resources are not attributed to the other when determining benefit eligibility. The Act expresses Congress's intent to maintain Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security benefits for married disabled adult children, regardless of state laws or marital status.

The "More Homes on the Market Act" increases the tax exclusion for profit from the sale of a primary residence, raising it to $500,000 for single filers and $1,000,000 for married couples filing jointly. These amounts will be adjusted for inflation starting in 2025. This change encourages homeowners to sell their properties, thereby increasing the availability of homes on the market.

This resolution designates February 5, 2025, as "National Prosecutors Day" to honor the essential role prosecutors play in ensuring justice, public safety, and the protection of victims' rights. It recognizes their commitment to community-driven initiatives and commemorates the 75th anniversary of the National District Attorneys Association. The bill encourages public awareness and appreciation for the vital work prosecutors perform within the American judicial system.

The US-Kazakhstan Trade Modernization Act authorizes the President to grant Kazakhstan permanent normal trade relations status. This legislation recognizes Kazakhstan’s compliance with international freedom of emigration requirements and its commitment to World Trade Organization standards. By terminating the application of title IV of the Trade Act of 1974, the bill aims to modernize and solidify the bilateral trade relationship between the two nations.