Legislative Activity

This bill, the United States African Development Foundation Dissolution Act, officially abolishes the United States African Development Foundation. It repeals the original act that established the foundation and transfers all its functions, assets, and responsibilities to the Secretary of State. Moving forward, any reference to the former foundation in existing law or documents will be updated to refer to the Department of State.

The ATF Transparency Act aims to streamline firearm transfer and registration processes by mandating a 3-business-day review period, after which applications are automatically approved unless legal requirements are not met. The bill also establishes an administrative appeal process for applicants whose transfers are denied based on federal or state law concerns, including reimbursement for legal fees upon a successful appeal. Furthermore, it requires reports on unresolved background checks and mandates an agreement between the ATF and FBI on processing future NICS inquiries.

This resolution acknowledges the significant contributions of women-owned businesses in the United States, which have experienced substantial growth and play a vital role in the nation's economy. It recognizes the increasing number of women-owned businesses, their employment figures, and their revenue generation. The resolution commends the entrepreneurial spirit of women business owners and celebrates their achievements.

The "End FEMA Benefits for Illegal Immigrants Act" prohibits FEMA from providing support to non-federal entities for sheltering and related activities that alleviate overcrowding in Customs and Border Protection holding facilities. It also rescinds any remaining funds previously transferred to FEMA from Customs and Border Protection for these purposes under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 and the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024.

The "No Bailout for Sanctuary Cities Act" aims to defund sanctuary jurisdictions, defined as those that obstruct the sharing of immigration status information or compliance with federal detainment requests, by making them ineligible for certain federal funds. This act requires the Department of Homeland Security to report annually to Congress, identifying non-compliant jurisdictions.

This resolution authorizes the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations to conduct its official business, including hearings and investigations, from March 1, 2025, through February 28, 2027. It establishes specific funding caps for committee operations, personnel, and staff training during this period. Additionally, it outlines the administrative procedures for managing committee expenditures and agency contributions.

The Simplifying Subcontracting Act requires prime contractors to use plain language when soliciting subcontracts, making it easier for small businesses to understand the solicitations. Prime contractors must confirm they will use plain writing in solicitations and include this requirement in all subcontracts. Failure to comply requires the contractor to issue a new solicitation in plain writing within 30 days. The Small Business Administration will issue regulations to implement these requirements within 90 days.

The "Future Logging Careers Act" amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, modifying child labor laws related to logging operations. It defines "logging operation" and "mechanized operation," and it exempts 16 and 17-year-olds working in logging jobs deemed hazardous by the Secretary of Labor if they are employed by their parent or guardian in a logging operation owned or operated by them.

The American Values Act permanently prohibits the use of federal foreign assistance and Peace Corps funding for abortion services, involuntary sterilizations, and related lobbying or research activities. This legislation codifies long-standing restrictions to ensure that U.S. taxpayer dollars are not utilized to support or promote these practices internationally.

The Freedom from Government Surveys Act makes participation in the American Community Survey (ACS) entirely voluntary. It eliminates legal penalties for refusing to answer survey questions and requires the Census Bureau to explicitly inform recipients that participation is not mandatory.

The PEACE Act of 2025 prohibits the use of federal education funds for curricula or instruction that promotes "divisive concepts" related to race. The bill specifically restricts teaching that assigns collective guilt, promotes racial stereotyping, or suggests that individuals are inherently oppressive based on their race.

This bill mandates that federal agencies submit comprehensive zero-based budgets to Congress and the Office of Management and Budget every six years. Additionally, most agencies are required to identify specific programs for elimination to achieve a minimum 2 percent reduction in discretionary spending.

The Northwest Energy Security Act mandates that the Federal Columbia River Power System be operated in accordance with the 2020 Columbia River System Operations Environmental Impact Statement. It establishes strict requirements for any future amendments to these operations and prohibits structural changes that would restrict hydroelectric power generation or navigation on the Snake River without explicit congressional authorization.

The "No Retaining Every Gun In a System That Restricts Your Rights Act" mandates the destruction of all firearm transaction records currently held by the ATF from discontinued gun businesses. Additionally, the bill amends federal law to eliminate the requirement for future firearm dealers to submit their transaction records to the government upon closing. The ATF is further required to submit a report to Congress confirming the number of records destroyed.

The Dismantle Iran’s Proxy Act of 2025 mandates that the President designate Ansarallah (the Houthi movement) as a foreign terrorist organization and impose targeted sanctions on its leadership and affiliates. The bill further requires the administration to develop a comprehensive strategy to restore freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and degrade the group's offensive capabilities. Additionally, it mandates a formal report on how Ansarallah’s actions obstruct the delivery of humanitarian aid in Yemen.

The Sporting Firearms Access Act of 2025 streamlines the importation process for firearms and ammunition intended for sporting, hunting, and recreational use. The bill establishes clear criteria for "sporting purposes," mandates a 90-day decision deadline for the Attorney General, and provides applicants with expanded rights to judicial review if an importation request is denied.

The VALOR Act of 2025 establishes a rigorous framework for U.S. policy toward Venezuela, setting strict democratic criteria that must be met before the government is recognized and sanctions are lifted. The bill mandates the diplomatic and financial isolation of the Maduro regime while authorizing targeted support for pro-democracy organizations and humanitarian aid. Additionally, it implements comprehensive economic sanctions to cut off the regime's access to international capital and establishes a structured plan for future assistance and trade once a democratic transition is achieved.