Legislative Activity

This bill nullifies the Environmental Protection Agency's rule regarding national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants in rubber tire manufacturing. The disapproval means the EPA's new regulations for the rubber tire manufacturing industry will not be implemented.

The MEGOBARI Act addresses concerns about democratic backsliding in Georgia and its alignment with authoritarian regimes. It requires reports on Russian and Chinese influence in Georgia, and a 5-year strategy for U.S.-Georgia relations. The Act also allows for sanctions on individuals undermining Georgia's Euro-Atlantic integration or its peace and stability. Finally, it outlines ways to enhance U.S. assistance to Georgia, particularly if the country revitalizes its democracy and Euro-Atlantic integration.

The "Preventing Environmental Hazards Act of 2025" amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, allowing flood insurance coverage to pay for demolition or relocation of structures imminently threatened by collapse or subsidence due to shoreline erosion. The Act outlines payment procedures, valuation methods, and limitations on coverage, including a maximum claim of $250,000 and ineligibility for further flood insurance or disaster assistance once a determination is made. It applies to existing flood insurance contracts and requires the Administrator to issue regulations for implementation.

The CHOICE for Veterans Act of 2025 amends title 38 of the U.S. Code to modify the process and oversight of agents and attorneys who assist veterans with initial and supplemental benefit claims. It mandates increased transparency, including public lists of accredited representatives and warnings about fees, and sets guidelines for fee agreements, including caps and installment options. The Act also expands the grounds for disciplinary actions against agents and attorneys and requires reviews and reports to ensure effective implementation and oversight. Finally, the bill extends certain limits on pension payments.

The "Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act" authorizes the presentation of three Congressional Gold Medals to honor the 1980 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team for their historic "Miracle on Ice" victory. These medals will be given to the Lake Placid Olympic Center, the United States Hockey Hall of Fame, and the US Olympic and Paralympic Museum for public display. The Act also allows for the creation and sale of bronze duplicates to fund the medal production.

The "Fight Fentanyl Act" amends the Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act of 1998, requiring High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) to report on fentanyl trafficking investigations and any limitations in meeting their goals, while allocating \$333,000,000 annually from 2025-2030 for HIDTAs. It also increases funding for the Counterdrug Technology Assessment Center (CTAC) to assist law enforcement with fentanyl interdiction. The Act mandates the Attorney General to prioritize fentanyl trafficking investigations and prosecutions by providing sufficient resources, including temporary reassignment of assistant U.S. attorneys.

The "Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act" mandates that individuals provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. It amends the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to include these requirements and directs states to reject applications lacking such proof. The Act also outlines acceptable forms of documentation, verification processes, and penalties for non-compliance, while allowing provisional ballots under certain conditions. Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security must notify state election officials when an individual becomes a naturalized citizen.

The SNAP Staffing Flexibility Act of 2025 allows state agencies to contract out SNAP certification and other functions under specific circumstances, such as increased applications or staffing shortages, ensuring timely processing. Contracts cannot incentivize delays or denials, and contractors must not have financial ties to approved retail stores. States must notify the Secretary of their intent and provide supporting data, which will be made public. The Secretary is required to submit an annual report to the House and Senate Agriculture Committees on the measures taken to address SNAP application increases and processing delays.

The "Carnivals are Real Entertainment Act" amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to create a visa category for essential workers in the mobile entertainment industry, such as carnivals and circuses. It defines "essential functions" and "mobile entertainment provider," and ensures these employers meet the same requirements as those employing non-immigrant workers under existing labor regulations. The Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Labor are required to establish rules implementing these changes.

The Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2025 aims to increase affordable housing options by updating state housing credit formulas, refining tenant eligibility rules, and improving credit eligibility and determination. This includes adjusting income verification processes, modifying student occupancy rules, and protecting domestic abuse victims. The bill also focuses on Native American and rural assistance by addressing housing needs in Indian areas and streamlining income eligibility for rural projects. Additionally, it revises rules for exempt facility bonds and renames the "low-income housing tax credit" to the "affordable housing tax credit" while encouraging data sharing and discouraging discriminatory land use policies.

The "Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act" prohibits Federal Reserve Banks from offering financial products or services directly to individuals, maintaining accounts for individuals, or issuing a central bank digital currency (CBDC) directly or indirectly. It also blocks the Federal Reserve from testing, creating, or implementing a CBDC, or using it to implement monetary policy, without explicit congressional authorization. The bill clarifies that these restrictions do not apply to digital versions of the dollar that are open, permissionless, and private, like physical currency.

The Protecting American Taxpayers from Wasteful Spending Act codifies Executive Order 14249, which is related to protecting America's bank account against fraud, waste, and abuse, giving the executive order the full force of law.

The Free Speech Fairness Act aims to protect the free speech rights of 501(c)(3) organizations by allowing them to make statements about political campaigns without jeopardizing their tax-exempt status. This protection applies if the statements are made during the regular course of the organization's activities and incur only minimal additional expenses.

The "Dairy Nutrition Incentive Program Act of 2025" amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to establish a program encouraging SNAP recipients to purchase and consume naturally nutrient-rich dairy products like fluid milk, yogurt, and cheese through purchase incentives. The Act authorizes the Secretary to provide grants to eligible entities for project implementation, mandates rigorous project evaluations, and requires biennial reports to Congress. It appropriates $10,000,000 annually, with an additional $10,000,000 authorized for fiscal year 2026 and beyond, and transitions existing pilot programs into this new initiative.

The Black Vulture Relief Act of 2025 allows livestock producers and their employees to take black vultures that are causing or are reasonably believed to cause death, injury, or destruction to livestock. This act defines key terms related to black vultures and livestock production and requires individuals who take a black vulture to submit an annual report to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The Act prohibits the use of poison to take or attempt to take a black vulture. The Fish and Wildlife Service must provide a reporting form within 180 days of enactment.

The Rural Veterinary Workforce Act amends the Internal Revenue Code to include loan repayments or loan forgiveness programs aimed at increasing access to veterinary services, specifically those under the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977. This change applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

The First Responders Retirement Parity Act allows governmental pension plans to include certain firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and paramedics who work for public safety agencies under contract with a political subdivision of a State. This inclusion will not affect their status as governmental plans under the Internal Revenue Code and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. This change ensures that these first responders receive the retirement benefits they deserve for their service. The act applies to plan years beginning after the enactment date.

The "Helene Small Business Recovery Act" allows the President to waive the rule against receiving duplicate benefits from different federal programs after a major disaster or emergency, upon a Governor's request. The President can grant this waiver if it's in the public's best interest and won't lead to misuse or fraud, considering factors like cost-effectiveness, fairness, and FEMA's recommendations. The President must approve or deny the waiver within 45 days, and loans cannot be considered a duplication of assistance if all federal aid is used for disaster-related losses. This applies to major disasters declared in 2023 or 2024.

The "Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act" enables individuals with valid concealed carry permits or the legal right to carry concealed firearms in their home state to do so across state lines, provided they are not federally prohibited from possessing firearms and carry a valid photo ID. This law respects private and state/local government restrictions on firearms, protects individuals from unwarranted arrest, and allows legal action for violations of these rights. It also permits concealed carry in National Parks and other federal lands open to the public and clarifies that handguns include magazines and ammunition.

The "Improving Law Enforcement Officer Safety and Wellness Through Data Act" directs the Attorney General to produce a series of reports analyzing attacks against law enforcement officers, unreported aggression towards officers, and the mental health and wellness of officers. These reports will include data collection and recommendations for improving training programs, protective gear, and mental health resources for law enforcement. The goal is to provide federal resources to law enforcement and deter attacks against officers. The Attorney General will consult with various stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies and relevant organizations, to develop these reports.