Legislative Activity

The PLASMA Act, or the Preserving Life-saving Access to Specialty Medicines in America Act, introduces a phased-in approach for manufacturer discounts on plasma-derived products under Medicare Part D, starting in 2026. The discounted price will be a percentage of the negotiated price, with the percentage varying based on whether the beneficiary has met their annual out-of-pocket threshold. Certain beneficiaries and small manufacturers are exempt from these discount requirements.

The North Platte Canteen Congressional Gold Medal Act recognizes and honors the volunteers and donors of the North Platte Canteen in Nebraska during World War II with a Congressional Gold Medal. This medal will be presented by the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate, and then displayed at the Lincoln County Historical Museum. The Act also authorizes the creation and sale of bronze duplicates of the gold medal to cover production costs, with proceeds deposited into the Mint's Public Enterprise Fund.

This bill amends Title 38 of the U.S. Code to establish presumptions regarding radiation and toxin exposure for veterans who served at the Nevada Test and Training Range between 1972 and 2005, excluding Nellis and Creech Air Force Bases. It recognizes certain activities at the range as radiation-risk activities and presumes exposure to toxins for veterans stationed there during the specified period. Additionally, it establishes a presumption of service connection for lipomas and tumor-related conditions for these veterans.

The "No Industrial Restrictions in Secret Act of 2025" or "No IRIS Act of 2025" prevents the EPA Administrator from utilizing assessments produced by the EPA's Integrated Risk Information System program. This prohibition extends to developing regulations, enforcement actions, permitting, and informing air toxics assessments.

The "Make American Flags in America Act of 2025" mandates that U.S. flags displayed on Federal property or bought by Federal agencies be entirely manufactured in the U.S. using 100% U.S.-made materials, in accordance with international agreements. It also directs the Federal Trade Commission to study and report on country-of-origin labeling enforcement for U.S. flags, aiming to improve enforcement and deter violations.

The "Healthy Poultry Assistance and Indemnification Act of 2025" amends the Animal Health Protection Act to provide compensation to poultry growers and layers who are prohibited from raising flocks due to being located in a control area designated by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Compensation will be based on the facility's average income from its five most recent flocks, and must be paid within 60 days of a request. The Secretary of Agriculture's decision on compensation is final and not subject to judicial review. This compensation aims to offset losses incurred during the control period, ensuring financial stability for affected poultry farmers.

The "Death Tax Repeal Act" eliminates both estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes, effective from the date of enactment. It adjusts gift tax calculations by setting the lifetime gift exemption at $10,000,000, with inflation adjustments after 2011. The Act also includes transitional rules for applying certain sections of the Internal Revenue Code during the enactment year.

The Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino Act authorizes the creation of the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino on the National Mall. It ensures the museum's exhibits and programs accurately represent the diverse cultures, histories, events, and values of Hispanic and Latino communities, seeking guidance from diverse sources. The Act also mandates regular reports to Congress on the museum's efforts to meet these diversity requirements.

This resolution designates February 15–22, 2025, as "National FFA Week" to honor the National FFA Organization’s vital role in cultivating the next generation of agricultural leaders. It celebrates the organization’s commitment to personal growth and career readiness while commemorating the 90th anniversary of the New Farmers of America and the 75th anniversary of the FFA’s federal charter.

The "Collision Avoidance Systems Act of 2025" permits and sets performance standards for pulsating light systems on vehicles to help prevent rear-end collisions. It mandates the Secretary of Transportation to update Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number 108 within 180 days to include these systems. The bill defines a pulsating light system as a high-mounted stop lamp that pulses rapidly up to 4 times within 1.2 seconds upon braking before converting to a continuous light.

The "Fighting Trade Cheats Act of 2025" increases penalties for fraudulent and grossly negligent violations of U.S. customs laws, including banning violators and their affiliates from importing goods. It also allows private parties harmed by customs fraud to sue for damages and injunctive relief. The Act excludes those who commit fraud from participating in the importer of record program.

The Local Radio Freedom Act expresses Congressional opposition to imposing new performance fees, taxes, or royalties on local radio stations and businesses for playing music. It argues that the current system of free airplay provides essential promotional value to artists and that new fees would threaten the financial viability of local broadcasters and the vital community services they provide.

The "Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act of 2025" amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to extend death benefits to retired law enforcement officers who die or are disabled from targeted attacks due to their service. The bill applies retroactively to pending matters before the Bureau of Justice Assistance, or those filed/accruing after the enactment date, with exceptions for actions against retired law enforcement officers that occurred on or after August 28, 2012.

The "National Right-to-Work Act" amends both the National Labor Relations Act and the Railway Labor Act to protect an employee's right to choose whether or not to join or support a labor union. It eliminates the possibility of mandatory union membership or dues payments as a condition of employment, ensuring that employees cannot be forced to join or support a union against their will.

The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025 expands milk options available to students in the National School Lunch Program by allowing schools to offer organic or non-organic whole milk. This legislation provides greater flexibility for schools in providing fluid milk choices while maintaining accommodations for students with special dietary needs. Importantly, the saturated fat content of these offered milk options will not count toward the meal's overall saturated fat limits.

This bill transfers the functions, assets, and responsibilities for implementing the Food for Peace Act from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to the Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Secretary of Agriculture will now administer the program, though the Famine Early Warning Systems Network will remain under USDA control. This change allows the USDA to quickly update necessary rules to ensure a smooth transition of the program.

The "Freight RAILCAR Act of 2025" introduces a tax credit for modernizing freight railcars, encouraging investments in newer, more efficient railcars. Taxpayers can claim a credit equal to 10% of their freight railcar fleet modernization expenses, with a limit of 1,000 qualified freight railcars per year. The credit applies to railcars that increase capacity, improve fuel efficiency, or meet updated performance standards, and is available for three years after the Act's enactment. The Secretary of the Treasury is required to submit a report to Congress detailing the credit's usage and impact on railcar modernization and scrapping.

The "Family Farm and Small Business Exemption Act" amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to exclude the net value of a family farm (on which the family resides) or a small business (with no more than 100 employees and owned/controlled by the family) from consideration as an asset when determining financial need for federal student aid. This change aims to make higher education more accessible for students from family farm and small business backgrounds.

The "Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow's Workforce Act" amends Section 529 savings accounts to include expenses related to postsecondary credentialing programs. This allows 529 funds to cover costs like tuition, fees, books, supplies, and testing fees for recognized programs and credentials, as defined by the bill. These changes would apply to distributions made after the bill is enacted.

The Marc Fischer Memorial Act mandates that the Bureau of Prisons implement a comprehensive strategy to achieve 100% digital scanning of all inmate mail to interdict fentanyl and other synthetic drugs. By transitioning to digital mail processing, the Act aims to protect staff and inmates from lethal exposure, improve institutional security, and alleviate the administrative burden on correctional personnel.