Legislative Activity

The Protect Our Judiciary Act of 2025 strengthens federal law by explicitly prohibiting intentional picketing or parading near the residences or workplaces of judges, jurors, witnesses, or court officers while they are actively using those locations. This measure updates existing statutes to provide clearer penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment, for demonstrations that target court personnel.

The Non-Domiciled CDL Integrity Act establishes new federal standards for states issuing Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDLs) to individuals who do not reside in that state. This bill sets specific, strict requirements for foreign nationals seeking a CDL, including proof of lawful status and job-related visas, while also outlining distinct procedures for applicants residing in U.S. territories. The legislation mandates enhanced record-keeping and reporting by states to the Secretary of Transportation regarding these non-domiciled licenses.

The Healthy Drinking Water Affordability Act establishes the Healthy H2O Program to provide grants for improving drinking water quality in rural areas. These grants help eligible households and small facilities address contamination from issues like lead or PFAS by covering the costs of certified water treatment systems, installation, and testing. The program prioritizes private well owners and requires annual reporting on contamination trends and program effectiveness.

The Safe and Open Streets Act establishes a new federal crime for intentionally blocking public roads or highways in a manner that obstructs commerce. Violators of this provision face potential fines and imprisonment of up to five years. The Act also updates existing federal law language to reflect this new focus on physical obstruction of roadways.

This bill, the Improving Water Quality Certifications and American Energy Infrastructure Act, reforms the process for state and EPA water quality certifications required for federal permits. It clarifies that decisions must directly relate to discharges and strictly limit the criteria used for granting or denying certification to specific sections of the Clean Water Act. Furthermore, it mandates the prompt publication of certification requirements and establishes strict timelines for agencies to request necessary information from applicants.

The Nationwide Permitting Improvement Act aims to streamline and accelerate the issuance of nationwide general permits for certain activities involving the discharge of material into U.S. waters under Section 404(e). This bill extends the term of these general permits to ten years and narrows the scope of environmental review, particularly for discharges affecting less than three acres. It also establishes specific streamlined processes for reissuing permits and mandates regulatory updates to improve efficiency.

The Maritime Supply Chain Security Act clarifies that funds from the Port Infrastructure Development Program can be explicitly used to replace port crane hardware or software originating from the People's Republic of China. This amendment ensures federal dollars can be directed toward removing and replacing equipment that is installed, maintained, or controlled by the Chinese government or its entities. The goal is to enhance the security and resilience of U.S. port infrastructure.

The Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act of 2025 aims to streamline pesticide regulation by generally exempting legally authorized pesticide applications from needing separate Clean Water Act discharge permits. This change applies when authorized pesticides or their residues enter navigable waters from a specific discharge point. However, the exemption does not apply if the discharge violates FIFRA rules, involves certain stormwater runoff, or originates from industrial processes or vessels.

This resolution officially recognizes the vital and dangerous work performed by power linemen who maintain our electrical infrastructure and ensure public safety. It highlights their crucial role as first responders, often working in hazardous conditions after disasters. Furthermore, the resolution supports the designation of April 18, 2025, as "National Lineman Appreciation Day" to formally honor their service.

The State-Managed Disaster Relief Act establishes an optional, expedited process for states and tribes to receive upfront funding for "covered small disasters." Governors or tribal leaders can elect to receive a lump-sum payment equal to 80% of the estimated disaster costs instead of using the standard Public Assistance Program. Accepting this final payment grants recipients maximum flexibility in how they manage and distribute recovery funds, provided they adhere to existing compliance laws. This new procedure must be chosen annually and agreed upon with FEMA within 90 days of the incident.

The Duplications of Benefits Victims Relief Act grants the President the authority to waive the general prohibition against receiving overlapping federal disaster assistance under specific circumstances. This waiver can be granted if requested by a Governor and deemed to be in the public interest, ensuring fairness and preventing waste, fraud, or abuse. Additionally, the Act mandates a FEMA report to Congress on improving interagency coordination and clarity in the delivery of disaster aid.

The "Securing Strictly Needy Americans’ Pivotal (SNAP) Benefits Act of 2025" aims to prevent SNAP benefit misuse by suspending accounts used exclusively out-of-state for over 60 days until residency is proven. It also restricts SNAP recipients who own retail food stores or wholesale food concerns from redeeming benefits at their own establishments, excluding publicly held corporations and government-owned entities. This act is set to take effect one year after enactment.

This bill condemns the Government of Azerbaijan's treatment of Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu, citing wrongful detention, human rights violations, and suppression of academic freedom. It demands his immediate release and urges the Secretary of State to prioritize his case in discussions with Azerbaijan.

The Disaster Assistance Fairness Act amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to improve disaster relief for homeowners in common interest communities. It mandates the President to issue rules for debris removal from residential common interest communities after a major disaster if it poses a threat to life, public health, safety, or economic recovery. The Act also covers the repair of essential common elements in condominiums, manufactured housing communities, and housing cooperatives, provided an individual's share of the repair costs are documented. These changes apply to any major disaster or emergency declared on or after the enactment of this law.

The Asylum Accountability Act amends the Immigration and Nationality Act, making individuals who fail to appear at their removal proceedings permanently ineligible for adjusting their immigration status. This eliminates the previous 10-year waiting period for such individuals to seek legal residency or citizenship.

The Lumbee Fairness Act grants federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, making them eligible for federal services and benefits. It directs the Secretary of the Interior to verify the tribal roll and allows the Department of Interior to take land into trust for the tribe. The State of North Carolina maintains jurisdiction over criminal and civil actions, unless jurisdiction is transferred to the United States.

The CONTAINER Act aims to enhance border security by enabling border states to place temporary, movable structures on federal land along the U.S. border. States must notify the relevant Secretary 45 days in advance of placement. These structures can be maintained for up to a year, with possible extensions if border control is not yet achieved.

The Amtrak Executive Bonus Disclosure Act requires Amtrak to post its reports to Congress on its public website. It also mandates the disclosure of annual base pay and bonus compensation for Amtrak's executive leadership, including the standards used to determine bonuses.

The "Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients Act" mandates drug screening and testing for adults applying for or receiving benefits under TANF, SNAP, public housing, and Section 8 programs. Individuals with prior drug-related arrests must pass a drug test, while others undergo screening to identify high-risk individuals who must then pass a drug test. Failing a drug test results in ineligibility for benefits, and states or agencies failing to comply face financial penalties. The Act defines key terms such as "controlled substance" and "drug-related offense" and ensures that families with ineligible members still receive prorated assistance.

The "States' Education Reclamation Act of 2025" abolishes the Department of Education, transferring its programs to other federal departments and providing states with grants equivalent to their 2025 federal education funding. States must use these funds for elementary, secondary, and postsecondary education, adhering to state laws and maintaining fiscal accountability through annual audits and reports. The Act also prohibits discrimination in programs funded by these grants and requires a plan for the Department of Education's closure. Finally, the Government Accountability Office must submit a report reviewing the feasibility of funding education by lowering the federal tax burden and ending federal grants for education programs.