Legislative Activity

This resolution designates February 2025 as "Career and Technical Education Month" to recognize the vital role of CTE in preparing students for high-demand, skilled careers. It highlights the importance of workforce training in meeting modern economic needs and encourages educators, parents, and administrators to promote CTE as a valuable and respected educational pathway.

The American Beef Labeling Act of 2025 amends the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to mandate country-of-origin labeling (MCOOL) for beef and ground beef. It requires the United States Trade Representative, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, to find a way to reinstate MCOOL for beef in compliance with World Trade Organization rules. The changes to beef labeling will take effect within one year of enactment.

The "Retirement Fairness for Charities and Educational Institutions Act of 2025" modifies regulations for 403(b) plans under the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Securities Act of 1933, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These modifications broaden exemptions from registration provisions for certain interests, participations, or securities related to 403(b) plans, especially those subject to Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, or where the employer acts as a fiduciary, or are governmental plans as defined in section 414. The goal is to expand the types of trusts, plans, and accounts that are excluded from being defined as investment companies. It also updates a section regarding exemptions from registration requirements for securities, adding a reference to plans described in section 3(a)(12)(C)(iv) of the Act.

The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025 mandates that new passenger vehicles sold in the U.S. must include standard equipment capable of receiving AM broadcast signals within a few years of the law's enactment. This requirement aims to ensure drivers retain access to crucial emergency alerts, overriding conflicting state or local laws. The bill also directs the GAO to study the reliability of AM radio versus other emergency alert technologies in vehicles.

This joint resolution seeks to exercise congressional disapproval of the EPA’s "Waste Emissions Charge for Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems" rule. If passed, the resolution would nullify the rule, rendering it without force or effect.

The Hearing Protection Act seeks to remove silencers from special regulation under federal tax law, treating them similarly to standard firearms components. This bill preempts state and local governments from imposing special taxes or registration requirements on silencers involved in interstate commerce. Furthermore, it mandates the destruction of existing federal records identifying silencer owners and establishes new serial number marking requirements for manufacturers.

The Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act amends the Social Security Act to provide Medicare coverage for FDA-approved multi-cancer early detection (MCED) screening tests starting in 2028. This legislation establishes a formal coverage and payment framework for these innovative blood-based tests while ensuring they complement, rather than replace, existing cancer screening protocols.

This resolution designates the week beginning February 3, 2025, as "National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week," recognizing the vital role of TCUs in providing culturally relevant education to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and other students. TCUs serve over 230 federally recognized Indian Tribes by offering high-quality postsecondary education and workforce preparation. The resolution encourages the public to participate in activities and programs that support these institutions.

The WALL Act of 2025 appropriates $25 billion for the construction of a physical barrier along the U.S. southern border. To offset these costs, the bill implements stricter tax credit eligibility requirements, introduces new fees for ITIN filers, and mandates the use of E-Verify for certain federal benefit and housing programs. Additionally, the legislation establishes new criminal and civil penalties for unlawful entry and visa overstays.

The Laken Riley Act mandates the detention of illegal aliens who commit theft, burglary, larceny, or shoplifting. It empowers state attorneys general to sue the Department of Homeland Security or the Secretary of State if they believe the state or its residents are harmed by violations of immigration enforcement or visa granting. The bill aims to ensure that these aliens are detained throughout their removal proceedings and to provide states with legal recourse against perceived failures in federal immigration enforcement.

The A PLUS Act empowers states and local communities to take greater control of federal education funding by reducing administrative red tape and allowing for the consolidation of various programs. By opting into this flexibility, states can better tailor educational reforms to their specific needs while remaining publicly accountable for student achievement. The legislation ensures that states continue to uphold civil rights protections and provide transparent reporting on student progress to parents and taxpayers.

The "Defund the CFPB Act" seeks to eliminate the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s primary source of mandatory funding by capping its annual transfer from the Federal Reserve at zero dollars. This legislation effectively removes the Bureau's independent funding mechanism, requiring a fundamental change to its financial structure.

The Dignity for Aborted Children Act mandates that abortion providers offer patients the choice to take possession of fetal remains for burial or cremation. If the patient releases the remains to the provider, the provider is legally required to ensure the remains are interred or cremated within seven days. The bill also establishes federal reporting requirements and imposes significant civil and criminal penalties for non-compliance.

This concurrent resolution recognizes the significant historical and ongoing contributions of tax-exempt fraternal benefit societies to communities across the United States. It acknowledges their extensive volunteer network and substantial charitable giving, which helps to meet various needs and support financial security. The resolution affirms that their tax-exempt status continues to benefit the country and that their work should be encouraged.

The Main Street Tax Certainty Act makes the 20% pass-through business deduction permanent by removing its scheduled expiration date. This legislation ensures that owners of sole proprietorships, partnerships, and S corporations can continue to benefit from this tax relief indefinitely.

The Veterans Health Care Freedom Act establishes a three-year pilot program designed to increase veteran access to care by removing geographic and administrative barriers to choosing both VA and community-based providers. Following the pilot, the bill mandates permanent reforms to expand veteran choice across the entire VA health care system. These changes aim to streamline care coordination and ensure veterans have greater flexibility in selecting their primary, specialty, and mental health care providers.

The Resiliency for Ranching and Natural Conservation Health Act authorizes federal land managers to provide ranchers with temporary access to vacant grazing allotments during extreme natural disasters. This legislation ensures that permit holders can maintain their operations while their primary lands recover, without altering the long-term status or management of those vacant allotments.

The POLICE Act of 2025 makes non-citizens deportable if they are convicted of, or admit to, assaulting a law enforcement officer or first responder. Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to submit and publish an annual report detailing the number of individuals deported under this provision.

The Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act of 2025 allows victims of certain crimes committed by undocumented immigrants to sue state and local "sanctuary jurisdictions" for damages if those jurisdictions failed to comply with federal immigration detainers. By accepting specific federal grants, these jurisdictions waive their immunity from such civil lawsuits. Additionally, the bill provides liability protections for local law enforcement officers who cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

The "Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act" ensures that infants born alive after an abortion receive the same medical care as any other newborn, mandating immediate hospital transport and requiring healthcare practitioners to report any failures to comply. Violators face fines, imprisonment, and potential prosecution for homicide or attempted homicide, while the mother of the child is protected from prosecution. The bill also allows the woman on whom the abortion was performed to file a civil action against anyone who violated the requirements if a child was born alive.