Legislative Activity

The Small Business Energy Loan Enhancement Act significantly increases the maximum loan amounts available to eligible small businesses under specific Small Business Administration (SBA) programs, raising the limit from $\$5.5$ million to $\$10$ million. This legislation also mandates that the SBA report annually to Congress detailing the industries and geographic areas benefiting from these enhanced loan categories. The goal is to provide greater financial resources for small businesses through SBA lending.

The Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act of 2025 aims to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and countering its support for terrorism by imposing sanctions on those involved in Iran's energy sector and those who provide financial support for its destabilizing activities. It mandates sanctions on foreign entities involved in processing, exporting, or selling Iranian oil, gas, and petrochemicals, while also establishing an interagency working group to coordinate and enforce these sanctions. The Act also amends existing legislation to require the identification of individuals involved in sanctionable activities or sanctions evasion related to Iranian oil and gas sales.

The CATCH Fentanyl Act mandates the Department of Homeland Security to establish pilot projects at land ports of entry to test advanced inspection technologies, including those utilizing Artificial Intelligence. These tests aim to improve the detection of contraband like fentanyl while increasing inspection efficiency. The Secretary must report on the effectiveness of these technologies and provide recommendations for nationwide deployment within five years of enactment.

The American Family Act fundamentally overhauls the Child Tax Credit by replacing the annual lump sum with a system of advance, refundable monthly payments delivered directly to families. These monthly allowances vary based on the child's age, with higher amounts provided for younger children. The bill also establishes a separate, smaller credit for other dependents and outlines procedures for annual renewal and reconciliation of advance payments when filing taxes.

The Infrastructure Project Acceleration Act aims to rapidly advance major domestic manufacturing projects valued at over one billion dollars. This legislation expedites construction by waiving certain federal environmental permits and streamlining the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review process. Furthermore, the bill severely limits judicial review of agency approvals for these priority projects to prevent delays from lawsuits.

The Forest Legacy Management Flexibility Act grants states the authority to allow qualified conservation organizations to acquire, hold, and manage conservation easements under the Forest Legacy Program. This allows states to partner with accredited, conservation-focused groups to enhance forest protection efforts. The bill establishes clear criteria for these organizations and outlines conditions under which easement rights would revert to the state if management responsibilities are not met.

The Bolstering Research And Innovation Now (BRAIN) Act aims to significantly advance the fight against brain tumors by increasing research funding and improving patient access to care. This legislation establishes new networks for glioblastoma research, creates a public database for tracking biospecimens, and launches a national awareness campaign about clinical trials. Furthermore, the Act funds pilot programs to improve long-term care for survivors and directs the FDA to ensure brain tumor patients are not unfairly excluded from relevant clinical trials.

The Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act of 2025 establishes federal minimum standards for collective bargaining rights for public employees across the nation. It requires the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) to review state laws to ensure they substantially provide these minimum rights, including the right to organize and bargain collectively. If a state fails to meet these standards, the FLRA will administer federal labor relations rules for the uncovered employees. The Act also prohibits strikes or lockouts that would measurably disrupt emergency or public safety services.

The Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2025 updates federal housing tax credit allocations to reflect current economic realities and boosts minimum state allotments. It reforms tenant eligibility rules to stabilize tenancy and enhance protections for vulnerable residents, including victims of abuse. The bill also provides disaster relief for property owners, increases incentives for housing the extremely low-income, and directs greater resources toward Native American and rural housing needs. Finally, it streamlines administrative processes and signals a future focus on data transparency and discouraging restrictive local zoning.

The PEER Support Act aims to formally recognize and strengthen the profession of peer support specialists who use their lived experience to help others in recovery. The bill establishes a new Office of Recovery within SAMHSA, led by an individual with lived recovery experience. Furthermore, it mandates the official classification of peer support specialist roles in the federal job system and directs a review of state criminal background check processes for these specialists.

This Act mandates a comprehensive study, conducted by the VA in partnership with the CDC, to determine the prevalence of cholangiocarcinoma (liver cancer) among veterans who served in the Vietnam theater. The study will compare cancer rates in this veteran population against the general U.S. population and report findings to Congress. Additionally, the bill extends a current limitation on certain veteran pension payments until the end of 2031.

The No Tax Breaks for Union Busting (NTBUB) Act aims to disallow businesses from deducting federal income taxes for expenses incurred while attempting to influence employees regarding union organization or activities. This change is intended to stop companies from subsidizing anti-union campaigns through tax write-offs. The bill also establishes new, significant reporting requirements and penalties for businesses and third-party consultants who engage in these influence expenditures.

This Act mandates that the Secretary of State must regularly determine whether Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices (HKETOs) still qualify for special U.S. privileges granted in 1997. If the Secretary finds they no longer merit these benefits, the offices must close within 180 days, subject to expedited Congressional review. Furthermore, the bill restricts U.S. government contracting with HKETOs and establishes a U.S. policy against promoting Hong Kong's autonomy if it is deemed not sufficiently independent from mainland China.

The Tax Fairness for Workers Act restores key federal tax deductions for employees, effective after 2024. This legislation makes union dues fully deductible "above the line," meaning they reduce Adjusted Gross Income without itemizing. Additionally, it allows itemizers to deduct certain other job-related business expenses that were previously limited.

The Protecting Options for Seniors Act of 2025 addresses significant under-projection of Medicare Advantage (MA) local area growth caused by recent wage index reclassifications. This bill mandates a specific adjustment to MA payment rates starting in 2026 for areas experiencing rapid wage index increases exceeding 20 percent. While providing targeted financial boosts to these areas, the Act ensures the overall national benchmark average remains neutral. Furthermore, it requires increased transparency by mandating the separate reporting of Part A and Part B payments to area hospitals in annual public notices.

The IDEA Full Funding Act establishes mandatory, increasing funding levels for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) programs through fiscal year 2035. This legislation sets specific appropriation targets based on student counts and national average spending to ensure greater financial support for special education services. Furthermore, the bill requires that these new IDEA appropriations adhere to "cut-as-you-go" budget offset rules.

The Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025 imposes sweeping economic penalties on the Russian Federation in response to its aggression against Ukraine. This legislation mandates severe, immediate sanctions against key Russian officials, financial institutions, and energy sector entities, including asset freezes and trade prohibitions. Furthermore, the Act dramatically increases import duties on Russian goods and requires the President to review and reimpose these measures until Russia negotiates a lasting peace with Ukraine.

The New Producer Economic Security Act establishes a new federal program to fund community-led projects that help new and disadvantaged farmers, ranchers, and forest owners gain access to land, capital, and markets. Run by the USDA's Farm Service Agency, the initiative aims to ensure the long-term economic viability and security of these producers. Eligible entities will apply for grants to provide direct assistance, technical support, and financial tools to qualified beneficiaries. Priority will be given to projects that offer direct financial aid, support land affordability, and involve strong local partnerships.

The Trucker Bathroom Access Act ensures that commercial truck drivers are allowed to use restrooms at businesses where they are delivering or picking up goods. This legislation also mandates that operators of marine terminals provide adequate and safe restroom facilities for drayage truck drivers working on port property. The goal is to guarantee basic sanitation access for professional drivers during their work hours.

The Arts Education for All Act aims to elevate the status and accessibility of arts education across the entire educational spectrum. It mandates evidence-based training for early childhood providers, requires states to integrate arts education into core academic planning and public reporting, and authorizes the use of the arts in juvenile and adult offender reentry programs. Furthermore, the bill directs federal research agencies to study the impact of the arts and restores arts assessment to the national testing schedule.