Legislative Activity

The "No Official Palestine Entry Act of 2025" seeks to modify the standing of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in United Nations agencies, ensuring they do not receive any status, rights, or privileges beyond observer status. This bill amends existing legislation to prevent the PLO from obtaining standing beyond observer status in UN organizations. The Act clarifies that these restrictions do not apply to Taiwan.

This resolution expresses support for designating May 5, 2025, as the "National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls" to raise awareness of the crisis, remember victims, and support their families. It acknowledges the disproportionately high rates of violence experienced by Indigenous women and girls and the need for continued action and updated research on this issue. The resolution also recognizes past and present efforts to address the crisis, including Operation Lady Justice, the Savannas Act, the Not Invisible Act, and the establishment of dedicated units and commissions.

The "Prove It Act of 2025" aims to reduce regulatory burdens on small businesses by requiring agencies to consider indirect costs when creating new rules, allowing small businesses to petition for reviews of agency certifications, and mandating agencies to publish guidance documents and allow comments on rules with a significant economic impact on small businesses. Additionally, the Act amends the periodic review process for rules, requiring agencies to consider indirect costs and providing a mechanism for the Small Business Administration to address rules not reviewed within a 10-year period. The Act specifies that no additional funds will be allocated for its implementation.

The "Canadian Snowbird Act" allows Canadian citizens aged 50 and older who own or rent a U.S. residence to stay in the United States for up to 240 days per year as visitors. It also ensures that these individuals are considered non-resident aliens for tax purposes, and sets forth that owning property in the U.S. is not indicative of intent to abandon their Canadian residence. Spouses of qualified Canadian retirees may also be admitted under the same terms.

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 Ocean Regional Opportunity and Innovation Act of 2025 aims to foster growth in the "Blue Economy" by designating at least seven Ocean Innovation Clusters across the country. These clusters will be partnerships led by not-for-profit organizations, focusing on cross-sector collaboration and sustainable development in ocean-related industries. The Act directs federal agencies to support these clusters through partnership managers, technical knowledge exchange, and measurement of their economic impact. Furthermore, it authorizes grants to support the operation and administration of these Ocean Innovation Clusters, promoting innovation, workforce development, and economic opportunity in coastal communities.

The Medical Manufacturing, Economic Development, and Sustainability Act of 2025 (MMEDS Act of 2025) aims to incentivize domestic medical manufacturing in economically distressed zones through tax credits for wages, benefits, and qualified products/services. It prioritizes strengthening the national supply chain by increasing credits for facilities that move production from countries posing a risk to facilities producing population health products. The Act also amends the Public Health Service Act to support the development and accessibility of population health products, especially for vulnerable populations, during public health emergencies. Finally, the Act requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to report to Congress on the disproportionate harm to vulnerable populations during the COVID-19 pandemic and prior epidemics and pandemics.

The Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2025 aims to combat human trafficking by reauthorizing and modifying grant programs, including renaming grants to "Frederick Douglass Human Trafficking Prevention Education Grants" and prioritizing funding for areas with high rates of child sex or labor trafficking. It establishes the Frederick Douglass Human Trafficking Survivors Employment and Education Program to provide comprehensive services to trafficking survivors, such as education, job training, and legal assistance, to facilitate their reintegration into society. The act also extends the authorization of appropriations for key programs under the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 and the International Megan’s Law through 2029.

The Veterans for Mustangs Act amends the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act, prioritizing humane fertility control methods for managing wild horse and burro populations. It requires the Secretary to immediately take steps to manage population levels when necessary. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is directed to prioritize training and hiring military veterans to administer these fertility controls, offering them compensation and contracting opportunities. Contracted veterans will not be considered federal employees.

The Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2025 reauthorizes and amends the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000. It prioritizes grants for human trafficking prevention education in high-risk areas, particularly those partnering with nonprofits and law enforcement. The bill also establishes the Frederick Douglass Human Trafficking Survivors Employment and Education Program to provide comprehensive services to trafficking victims, including education, job training, and legal assistance. Finally, it extends funding authorizations for key programs aimed at combating human trafficking and preventing child exploitation.

The "No Paydays for Hostage-Takers Act" aims to deter Iran and other hostile entities from taking U.S. nationals hostage by imposing strict penalties and increasing oversight of Iranian assets. It mandates detailed reports on the use of restricted Iranian funds, requires reviews of sanctions for hostage-takers, and seeks to limit travel for Iranian diplomats at the United Nations. The Act also directs the creation of a strategy to deter hostage-taking and wrongful detention, and calls for assessing the invalidation of U.S. passports for travel to Iran. Finally, the act seeks to freeze and seize Iranian assets internationally.

The "Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Enhancement Act" aims to improve the hygienic handling of breast milk, baby formula, and related items during airport security screening. It mandates the TSA to update its guidance in consultation with maternal health organizations to minimize contamination risks and ensure hygienic standards are met during additional screenings. The Department of Homeland Security's Inspector General will audit compliance and report on screening technologies' impact on these items.

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 S-CAP Act of 2025 amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, increasing the maximum number of shareholders an S corporation can have from 100 to 250. This change aims to broaden the appeal and accessibility of S corporation status for businesses. It applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

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 Religious Workforce Protection Act allows religious workers facing green card delays to extend their R-1 visa status beyond the usual five-year limit while their application is pending. It also provides job flexibility for those with long-delayed applications and exempts certain religious workers from the one-year foreign residence requirement before applying for a new visa.

The "Improving Veterans Access to Congressional Services Act of 2025" allows Members of Congress to use VA facilities to meet with constituents, ensuring accessible and visible meeting spaces during regular business hours. The VA Secretary must set regulations for these spaces within 90 days, with rental rates similar to other government office spaces in the area. These regulations must comply with existing laws and cannot be used for campaign activities or interfere with VA operations, and use of facilities is prohibited 60 days before a federal election.

This bill expresses support for "Financial Literacy Month" and recognizes the critical importance of financial literacy and education for all Americans. It highlights the concerning statistics around financial insecurity and lack of financial knowledge in the US. The bill encourages participation in Financial Literacy Month to promote financial education through various programs and activities.

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.