Legislative Activity

The Small Business Relief Act aims to ease regulatory burdens on small businesses by amending the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Specifically, this legislation modifies the mandatory registration threshold for securities. The bill introduces new exclusions to reduce registration requirements for certain persons.

The Protecting Private Job Creators Act creates an exception to SEC Rule 15c2-11 specifically for fixed-income securities. This change exempts certain debt instruments, such as bonds and debentures, from the rule's quotation requirements. This aims to ease regulatory burdens on private job creators dealing with these types of securities.

The Bank-Fintech Partnership Enhancement Act mandates federal regulators to study the impact of partnerships between banks and fintech companies on competition, innovation, and consumer protection. It also requires a separate study on similar partnerships involving credit unions. The goal of these studies is to recommend necessary changes to laws and regulations to better promote effective collaboration between traditional financial institutions and technology firms.

The Tailoring and Indexing Enhanced Regulations Act of 2025 (TIER Act) significantly raises the asset thresholds that subject financial institutions to enhanced supervision under various banking laws. It adjusts current dollar thresholds based on historical GDP growth to reflect current economic realities. Furthermore, the bill mandates future, automatic five-year adjustments to these thresholds based on subsequent U.S. GDP growth to ensure regulations remain appropriately scaled.

The Community Bank Representation Act establishes a dedicated community bank member on the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. This member will focus on the supervision and regulation of smaller banking organizations, specifically those under a specified asset threshold. The Act also mandates regular Congressional testimony regarding these efforts and requires the asset threshold to be adjusted annually based on GDP growth.

The Respect State Housing Laws Act aims to clarify federal housing regulations by amending the CARES Act. Specifically, this legislation removes Section 4024(c) from the CARES Act.

The American Financial Institution Regulatory Sovereignty and Transparency Act of 2025 (American FIRST Act) mandates that key federal banking agencies significantly increase transparency regarding their international regulatory activities. This bill requires the Federal Reserve, the Comptroller of the Currency, and the FDIC to submit detailed annual reports to Congress about their engagement with global financial forums. These reports must cover the purpose, funding, positions taken, and implementation plans related to standards set by these international bodies.

This bill, the Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act, officially authorizes Congress to award Congressional Gold Medals to the 1980 U.S. Men's Olympic Ice Hockey Team for their historic "Miracle on Ice" victory. The medals will be struck by the Treasury and permanently displayed at specific national sports museums. The Act also permits the sale of duplicate bronze medals to cover production costs.

The Incentivizing New Ventures and Economic Strength Through Capital Formation Act of 2025 is a comprehensive bill designed to make it easier for small businesses and startups to raise capital and access public markets. It achieves this by expanding investment opportunities, increasing crowdfunding limits, and streamlining SEC regulations for emerging companies. Additionally, the Act modernizes the definition of an accredited investor and establishes new protections and task forces focused on senior investors. Overall, the legislation seeks to stimulate economic growth by lowering barriers for entrepreneurs and increasing access to private and public investment pools.

This bill establishes new federal requirements for Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) contracting with Medicare Part D and Medicaid plans, effective in 2027. It mandates specific payment standards for pharmacies, requires PBMs to pass manufacturer rebates directly to patients and plan sponsors, and strictly prohibits steering patients toward specific pharmacies. Additionally, the legislation enhances transparency by expanding drug price reporting requirements for all types of pharmacies within the Medicaid program.

This bill, the American Border Story Memorial Act, authorizes The American Border Story (TABS) to establish a memorial in Washington, D.C. This memorial will honor U.S. citizens and legal residents killed in crimes committed by individuals unlawfully present in the United States. The establishment must adhere to federal regulations for commemorative works, but crucially, no federal funds can be used for its creation or maintenance.

The REAL Act mandates that federal officials must clearly disclose when they use generative artificial intelligence to create or alter public content. This disclosure requires a prominent, plain-language disclaimer explaining the AI's role in generating or manipulating the content. The law establishes implementation timelines, annual compliance audits, and specific penalties for federal officials and contractors who fail to adhere to these transparency requirements.

This bill proposes to repeal Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act, which currently restricts United States assistance to Azerbaijan. The repeal is supported by findings that Azerbaijan has been a steadfast ally offering critical cooperation and demonstrating a commitment to peace in the South Caucasus. By removing this restriction, the legislation aims to allow for full U.S. assistance to the nation.

This resolution denounces the rhetoric of six specific Members of Congress for allegedly sowing disallegiance within the U.S. military and intelligence community. It condemns their actions for encouraging service members to potentially violate the Uniform Code of Military Justice by suggesting they defy orders without evidence of illegality. The bill asserts that this rhetoric undermines the President's role as Commander in Chief and compromises national security.

This Act officially designates the Museum of the Blind Peoples Movement in Baltimore, Maryland, as the **National Museum of the Blind Peoples Movement**. This legislation formally recognizes the museum's importance in preserving and showcasing the history of the blind peoples' movement.

The Feasibility Review of Emerging Equipment for Digital Open Media Act (FREEDOM Act) mandates the Secretary of State to report on internet freedom in Iran. This report must assess the feasibility of using emerging technologies, like direct-to-cell wireless, to expand internet access. It will also analyze the impact of current drone and jamming technologies on these efforts.

This resolution strongly condemns the Iranian government for its ongoing, state-sponsored persecution of the Baha'i religious minority, which violates international human rights laws. It documents systematic abuses, including economic restrictions, denial of education, and arbitrary arrests, noting that these actions may constitute a crime against humanity. The resolution calls on Iran to immediately release all imprisoned Bahais and urges the U.S. President and Secretary of State to condemn these violations and impose sanctions on responsible officials.

The Official Time Reporting Act establishes a new annual reporting requirement for federal agencies regarding the time their employees spend on union business while on the clock. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must compile and publicly release a detailed report analyzing this "official time" usage, costs, and impact across the government. This legislation mandates transparency by requiring agencies to submit detailed data, including explanations for any increases in time usage, to OPM for inclusion in the public report.

The Corporal Fernando Ruiz Baltazar Posthumous Citizenship Act of 2025 expands eligibility for posthumous U.S. citizenship. This bill specifically grants citizenship to noncitizens who served honorably in the U.S. military and died from service-related injuries or disease. It particularly focuses on those who enlisted in the Philippines between September 1, 1939, and December 31, 1946. The relevant military department will determine eligibility for these posthumous benefits.

The HUD Transparency Act of 2025 mandates that the Inspector General of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provide annual testimony to Congress. This testimony must detail the OIG's efforts to combat fraud, waste, and abuse, and assess HUD's efficiency and resource needs. The goal is to enhance public accountability and oversight of HUD programs.