Legislative Activity

The Stop Forced Organ Harvesting Act of 2025 aims to combat international human trafficking for organ removal by allowing the U.S. government to deny or revoke passports of individuals convicted of related offenses, requiring the assessment of forced organ harvesting in foreign countries within existing reports, and mandating the President to impose sanctions on individuals and entities involved in these practices. This includes blocking assets, visa restrictions, and ineligibility for admission to the U.S., with certain exceptions and waiver possibilities for national security or humanitarian reasons. The Act reinforces the U.S. commitment to upholding human dignity and holding those involved in forced organ harvesting accountable, including members of the Chinese Communist Party.

The Vietnam Human Rights Act aims to integrate human rights considerations into all interactions between the U.S. and Vietnam, emphasizing that improvements in human rights are crucial for trade, security, and economic development. It mandates sanctions for Vietnamese government officials and other foreign individuals responsible for human rights abuses, significant corruption, online censorship and surveillance, and severe violations of religious freedom. The Act also focuses on combating online censorship and surveillance in Vietnam, promoting internet freedom, and supporting individuals who are being censored. Finally, the Act urges the Secretary of State to designate Vietnam as a Country of Particular Concern for religious freedom and requires annual reports on U.S.-Vietnam human rights dialogue meetings.

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.

This bill expresses support for open water lifeguards, urging Congress and the President to officially recognize them as first responders and emergency response providers. This recognition would make them eligible for federal programs that support first responders.

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 Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) Certification Act requires the Secretary of State to assess whether Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices (HKETO) merit continued privileges, exemptions, and immunities, based on Hong Kong's autonomy from China. It also restricts U.S. government entities from partnering with HKETOs under certain conditions and sets the U.S. policy to not promote Hong Kong as autonomous if it lacks a high degree of autonomy from China, further preventing U.S. entities from participating in Chinese propaganda regarding Hong Kong. The bill also outlines procedures for congressional review of the Secretary of State's determination.

This bill condemns the detention of Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong and calls for his immediate release. It designates a portion of 18th Street Northwest in Washington, D.C., as "Jimmy Lai Way" and directs the placement of corresponding street signs. Additionally, it expresses the sense of Congress regarding mail delivery to the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office.

The American Family FAFSA Opportunity Act of 2025 amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to change how a family's ability to pay for college is calculated for federal financial aid, specifically by dividing the family's contribution by the number of enrolled students. This change aims to remove the "sibling penalty" in financial aid calculations, ensuring families with multiple children in college receive a more accurate assessment. These changes will take effect starting with the 2025-2026 award year.

This bill disapproves of the Insurance Regulation Amendment Act of 2024 passed by the District of Columbia Council. Congress is reviewing the act under the District of Columbia Home Rule Act.

This bill designates the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Toms River, New Jersey, as the "Leonard G. 'Bud' Lomell, VA Clinic" in honor of World War II hero Leonard G. Bud Lomell. Lomell was a D-Day veteran who received the Distinguished Service Cross, Purple Heart, and Silver Star for his courageous service. He was also the first director of the Ocean County Veterans Service Bureau and a respected member of the Toms River community.

The "Let Pregnancy Centers Serve Act of 2025" prohibits federal, state, and local governments receiving federal funds from discriminating against entities that offer support to women facing unexpected pregnancies or provide alternatives to abortion. It allows legal action against those who violate conscience rights related to abortion alternatives and ensures that if one part of the act is deemed unconstitutional, the rest remains valid. This bill aims to protect organizations that do not participate in abortions and provide resources related to pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting.

The "Human-Animal Chimera Prohibition Act of 2025" amends Title 18 of the U.S. Code to prohibit the creation, transfer, or transportation of specific human-animal chimeras, as defined in the bill. These prohibited chimeras include embryos with mixed human and nonhuman genetic material or those engineered to develop human-like features. Violators could face fines and/or imprisonment, with additional civil penalties for those who financially benefit from these violations. The act does not prohibit research using transgenic animal models with human genes or transplanting human organs/tissues/cells into animals, if such activities are not creating a chimera as defined in the bill.

The "Education, Achievement, and Opportunity Act" introduces a refundable tax credit for tuition expenses incurred for each qualifying child attending public or private elementary or secondary school. The credit is capped at $10,000 per child annually, with a phaseout for higher-income taxpayers. Qualified expenses include tuition, fees, and additional costs like computers, tutoring, and transportation, while excluding fees for activities, athletics, and uniforms. This amendment aims to support parents in choosing the educational environment that best suits their children's needs.

This resolution expresses the sense of Congress that Nigeria should be designated as a Country of Particular Concern due to severe violations of religious freedom. It urges the Nigerian government to protect religious minorities, prosecute those responsible for violence, and ensure religious freedom. The resolution also calls for increased U.S. diplomatic efforts and potential sanctions on individuals and groups responsible for religious freedom violations in Nigeria.

The "United States Commission on International Religious Freedom Reauthorization Act of 2025" reauthorizes funding for the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) through fiscal year 2028. This extension ensures the continuation of USCIRF's work in monitoring and advocating for religious freedom around the world.

The China Trade Relations Act of 2025 withdraws normal trade relations with the People's Republic of China (PRC), subjecting Chinese products to standard trade rules. It expands the conditions under which the PRC is ineligible for normal trade relations, citing human rights violations, non-compliance with international labor standards, economic espionage, and failure to protect religious and cultural heritage. The President can waive these restrictions under certain conditions, but Congress can terminate any extensions. The Act also requires regular reports to Congress on the PRC's compliance with these conditions.

The Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2025 enhances efforts to combat human trafficking both within the United States and internationally. The act focuses on prevention education, survivor support, and international cooperation, while increasing funding authorizations for key anti-trafficking programs. It prioritizes resources for areas with high trafficking rates, improves data collection, and ensures that foreign assistance aligns with counter-trafficking goals. This legislation aims to protect vulnerable populations, empower survivors, and hold perpetrators accountable.

The "No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2025" seeks to prohibit the use of federal funds for abortions and for health plans that cover abortions, while allowing individuals and entities to purchase separate abortion coverage with non-federal funds. It clarifies that premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) cannot be used for health plans that include abortion coverage. The Act also revises notice requirements for health plans, mandating clear disclosure of abortion coverage and any associated premium surcharges to enrollees. Exceptions to the funding restrictions are included for cases of rape, incest, or when the mother's life is in danger.