Legislative Activity

The "Family Farm and Small Business Exemption Act" amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to exclude the net value of a family farm (on which the family resides) or a small business (with no more than 100 employees and owned/controlled by the family) from consideration as an asset when determining financial need for federal student aid. This change aims to make higher education more accessible for students from family farm and small business backgrounds.

The LOCAL Act mandates the Bureau of Land Management headquarters be located in Grand Junction, Colorado. It requires a study on the feasibility of relocating additional BLM employee positions to Grand Junction or another western state. The study will assess the potential benefits of relocation on federal land management, community coordination, and various land uses. A report on the study's findings must be submitted to the House and Senate Committees on Natural Resources and Energy and Natural Resources within 365 days.

The "Respect State Housing Laws Act" repeals a provision in the CARES Act that restricted states' abilities to enforce their own eviction moratoriums. This change clarifies that state laws regarding evictions should be respected and not overridden by federal measures. By removing the subsection, the bill aims to restore states' authority over housing regulations and eviction processes within their jurisdictions.

The "Agriculture Export Promotion Act of 2025" aims to bolster U.S. agricultural exports by increasing funding for the Market Access Program and the Foreign Market Development Cooperator Program. It amends the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 to extend and significantly increase financial support for these programs through 2029. These changes seek to address the competitive disadvantage faced by U.S. producers due to increased foreign competition and the impact of inflation on static funding levels. By increasing funding, the Act strives to enhance access to foreign markets, stimulate economic growth, and create jobs within the agricultural sector.

The "Marc Fischer Memorial Act" aims to combat the flow of synthetic drugs, particularly fentanyl, into Federal prisons through the mail. It mandates the Director of the Bureau of Prisons to develop and implement a strategy to equip all Federal correctional facilities with the technology and processes needed to scan mail, protect staff and inmates, and ensure timely delivery of mail copies while maintaining legal mail privileges. The strategy includes assessing current practices, identifying necessary resources, and providing a budgetary proposal for implementation, with ongoing reporting to Congress on its effectiveness.

The Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs from sharing veterans' personal information with the national instant criminal background check system (NICS) based solely on the fact that the veteran requires assistance managing their benefits. Information can only be shared if a judge has determined the veteran to be a danger to themselves or others.

This bill expresses support for Career and Technical Education Month, recognizing the vital role of CTE in preparing a skilled workforce for high-demand fields and contributing to economic growth. It highlights CTE's positive impact on student achievement, employability, and college readiness. The bill encourages educators, counselors, and parents to promote CTE as a valuable educational pathway.

The "AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025" requires the Department of Transportation to mandate that all new vehicles include AM radio receivers as standard equipment, ensuring continued access to AM broadcasts for drivers. The Act directs the Comptroller General to study the role of AM radio in emergency alerts and allows manufacturers producing fewer than 40,000 vehicles in 2022 at least four years to comply. The rule will sunset 10 years after the enactment of this Act.

The "Fair Access to Banking Act" aims to prevent financial institutions from denying services to legal businesses based on subjective or political reasons. It prohibits large banks, credit unions, and payment card networks from discriminating against legal businesses and requires them to provide fair access to financial services based on impartial, risk-based standards. Financial institutions that violate these provisions may face penalties, including ineligibility for taxpayer-funded discount window lending programs and civil penalties. Individuals or businesses who are unfairly denied services can sue the financial institution in U.S. district court.

The "No User Fees for Gun Owners Act" prohibits state and local governments from imposing taxes, fees, or insurance requirements on firearm or ammunition ownership and commerce. Regular sales taxes are permitted if applied at the same rate as other goods and services. This bill aims to protect gun owners and businesses from discriminatory financial burdens.

The "Student Empowerment Act" amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow 529 savings accounts to cover a broader range of K-12 educational expenses, including homeschooling costs. Qualified expenses include tuition, curriculum, books, online resources, tutoring, standardized tests, dual enrollment fees, and educational therapies for students with disabilities. These changes aim to give parents more flexibility in funding their children's education.

The "Health Out-of-Pocket Expense Act of 2025" or the "HOPE Act of 2025" establishes tax-exempt "Hope Accounts" for eligible individuals to pay for qualified medical expenses. Contributions to these accounts are capped at \$4,000 annually for self-only or married individuals with family coverage, and \$8,000 for heads of household with family coverage, with employer and Medicaid contributions limited to 50% of the individual's limit. Distributions used for qualified medical expenses are tax-free, while non-qualified distributions are subject to income tax and a 30% penalty, with exceptions for distributions after death or due to disability. These provisions will take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

The "United States Trade Leadership in the Indo-Pacific Act" aims to bolster U.S. trade competitiveness and economic leadership in the Indo-Pacific region. It directs the International Trade Commission to investigate the impact of Indo-Pacific trade agreements on U.S. competitiveness and establishes an independent commission to develop a comprehensive trade strategy for the region. The goal is to counter China's growing influence, promote American values, strengthen the U.S. economy, and enhance supply chain resilience. The commission will develop a comprehensive trade strategy for the region to ensure continued U.S. economic and geopolitical leadership.

The "Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act" expands Medicare coverage to include FDA-approved multi-cancer early detection screening tests starting in 2028. It defines the criteria for these tests, sets payment guidelines, and establishes age and frequency limitations for coverage. The bill ensures that existing cancer screening coverage remains unaffected and allows for waivers of limitations based on recommendations from the United States Preventive Services Task Force.

The "Main Street Tax Certainty Act" amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permanently extend the deduction for qualified business income. This removes the previous expiration date, providing long-term tax certainty for eligible businesses. The change applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to fix the number of Supreme Court justices at nine. For this amendment to be valid, three-fourths of the state legislatures must ratify it within seven years of its submission.

The "Reining In Federal Licensing Enforcement Act of 2025" or the "RIFLE Act of 2025" aims to reform the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) by modifying penalties for Federal firearms licensees who commit civil violations, changing the process for license applications, and defining "willfully" in the context of firearms license violations. The bill also requires the Attorney General to reconsider denied firearm license applications based on the new rules, establish formal inspection standards, and limit the use of firearms purchaser information. Additionally, it provides opportunities to cure violations after the acquisition of a firearms business and sets standards for criminal violations of recordkeeping requirements.

The FACE Act Repeal Act of 2025 repeals the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, which prohibits certain actions that obstruct or interfere with access to reproductive health services. This repeal would apply to both ongoing and future prosecutions that begin on or after the date this Act is enacted.

The Pet Food Uniform Regulatory Reform Act of 2025 aims to modernize and streamline the regulation of pet food at the federal level. It establishes a uniform federal framework for pet food labeling, ingredient review, and marketing claims, while preserving states' authority over food safety. The Act defines key terms, simplifies the approval process for pet food ingredients, and sets guidelines for labeling claims such as "natural" and "human grade". Ultimately, the goal is to promote innovation, ensure pet food safety and nutritional adequacy, and provide clarity for both manufacturers and consumers.

The ALIGN Act makes 100% expensing for qualified property permanent, applying to property placed in service after September 27, 2017. This amends sections of the Internal Revenue Code to reflect the change as if it were part of previous tax legislation.