Legislative Activity

The Fair and Open Competition Act of 2025 ensures fair competition on federally funded construction projects by prohibiting the government from requiring or penalizing bidders based on union agreements. This legislation aims to keep federal agencies neutral in labor relations while promoting cost savings and opening opportunities for all businesses. Exceptions to this neutrality rule are strictly limited to specific public health, safety, or national security emergencies.

The "Pandemic Unemployment Fraud Enforcement Act" extends the statute of limitations to 10 years for prosecuting fraud related to specific pandemic unemployment programs. It applies to violations or conspiracies under Title 18 and Title 31 of the U.S. Code and rescinds $5,000,000 from previously allocated funds to offset the budget. The changes made by this law will begin on the date of enactment.

The Protecting the Right to Keep and Bear Arms Act of 2025 restricts the President and the Secretary of Health and Human Services from using emergency declarations to enact gun control measures. This bill specifically prevents the use of the National Emergencies Act and the Public Health Service Act for imposing new firearm restrictions. Furthermore, it amends disaster relief law to prohibit federal disaster declarations from banning the possession, sale, or transfer of firearms, ammunition, or related accessories.

The American Innovation and R&D Competitiveness Act of 2025 revises how businesses treat research and experimental (R&E) expenditures for tax purposes. Taxpayers can now choose between immediately deducting R&E costs or amortizing them over a period of at least 60 months. This legislation also makes technical adjustments to ensure consistency between immediate deductions and claiming the research tax credit.

This bill expresses the House of Representatives' support for maintaining the stepped-up basis under section 1014 of the Internal Revenue Code, which allows inherited assets to be adjusted to their current market value, protecting family-owned farms and small businesses from increased taxes. It opposes any changes to the tax code that would negatively impact the ability of these businesses to pass their operations on to the next generation. The bill recognizes the importance of generational transfers for the continuation of family farms, ranches, agribusinesses, and small businesses.

The FARMLAND Act of 2025 aims to protect U.S. agriculture and national security by modernizing and enforcing laws against malign foreign investments in U.S. agricultural land and businesses, particularly from countries of concern. It increases penalties for non-compliance with reporting requirements, mandates detailed reports on foreign land ownership and potential threats, and enhances the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) authority to review real estate transactions involving foreign entities. The act also directs the creation of a comprehensive database of foreign-owned agricultural land and prohibits foreign individuals/entities from participating in Farm Service Agency programs. Finally, the act authorizes appropriations for secure workspace construction, database development, and other activities related to enforcing the act.

The "Tanning Tax Repeal Act of 2025" eliminates the federal excise tax on indoor tanning services. This bill removes Chapter 49 from the Internal Revenue Code, effectively repealing the tax. The repeal is applicable for services provided after the bill's enactment.

The "Protecting American Students Act" amends the Internal Revenue Code to change how certain students are counted when determining if private colleges and universities are subject to an excise tax on net investment income. It stipulates that only students meeting specific eligibility requirements under the Higher Education Act of 1965 are to be included in this calculation. The Act also mandates that these institutions report the number of students used before and after adjustments when calculating the tax. These provisions are set to take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

This Act updates the definition of "fossil fuel" under the Clean Air Act to specifically include fuel used by ocean-going vessels. This change allows the EPA to incorporate maritime fuel into renewable fuel standards moving forward. The EPA is required to finalize the necessary regulations within one year of the bill's enactment.

The Saving Gig Economy Taxpayers Act seeks to reinstate the previous, higher reporting thresholds for third-party payment processors issuing Form 1099-K. This means payment networks will only be required to report earnings to the IRS if a user exceeds both a \$20,000 total payment amount and 200 separate transactions in a calendar year. Furthermore, the bill applies this "de minimis" standard to backup withholding rules for these network payments starting in 2025.

This bill expresses condolences for the 67 lives lost in the American Eagle Flight 5342 and PAT 25 crash near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on January 29, 2025. It recognizes the impact on Wichita, Kansas, and acknowledges the cooperation of officials in responding to the tragedy and assisting the families. The bill also commends the heroic actions of first responders and emergency services personnel.

The "Designation of English as the Official Language of the United States Act of 2025" establishes English as the official language of the U.S., requiring the government to conduct official business in English and encouraging English language learning. It mandates a uniform English language standard for naturalization, ensuring new citizens can understand core American documents, while also providing exceptions for certain situations like language teaching, national security, and protection of rights. The bill also sets rules for interpreting U.S. laws, favoring interpretations that protect individual rights and state powers, and directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop uniform English language testing for citizenship applicants.

The "Federal Firearms Licensee Protection Act of 2025" increases penalties for stealing firearms from licensed dealers. It sets stricter punishments, including up to 20 years in prison, for violating laws related to firearm theft. The act also mandates minimum prison sentences of 3 years for burglaries and 5 years for robberies targeting licensed firearm businesses.

The American Innovation Act of 2025 modifies the tax code to simplify and expand deductions for start-up and organizational expenditures for new businesses, allowing businesses to deduct up to $20,000 in start-up costs in the first year. The Act also preserves start-up net operating losses and tax credits after an ownership change, with specific conditions to ensure the continuation of the business. These changes aim to support new businesses by providing more immediate tax relief and ensuring that their losses and credits are not entirely forfeited after an ownership change. The provisions of this act generally apply to businesses starting after December 31, 2025.

The "Second Chances for Rural Hospitals Act" broadens the definition of "rural emergency hospital" under Medicare, enabling certain previously closed rural hospitals to re-qualify. Effective January 1, 2027, it allows facilities that ceased operations between 2014 and 2020 to become rural emergency hospitals. It also modifies payment rules, specifying that increased payments will not apply to facilities located less than 35 miles from the nearest hospital.

The APLUS Act directs the Secretary of Agriculture to update regulations, permitting market agencies to have financial interests in smaller meatpacking companies, defined by specific slaughter capacities. These market agencies must disclose these financial ties to livestock sellers. The Act does not reduce the Secretary's authority to enforce rules protecting producers, competition, and market integrity under existing law.

This bill nullifies the Internal Revenue Service's rule concerning supervisory approval processes for penalties. By disapproving the rule as published in the Federal Register, the bill prevents the implementation of the IRS's updated penalty approval procedures.

The "Telehealth Expansion Act of 2025" permanently allows individuals with Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) to access telehealth services without needing to meet their deductible first, starting after December 31, 2024. This removes a barrier to accessing telehealth services for HSA holders.

The "Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act" allows nurse practitioners and physician assistants to complete Medicare paperwork for covering therapeutic shoes for people with diabetes, increasing access to this benefit.

This bill expresses support for the Iranian people's desire for a democratic, secular, and nonnuclear republic, while condemning the Iranian regime's human rights abuses, support for terrorism, and attempts to develop nuclear weapons. It affirms the right of the Iranian people to self-determination and supports continued sanctions against the current regime. The bill also calls for the protection of Iranian political refugees in Albania.