Legislative Activity

This Act authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue a limited series of commemorative gold, silver, and clad coins to honor the history and service of the United States Foreign Service. The coins must be issued in 2029, with designs approved after consultation with the Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training. All surcharges collected from the sale of these coins will be directed to that Association to support its mission of preserving diplomatic history. The Treasury must fully recover all production and issuance costs before any surcharge funds are distributed.

The Nikolas Hughey SAFE Homes for Kids Act aims to better support military families navigating the foster care system. It mandates specialized training for military counselors to become "foster care liaisons" knowledgeable about local foster care rules. Additionally, the bill requires Military OneSource to provide easily accessible, state-specific foster care information for service members.

This resolution commemorates the 75th anniversary of the Korean War, honoring the service and sacrifice of U.S. service members and allies. It reaffirms the enduring importance of the U.S.-South Korea alliance as a cornerstone of security in the Indo-Pacific. Furthermore, the resolution stresses the critical need for sustained military readiness to defend against current and future threats.

The GOLDEN DOME Act of 2025 establishes a comprehensive, next-generation missile defense shield to counter rapidly evolving global threats from ballistic, hypersonic, and unmanned systems. The bill creates a powerful, direct-reporting Program Manager to oversee the rapid development, testing, and deployment of integrated defense capabilities across space, air, land, and sea domains. It authorizes over $23 billion in funding, prioritizing the acceleration of space-based sensors, advanced interceptors, and non-kinetic defense technologies. Furthermore, the Act streamlines acquisition processes and enhances the Department of Defense's authority to protect assets against incursions by unmanned aerial systems.

The North Pacific Research Board Enhancement Act updates the structure and operations of the Board by adding a new seat specifically for an Alaska Native representative with subsistence experience. It also temporarily waives the administrative spending cap for five years while granting the NOAA Administrator limited authority to adjust the standard 15% cap in years when funding decreases. These changes aim to improve representation and ensure the Board can effectively manage its research funding.

This resolution officially designates May 2, 2025, as "United States Foreign Service Day." It serves to recognize the vital work of current and former Foreign Service personnel who protect American interests abroad. The day also honors members of the Foreign Service who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

The Hong Kong Judicial Sanctions Act mandates the President to review specific Hong Kong officials, including judges and prosecutors, to determine their eligibility for sanctions under existing U.S. laws and executive orders. This review must be completed and reported to Congress within 180 days of the Act's enactment. The review specifically covers previously sanctioned individuals and a broad list of judicial and prosecutorial figures in Hong Kong.

The Protect Our Heroes Act of 2025 establishes new federal crimes for the killing or assault of public safety officers and judges. This legislation provides enhanced federal jurisdiction and severe penalties, including potential life imprisonment or the death penalty for murder, when such acts involve interstate commerce or federal connections. The bill recognizes the increasing danger faced by law enforcement and first responders across the nation.

The Securing Academia from Foreign Entanglements Act prohibits U.S. colleges and universities from accepting gifts or entering into contracts with entities from designated "foreign countries of concern." This legislation establishes a clear ban on such funding, while also modifying existing disclosure requirements for other foreign government gifts. The definition of a "foreign country of concern" includes nations already flagged for national security risks and those later identified by the Secretary of Education in consultation with other key officials.

The INDEX Act mandates that investment advisers managing passively managed funds must ensure actual investors have a say in proxy voting by adhering to proportional voting instructions. If instructions are not received for non-routine matters, advisers generally cannot vote those shares unless specific exceptions apply. This legislation aims to enhance investor democracy by clarifying proxy voting responsibilities for funds tracking market indexes.

This resolution formally condemns North Korea's decades-long abduction of Japanese citizens, emphasizing that these acts violate fundamental human rights. Congress urges North Korea to immediately release all foreign nationals, return the remains of those deceased, and provide reparations and an apology. Furthermore, it calls on the President to consistently raise these demands in all future engagements with North Korean officials.

This bill officially recognizes Alexander Creek, Incorporated, as a Village Corporation under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, regardless of prior eligibility requirements. It mandates the immediate negotiation of a land and claims settlement agreement for Alexander Creek, Incorporated, comparable to those of other Village Corporations. The legislation also adjusts how shareholder payments are distributed, redirecting future resource payments from the Cook Inlet Region to the newly recognized Village Corporation.

This bill aims to prohibit the export of U.S.-produced or refined natural gas intended for re-export from foreign Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminals. Congress asserts this action is necessary due to concerns over corruption in Mexico and potential violations of fair trade under the USMCA. The legislation specifically targets indirect exports that utilize foreign facilities as intermediaries.

The Freedom to Haul Act of 2025 prohibits the EPA from implementing or enforcing the Phase 3 heavy-duty vehicle emission rules. Furthermore, the bill prevents the EPA from issuing tailpipe emission regulations that mandate specific technologies or limit the availability of new motor vehicles based on engine type. This ensures manufacturers retain flexibility in meeting pollution standards.

This bill amends the Small Business Act to eliminate the requirement that certain construction subcontracts must be awarded to businesses located within the county or state where the work is performed. By repealing this outdated local subcontracting rule, the legislation grants federal agencies and small businesses greater flexibility in selecting subcontractors. This change removes geographical restrictions on awarding construction subcontracts under specific small business programs.

The Pay Our Military Act of 2025 ensures that active duty service members, essential civilian staff, and critical defense contractors continue to receive pay during any lapse in regular appropriations for Fiscal Year 2025. This automatic funding remains in effect until Congress passes a full budget or until January 1, 2026, whichever comes first. The legislation is designed to prevent disruptions to military compensation during government funding gaps.

The Alaska Native Vietnam Era Veterans Land Allotment Extension Act extends the deadline for eligible veterans to apply for land allotments. This bill amends existing legislation to provide Alaska Native Vietnam War-era veterans with an additional five years to apply for land allotments, increasing the application period from five years to ten years.

This resolution designates February 16, 2025, as "National Elizabeth Peratrovich Day" to honor the legacy of the Tlingit civil rights leader. It recognizes her pivotal role in the passage of the 1945 Anti-Discrimination Act and encourages Americans to commemorate her advocacy for equality.

The CRITICAL Act amends the Social Security Act to increase reimbursement for critical access hospitals in noncontiguous states. This bill ensures that inpatient, outpatient, ambulance, and skilled nursing facility services are covered, even after costs reach 101 percent. By increasing reimbursement rates, the CRITICAL Act aims to improve healthcare services in rural areas.

The Save Our Lone Emergency Services (SOLES) Act amends the Social Security Act to increase payments to sole community hospitals in Alaska and Hawaii for outpatient services. This ensures that these hospitals receive adequate compensation, covering at least 94% of their reasonable costs. The adjustment aims to support essential healthcare services in remote areas without increasing patient copayments and the Secretary will issue regulations to implement this change within 6 months.