Legislative Activity

The Stop Funding Global Terrorists Act of 2025 restricts U.S. funding to the United Nations for Afghanistan assistance unless the Secretary of State certifies that no U.S. funds are used for cash shipments by the United Nations into Afghanistan, and that no specially designated global terrorist organizations or foreign terrorist organizations receive funds from these shipments. The Secretary can revoke this certification if found inaccurate, with notification to relevant congressional committees. The bill defines key terms like "foreign terrorist organization" and "specially designated global terrorist organization" to ensure clarity in its application.

The Stop Illegal Reentry Act amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to increase the criminal penalties for previously removed aliens who reenter or attempt to reenter the United States. The bill increases the prison time for those with previous convictions and sets mandatory minimum sentences for those with aggravated felonies in their past. It also updates references to reflect current agency responsibilities and correct cross-references within the existing law.

The "Guidance Out Of Darkness Act" or the "GOOD Act" mandates federal agencies to publish both new and existing guidance documents online in a central, easily accessible location. This aims to increase transparency by ensuring the public has access to agency policies and interpretations. The Act requires agencies to categorize these documents and maintain a record of rescinded guidance, while also exempting information protected by the Freedom of Information Act.

This joint resolution nullifies a Department of Energy rule setting energy conservation standards for gas-fired instantaneous water heaters. By disapproving the rule, Congress prevents its enforcement.

This bill designates the area of 16th Street, Northwest in Washington, D.C., between Fuller Street and Euclid Street as "Oswaldo Pay Way" in honor of the Cuban pro-democracy activist. It also redesignates the address of the Cuban embassy to 2630 Oswaldo Pay Way. The District of Columbia is required to install street signs reflecting this designation.

The MACARTHUR Act directs the Secretary of the Army to include "Duty, Honor, Country" in the U.S. Military Academy's mission statement. It expresses Congress's belief that these values should be central to the Academy's culture and taught to all cadets. The update to the mission statement must occur within 30 days of the law's enactment.

The "Main Street Tax Certainty Act" amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to make the deduction for qualified business income permanent. This is achieved by eliminating the expiration date for this deduction. This change provides long-term tax certainty for small businesses.

The FREE Act aims to streamline federal permitting processes by requiring agencies to implement a "permitting by rule" system with clear standards and strict deadlines for approval. It mandates agencies to report on their current permitting processes, identify permits suitable for the new system, and automatically approve applications meeting all requirements within 180 days. The Act also includes provisions for audits, compliance verification, appeals, and financial responsibility for agencies causing unreasonable delays, with oversight from Congress and the Comptroller General. This legislation intends to reduce delays and costs in federal permitting while still protecting the interests that permitting systems are meant to safeguard.

The "Protecting Military Installations and Ranges Act of 2025" expands the authority of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to review real estate transactions near military installations and airspace involving foreign entities connected to Russia, China, Iran, or North Korea. It mandates CFIUS review of certain real estate purchases, leases, or concessions near military facilities and requires certifications to Congress. The Act also puts limitations on the approval of energy projects related to CFIUS reviews.

The "Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act" ensures that infants born alive after an abortion receive the same medical care as any other newborn, mandating immediate hospital transport and requiring healthcare practitioners to report any failures to comply. Violators face fines, imprisonment, and potential prosecution for homicide or attempted homicide, while the mother of the child is protected from prosecution. The bill also allows the woman on whom the abortion was performed to file a civil action against anyone who violated the requirements if a child was born alive.

The Foreign Adversary Risk Management (FARM) Act aims to protect U.S. agriculture by including it under the oversight of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). This bill adds the Secretary of Agriculture to the CFIUS committee and expands CFIUS authority to review transactions that could result in foreign control of U.S. businesses involved in agriculture. Additionally, the Secretary of Agriculture and the Comptroller General are required to analyze foreign influence in the U.S. agriculture industry and submit a report to Congress.

The "Not One More Inch or Acre Act" prohibits citizens and entities of the People's Republic of China from purchasing public or private real estate in the United States and mandates the sale of any U.S. real estate owned by these individuals or entities if deemed a national security risk. Refugees and asylum seekers from China are exempt, as well as U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents. The bill also increases the penalty for violations of the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act of 1978 to no less than 10 percent, and up to 25 percent, of the value of the land holdings for which the person failed to report or submitted a deliberately false report.

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 benefits coverage that includes abortion coverage, with exceptions for rape, incest, or to save the life of the mother. It clarifies that premium credits and cost-sharing reductions under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) cannot be used for health plans that include abortion coverage, allowing for separate purchase of abortion coverage without federal tax credits. The Act also requires health plans to transparently disclose the extent of abortion coverage and any related premium surcharges to enrollees.

The PLO and PA Terror Payments Accountability Act of 2025 mandates sanctions on foreign individuals, entities, and financial institutions found to be supporting terrorism through the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and Palestinian Authority (PA). These sanctions target those involved in the PLO and PA's system of compensation for terrorists and their families. The Act requires the President to impose these sanctions, including blocking assets, visa restrictions, and prohibiting U.S. bank accounts for foreign financial institutions involved. The Act will be terminated if the Secretary of State certifies that the PLO and PA have ceased all payments to terrorists and their families.

The "Midnight Rules Relief Act of 2025" allows Congress to overturn multiple regulations finalized at the end of a President's term with a single vote. This act streamlines the process for Congress to review and potentially reject regulations submitted by agencies during the final months of a presidential administration. By disapproving of these "midnight rules" through a joint resolution, Congress can prevent them from taking effect.

The "Standing Against Houthi Aggression Act" requires the Secretary of State to designate Ansarallah (the Houthis) as a foreign terrorist organization. It also mandates the President to impose sanctions on Ansarallah, its members, agents, affiliates, or those owned or controlled by it within 90 days of enactment.

The Student Empowerment Act amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow 529 savings accounts to cover a broader range of elementary and secondary education expenses, including homeschooling costs such as curriculum, materials, tutoring, and educational therapies for students with disabilities. This expansion aims to provide families with greater flexibility in using 529 accounts to support their children's education.

The Dismantle Iran's Proxy Act of 2025 redesignates Ansarallah as a foreign terrorist organization, imposing sanctions and requiring a strategy to restore freedom of navigation in key waterways. It mandates a report on obstacles to humanitarian aid in Yemen under Ansarallah's control and requires the president to determine if Abdul Malik al-Houthi, Abd al-Khaliq Badr al-Din al-Houthi, and Abdullah Yahya al-Hakim are officials, agents, or affiliates of Ansarallah.

The "Qualified Immunity Act of 2025" codifies qualified immunity for law enforcement officers, protecting them from liability in individual capacity unless the violated right was clearly established or a reasonable officer would have known their conduct was unlawful. It also shields law enforcement agencies and local governments from liability if the officer is not liable under the defined conditions or was acting within the scope of their employment. This act aims to balance accountability with the protection of officers performing their duties reasonably. The amendments will take effect 180 days after the enactment of the Act.

The Restore Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability Act of 2025 aims to improve accountability within the VA by streamlining the process for removing or disciplining employees, including supervisors and senior executives, for misconduct or poor performance. It sets specific timelines and standards for disciplinary actions, emphasizing the use of substantial evidence and limiting external review of penalties. The bill also protects whistleblowers and ensures that disciplinary actions are based on a thorough consideration of the employee's record and the nature of the offense. These changes will apply retroactively to misconduct or performance issues that occurred after the enactment of the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017.