Legislative Activity

The "Protection of Women in Olympic and Amateur Sports Act" amends Title 36 of the United States Code to define "female," "male," and "sex" based on reproductive systems. It prohibits individuals whose biological sex is male from participating in amateur athletic competitions designated for females, women, or girls.

The "Defending Defense Research from Chinese Communist Party Espionage Act of 2025" aims to protect Department of Defense-funded research by prohibiting institutions of higher education from contracting with certain foreign entities and imposing post-employment restrictions on researchers involved in critical and emerging technologies. Waivers to these prohibitions may be granted by the Secretary of Defense under specific conditions, with congressional notification. The Act also requires transparency through public disclosure of waivers and annual reports to Congress.

The Fair Access to Banking Act aims to ensure equal access to financial services by preventing banks and credit unions from denying services to individuals or entities engaged in lawful activities based on subjective or politically motivated reasons. It sets requirements for banks with over $10 billion in assets, prohibiting them from denying services based on reputational risk and requiring them to justify denials with documented, risk-based standards. The act also allows individuals to sue financial institutions that violate these requirements, with the potential for treble damages and attorney fees awarded to successful plaintiffs. Furthermore, it restricts access to Federal Reserve lending programs and the Automated Clearing House Network for institutions that fail to comply with the Act.

This joint resolution seeks to exercise congressional disapproval of the EPA’s "Waste Emissions Charge for Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems" rule. If passed, the resolution would nullify the rule, rendering it without force or effect.

**Title I:** This bill seeks to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs within the federal government by revoking prior directives, terminating DEI offices, and restricting DEI-related training and activities. **Title II:** This bill restricts federal training programs from including topics related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and protects employees from mandatory training on these subjects. **Title III:** This bill modifies federal contracting practices by prohibiting the use of federal funds for DEI-related activities and ensuring non-discrimination in federal programs. **Title IV:** This bill restricts the use of federal grant and cooperative agreement funds for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) initiatives, while exempting certain offices and institutions. **Title V:** This bill aims to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices within federal advisory committees by outlining specific prohibitions, enforcement mechanisms, and responsibilities for agency administrators and heads to ensure compliance. **Title VI:** This bill addresses accreditation standards for higher education institutions and restricts the use of federal funds by the Secretary of Education related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. **Title VII:** This bill eliminates certain diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and related requirements across various federal agencies and acts. **Title VIII:** This bill focuses on the enforcement and legal standing of the Act, ensuring individuals have the right to seek justice if they believe the law has been violated, and clarifies that the law remains effective even if parts of it are deemed unconstitutional.

The Hearing Protection Act seeks to remove silencers from special regulation under federal tax law, treating them similarly to standard firearms components. This bill preempts state and local governments from imposing special taxes or registration requirements on silencers involved in interstate commerce. Furthermore, it mandates the destruction of existing federal records identifying silencer owners and establishes new serial number marking requirements for manufacturers.

The "Stopping Political Discrimination in Disaster Assistance Act" amends the Stafford Act to prohibit discrimination based on political affiliation when providing disaster relief. This ensures that disaster assistance is distributed fairly, regardless of a person's political beliefs.

The American Values Act permanently prohibits the use of federal foreign assistance and Peace Corps funding for abortion services, involuntary sterilizations, and related lobbying or research activities. This legislation codifies long-standing restrictions to ensure that U.S. taxpayer dollars are not utilized to support or promote these practices internationally.

The CCP IP Act mandates sanctions against Chinese individuals and entities involved in the theft of U.S. intellectual property, including asset freezes and visa bans. Additionally, the bill imposes broad travel restrictions on senior Chinese Communist Party officials, their families, and members of the People’s Liberation Army. These measures aim to protect American innovation by holding bad actors accountable and tightening visa screening processes.

This joint resolution disapproves a Department of Homeland Security rule that would have automatically extended employment authorization and documentation for certain applicants. By disapproving the rule, Congress prevents its implementation.

The Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act amends the Social Security Act to provide Medicare coverage for FDA-approved multi-cancer early detection (MCED) screening tests starting in 2028. This legislation establishes a formal coverage and payment framework for these innovative blood-based tests while ensuring they complement, rather than replace, existing cancer screening protocols.

The SHUSH Act (Silencers Help Us Save Hearing Act) removes firearm silencers from the definition of "firearms" under federal law, effectively eliminating the associated $200 tax, registration requirements, and federal oversight. The bill also preempts state and local laws that impose taxes or registration on silencers and removes existing sentencing enhancements for their use in crimes.

The Stop Funding Global Terrorists Act of 2025 prohibits U.S. contributions to the United Nations for assistance in Afghanistan until the Secretary of State certifies that no funds are being diverted to terrorist organizations through cash shipments. This legislation mandates strict oversight to ensure American taxpayer dollars do not inadvertently support designated global or foreign terrorist entities.

The Reducing the Federal Workforce Through Attrition Act mandates a phased reduction of the federal workforce to 90 percent of its September 2025 levels by fiscal year 2028. To achieve this goal, the bill implements a strict hiring limit of one new hire for every three departures and imposes operational restrictions on agencies that fail to meet their mandated staffing caps. The legislation also includes provisions to prevent the outsourcing of these roles to service contracts and allows for emergency waivers in cases of national security or public safety crises.

The COOL Online Act requires online retailers to clearly disclose the country of origin and the seller’s principal place of business for foreign-made products. This legislation aims to increase transparency for consumers by ensuring they have accurate information before making a purchase. The Federal Trade Commission will enforce these requirements, with specific provisions to protect retailers who act in good faith based on information provided by suppliers.

The Laken Riley Act mandates the detention of illegal aliens who commit theft, burglary, larceny, or shoplifting. It empowers state attorneys general to sue the Department of Homeland Security or the Secretary of State if they believe the state or its residents are harmed by violations of immigration enforcement or visa granting. The bill aims to ensure that these aliens are detained throughout their removal proceedings and to provide states with legal recourse against perceived failures in federal immigration enforcement.

The "Defund the CFPB Act" seeks to eliminate the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s primary source of mandatory funding by capping its annual transfer from the Federal Reserve at zero dollars. This legislation effectively removes the Bureau's independent funding mechanism, requiring a fundamental change to its financial structure.

The Stop Illegal Reentry Act amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to significantly increase criminal penalties for foreign nationals who reenter the United States after being removed or deported. The bill establishes stricter sentencing guidelines, including mandatory minimum prison terms for individuals with prior aggravated felony convictions or repeated reentry offenses. Additionally, it expands the legal definition of "removal" to include departures agreed upon during criminal proceedings.

The Full Responsibility and Expedited Enforcement (FREE) Act aims to reduce federal permitting delays by transitioning agencies toward a "permit by rule" system. This approach replaces lengthy, discretionary reviews with a streamlined, self-certification process that includes strict deadlines for agency action. By shifting the focus from pre-screening every application to auditing compliance, the bill seeks to increase efficiency while maintaining regulatory oversight.

This joint resolution exercises congressional authority to disapprove and nullify the Department of Energy’s recent rule regarding energy conservation standards for consumer gas-fired instantaneous water heaters. By passing this measure, Congress prevents the rule from taking effect, effectively blocking the proposed regulatory changes.