Legislative Activity

The Flood Insurance Transparency Act of 2025 mandates the public release of extensive data related to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). This bill requires FEMA to create an open data system containing property-level risk assessments, loss ratios, and claims history, while strictly protecting owner privacy. Additionally, it establishes a searchable public database detailing community compliance and flood risk statistics for all participating municipalities. The goal is to enhance research, improve risk understanding, and increase accountability within the NFIP.

The CHECKPOINT Act establishes a new Checkpoint Program Management Office (CPMO) within the U.S. Border Patrol to standardize and improve the oversight of all permanent and temporary checkpoints nationwide. This legislation mandates rigorous, standardized data collection on checkpoint activities, including apprehensions and seizures, and requires the development of a data improvement plan. Furthermore, the Act mandates annual reporting to Congress on checkpoint operations and detailed surveillance technology usage by CBP. Finally, all provisions of the Act are set to automatically expire five years after enactment without new funding.

This resolution designates June 6, 2025, as National Naloxone Awareness Day to combat the ongoing opioid crisis. It emphasizes the critical role of naloxone in reversing overdose deaths and calls for increased public education on its use. The bill encourages federal, state, and local entities to improve access to this life-saving medication.

The READY Accounts Act establishes new tax-advantaged savings accounts designed to help homeowners fund disaster mitigation and recovery expenses. Contributions to these accounts are tax-deductible up to \$4,500 annually, and withdrawals are tax-free when used for qualified home safety improvements or necessary repairs. Misuse of the funds results in the withdrawal being taxed as ordinary income plus a 20% penalty.

This resolution officially designates May 2025 as "Older Americans Month" to recognize the vital contributions of senior citizens to the nation. It highlights the growing senior population and their continued involvement in the workforce and volunteering. The bill encourages communities nationwide to celebrate older Americans and create opportunities for them to share their wisdom and remain active participants in society.

The No Safe Harbor for the Enemy Act establishes the Secretary of Defense as the final and unreviewable authority for determining which Chinese military companies operating in the U.S. are added to the designated list. This change ensures that the Secretary's decision on company listings under existing defense authorization law is conclusive. No other official or court can challenge or review this determination.

The Taiwan PLUS Act officially designates Taiwan as a key defense partner for the United States for an initial five-year period. This designation streamlines defense cooperation and the transfer of defense articles by treating Taiwan similarly to NATO Plus allies. The bill emphasizes Congress's view that this enhanced support is vital for U.S. national security interests. The Secretary of State may extend this special treatment in subsequent five-year increments, subject to national security review and notification to Congress.

The CARGO Act of 2025 prohibits the National Institutes of Health (NIH) from awarding funding or support for any research activity that uses live animals if that research is conducted outside of the United States. This measure is intended to address concerns regarding the lack of oversight and potential mistreatment of animals in foreign research labs funded by U.S. taxpayers. The bill effectively bans NIH grants for overseas animal testing, requiring all such research to occur within U.S. borders.

The Confronting CCP Human Rights Abusers Act mandates the addition of the Ministry of Public Security's Institute of Forensic Science of China to the U.S. trade entity list within 60 days of enactment. This action restricts the institute's ability to conduct business with U.S. entities. The President may waive this requirement only if they certify to Congress that the institute is not involved in the repression or surveillance of minorities in Xinjiang.

The Permitting Transparency and Accountability Act mandates that government agencies provide a public, online status tracker for all permit applications. This tracker must detail every step of the review process, the time taken for each stage, current status, and contact information for all involved personnel. The goal is to increase accountability and provide applicants with clear timelines for final decisions.

This Act restricts federal funding for colleges and universities that maintain relationships with Confucius Institutes or designated "Chinese entities of concern." Specifically, institutions with such ties become ineligible for Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding. Eligibility can be restored only if the institution terminates its relationship with the restricted entity.

The No Funds for Forced Labor Act expresses Congress's strong opposition to international financial institutions funding projects that use or risk using forced labor, particularly in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. The bill directs the U.S. Treasury Secretary to instruct U.S. representatives at these institutions to vote against such loans. Furthermore, it mandates annual public reporting on actions taken to oppose financing linked to forced labor practices.

The FLIGHT Act mandates that major air carriers must notify passengers via text or email if a domestic or international flight is delayed on the ground for 15 minutes or more. Airlines are required to provide updates at least every 15 minutes until the delay ends, including new estimated departure and arrival times when available. Passengers will also have the option to opt-out of receiving further delay notifications for that specific flight.

The Regular Order for Investments of the Federal Reserve Act mandates new annual reports from the Federal Reserve detailing the impact of its policies on the middle class and small business lending. This bill also imposes new restrictions on what Federal Reserve banks can purchase, specifically limiting the maturity of Treasury bills and prohibiting the purchase of mortgage-backed securities or common stock. Furthermore, it requires the Federal Reserve to adopt consistent GAAP accounting standards and use mark-to-market valuations for financial reporting.

The Rein in the Federal Reserve Act mandates increased transparency and accountability for the Federal Reserve's major monetary policy operations, such as quantitative easing and emergency lending. This bill requires the Fed to submit detailed, public reports to Congress explaining the necessity, financial impact, and exit strategy for any new large-scale program. Furthermore, these major programs are automatically subject to Congressional review and are limited to one year unless explicitly extended by Congress.

The Right-size the Federal Reserve Act aims to limit the Federal Reserve's overall size by capping its total assets at 10% of U.S. GDP after a ten-year transition period. This legislation also adjusts reserve requirements, preventing them from falling below levels set on March 25, 2020. Furthermore, the bill mandates the elimination of the Overnight Reserve Repurchase Facility and requires annual reporting to Congress on compliance and foreign bank interest payments.

The Countering Corrupt Political (CCP) Influence Act requires foreign missions from designated adversarial nations to report advance notice of meetings with U.S. state and local officials, as well as visits to educational or research institutions. This measure aims to increase transparency regarding diplomatic activities within the United States. The Secretary of State must compile and report this information monthly to Congress. The requirements are set to expire five years after the Act's enactment.

This bill mandates that the President must nominate and the Senate must confirm the Inspectors General for both the Federal Reserve Board of Governors and the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (CFPB). This change brings the appointment process for these key oversight roles in line with other major federal agencies. The legislation also clarifies the authority of these Inspectors General over their respective organizations.

This resolution expresses the Senate's strong support for designating April 2025 as Parkinson's Awareness Month. It recognizes the growing impact of Parkinson's disease, which affects over a million Americans and is the second most common neurodegenerative disease globally. The resolution emphasizes the critical need for increased research, better public education, and robust community support for those living with the condition. Finally, it commends the dedication of patients, researchers, and advocates working toward better treatments and a cure.

The Reduction of Excess Business Holding Accrual Act modifies the tax rules for private foundations regarding their ownership limits in businesses. Specifically, it allows certain stock repurchased by a business from an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) to be disregarded when calculating a foundation's "excess business holdings." This provision aims to provide flexibility for foundations without exceeding a 49% ownership threshold in the company.