Legislative Activity

This bill disapproves and nullifies a Department of Homeland Security rule that changes requirements for H-1B visas, introduces flexibility in the F-1 student visa program, and modifies rules affecting other nonimmigrant workers.

The "Make the Migrant Protection Protocols Mandatory Act of 2025" makes it mandatory for the Department of Homeland Security to implement the Migrant Protection Protocols, which require certain migrants to remain in a foreign country while awaiting immigration proceedings in the U.S. This is achieved by changing the language in the Immigration and Nationality Act from permissive to mandatory regarding the implementation of these protocols.

The "AMERICANS Act" addresses the COVID-19 vaccine mandate's impact on service members by preventing new mandates without congressional approval and prohibiting adverse actions based solely on vaccination status. It offers remedies for those discharged or negatively affected, including discharge upgrades, reinstatement, and compensation. The act prioritizes retaining unvaccinated members, limits consideration of vaccination status for assignments, requires a COVID-19 vaccine exemption process, and terminates bonus repayment obligations for those separated due to vaccine refusal.

The "Restore Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability Act of 2025" aims to improve accountability within the VA by modifying procedures for disciplining VA supervisors, senior executives, and other employees for misconduct or poor performance. It expedites the disciplinary process, limits external review of disciplinary actions, and broadens the scope of employees subject to these procedures. The bill emphasizes the VA Secretary's authority in disciplinary matters, while also protecting whistleblowers. These changes apply retroactively to misconduct or performance issues dating back to the enactment of the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017.

This bill asserts the constitutional right of states to defend themselves against invasion, citing the situation at the southern border from 2021-2024 as an invasion by cartels, terrorists, and criminal elements. It criticizes the Biden administration's border policies and claims the federal government failed to protect southern border states, thus empowering states to take defensive action.

The "No Welfare for the Wealthy Act of 2025" amends eligibility requirements for food and nutrition benefits. To qualify, households must meet specific income and resource criteria outlined in the bill. The act takes effect one year after enactment and applies to certification periods beginning after that date.

The "Repealing Big Brother Overreach Act" repeals the Corporate Transparency Act, eliminating the requirement for companies to report beneficial ownership information to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). It also makes necessary technical adjustments to Title 31 of the United States Code, specifically sections related to financial recordkeeping and reporting of currency and foreign transactions, to reflect the repeal.

The FAIR PREP Act of 2025 prohibits the Treasury Secretary from preparing tax returns or refund claims, including through IRS-run electronic services, with exceptions for qualified programs like the IRS Free File Program. It defines "prepare" and "electronic tax preparation service" to clarify the scope of the prohibition, which applies to returns filed more than 30 days after enactment. The Act also restricts the Treasury Secretary from spending funds on developing or operating electronic tax preparation services without explicit authorization from a new law.

The "No Subsidies for Wealthy Universities Act" aims to limit federal research funding to higher education institutions based on the size of their endowment funds. It prohibits the use of federal research award funds to cover indirect costs for institutions with over $5 billion in endowment funds and sets caps on indirect cost rates for institutions with endowments between $2 billion and $5 billion, as well as for all other higher education institutions. The Act also mandates annual reporting on endowment funds and requires the Comptroller General to submit annual reports to Congress on indirect costs reimbursed to higher education institutions for federal research awards.

The "Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025" amends Title IX to prohibit schools receiving federal funds from allowing males to participate in female athletic programs. Sex is defined as based on reproductive biology and genetics at birth. The bill allows males to train with female teams if it doesn't deprive females of opportunities. It also requires a study on the benefits lost to women when males participate in female sports.

The TRUST in Congress Act mandates that members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children place covered investments, such as securities and commodities, into qualified blind trusts within a specified timeframe. These trusts must remain in place until 180 days after the member leaves office, ensuring that investment decisions are made without the member's knowledge or influence. Members must certify their compliance or declare the absence of covered investments, with these certifications being made public. An exception is provided for spouses or dependent children whose primary income is derived from a covered investment.

The "Regulation Reduction Act of 2025" mandates that federal agencies repeal at least three existing regulations for every new regulation issued, ensuring that the cost of any new major regulation is offset by the cost savings from those repealed. Agency heads must also submit reports identifying costly, ineffective, or outdated regulations to Congress. This aims to reduce regulatory burdens and streamline government processes.

This bill designates the United States Postal Service facility located at 107 North Hoyne Avenue in Fritch, Texas, as the "Chief Zeb Smith Post Office." Any reference to this facility will now refer to it as the Chief Zeb Smith Post Office.

The Legal Workforce Act mandates employers to verify employees' work eligibility through a federal verification system, requires the use of secure identity authentication technologies, and increases penalties for hiring unauthorized workers. It establishes a federal employment eligibility verification system, preempts state laws on employment eligibility verification, and protects employers from liability if they act in good faith based on the system's information. The Act also includes measures to prevent fraud and misuse of documents and Social Security numbers, and requires audits to identify unauthorized workers.

The "REMAIN in Mexico Act of 2025" mandates the Secretary of Homeland Security to reinstate and enforce the Migrant Protection Protocols, as previously outlined in the 2019 Policy Guidance. This requires migrants and asylum seekers to remain in Mexico while awaiting U.S. immigration proceedings.

This bill renames the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Lubbock, Texas, to the "General Bernie Mittemeyer VA Clinic". All official references to the clinic will reflect this new name.

The Border Safety and Security Act of 2025 allows the Secretary of Homeland Security to suspend the entry of certain aliens at U.S. borders if it's needed to maintain control, and requires the Secretary to prohibit entry if aliens cannot be detained or placed in an appropriate program. State Attorneys General can sue the Secretary of Homeland Security in federal court if they believe this section is being violated. The bill defines "covered alien" as someone seeking entry who is inadmissible under existing immigration law.

The "Abolish the ATF Act" eliminates the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). This would effectively end the ATF's regulatory and enforcement powers over alcohol, tobacco, firearms, and explosives.

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to limit the number of terms a member of Congress can serve. Representatives would be limited to 3 terms and Senators to 2 terms, with specific rules for partial terms. Terms served before the amendment's ratification would not be counted. The amendment must be ratified by three-fourths of the states within seven years to be valid.

The TCJA Permanency Act makes permanent several tax provisions that were enacted as part of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) and were set to expire. These provisions include modifications to individual income tax rates and brackets, the standard deduction, the child tax credit, and the estate and gift tax exemption. The act also increases the exemption for the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) and adjusts the phase-out thresholds. Additionally, it includes various changes affecting deductions, credits, and exclusions for individuals, families, businesses, and estates.