Legislative Activity

The Mobilizing Against Sanctuary Cities Act mandates that the Attorney General annually identify state and local jurisdictions that fail to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement requests, such as honoring detainers. Jurisdictions deemed non-compliant will immediately lose eligibility for all federal financial assistance for at least one year. Funding will only be restored after the Attorney General certifies that the area has corrected its non-compliance.

The Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act of 2025 aims to streamline pesticide regulation by generally exempting legally authorized pesticide applications from needing separate Clean Water Act discharge permits. This change applies when authorized pesticides or their residues enter navigable waters from a specific discharge point. However, the exemption does not apply if the discharge violates FIFRA rules, involves certain stormwater runoff, or originates from industrial processes or vessels.

This resolution formally recognizes and honors the 250th birthday of the United States Army, celebrating its 250 years of service, valor, and dedication to defending American freedom. Congress expresses deep appreciation for the Army's history, its commitment to core values, and its current readiness to meet any future global challenge. The resolution encourages the American public to observe this significant anniversary with appropriate ceremonies.

The Weather Workforce Improvement Act aims to strengthen the National Weather Service's ability to provide accurate and timely forecasts critical for public safety. It grants the NWS Director temporary direct-hire authority to quickly fill essential, public safety-related staffing vacancies. Furthermore, the bill mandates regular workforce assessments and reports on employee health and morale, particularly concerning shift work.

This bill, the Preventing the Abuse of Immigration Parole Act, aims to drastically restrict the Secretary of Homeland Security's authority to grant immigration parole. It mandates that parole decisions must be made strictly on a case-by-case basis for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit. Furthermore, the legislation imposes an annual cap on parole grants starting in FY 2029 and grants states the authority to sue the Secretary over perceived misuse of this authority.

This resolution expresses support for officially designating the month of July as "American Patriotism Month." It recognizes the historical significance of American patriotism and encourages citizens and groups to observe the month with appropriate ceremonies celebrating U.S. history and values. The bill further asks the President to issue a yearly proclamation supporting this designation.

The BARK Act of 2025 aims to encourage the donation of pet food and supplies during emergencies and for charitable purposes. It provides liability protection to donors and distributing organizations against lawsuits related to the condition of donated items, provided there is no gross negligence or intentional harm. This protection applies to items that appear fit for use, even if they don't meet all commercial sales standards, provided proper disclosure and reconditioning procedures are followed.

This bill amends federal law to improve how the Department of Defense verifies the professional licenses of its military healthcare providers. It mandates the creation of a centralized system to allow military facility commanders to quickly confirm a provider's current licensure status. The goal is to ensure that at least 90% of standard license verification requests are completed within seven days.

The Capacity Building for Business Districts Pilot Program Act of 2025 establishes a new federal program to strengthen local business districts, particularly in underserved communities. This program will award grants to larger intermediary organizations, which will then provide technical assistance, training, and capacity building support to smaller, local groups managing neighborhood commercial areas. The goal is to enhance the ability of these local organizations to drive economic growth, job creation, and revitalization in distressed and rural areas.

This bill expresses the disapproval of Congress, under the Congressional Review Act, of a specific rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The rejected rule concerned the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for the rubber tire manufacturing industry. As a result of this disapproval, the EPA's proposed standards will not take effect.

The Financial Integrity and Regulation Management (FIRM) Act prohibits federal banking agencies from using "reputational risk" as a factor in supervising, examining, or rating financial institutions. This legislation aims to ensure that bank oversight focuses strictly on financial safety and soundness, rather than public perception or political considerations. Agencies must remove all references to reputational risk from their guidance and report back to Congress on their compliance within 180 days.

The Uplifting First-Time Homebuyers Act of 2025 significantly increases the penalty-free withdrawal limit from retirement accounts for first-time homebuyers. This legislation raises the maximum allowable distribution from $\$10,000$ to $\$50,000$. This change is designed to provide greater financial flexibility for individuals purchasing their first home, taking effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.

The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2025 aims to streamline and modernize the prior authorization process within Medicare Advantage plans. This bill mandates the adoption of electronic prior authorization systems and significantly increases transparency regarding approval rates and decision times starting in 2027. Furthermore, it establishes new enrollee protections and grants the Secretary authority to enforce faster decision timeframes for medical services.

The COUNTER Act enhances the Department of Defense's authority to neutralize threats from unmanned aircraft systems targeting U.S. assets. This legislation delegates specific response powers and updates mitigation rules for drone threats. Crucially, it exempts sensitive information regarding these counter-drone technologies and procedures from public disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. The bill also adjusts several deadlines and clarifies the applicability of certain federal laws when operating overseas to counter these threats.

The Retreaded Tire Jobs, Supply Chain Security and Sustainability Act of 2025 establishes a new federal tax credit for businesses purchasing qualified, domestically retreaded tires through 2028. The bill also mandates that federal executive agencies prioritize purchasing retreaded tires when available through the GSA schedule, rather than buying new ones. These provisions aim to boost domestic jobs, enhance supply chain security, and promote sustainability in the tire industry.

The STOP Screwworms Act mandates the establishment of facilities to rear and release sterile New World screwworm flies in high-risk areas to combat infestations. The Secretary of Agriculture must build these modular facilities within 180 days of enactment and provide annual public reports on the threat and control efforts. The bill authorizes up to $300 million to fund these necessary actions.

The Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati Stopping Prison Contraband Act focuses on strengthening penalties for introducing prohibited items, specifically phones, into prisons. It mandates the Director of the Bureau of Prisons to review and update policies concerning prohibited objects to enhance the safety of inmates and staff. This legislation aims to curb contraband flow within correctional facilities.

This bill seeks to formally reject a recent rule submitted by the Department of Energy (DOE) concerning new energy conservation standards for consumer gas-fired instantaneous water heaters. By invoking congressional disapproval, the legislation immediately cancels the DOE's proposed efficiency standards. In essence, Congress is overriding the DOE's attempt to implement these specific new regulations for tankless gas water heaters.

This Joint Resolution expresses the disapproval of Congress regarding a recent rule issued by the Department of Energy concerning energy conservation programs. Specifically, it rejects the DOE's proposed requirements for certification, labeling, and enforcement for certain consumer products and commercial equipment. If enacted, this resolution will prevent the specified DOE rule from taking effect.

The Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act mandates that group health plans and insurance policies provide comprehensive coverage for medically necessary treatment related to congenital anomalies or birth defects affecting the eyes, ears, teeth, mouth, or jaw. This coverage must include services needed to restore normal function and appearance, including necessary dental and orthodontic support. Plans must apply cost-sharing rules no more restrictive than those for other medical benefits, excluding purely cosmetic procedures.