Legislative Activity

The Dismantle Foreign Scam Syndicates Act establishes a high-level Task Force, chaired by the Secretary of State, to develop and execute a comprehensive U.S. strategy against transnational criminal organizations running massive online scams, often utilizing victims of human trafficking in Southeast Asia. This strategy must focus on disrupting these operations, sanctioning responsible parties, and providing support for rescued victims. The bill authorizes $30 million over two years to fund these efforts and requires annual reporting to Congress on progress and impact.

The Courthouse Affordability and Space Efficiency (CASE) Act of 2025 aims to reduce federal construction costs by implementing strict new space-sharing requirements for all new courthouse designs. This legislation freezes new construction unless designs adhere to specific ratios for courtrooms based on the number of active and senior judges. Furthermore, the GSA must ensure existing space within a complex is fully utilized before new construction is permitted.

The BANNED in Latin America Act mandates the Secretary of State to develop a comprehensive strategy to counter Iranian and Hezbollah influence operations across Latin America. This plan must detail actions against cultural centers, restrict the activities of Iranian agents, and boost intelligence gathering on these networks. Furthermore, the strategy will outline measures to disrupt Iranian and Hezbollah media platforms and address radicalization efforts within university networks.

The Water Quality Standards Attainability Act requires states to review the cost-effectiveness of controls for combined sewer overflows when updating water quality standards. It mandates that states and the EPA must consider the cost and commercial availability of necessary treatment technologies when setting or revising water quality standards applicable to public water supplies. This ensures that water quality goals are evaluated based on practical and affordable treatment options for pollution sources.

This bill establishes a new category, "Foreign Financial Threat Organizations," allowing the Treasury Secretary to designate foreign entities engaged in fraud against U.S. persons. Once designated, these organizations face immediate asset freezes and penalties equivalent to those imposed on global terrorist organizations. The legislation also mandates reporting on enforcement actions and the return of funds to victims.

The "Protecting Domestic Mining Act of 2025" aims to streamline the permitting process for domestic mining projects. It achieves this by including mining projects under the definition of "covered project" in the FAST Act, which expedites federal review and approval. Additionally, the Act prevents the implementation of a proposed rule that could potentially hinder mining projects' eligibility for these expedited reviews.

The "Build the Wall Act of 2025" establishes a fund dedicated to constructing and maintaining physical barriers along the U.S. southern border. It redirects unobligated funds from the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds into this new "Southern Border Wall Construction Fund." The Department of Homeland Security will then use this fund for border wall projects.