Legislative Activity

The Patent Eligibility Restoration Act of 2025 seeks to revise patent eligibility criteria by eliminating judicial exceptions and clarifying what inventions are patentable under Title 35 of the United States Code. The Act aims to ensure that any useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter is eligible for patent protection, with specific exclusions for certain subject matter such as unmodified natural materials and purely mental processes. It specifies that patent eligibility should be determined by considering the invention as a whole, and allows courts to determine patent eligibility in infringement cases. This legislation intends to promote innovation by providing clearer guidelines for patent eligibility while maintaining existing requirements for patentability such as novelty and non-obviousness.

The "Helene Small Business Recovery Act" allows the President to waive certain restrictions on receiving multiple forms of disaster relief for businesses and individuals impacted by major disasters or emergencies declared in 2023 and 2024. The President can waive duplication of benefit rules under the Stafford Act if it's in the public interest, without income-based restrictions. The President must decide on waiver requests within 45 days. All federal assistance is allowed if it covers losses from a major disaster or emergency.

The Service Dogs Assisting Veterans Act of 2025 (SAVES Act) directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to create a pilot program that awards grants to nonprofit organizations providing service dogs to veterans. These grants, up to $2,000,000 each, will support programs that offer service dogs to veterans with physical or mental health conditions, ensuring the dogs are provided at no cost to the veteran. The VA will also provide veterinary insurance for these service dogs and oversee the grant program's implementation. $10,000,000 is authorized to be appropriated for each of the five fiscal years following the establishment of the pilot program.

The PROOF Act mandates digital exchanges and custodians to protect customer assets by establishing accounting standards, minimizing loss risks, and preventing commingling with exchange funds. It requires monthly attestations and proof of reserves from independent auditors, following standards set by accounting bodies, with public reports to the Under Secretary. Non-compliant entities face civil penalties, and the Under Secretary publishes the names of entities that fail to meet the requirements.

The "Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2025" requires the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a feasibility study on designating the Benton MacKaye Trail as a national scenic trail. This 287-mile trail spans Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina, offering diverse scenic views and traversing biodiverse wilderness. The study, to be completed within one year, will assess the trail's suitability for national scenic trail status.

The "Secure Family Futures Act of 2025" modifies the tax treatment of debt instruments held by applicable insurance companies, clarifying that these are not considered capital assets. It also extends the carryover period for capital losses incurred by these insurance companies to 10 years. These changes apply to debt instruments acquired and losses arising in taxable years after December 31, 2025.

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, increasing the allowable percentage of a Real Estate Investment Trust's (REIT) assets held in taxable REIT subsidiaries from 20% to 25%. This adjustment provides REITs with greater flexibility in managing their assets. The change will be effective for taxable years starting after December 31, 2025.

The Veterans Education and Technical Skills Opportunity Act of 2025, or VETS Opportunity Act of 2025, amends existing law regarding educational assistance programs for veterans. It mandates regular and substantive interaction between students and instructors in independent study programs at higher education institutions participating in federal student aid programs. This change applies to academic terms starting on or after August 1, 2025.

The Agility in Manufacturing Preparedness Act of 2025, amends the Public Health Service Act to include manufacturing technologies and platforms in the strategic initiatives of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA). This act allows BARDA to strategically coordinate with Manufacturing USA institutes for biomanufacturing. The goal is to improve public health and medical preparedness by advancing manufacturing capabilities.

The "Restoring Industry Development in Entertainment Act" or "RIDE Act" introduces a new P4 nonimmigrant visa for mobile entertainment workers, such as those in carnivals and circuses, who perform essential functions and whose employment will not negatively impact U.S. workers. It defines "mobile entertainment worker" and "mobile entertainment provider" for visa eligibility and allows spouses and children of P visa holders to accompany or join them in the U.S. The Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Labor are directed to establish rules for implementing these changes.

The Down East Remembrance Act designates six creeks in North Carolina with specific names to honor Noah Styron, Hunter Parks, Kole McInnis, Stephanie Fulcher, Jacob Taylor, and Daily Shepherd. Official references to these creeks in any U.S. documents will now reflect these designated names.

The "Consensual Donation and Research Integrity Act of 2025" aims to regulate the handling of donated human bodies and body parts used for education, research, or medical science (excluding transplantation). It mandates registration for entities profiting from interstate sales of bodies/parts, requires detailed record-keeping and inspections, and sets standards for labeling, packaging, and respectful disposition of remains. The Act establishes penalties for violations and defines key terms to ensure ethical and legal compliance in the handling of human remains.

The DETERRENT Act aims to increase transparency and oversight of foreign funding in higher education by amending the Higher Education Act of 1965. It requires institutions to disclose foreign gifts and contracts, particularly those from countries or entities of concern, and establishes penalties for non-compliance. The Act also mandates policies to manage conflicts of interest and potential espionage risks, and enhances interagency coordination for enforcement. Ultimately, the bill seeks to protect U.S. national security and academic integrity by ensuring greater accountability in foreign funding of higher education.

The FEMA Independence Act of 2025 establishes the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as an independent, cabinet-level agency, led by a Director who reports directly to the President. This act transfers all FEMA functions from the Department of Homeland Security to the newly independent agency, aiming to enhance FEMA's ability to lead and support the nation's emergency management system. The act also outlines leadership roles, responsibilities, and the transfer of personnel and resources to ensure a seamless transition. Additionally, the act requires the director to submit a report to congress recommending legislation for technical and conforming amendments to reflect the changes made by this act.

The "Renewable Natural Gas Incentive Act of 2025" introduces a \$1.00 per gallon tax credit for renewable natural gas used as fuel in vehicles, boats, or aviation. It defines renewable natural gas and sets requirements for producers and sellers to qualify for the credit. This incentive aims to promote the use of renewable natural gas, but it is not applicable to gas produced and used outside the United States and expires after December 31, 2035.

This resolution supports "Countering International Parental Child Abduction Month" and aims to raise awareness of the emotional harm caused by international parental child abduction to children and parents. It recognizes past efforts, such as the Hague Convention and the work of organizations and government programs, to combat this issue. The resolution encourages continued U.S. leadership in educating the public about the negative impacts of international parental child abduction.

This resolution focuses on protecting Iranian political refugees, particularly female former political prisoners, residing in Ashraf-3, Albania, from the Iranian regime's threats and actions. It condemns Iran's destabilizing activities and support for terrorism, while emphasizing the need for the refugees' rights to freedom of expression and assembly. The resolution calls for the U.S. government to support Albania in safeguarding these refugees in accordance with international law and opposes Iran's misuse of INTERPOL to target dissidents. It also highlights support for Mrs. Maryam Rajavi's Ten-Point Plan for the Future of Iran, which advocates for universal rights and equality.

The TRACE Act mandates the Attorney General to enhance the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System by including a data field to track missing persons whose last known location was on Federal land. It also requires an annual report to Congress detailing the number of missing persons cases linked to Federal lands.

The Radiation Oncology Case Rate Value Based Program Act of 2025 establishes a value-based payment model for radiation therapy under Medicare, providing per-episode payments to providers for cancer treatments. This program aims to improve the quality and efficiency of radiation oncology services while controlling costs, and includes incentives for meeting quality standards and offering patient-centered care, such as transportation assistance. The act also revises civil monetary penalties to allow transportation services for radiation oncology patients and exempts the program from budget neutrality adjustments. Most radiation therapy providers and suppliers will be required to participate in the program.

The Medical Supply Chain Resiliency Act aims to strengthen the U.S. medical supply chain by establishing agreements with trusted trade partners to reduce import restrictions on medical goods, diversify supplier networks, and promote regulatory cooperation. It authorizes the President to negotiate and enforce these agreements, prioritizing countries committed to open trade and intellectual property protection. The Act also establishes congressional oversight and review processes to ensure agreements align with U.S. interests and mandates monitoring of partners' compliance, allowing for potential actions if commitments are not met. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure a reliable supply of medical products, especially during emergencies, while safeguarding national security and public health.