Legislative Activity

The Rural Broadband Assistance Act establishes a new program to provide technical assistance and training for rural broadband projects. This initiative allows the Secretary to award grants to qualified organizations that will help eligible rural entities prepare applications, secure funding, and manage broadband facilities. The goal is to streamline the process of bringing high-speed internet access to underserved rural communities.

The United States Automobile Consumer Assistance and Relief Act (USA CAR Act) introduces a new tax deduction for interest paid on car loans. This deduction applies only to "qualified automobile interest," defined as interest on loans taken out after January 1, 2025, to purchase a vehicle assembled in the United States. This aims to provide financial relief for consumers purchasing domestically assembled vehicles.

The Fight Fentanyl Act strengthens federal efforts to combat the fentanyl crisis by updating the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program. This legislation mandates increased reporting on fentanyl investigations, sets dedicated funding levels through 2030, and expands HIDTA purposes to prioritize fentanyl interdiction. Furthermore, it requires the Attorney General to ensure sufficient prosecutorial resources are dedicated to fentanyl trafficking cases through temporary AUSA assignments.

This resolution officially honors the life and 203rd birthday of Ulysses S. Grant, America's 18th President and a native son of Ohio. It recognizes his pivotal role in winning the Civil War and his subsequent efforts to advance civil rights as President. Furthermore, the resolution acknowledges the preservation work being done by The Land of US Grant, Inc. in Georgetown, Ohio.

The Bridging the Broadband Gap Act of 2025 amends the BEAD Program to allow grant recipients to establish household voucher programs. These vouchers prioritize low-income households in areas deemed to have inadequate internet service. The funds can cover up to 50% of equipment costs or the full monthly service charge for satellite or fixed wireless broadband for a period of 12 consecutive months.

The College Admissions Accountability Act of 2025 establishes a new Special Inspector General (SIG) within the Department of Education to investigate allegations of unlawful racial discrimination in college admissions and financial aid. This office is created in response to the Supreme Court's ruling on race-conscious admissions and will review compliance with the 14th Amendment and Title VI. The SIG has the power to recommend corrective actions, including the loss of federal funding for non-compliant institutions.

The Veterans First Act of 2025 redirects $2 billion from foreign aid to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This funding is specifically allocated to provide grants for the construction, renovation, and improvement of state-run veterans' homes and facilities. The bill ensures these funds remain available until fully utilized for veteran care infrastructure projects.

The "Regulation Decimation Act" mandates that before a new regulation can be enacted, agencies must repeal at least ten existing regulations related to the new rule, to the extent practicable. For major rules, the cost of the new rule must be less than or equal to the cost of the repealed rules. The Act also requires agencies to review existing rules to identify those that are costly, ineffective, duplicative, or outdated, and the President to report to Congress on the status of rule reduction.