Legislative Activity

The "Small Business Regulatory Reduction Act of 2025" aims to reduce the financial burden of federal regulations on small businesses. Starting in 2026, the Small Business Administration's regulatory budget for small businesses must not exceed zero, meaning new regulations should not increase costs for these businesses. The Chief Counsel for the Office of Advocacy of the SBA will report annually to Congress on the impact of federal rules on small businesses. No additional funds will be allocated to implement this act.

The American Entrepreneurs First Act mandates that the Small Business Administration (SBA) require citizenship status documentation for loan applications under section 7(a) of the Small Business Act or title V of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958. It also prohibits loans to applicants who are not U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or lawful permanent residents, and to businesses with owners who are asylees, refugees, or aliens without lawful status. This act aims to prioritize American citizens and legal residents in accessing SBA loan programs.

The "Portable Ultrasound Reimbursement Equity Act of 2025" amends the Social Security Act to include portable ultrasound transportation and setup services under Medicare, ensuring coverage and payment parity with portable X-ray services. It directs the Secretary to establish quality standards for ultrasound service suppliers, mirroring those for X-ray services. These provisions will take effect for services rendered on or after January 1, 2027.

The "Generating Retirement Ownership through Long-Term Holding Act" allows individuals to defer paying taxes on capital gains dividends from regulated investment companies (RICs) when the dividends are reinvested into additional shares of the same company. Taxes are deferred until the shares purchased with the reinvested dividends are sold, redeemed, or upon the individual's death. This aims to encourage long-term investment and retirement savings.

The "Agency Accountability and Cost Transparency Act of 2025" mandates that federal agencies estimate the costs of new major regulations, identify and repeal existing rules to offset these costs, and declare whether the new rule is budget neutral in the Federal Register. This ensures that new regulations do not increase the overall financial burden on the public and promotes fiscal responsibility within government agencies. The Act defines a major rule as one with a significant economic impact, and the cost includes the expense of understanding and implementing the rule.

The Leveling the Playing Field 2.0 Act aims to strengthen U.S. trade laws by addressing unfair subsidies, currency undervaluation, duty evasion, and circumvention of trade remedies. It refines the process for handling successive trade investigations, ensuring that the International Trade Commission considers prior findings and assesses cumulative effects on domestic industries. The act also empowers authorities to counteract cost distortions in foreign countries and prevent importers from avoiding duties. Additionally, it includes provisions related to trade with Canada and Mexico and sets effective dates for new regulations.

The REDUCE Act mandates executive branch agencies to identify and eliminate redundant positions, limiting new hires to one for every four departures until staffing reaches 80% of the agency's size at the time of the Act's enactment. Agencies must also develop plans for workforce reduction or reorganization, with exemptions for critical national security and public safety roles.

The "Voter Eligibility Verification Act of 2025" aims to ensure accurate voter rolls by requiring the prompt release of immigration status information to state officials. The Attorney General or Secretary of State must receive an individual's immigration status within 15 days of requesting it, including for potential voters. This will allow states to verify the eligibility of individuals for voter registration.

The Small Business Regulatory Reduction Act aims to ease the financial burden of federal regulations on small businesses. Starting in 2026, the Small Business Administration must ensure that new rule changes do not increase costs for small businesses. The Act also requires the Small Business Administration to report annually to Congress on all federal rules impacting small businesses. No additional funds are authorized to implement the Act.

The GORAC Act of 2025 mandates a comprehensive review of federal agencies and programs every 10 years to identify duplication, waste, or outdated functions. A non-Federal auditor will make recommendations for realignment or elimination, with the goal of streamlining government operations and saving taxpayer money. The Comptroller General will then submit these recommendations to Congress, along with proposed legislation to implement the changes and ensure that savings are used to reduce the national debt. Congress will then be required to consider the proposed legislation under expedited procedures.

The "Preventing Financial Exploitation in Higher Education Act" aims to hold colleges accountable for their students' loan outcomes by imposing financial penalties on institutions with large endowments if their students have high rates of loan default, delinquency, or underpayment. It also increases the tax on net investment income for certain educational institutions with large endowments that increase tuition. These penalties and tax increases are designed to encourage institutions to better support their students in managing their student loan obligations and to control tuition costs. The penalties collected will not affect the borrower's loan status or obligations.

The Chemical Tax Repeal Act repeals specific excise taxes on certain chemicals and substances listed under sections B and C of chapter 38 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. This repeal is set to take effect on January 1, 2024.

This bill amends the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act, updating the definition of "numismatic material" to include various forms of currency and related objects. It revises import restrictions for these materials, requiring evidence of lawful acquisition and specifying that customs officials should not demand excessive documentation without reasonable suspicion of fraud. The goal is to facilitate the lawful trade and collecting of numismatic items while preventing the import of items from illegal excavations.

This bill repeals Section 45Z of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, effectively eliminating the clean fuel production credit. The repeal is applicable for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

The HSA Modernization Act expands access to health savings accounts (HSAs) by allowing individuals with certain veterans' benefits, those entitled to Medicare Part A due to age, and those eligible for Indian Health Service assistance to contribute. It also broadens the types of health plans that qualify for HSAs, including bronze and catastrophic plans, and allows high-deductible plans to offer mental health services with no deductible for the first $500 of expenses. The Act also increases HSA contribution limits to match deductible and out-of-pocket maximums and enables the use of HSAs for qualified long-term care services. Additionally, it permits HSAs to cover medical expenses incurred up to 60 days before the HSA was established and allows both spouses to make catch-up contributions to the same HSA.

The "Valor Earned Not Stolen Act of 2025" increases the penalty for individuals who fraudulently misrepresent having received military medals or decorations, with potential imprisonment of up to three years. It mandates a study by the Attorney General, in coordination with the Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs, to identify benefits obtained through fraudulent misrepresentation of military honors. The Attorney General must then report the study's findings and policy recommendations to Congress.

The Border Wall Waste Accountability Act mandates a study by the Comptroller General to assess the financial cost of unused construction materials acquired for the U.S.-Mexico border wall between January 20, 2021, and January 20, 2025, with a report due to Congress within 90 days.

The "No Congressional Funds for Sanctuary Cities Act" prohibits federal funds from being used for congressional earmarks that benefit sanctuary jurisdictions, defined as those with laws or practices that prevent cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, with exceptions for victims and witnesses of crimes. This act will be effective starting in fiscal year 2026.