Legislative Activity

The Safer Shrimp Imports Act establishes new requirements for foreign facilities that process or pack shrimp destined for the U.S. market. It mandates that foreign governments must agree to U.S. safety standards or demonstrate that their inspection systems are equivalent to the FDA's. Shrimp from countries refusing cooperation or lacking adequate oversight will be blocked from entering the United States.

The Gulf of America Act officially renames the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. This change mandates that all federal laws, maps, and official records must immediately reflect the new designation. The Secretary of the Interior is tasked with overseeing the implementation of this name change across all federal agencies within 180 days.

Violet's Law mandates that federal research facilities establish procedures to place retired research animals, including dogs, cats, and primates, into new homes. These facilities must adhere to the Animal Welfare Act standards and ensure animals are certified healthy by a veterinarian before adoption. Eligible placements include registered animal rescue organizations, sanctuaries, shelters, or private individuals.

The MOMS Act aims to support expecting and new mothers through three main initiatives. It establishes a centralized federal resource website, Pregnancy.gov, to connect mothers with local support services and adoption agencies. The bill also creates grant programs to fund organizations offering positive alternatives to abortion and expanding access to at-home prenatal and postnatal telehealth care in underserved areas. Finally, it allows states to establish and enforce child support obligations against biological fathers for unborn children upon the mother's request.

The CHOICE for Veterans Act of 2025 aims to overhaul how veterans receive assistance with their Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefit claims. It establishes new rules for the recognition, fees, and conduct of agents and attorneys who represent veterans. The bill also mandates increased transparency regarding available assistance and requires a review of the entire representative recognition process.

The Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act restricts the Department of Veterans Affairs from automatically sharing a veteran's information with the DOJ for national background checks solely based on the appointment of a fiduciary. This bill prohibits the VA from classifying a veteran as a "mental defective" based only on an administrative finding of incompetence or the need for a fiduciary. Furthermore, the VA must notify the Attorney General if previously shared information based on fiduciary status is no longer valid.

The ACES Act mandates a comprehensive study by the National Academies to investigate the prevalence and mortality rates of various cancers among active duty fixed-wing aircraft crew members due to potential service-related exposures. This legislation also extends the expiration date for certain limitations on veteran pension payments by one month. The study will analyze specific cancer types and utilize data from the VA, DoD, and other federal sources.

The Lifting Overburdensome Commerce Obstructions and Motives (LOCOMOTIVES) Act clarifies and strengthens federal authority over emission standards for existing locomotives and engines. This legislation limits the ability of states to set their own pollution control standards for certain railroad equipment. Specifically, it expands federal preemption to cover more nonroad engines and locomotives engaged in commerce.

This resolution expresses strong support for designating the month of May as "Fallen Heroes Memorial Month." It honors the more than 1.3 million service members who have died protecting American liberty throughout history. Furthermore, the bill urges the President to issue a proclamation encouraging all Americans to reflect upon and honor the ultimate sacrifice made by these heroes.

This bill officially designates the memorial and museum currently under construction in Jacksonville, Florida, as the **National POW/MIA Memorial and Museum**. The legislation recognizes the museum's crucial role in honoring and educating the public about service members who were prisoners of war or remain missing in action. To maintain this designation, the museum must submit a comprehensive operational report to Congress within 90 days of enactment. Failure to open satisfactorily within five years or submit the required report will result in the loss of this official federal title.

The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE Act) significantly amends federal law to require individuals registering to vote in federal elections to present documentary proof of U.S. citizenship. This legislation mandates that states actively clean their voter rolls and cooperate with federal agencies to verify citizenship status. It establishes new criminal penalties for officials who fail to enforce these documentation requirements.

The FEMA Loan Interest Payment Relief Act establishes a program for FEMA to reimburse local governments and electric cooperatives for interest paid on specific disaster recovery loans. This reimbursement is capped at the lesser of the actual interest paid or the interest calculated using the Federal Reserve's prime rate. The law mandates FEMA to quickly establish procedures for states to apply for reimbursement of qualifying interest paid up to nine years prior to enactment.

The Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act of 2025 aims to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and countering its support for terrorism by imposing sanctions on those involved in Iran's energy sector and those who provide financial support for its destabilizing activities. It mandates sanctions on foreign entities involved in processing, exporting, or selling Iranian oil, gas, and petrochemicals, while also establishing an interagency working group to coordinate and enforce these sanctions. The Act also amends existing legislation to require the identification of individuals involved in sanctionable activities or sanctions evasion related to Iranian oil and gas sales.

The Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act of 2025 expands Medicare coverage for audiology services, beginning in 2027. This legislation allows qualified audiologists to provide diagnostic and treatment services without physician referral or supervision, as permitted by state law. The bill also specifies payment rates and includes audiologists in coverage for Rural Health Clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers.

This bill, the Protecting America’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve from China Act, strictly prohibits the sale or release of oil from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to any entity owned, controlled, or influenced by the Chinese Communist Party. Furthermore, it prevents the sale of SPR products to non-Chinese buyers if those products are intended for export to the People's Republic of China. The legislation aims to safeguard U.S. energy reserves from benefiting the Chinese government.

The Save Our Sequoias Act establishes a comprehensive, multi-agency strategy to protect giant sequoias from threats like catastrophic wildfire, drought, and pests. It mandates a scientific assessment of grove health, creates emergency response authorities to expedite hazardous fuel reduction, and sets up dedicated funding and grant programs. The legislation emphasizes collaboration with California and Native American Tribes to ensure long-term reforestation and resilience for these iconic trees.

The Clear Communication for Veterans Claims Act mandates an independent assessment of all notices sent by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to ensure they are clearer, more concise, and easier for claimants to understand. The VA Secretary must implement the resulting recommendations within one year of receiving the assessment. Additionally, this bill slightly extends the expiration date for certain existing limits on veterans' pension payments.

The Staged Accident Fraud Prevention Act of 2025 establishes a new federal crime targeting individuals who intentionally stage motor vehicle collisions involving commercial motor vehicles. This act sets significant penalties, including up to 20 years in prison for staging an accident, with mandatory minimum sentences for crashes resulting in serious injury or death. The legislation also includes provisions to prevent federal prosecution if the individual has already been tried in a state or local jurisdiction for the same incident.

The Repealing Illegal Freedom and Liberty Excises Act (RIFLE Act) eliminates the existing federal tax on firearm transfers. This legislation strikes the relevant section from the Internal Revenue Code and makes necessary technical updates to related statutes. Importantly, this Act does not grant the Consumer Product Safety Commission any new authority over regulated firearms.

The Secretary of the Coast Guard Act of 2025 establishes the new, Senate-confirmed position of Secretary of the Coast Guard. This new Cabinet-level official will report directly to the Secretary of Homeland Security, overseeing the service. The bill redefines leadership structure within Title 14 of the U.S. Code, placing the Commandant of the Coast Guard under the direction of this new Secretary.