Legislative Activity

The "DOC Access Act of 2025" aims to enhance health care coverage under vision and dental plans by ensuring fair payment practices, protecting doctors' choices in labs and suppliers, and respecting state laws. It allows optometrists and dentists to charge their standard rate for non-covered services if the plan's payment is unreasonable, while ensuring they can only charge the contracted rate for dental cleanings. The bill also gives doctors more control over agreement extensions with limited benefit plans and allows them to opt out of certain provisions. Ultimately, this act seeks to balance federal guidelines with state oversight in regulating health insurance issuers and dental or vision benefit plans.

The "Protecting Investors Personally Identifiable Information Act" prevents the SEC from requiring national securities exchanges or associations to provide personally identifiable information about market participants. Personally identifiable information includes data that can identify an individual, such as name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, phone number, email, and IP address. This ensures sensitive personal data is not part of consolidated audit trail reporting requirements.

The "Increasing Access to Dental Insurance Act" aims to broaden access to dental coverage by enabling individuals to enroll in standalone dental plans via the Health Insurance Exchange, irrespective of their enrollment status in a qualified health plan. This expands options for individuals seeking dental insurance.

The Trafficking Survivors Relief Act of 2025 aims to provide legal relief to victims of trafficking by allowing them to vacate convictions or expunge arrests for certain federal offenses committed as a direct result of their trafficking. It also allows for reduced sentences for covered prisoners and enables the use of grant funds for legal representation in post-conviction relief cases. The act further establishes a "human trafficking defense," and mandates reports to Congress on the implementation and impact of these provisions. This bill seeks to address the exploitation of forced criminal activity by human traffickers and provide support and protection to survivors.

The "Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2025" amends the Clean Air Act to modify fuel and fuel additive waiver processes, primarily affecting ethanol blends. It adjusts Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) limitations for gasoline blends containing 10-15% ethanol and allows small refineries to regain certain credits under specific conditions. These changes aim to provide greater fuel choices for consumers and retailers nationwide.

The Supporting the Local Radio Freedom Act prevents Congress from imposing new performance fees on local radio stations for playing music. It emphasizes the mutually beneficial relationship between broadcasters and the recording industry, where radio provides free publicity that boosts music sales and supports artists. The act recognizes local radio's crucial role in communities by providing news, weather updates, and public service announcements. Ultimately, this bill aims to protect local radio stations and businesses from economic harm, ensuring they can continue serving their communities without additional financial burdens.

The "Death Tax Repeal Act" eliminates both estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes, effective from the date of enactment. It adjusts gift tax calculations by setting the lifetime gift exemption at $10,000,000, with inflation adjustments after 2011. The Act also includes transitional rules for applying certain sections of the Internal Revenue Code during the enactment year.

This bill expresses support for designating February 15-22, 2025, as "National FFA Week," celebrating the National FFA Organization's role in developing future leaders through agricultural education. It also recognizes the 90th anniversary of New Farmers of America and the 75th anniversary of the Future Farmers of America federal charter.

The Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act of 2025 expands public safety officer benefits to include deaths and disabilities caused by exposure-related cancers, presuming that certain cancers diagnosed within 15 years of service are line-of-duty injuries if the officer served for at least 5 years. It defines "exposure-related cancer" and allows for updates to the list based on medical evidence, while also permitting individuals to petition for additions. The Act also clarifies "line of duty action" and applies retroactively to claims dating back to January 1, 2020, with a three-year window for filing claims based on these amendments.

The United States-Israel Defense Partnership Act of 2025 seeks to bolster the defense relationship between the United States and Israel through joint initiatives and increased cooperation. It establishes programs to counter unmanned systems, extend anti-tunnel and counter-UAS cooperation, and promote collaboration in emerging technologies like AI and cybersecurity. The act also mandates the establishment of a Defense Innovation Unit office in Israel and assesses integrated air and missile defense in the U.S. Central Command region. Finally, it explores Israel's potential inclusion in the national technology and industrial base.

The SAFE for America Act of 2025 eliminates the Diversity Visa Program, which makes visas available to persons from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. This is achieved through repealing subsection (c) of Section 203 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The Act also makes corresponding technical amendments to other sections of the Immigration and Nationality Act to reflect this change. These changes would take effect beginning October 1, 2025.

The "Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow's Workforce Act" amends Section 529 savings accounts to include expenses related to postsecondary credentialing programs. This allows 529 funds to cover costs like tuition, fees, books, supplies, and testing fees for recognized programs and credentials, as defined by the bill. These changes would apply to distributions made after the bill is enacted.

The "HALT Fentanyl Act" permanently classifies fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs under the Controlled Substances Act, streamlining research registration processes while maintaining controls. It also updates penalties for trafficking, importing, and exporting fentanyl-related substances, treating them similarly to fentanyl analogues. Additionally, the Act addresses technical errors in previous legislation and mandates the Attorney General to issue rules for implementation.

The "Fair Access to Banking Act" aims to prevent financial institutions from denying services to legal businesses based on subjective or political reasons. It prohibits large banks, credit unions, and payment card networks from discriminating against legal businesses and requires them to provide fair access to financial services based on impartial, risk-based standards. Financial institutions that violate these provisions may face penalties, including ineligibility for taxpayer-funded discount window lending programs and civil penalties. Individuals or businesses who are unfairly denied services can sue the financial institution in U.S. district court.

The Small LENDER Act amends the Equal Credit Opportunity Act to ease the burden of new small business lending data collection rules. It provides financial institutions with a three-year compliance period, followed by a two-year safe harbor from penalties. The act defines "financial institution" as one originating at least 500 small business credit transactions in each of the previous two years, and "small business" as one with $1,000,000 or less in gross annual revenue.

The "Educational Choice for Children Act of 2025" establishes federal tax credits for individuals and corporations who contribute to scholarship granting organizations that provide scholarships for eligible students to attend elementary and secondary schools. It sets a volume cap on the total amount of credits that can be claimed and prioritizes allocation on a first-come, first-served basis. The act also exempts these scholarships from gross income and protects the autonomy of scholarship organizations and non-public schools from government control.

This bill recognizes the significant historical and ongoing contributions of tax-exempt fraternal benefit societies to communities across the United States through charitable activities, volunteer work, and financial support for members. It expresses the sense of Congress that these societies are a valuable support system that addresses unmet needs and generates substantial returns to the U.S. through their tax-exempt status. The bill also advocates for the continued promotion of fraternal benefit societies.

The "Main Street Tax Certainty Act" amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permanently extend the deduction for qualified business income. This removes the previous expiration date, providing long-term tax certainty for eligible businesses. The change applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

The TABS Act of 2025 renames the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection to the Consumer Financial Empowerment Agency, updating references across numerous acts and legal documents. It also authorizes Congress to appropriate funds for the newly named agency for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, bringing it into the regular appropriations process.

The Pet Food Uniform Regulatory Reform Act of 2025 aims to modernize and streamline the regulation of pet food at the federal level. It establishes a uniform federal framework for pet food labeling, ingredient review, and marketing claims, while preserving states' authority over food safety. The Act defines key terms, simplifies the approval process for pet food ingredients, and sets guidelines for labeling claims such as "natural" and "human grade". Ultimately, the goal is to promote innovation, ensure pet food safety and nutritional adequacy, and provide clarity for both manufacturers and consumers.