Legislative Activity

The Dismantle Foreign Scam Syndicates Act establishes a high-level Task Force, chaired by the Secretary of State, to develop and execute a comprehensive U.S. strategy against transnational criminal organizations running massive online scams, often utilizing victims of human trafficking in Southeast Asia. This strategy must focus on disrupting these operations, sanctioning responsible parties, and providing support for rescued victims. The bill authorizes $30 million over two years to fund these efforts and requires annual reporting to Congress on progress and impact.

The Growing University AI Research for Defense Act (GUARD Act) authorizes the Secretary of Defense to establish National Security and Defense Artificial Intelligence Institutes at eligible senior military colleges. These institutes will focus on critical defense-related AI challenges through broad partnerships across government, academia, and industry. The funding supports research, data sharing, testing environments, and workforce development exclusively within the United States.

The Second Chance at Life Act of 2025 establishes new federal requirements for abortion providers offering chemical abortions involving two drugs. These rules mandate that doctors inform women about the possibility of reversing the effects of the first pill, mifepristone, at least 24 hours in advance. The law also requires specific signage in clinics and directs the Department of Health and Human Services to create an accessible, privacy-focused website detailing reversal information. Finally, it creates a pathway for civil lawsuits against providers who knowingly violate these new informed consent and disclosure mandates.

This resolution supports designating the week of September 21 through September 27, 2025, as "Gold Star Families Remembrance Week." The measure aims to officially recognize and honor the profound sacrifices made by families who have lost a loved one serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. It encourages communities nationwide to observe this week through acts of service and by celebrating the lives of these fallen service members.

The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025 mandates that the Secretary of Transportation establish a rule requiring AM broadcast radio receivers to be installed as standard equipment in new passenger motor vehicles. This requirement aims to ensure public access to AM radio signals, which are often used for emergency alerts. The bill also directs a GAO study on the effectiveness of AM radio within the national emergency alert system compared to other technologies. Finally, the Act preempts state and local laws on this matter and includes a sunset provision eight years after enactment.

The "Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act" expands Medicare coverage to include FDA-approved multi-cancer early detection screening tests starting in 2028. It defines the criteria for these tests, sets payment guidelines, and establishes age and frequency limitations for coverage. The bill ensures that existing cancer screening coverage remains unaffected and allows for waivers of limitations based on recommendations from the United States Preventive Services Task Force.

The Pay Our Troops Act of 2026 ensures that active duty military personnel and essential civilian support staff continue to receive their pay if Congress has not yet passed the full budget for fiscal year 2026. This act provides automatic continuing appropriations from the Treasury to prevent a lapse in military salaries due to budget delays. The funding automatically terminates once a new budget or continuing resolution is passed, or on January 1, 2027, whichever comes first.

The Keeping Deposits Local Act modifies how reciprocal deposits held by agent institutions are calculated to ensure they are not classified as funds obtained through a deposit broker. It establishes specific tiered percentages based on an institution's total liabilities for this calculation and requires agent institutions to maintain strong CAMELS ratings. Furthermore, the bill mandates the FDIC and the Federal Reserve to conduct a comprehensive study on the performance, usage, and risks associated with reciprocal deposits, reporting their findings to Congress within six months.

The Business Owners Protection Act of 2025 aims to streamline regulations affecting businesses by repealing certain unused authorities related to mandatory predispute arbitration and fiduciary duties. This bill modifies the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) authority under existing securities laws. Ultimately, the Act removes specific regulatory mandates concerning arbitration and standards of conduct.

This bill, the **September 11 Day of Remembrance Act**, officially designates September 11th as a legal public holiday. This amendment updates federal law to recognize September 11th as the "September 11 Day of Remembrance," observed annually. Consequently, federal employees will observe this day as a recognized federal holiday.

The American Franchise Act aims to protect the traditional franchise business model by clarifying the definition of a "joint employer." This legislation establishes that a franchisor is only considered a joint employer if it exercises "substantial direct and immediate control" over the essential terms of employment for a franchisee's workers. This change specifically targets liability risks associated with maintaining brand standards, ensuring franchisors are not automatically held responsible for local labor practices. The new standard applies prospectively to future legal proceedings.

The Protect LNG Act of 2025 aims to streamline and stabilize the permitting process for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facilities. It ensures that existing facility approvals remain valid even if challenged in court over environmental reviews, requiring courts to remand violations to agencies for correction rather than invalidating permits. Furthermore, the Act centralizes legal challenges to these covered applications exclusively in the U.S. Court of Appeals with geographic jurisdiction over the facility, subject to a strict 90-day filing deadline.

The FIREARM Act aims to protect licensed firearm dealers from overly harsh penalties for minor or self-reported mistakes. It establishes new standards requiring the government to provide notice and an opportunity for dealers to correct violations before license revocation. Furthermore, the bill retroactively applies these protections to licenses previously revoked under a specific 2021 enforcement policy, allowing affected individuals a path to reapply.

The PART Act aims to combat catalytic converter theft by requiring new vehicles to have traceable identifying markers on these parts. It establishes a federal grant program to help entities stamp identifying numbers onto existing converters. Furthermore, the bill imposes strict record-keeping requirements on businesses that buy used converters and creates new federal criminal penalties for stealing or trafficking stolen catalytic converters.

This resolution expresses the strong support of Congress for designating September 22nd as "National Military and Veterans Suicide Awareness Day." The goal is to formally recognize the sacrifices of service members and veterans while raising crucial awareness about the mental health challenges and suicide risks they face. By establishing this day, the resolution aims to reduce stigma and encourage greater focus on providing necessary support and resources to this population.

The Taskforce for Recognizing and Averting Payment Scams Act (TRAPS Act) establishes a new Task Force led by the Secretary of the Treasury. This diverse group, including federal agencies, industry experts, and consumer advocates, will study evolving payment scams. The Task Force is charged with developing cross-sector prevention strategies and submitting comprehensive recommendations for new laws and improved coordination to combat these fraudulent activities.

The ENFORCE Act strengthens federal laws against child exploitation by clarifying the crime of producing child pornography intended for interstate commerce. It also significantly enhances enforcement for crimes involving obscene visual representations of child sexual abuse. These enhancements include removing the statute of limitations for prosecution, mandating sex offender registration, and establishing a presumption of pretrial detention for those charged.

This resolution commends the heroic efforts and courageous response of the Coast Guard, specifically Air Station Corpus Christi and the crew of CG-6553, following catastrophic flooding in central Texas. It specifically honors the crew for successfully executing dangerous rescues amid severe weather and recognizes the broader Coast Guard deployment. Furthermore, the resolution extends gratitude to all federal, state, local responders, and volunteers who aided in the disaster relief efforts.

The PRIME Act, or Processing Revival and Intrastate Meat Exemption Act, exempts custom slaughter facilities from federal inspection requirements for meat that is processed and sold only within the state of origin. To qualify, facilities must comply with all applicable state laws regarding slaughter and preparation. This legislation ensures that states retain the authority to enforce their own, potentially stricter, regulations on local meat processing.

This bill officially renames the United States Postal Service facility located at 505 East 9th Avenue in Amarillo, Texas. The building will now be known as the "Mayor Jerry H. Hodge Post Office Building." This designation requires all official records and documents to use the new name for this specific location.