Legislative Activity

The Made in America Manufacturing Finance Act redefines "small manufacturer" to include only businesses with all production facilities located in the U.S. This legislation significantly increases the maximum loan amounts available to these eligible small manufacturers under key Small Business Act and Small Business Investment Act programs. The goal is to provide greater access to capital for domestic manufacturing operations.

The Investing in All of America Act of 2025 revises the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 by updating leverage calculation definitions and adjusting the maximum borrowing limits for Small Business Investment Companies (SBICs). The bill lowers the general maximum leverage cap for standard SBICs from $300 million to $200 million. Furthermore, it expands exclusions from leverage calculations for investments made in specific areas, such as low-income or rural areas, critical technology, or small manufacturers.

The Office of Rural Affairs Enhancement Act updates the structure and responsibilities of the Small Business Administration's (SBA) Office of Rural Affairs. It mandates the appointment of an experienced Assistant Administrator to lead the office and requires increased outreach through national webinars and events. Furthermore, the bill establishes an annual reporting requirement detailing the office's activities, budget, and impact on rural small businesses.

Dillon's Law amends federal guidelines to grant preference points to states that allow trained, non-school personnel to administer epinephrine in schools. This change broadens the definition of who can provide life-saving medication beyond just school employees. The law also updates terminology to cover a wider range of epinephrine delivery systems.

The Defending American Property Abroad Act of 2025 targets foreign governments in the Western Hemisphere that have seized or unfairly controlled port infrastructure essential to U.S. trade access since early 2024. The bill requires the executive branch to identify this "prohibited property" and subsequently ban any associated vessels from accessing U.S. ports or receiving services. Furthermore, the Act expands the definition of unfair trade practices to explicitly include the nationalization or discriminatory treatment of U.S. assets by foreign nations.

The Make American Guns Again (MAGA) Act of 2025 requires the Secretary of Defense to study the prevalence of foreign-made or foreign-owned small arms and light weapons used by the U.S. military. Within 180 days, the Secretary must report these findings to Congress and the President. This report must also include recommendations for increasing the procurement of domestically manufactured and owned small arms.

The Equal Shot Act of 2025 prohibits the Small Business Administration (SBA) from denying financial assistance to otherwise qualified applicants solely based on their involvement in the firearms industry. This legislation ensures that businesses defined as "firearm entities," their affiliates, or trade associations are not unfairly rejected for SBA loans or guarantees. The Act clearly defines these terms to prevent discrimination against businesses involved in manufacturing, selling, or servicing firearms and related accessories.

The "Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act of 2025" ensures that hunters and anglers can continue to use lead ammunition and tackle on federal lands and waters managed by the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture. It restricts these departments from prohibiting or regulating lead in ammunition and tackle, unless the Secretary of Interior or Agriculture determines that lead ammunition is the primary cause of a wildlife population decline in a specific area. Any ban implemented must align with state laws or be approved by the state's fish and wildlife department.

The Veteran Burial Timeliness and Death Certificate Accountability Act addresses significant delays in obtaining death certificates for veterans who die from natural causes, often due to VA medical staff delays. This bill mandates that VA medical providers must certify a veteran's death within 48 hours or allow the local medical examiner to step in. Furthermore, the VA must annually report on its compliance with this new timely certification requirement.

The Clear Skies Act establishes a strict prohibition on knowingly engaging in weather modification activities that involve interstate commerce, imposing severe criminal and civil penalties for violations. This legislation also mandates the creation of a public reporting and investigation system managed by the EPA for suspected breaches. Furthermore, the Act repeals all existing federal laws, rules, and orders that previously authorized or regulated weather modification efforts.

The Great Lakes Icebreaker Act of 2025 directs the Coast Guard to develop a strategy for designing and building a new, highly capable Great Lakes icebreaker. It also mandates a five-year pilot program to test the current fleet's ability to keep critical shipping lanes open during winter. Furthermore, the bill updates requirements for public reporting and Congressional briefings on the operational costs of icebreaking missions.

This bill mandates increased transparency and verification for all federal government spending by requiring agencies to report detailed payment information to the Treasury. It enhances program integrity by granting the Treasury access to new hire and tax data to prevent and recover improper payments. Agencies must also verify recipient bank accounts before disbursement, with exceptions allowed only for sensitive national security or law enforcement operations.

This resolution expresses support for designating July 10th as Journeyman Lineworkers Recognition Day. It honors the essential and dangerous work performed by these skilled professionals, especially their heroic efforts in restoring power after major disasters. The day serves to recognize their service and remember those who have lost their lives performing this vital work.

This bill, the No WHO Pandemic Preparedness Treaty Without Senate Approval Act, declares that any final pandemic agreement resulting from the World Health Organization's negotiations must be treated as a formal treaty. This ensures that the United States cannot implement such an agreement without receiving the advice and consent of two-thirds of the Senate. Furthermore, the policy of the United States is established to fully support Taiwan's participation in the WHO.

The Supporting Trade and Rebuilding Opportunity for National Growth Act, or STRONG Act, significantly increases the maximum loan amounts available through key Small Business Administration (SBA) programs. Specifically, it doubles the maximum size for standard 7(a) loans from $\$3.75$ million to $\$7.5$ million. Additionally, the bill raises the maximum loan amount for development company loans from $\$5$ million to $\$10$ million. These changes aim to provide greater capital access for small business growth and development.

The Ensuring Fee-Free Benefit Transactions Act of 2025 prohibits states and their contractors from charging SNAP-authorized retailers any fees for processing basic Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) EBT transactions. This ban does not apply to fees specifically charged for the rental of necessary transaction equipment, such as card readers. These new provisions will take effect on October 1, 2025, overriding previous related regulations.

The Stopping Proxy Advisor Racketeering Act establishes new rules under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to ensure proxy advisory firms provide unbiased voting recommendations to shareholders. This bill prohibits firms from issuing advice if they have conflicts of interest, such as simultaneously consulting for the company being advised upon or actively working with one side of a shareholder proposal. The legislation grants the SEC authority to impose civil penalties on firms that violate these new standards.

The Organic Dairy Data Collection Act mandates the USDA to significantly enhance data collection for the organic dairy sector. This law requires the establishment of new surveys to track the costs of organic milk production and the prices farmers receive for their milk and feedstuffs. Ultimately, this ensures organic dairy producers have access to detailed, equivalent economic information currently available to conventional dairy farmers.

The LEDGER Act mandates the creation of a comprehensive, centralized system managed by the Secretary of the Treasury to track every expenditure made by all branches of the U.S. Government. This new system must detail exactly where federal funds are spent and how long those funds were available for obligation. The goal is to significantly enhance the traceability and transparency of government spending.

This resolution expresses support for designating June 2025 as "National Dairy Month" to recognize the vital role of the dairy industry. It highlights the industry's significant contributions to American health, noting that dairy is a key source of essential nutrients like calcium and Vitamin D. Furthermore, the resolution commends the nation's family-owned dairy farms for their economic impact and agricultural heritage. It also strongly opposes unfair regulations that hinder dairy farmers.