Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]

Laken Riley Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 January 2025

Laken Riley Act This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to detain certain non-U.S. nationals ( aliens under federal law) who have been arrested for burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting. The bill also authorizes states to sue the federal government for decisions or alleged failures related to immigration enforcement. Under this bill, DHS must detain an individual who (1) is unlawfully present in the United States or did not possess the necessary documents when applying for admission; and (2) has been charged with, arrested for, convicted of, or admits to having committed acts that constitute the essential elements of burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting. The bill also authorizes state governments to sue for injunctive relief over certain immigration-related decisions or alleged failures by the federal government if the decision or failure caused the state or its residents harm, including financial harm of more than $100. Specifically, the state government may sue the federal government over a decision to release a non-U.S. national from custody; failure to fulfill requirements relating to inspecting individuals seeking admission into the United States, including requirements related to asylum interviews; failure to fulfill a requirement to stop issuing visas to nationals of a country that unreasonably denies or delays acceptance of nationals of that country; violation of limitations on immigration parole, such as the requirement that parole be granted only on a case-by-case basis; or failure to detain an individual who has been ordered removed from the United States.

Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 7 January 2025

Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025 This bill generally prohibits school athletic programs from allowing individuals whose biological sex at birth was male to participate in programs that are for women or girls. Specifically, the bill provides that it is a violation of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 for federally funded education programs or activities to operate, sponsor, or facilitate athletic programs or activities that allow individuals of the male sex to participate in programs or activities that are designated for women or girls. (Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in federally funded education programs or activities, including in public elementary and secondary schools and in colleges and universities.) Under the bill, sex is based on an individual's reproductive biology and genetics at birth.

VALOR Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 8 January 2025

Venezuela Advancing Liberty, Opportunity, and Rights Act of 2025 or the VALOR Act of 2025 This bill requires or authorizes various actions, including sanctions, targeting the current government of Venezuela and any nondemocratic successor government. The bill also authorizes certain types of assistance for the people of Venezuela and to support democracy-building efforts. Under the bill, the President must impose property-blocking sanctions on the Venezuelan government and persons supporting the Venezuelan government; may deny U.S. nonhumanitarian foreign assistance, arms-related assistance, and debt forgiveness to any country that provides assistance to the Venezuelan government; may provide support to individuals and independent nongovernmental organizations to support democracy-building efforts in Venezuela; must develop a plan to provide assistance to Venezuela under a democratically elected government, which may include food, medicine, and emergency energy assistance to meet the basic needs of Venezuelans; must take steps to terminate sanctions under this bill once the President determines that a democratically elected government is in power (criteria for such a determination include a Venezuelan government that is the result of free and fair elections, is making progress in establishing an independent judiciary and respecting human rights, and has released all political prisoners). The Department of the Treasury must oppose the seating of Venezuelan representatives at certain international financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund. Additionally, the bill prohibits U.S. persons (individuals or entities) from engaging in transactions involving Venezuela's debt or any digital currency issued by Venezuela. 

Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2025

Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2025  This bill allows a qualified individual to carry a concealed handgun into or possess a concealed handgun in another state that allows its residents to carry concealed firearms. A qualified individual must (1) be eligible to possess, transport, or receive a firearm under federal law; (2) carry a valid photo identification document; and (3) carry a valid state-issued concealed carry permit, or be eligible to carry a concealed firearm in his or her state of residence.  

A resolution honoring the life and legacy of President Jimmy Carter and commending President Jimmy Carter for his life-long career of public service, humanitarian leadership, diplomacy, and courageous advocacy.

United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2025

This resolution (1) mourns the passing of former President Jimmy Carter and extends sympathy to his family; and (2) honors his life, legacy, and contributions to the United States. 

A bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 107 North Hoyne Avenue in Fritch, Texas, as the "Chief Zeb Smith Post Office".

United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2025

This bill designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 107 North Hoyne Avenue in Fritch, Texas, as the Chief Zeb Smith Post Office.

A resolution designating October 10, 2025, as "American Girls in Sports Day".

United States · United States Congress · 13 January 2025

This resolution recognizes October 10, 2025, as American Girls in Sports Day. The resolution also calls on sports-governing bodies in the United States and abroad to protect biological women and girls in sports.

Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 14 January 2025

Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2025 This bill extends through FY2030 and modifies the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act to address algal blooms and hypoxia (deficiency of oxygen) in U.S. marine, estuarine, and freshwater systems. Harmful algal blooms are high concentrations of algae that may create nuisance or toxic conditions that are harmful to humans, animals, aquatic ecosystems, and the economy. The bill directs the Inter-Agency Task Force on Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia to submit to Congress an action strategy for harmful algal blooms at least once every five years. The bill also expands the task force's membership to include the Department of Energy. The bill also expands the duties of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under the National Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia program. NOAA must also carry out a variety of activities related to monitoring, predicting, preventing, mitigating, and responding to marine, coastal, and Great Lakes harmful algal bloom and hypoxia events. For example, NOAA must establish (1) a national network of observing systems for monitoring, detecting, and forecasting harmful algal blooms; and (2) a national-level incubator program to increase the number of strategies, technologies, and measures available to prevent, mitigate, and control harmful algal blooms. Additionally, the Environmental Protection Agency must develop and enhance operational freshwater harmful algal bloom monitoring, observing, and forecasting programs in lakes, rivers, and reservoirs and carry out other activities related to researching freshwater harmful algal blooms and hypoxia events.

Sporting Firearms Access Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 14 January 2025

Sarah's Law

United States · United States Congress · 14 January 2025

Sarah's Law This bill requires U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain a non-U.S. national ( alien under federal law) who is unlawfully present in the United States and has been charged with a crime that resulted in the death or serious bodily injury of another person. ICE must make reasonable efforts to obtain information about the identity of any victims of the crimes for which the detained individual was charged or convicted. ICE shall provide the victim, or a relative or guardian of a deceased victim, with information about the detained individual, including name, date of birth, nationality, immigration status, criminal history, and a description of any related removal efforts.

Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 January 2025

Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act This bill establishes requirements for the degree of care a health care practitioner must provide in the case of a child born alive following an abortion or attempted abortion. Specifically, a health care practitioner who is present must (1) exercise the same degree of care as would reasonably be provided to any other child born alive at the same gestational age, and (2) ensure the child is immediately admitted to a hospital. Additionally, a health care practitioner or other employee who has knowledge of a failure to comply with the degree-of-care requirements must immediately report such failure to law enforcement. A health care practitioner who fails to provide the required degree of care, or a health care practitioner or other employee who fails to report such failure, is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, up to five years in prison, or both. An individual who intentionally kills or attempts to kill a child born alive is subject to prosecution for murder. The bill bars the criminal prosecution of a mother of a child born alive under this bill and allows her to bring a civil action against a health care practitioner or other employee for violations.

FIND Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2025

Firearm Industry Non-Discrimination Act or the FIND Act This bill prohibits the federal government from entering into contracts with an entity that discriminates against firearm trade associations or businesses that deal in firearms, ammunition, or related products. Specifically, the bill requires a federal agency to include in each contract for the procurement of goods or services awarded by the agency a clause requiring the prime contractor to certify that it (1) has no policy, practice, guidance, or directive that discriminates against a firearm entity or firearm trade association; and (2) will not adopt a policy, practice, guidance, or directive that discriminates against a firearm entity or firearm trade association during the term of the contract. The bill establishes (1) a similar requirement with respect to subcontracts, and (2) penalties for violations. The bill makes such prohibition inapplicable to a contract for the procurement of goods or services that is a sole-source contract.

SAVE Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2025

Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act or the SAVE Act This bill requires individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. Specifically, the bill prohibits states from accepting and processing an application to register to vote in a federal election unless the applicant presents documentary proof of U.S. citizenship. The bill specifies what documents are considered acceptable proof of U.S. citizenship, such as identification that complies with the REAL ID Act of 2005 that indicates U.S. citizenship. Further, the bill (1) prohibits states from registering an individual to vote in a federal election unless, at the time the individual applies to register to vote, the individual provides documentary proof of U.S. citizenship; and (2) requires states to establish an alternative process under which an applicant may submit other evidence to demonstrate U.S. citizenship. Each state must take affirmative steps on an ongoing basis to ensure that only U.S. citizens are registered to vote, which shall include establishing a program to identify individuals who are not U.S. citizens using information supplied by certain sources. Additionally, states must remove noncitizens from their official lists of eligible voters. The bill allows for a private right of action against an election official who registers an applicant to vote in a federal election who fails to present documentary proof of U.S. citizenship. The bill establishes criminal penalties for certain offenses, including registering an applicant to vote in a federal election who fails to present documentary proof of U.S. citizenship.

Recover Fraudulent COVID Funds Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2025

Recover Fraudulent COVID Funds Act This bill extends the statute of limitations (i.e., time limit for bringing a legal action) to 10 years for criminal and civil violations involving specified COVID-19 pandemic relief programs, such as violations involving fraudulent activity. Under current law, the statute of limitations is generally five years for violations concerning these pandemic-era programs. The Paycheck Protection Program and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program currently have 10-year statutes of limitations relating to program fraud.

A bill to rename the medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Dallas, Texas, as the "Eddie Bernice Johnson VA Medical Center".

United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2025

This bill designates the medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Dallas, Texas, as the Eddie Bernice Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center or the Eddie Bernice Johnson VA Medical Center.

GATE CRASHERS Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2025

Guarding and Administering Trespass Enforcement, Controlling Restricted Areas, and Stopping High-risk Encroachment Recidivism and Sabotage Act or the GATE CRASHERS Act This bill establishes a new federal criminal offense for going onto Department of Defense property that is closed or restricted without authorization.

AMERICANS Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2025

Allowing Military Exemptions, Recognizing Individual Concerns About New Shots Act of 2025 or the AMERICANS Act This bill prohibits the Department of Defense (DOD) from issuing any COVID-19 vaccine mandate as a replacement for the rescinded vaccine mandate of August 24, 2021, unless the mandate is expressly authorized by Congress. The bill also provides that DOD must establish an application process for remedies for members of the Armed Forces who were discharged or subject to adverse action under the rescinded mandate. Any administrative discharge of a member on the sole basis of a failure to receive a COVID-19 vaccine must be categorized as an honorable discharge, and DOD is prohibited from taking any adverse action against such a member for that reason. DOD must try to retain unvaccinated members and provide such members with professional development, promotion and leadership opportunities, and consideration equal to that of their peers. Additionally, DOD may only consider the COVID-19 vaccination status of members in making certain decisions (e.g., deployments in countries where it is the law) and must establish a process to provide exemptions to certain members for such decisions. Members who were separated from the Armed Forces for refusing to receive a COVID-19 vaccine are not required to repay any bonuses and must be reimbursed if they repaid any portion of a bonus prior to this bill's enactment. This bill applies to all members of the Armed Forces, regardless of whether they sought an accommodation to any DOD COVID-19 vaccination policy.

Public Safety First Act

United States · United States Congress · 17 January 2025

Public Safety First Act This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to detain certain non-U.S. nationals ( aliens under federal law) who have been arrested for burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting. Specifically, DHS must detain an individual who (1) is unlawfully present in the United States or did not possess the necessary documents when applying for admission; and (2) has been charged with, arrested for, convicted of, or admits to having committed acts that constitute the essential elements of burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting.

A bill to remove the lesser prairie-chicken from the lists of threatened species and endangered species published pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, to amend that Act to exclude the lesser prairie-chicken from the authority of that Act, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 21 January 2025

This bill removes the lesser prairie-chicken ( Tympanuchus pallidicinctus ), including each of its distinct population segments, from the threatened and endangered species lists that are published under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Further, the bill prohibits the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from designating such species as threatened or endangered, and thus, protecting such species under such act.

Standing Against Houthi Aggression Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 January 2025

Standing Against Houthi Aggression Act This bill requires (1) the Department of State to designate Ansarallah, the Iran-backed movement in Yemen also known as the Houthis, as a foreign terrorist organization; and (2) the President to impose property- and visa-blocking sanctions with respect to Ansarallah and any foreign person who is a member, agent, or affiliate of, or owned or controlled by, Ansarallah.

Preventing Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 January 2025

Preventing Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act This bill establishes certain criminal grounds for making non-U.S. nationals ( aliens under federal law) inadmissible and expands the crimes for which a non-U.S. national is deportable. First, the bill establishes that a non-U.S. national is inadmissible if the individual has admitted to or is convicted of acts constituting the essential elements of stalking, child abuse, child neglect, child abandonment, a sex offense, conspiracy to commit a sex offense, a violation of certain protection orders, or domestic violence (including physical or sexual abuse or a pattern of coercive behavior when it occurs within certain close relationships).   Next, the bill establishes additional grounds for deportation. Under current law, a non-U.S. national is deportable for certain criminal convictions, including domestic violence, stalking, and child abuse. The bill makes any sex offense (including crimes against minors) or conspiracy to commit a sex offense a basis for deportation. The bill also expands the domestic violence crimes that make a non-U.S. national deportable to include physical or sexual abuse or a pattern of coercive behavior when it occurs within certain close relationships.

CONTAINER Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 January 2025

Creating Obstructions Necessary to Address Illegal and Nefarious Entry Rapidly Act or CONTAINER Act This bill requires the Department of the Interior and the Forest Service to allow border states to place temporary, movable structures on federal lands adjacent to the U.S.-Canada and U.S.-Mexico borders without a special use authorization. Border states may place these structures on such lands for the purpose of securing the northern or southern border for a period of not more than one year. Interior and the Forest Service must approve extension requests in 90-day increments if U.S. Customs and Border Protection determines that operational control of the border area has not been achieved.

Protect Funding for Women's Health Care Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2025

Protect Funding for Women's Health Care Act This bill prohibits federal funding of Planned Parenthood Federation of America or its affiliates, subsidiaries, successors, or clinics.

PLO and PA Terror Payments Accountability Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2025

PLO and PA Terror Payments Accountability Act of 2025 This bill requires the President to impose sanctions on foreign persons (individuals and entities) that are involved with the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) or Palestinian Authority (PA) system of compensation supporting acts of terrorism. The bill defines this system of compensation as payments to an individual who (1) has been imprisoned for terrorist acts against Israeli or U.S. citizens after being fairly tried, (2) died while committing such terrorist acts, or (3) is a family member of such individuals. The definition also includes compensation for individuals imprisoned for terrorism where the level of compensation is based on the length of incarceration. Specifically, the President must impose visa- and property-blocking sanctions on any foreign person that has facilitated this compensation system, including PLO and PA officials as well as entities such as the Institute for the Care of the Families of the Martyrs and the Wounded. The President must also impose visa- and property-blocking sanctions on foreign persons who knowingly provide significant support to, or engage in significant transactions with, any of the aforementioned persons. The President must sanction foreign financial institutions that facilitate payments or benefits related to this compensation system by (1) prohibiting them from opening correspondent or payable-through accounts in the United States, and (2) prohibiting or imposing strict conditions on the maintenance of such accounts. The provisions of this bill shall terminate if the Department of State certifies that such compensation system has ceased.

No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2025

No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2025 This bill modifies provisions relating to federal funding for, and health insurance coverage of, abortions. Specifically, the bill prohibits the use of federal funds for abortions or for health coverage that includes abortions. Such restrictions extend to the use of funds in the budget of the District of Columbia. Additionally, abortions may not be provided in a federal health care facility or by a federal employee. Historically, language has been included in annual appropriations bills for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that prohibits the use of federal funds for abortions—such language is commonly referred to as the Hyde Amendment. Similar language is also frequently included in appropriations bills for other federal agencies and the District of Columbia. The bill makes these restrictions permanent and extends the restrictions to all federal funds (rather than specific agencies). The bill's restrictions regarding the use of federal funds do not apply in cases of rape, incest, or where a physical disorder, injury, or illness endangers a woman's life unless an abortion is performed. The Hyde Amendment provides the same exceptions. The bill also prohibits qualified health plans from including coverage for abortions. Currently, qualified health plans may cover abortion, but the portion of the premium attributable to abortion coverage is not eligible for subsidies.

Ensuring Accurate and Complete Abortion Data Reporting Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2025

Ensuring Accurate and Complete Abortion Data Reporting Act of 2025 This bill requires states, as a condition of federal payment under Medicaid for family planning services, to report certain abortion data to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (Currently, reporting is voluntary.) The CDC must develop standardized questions for states with respect to specified variables (e.g., maternal demographics and methods of abortion).

Acequia Communities Empowered by Qualifying Upgrades for Infrastructure Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2025

Acequia Communities Empowered by Qualifying Upgrades for Infrastructure Act This bill specifies that agricultural producers who rely on acequia systems are eligible to receive assistance under the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program for all losses suffered as a result of drought, flood, or other natural disasters. Acequias, or community ditches, are community-operated and -organized water irrigation systems. The bill also provides that a special use permit shall not be required on Department of Agriculture (USDA) or Department of the Interior land for the (1) presence or use of an acequia or the use of the acequia's water, or (2) routine maintenance and minor improvements conducted by a community user or governing body of an acequia. Further, USDA must submit a report to Congress on agricultural producers who rely on acequia systems.

Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2025

Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act of 2025 This bill extends death and disability benefits under the Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program (PSOB) to certain public safety officers who suffer from exposure-related cancer while on duty and their survivors. The PSOB program provides death, disability, and education benefits to public safety officers who are killed or injured in the line of duty and their survivors. The bill specifies that exposure to a carcinogen shall be presumed to constitute a personal injury in the line of duty if the exposure occurred while the officer was in the line of duty; the officer began serving as an officer not fewer than 5 years before the date of the diagnosis of an exposure-related cancer and the diagnosis occurred not more than 15 years after the last date of active service; and the exposure-related cancer directly and proximately resulted in the death or permanent and total disability of the officer. The Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance must periodically review the definition of exposure-related cance r and update the definition if appropriate based on medical evidence and in accordance with the requirements of a petition process.

Promoting Domestic Energy Production Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2025

Main Street Tax Certainty Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2025

Main Street Tax Certainty Act This bill makes permanent the qualified business income (QBI) tax deduction. Under current law, individuals, estates, and trusts may deduct the lower of (1) 20% of QBI from a qualified business, qualified real estate investment trust dividends, and qualified publicly traded partnership income; or (2) 20% of taxable income less net capital gain. (Some limitations apply.) However, under current law, the QBI tax deduction expires after December 31, 2025.

MEDAL Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2025

Monetary Enhancement for Distinguished Active Legends Act of 2025 or the MEDAL Act of 2025 This bill increases the monthly special pension for living Medal of Honor recipients from $1,406.73 to $8,333.33 and establishes a rate of $1,406.73 for the monthly special pension for surviving spouses of Medal of Honor recipients. Both amounts must be adjusted annually for inflation.

Protecting Life in Foreign Assistance Act

United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2025

Protecting Life in Foreign Assistance Act This bill prohibits the provision of funding for purposes outside the United States to certain foreign or domestic organizations that perform or promote abortions, furnish or develop items intended to procure abortions, or provide financial support for an entity that conducts such activities.

Dignity for Aborted Children Act

United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2025

Dignity for Aborted Children Act This bill establishes requirements for abortion providers with respect to the disposal of human fetal tissue from an abortion. Specifically, it requires abortion providers to obtain a patient's informed consent for one of two specified methods of disposition and to retain the corresponding documentation in the patient's file. First, patients may choose to retain possession of the tissue. A patient may choose to transfer the tissue to an entity that provides interment or cremation services. Second, patients may choose to release the tissue to the provider. Providers must ensure any tissue released to them is interred or cremated within seven days of the procedure in a manner consistent with state law regarding the disposal of human remains. Abortion providers must submit reports annually to the Department of Health and Human Services about these requirements and other specified information. The bill establishes civil penalties for violations of the requirement to retain documentation of informed consent, and it establishes criminal penalties for violations of the requirement regarding the disposal of human fetal tissue.

Foreign Adversary Communications Transparency Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 January 2025

Foreign Adversary Communications Transparency Act This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to annually publish a list of entities that hold a license or other authorization granted by the FCC and have ties to specified foreign countries. With respect to entities holding cable landing licenses (for the placement and operation of submarine communications cables) or other licenses granted via competitive auction, the FCC must publish a list of all such entities (1) in which a covered entity holds a specified voting or equity interest, or (2) that have been determined by a national security agency to be subject to the control of a covered entity.  With respect to entities holding all other categories of FCC licenses or other authorizations, the FCC must first issue rules facilitating the collection of information on such licensees’ ownership structure. After that information is obtained, the FCC must add to the published list any such entity in which a covered entity holds a specified voting or equity interest.  Under the bill, a covered entity is defined as an entity organized in China, Iran, North Korea, or Russia; a subsidiary of such an entity; or the government of China, Iran, North Korea, or Russia.

Improving Veterans’ Experience Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 28 January 2025

Improving Veterans’ Experience Act of 2025 This bill establishes the Veterans Experience Office within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out the key customer experience initiatives of the VA relating to veterans’ and beneficiaries’ satisfaction with and usage of VA benefits and services. Additionally, the office must require the heads of other organizations and offices within the VA to report regularly on customer experience metrics, action plans, and other customer experience improvement efforts; collect veteran-derived data to determine satisfaction and for use in policymaking; provide strategic guidance and strategies to VA entities for engaging with veterans and beneficiaries; assess and advise the VA on the accuracy and helpfulness of websites and customer-facing information of the VA; and assess and advise the VA on the status and opportunities for improvement of the customer service efforts of the VA. The requirements of this bill terminate on September 30, 2028. The Government Accountability Office must analyze and report on the methodology, effectiveness, and implementation of the VA’s approach to improving veteran and beneficiary customer experience and satisfaction.

Stop Illegal Reentry Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 January 2025

Stop Illegal Reentry Act This bill increases criminal penalties for certain non-U.S. nationals ( aliens under federal law) who illegally reenter the United States after removal or exclusion. Generally, an individual who had been denied entry into or removed from the United States and who later enters or attempts to enter the United States without prior approval from the Department of Homeland Security shall be fined, imprisoned for up to five years, or both. Current law requires a fine, imprisonment for up to two years, or both, for such an individual. An individual who had been denied entry or removed three or more times and who later enters or attempts to enter the United States shall be fined, imprisoned for up to 10 years, or both. An individual who was convicted of an aggravated felony or convicted at least two times before removal or departure and who subsequently enters or tries to enter the United States shall be imprisoned at least 5 years and for up to 20 years and may also be fined. Currently, there is no minimum term of imprisonment for an individual who reenters after a conviction for an aggravated felony, and there are no criminal penalties for a reentering individual who had been convicted at least two times (other than the penalties for illegal reentry generally).

A resolution designating the week of January 26 through February 1, 2025, as "National School Choice Week".

United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2025

This resolution designates January 26-February 1, 2025, as National School Choice Week.

Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program Enhancement Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2025

Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program Enhancement Act of 2025 This bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to enter into a contract to evaluate the Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program. Under the program, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service works in coordination with the Texas Animal Health Commission to combat the spread of cattle fever ticks, which can spread a serious cattle disease called bovine babesiosis or cattle fever. Specifically, USDA must enter into a contract to review and report on the Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program with a (1) land-grant college or university, or (2) non-land-grant college of agriculture. The review must include an evaluation of the program's (1) effectiveness with respect to preventing and reducing the spread of cattle fever ticks; and (2) benefits, and the burdens of compliance, to cattle producers. The review must also evaluate the treatment protocols developed and implemented under the program. Further, the review must evaluate the federal and state funds allocated to support the program for the most recent fiscal year.  

Educational Choice for Children Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2025

SHUSH Act

United States · United States Congress · 30 January 2025

Silencers Help Us Save Hearing Act or the SHUSH Act This bill removes silencers from regulation under federal firearms laws. Specifically, it removes silencers from the list of firearms subject to regulation (i.e., registration and licensing requirements) under the National Firearms Act (NFA). Additionally, it excludes a muffler or silencer from the list of firearms subject to regulation (e.g., background check requirements) under the Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA). Additionally, the bill does the following: preempts state or local laws that tax or regulate firearm silencers, specifies that a person who lawfully acquires or possesses a silencer under provisions of the GCA meets the registration and licensing requirements of the NFA, eliminates mandatory minimum prison terms for a crime of violence or drug trafficking offense in which a defendant uses or carries a firearm equipped with a silencer or muffler, and permits active and retired law enforcement officers to carry a concealed silencer. Finally, the bill excludes firearm mufflers and silencers from regulation by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. (Current law generally excludes firearms from regulation by the commission.)