Bill Cassidy

Critical Mineral Consistency Act of 2025

This bill modifies the Energy Act of 2020 to expand the definition of critical minerals used by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to include critical materials designated by the Department of Energy (DOE). It also directs USGS to update its list within 45 days of DOE adding a mineral, element, substance, or material to its critical materials list. Thus, the bill requires the lists to be treated consistently and makes critical materials eligible for the same benefits (e.g., financing support or clean energy tax credits) provided to critical minerals.

By way of background, DOE's critical materials list contains certain materials that are essential for energy, including those on the critical minerals list of the USGS. The USGS's list, which contains certain minerals that are essential to the nation's economic or national security, is currently not required to include the materials on DOE's list.

Veterans Mental Health and Addiction Therapy Quality of Care Act

This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to seek to enter into an agreement with an independent and objective organization to study the difference in quality of mental health and addiction therapy care provided by the VA compared to non-VA providers across various modalities. The organization must publish its findings publicly.

Fatal Overdose Reduction Act of 2025

This bill establishes a five-year Medicaid demonstration program to support the provision of comprehensive and accessible services to treat opioid use and substance use disorders.

Specifically, the bill establishes a demonstration program through which states may receive a Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (i.e., federal matching rate) of at least 90% for services provided by organizations that serve as Health Engagement Hubs. States must certify that these organizations provide a certain level of services, including physical and behavioral health services that are easily and quickly accessible, peer support services, and targeted case management. Organizations must also meet specified minimum staffing requirements, have a community advisory board, and be equipped to provide certain social services (e.g., employment counseling).

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) may select up to 10 states to participate in the program. The bill provides funds for state planning grants and administration of the program.

The CMS must contract with an entity to evaluate the program, and the Government Accountability Office must report on this evaluation.

Retirement Security for American Hostages Act of 2025

This bill permits individuals held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad to collect Social Security benefits based on average national wages for months in which they were held hostage or detained.

Specifically, for purposes of determining Social Security benefits based on an individual’s wages or self-employment income, the bill directs the Social Security Administration (SSA) to deem qualifying individuals to have been paid a monthly portion of the national average wage index for any month during which the individual was held hostage or unlawfully or wrongfully detained abroad. (The national average wage index is determined annually by the SSA.) Deemed wages must apply for any affected month before the individual reaches the statutory retirement age (generally between ages 65 and 67).

A qualifying individual is a U.S. national (1) determined by the Department of State to have been unlawfully or wrongfully detained abroad, or (2) determined by the interagency Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell to have been taken hostage abroad.

A qualifying individual or an individual entitled to benefits on the basis of a qualifying individual’s wages and income must apply to the SSA in order to receive deemed wages for affected months. These provisions do not apply if a larger benefit would be available without the application of deemed wages.

Stop Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act of 2025

This bill extends certain federal tax deadlines for U.S. nationals who are unlawfully or wrongfully detained abroad or held hostage abroad and their spouses. The bill also allows for an abatement and refund of additional taxes, interest, and penalties assessed to such individuals for failing to meet a federal tax deadline during a period of detention.

Specifically, under the bill, the time period during which a U.S. national is unlawfully or wrongfully detained abroad or held hostage abroad is disregarded in determining certain federal tax deadlines, including deadlines for

• filing a return for and paying federal income, estate, gift, employment, or excise taxes;

• a tax credit or refund claim; and

• the determination, assessment, and collection of additional taxes, interest, or penalties.

The bill requires the Department of State and the Department of Justice to annually provide the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) with lists to identify U.S. nationals who qualify for an extension.

The bill also requires the IRS to (1) abate and refund additional taxes, interest, and penalties assessed for any tax year ending during a period of detention for which an extension of a federal tax deadline is permitted; and (2) establish a program allowing U.S. nationals unlawfully or wrongfully detained abroad or taken hostage abroad (or their spouse or dependent) to claim a refund of additional taxes, interest, and penalties assessed for any tax year ending during a period of detention from 2021 to the bill’s enactment date.

Internal Revenue Service Math and Taxpayer Help Act of 2025 or the IRS MATH Act of 2025

This bill requires the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to provide specific information on a notice related to a math or clerical error, send a notice related to an abatement of taxes assessed due to a math or clerical error, provide procedures for requesting such an abatement, and implement a pilot program for sending notices of a math or clerical error.

Under the bill, a notice sent by the IRS regarding a math or clerical error must include

• a clear description of the error and the specific federal tax return line on which the error was made,

• an itemized computation of adjustments required to correct the error,

• the telephone number for the automated transcript service, and

• the deadline for requesting an abatement of any tax assessed due to the error.

Further, the bill requires the IRS to send a notice related to an abatement of tax assessed due to a math or clerical error that clearly describes the abatement and includes an itemized computation of adjustments to be made to the items described in the notice of the error.

The bill also requires the IRS to

• provide procedures for requesting an abatement of tax assessed due to a math or clerical error,

• implement a pilot program to send notices of a math or clerical error by certified or registered mail, and

• report to Congress certain information about the pilot program.

First Rhode Island Regiment Congressional Gold Medal Act

This bill provides for the award of a single Congressional Gold Medal to the First Rhode Island Regiment, collectively, in recognition of their dedicated service during the Revolutionary War.

Eliminate Lavish Incentives To Electric Vehicles Act or the ELITE Vehicles Act

This bill eliminates federal tax credits for the purchase of certain clean vehicles (generally electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles) and electric vehicle recharging stations.

Specifically, the bill repeals the federal tax credits for

• the purchase of a qualified used clean vehicle (tax credit of up to $4,000 for the purchase of a previously-owned clean vehicle before 2033),

• the purchase of a qualified new clean vehicle (tax credit of up to $7,500 for the purchase of a new clean vehicle before 2033),

• the purchase of a qualified commercial clean vehicle (business tax credit of up to $40,000 for the purchase of a commercial clean vehicle before 2033), and

• alternative fuel vehicle refueling property used to recharge electric vehicles (tax credit of up to $1,000 for individuals or up to $100,000 for businesses for the installation of property before 2033 that is used to recharge electric vehicles).

Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act of 2025

This bill bars the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and the Forest Service from prohibiting or regulating the use of lead ammunition or tackle on federal land or water. The bill makes exceptions for specified existing regulations and where the FWS, the BLM, or the Forest Service determines that a decline in wildlife population at the specific unit of federal land or water is primarily caused by the use of lead in ammunition or tackle, based on the field data from such unit, and the state approves the regulations.

OPTN Fee Collection Authority Act

This bill authorizes the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), for three years, to collect registration fees directly from a member of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) (e.g., organ procurement organizations and transplant hospitals) for each transplant candidate the member places on the waiting list.

Registration fees for the OPTN were historically collected through a contractor. The bill authorizes HRSA, for three years following the bill’s enactment, to collect registration fees directly from OPTN members for each candidate they place on the list and distribute the fees to support the operation of the OPTN. HRSA must publish on the OPTN website the amount of fees collected from each member and their use.

The bill requires the Government Accountability Office to conduct a review relating to the registration fees and report to Congress within two years after the bill’s enactment.

Additionally, the bill supports (1) the integration of electronic health records systems into the OPTN, such as automated referrals and granting procurement organizations access to records of potential donors; and (2) the establishment of a dashboard to display statistics relating to the OPTN.

Forest Data Modernization Act of 2025

This bill directs the Forest Service to expand and update its Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program. Under the existing program, the Forest Service collects, analyzes, and reports on information about the condition of forest resources in the United States, such as data concerning wildfires or other forest management issues.

The bill directs FIA to include forest carbon in its inventory.

The bill also requires FIA's strategic plan to include a detailed description of the organization and procedures necessary to (1) understand and report on changes in land cover and use, and (2) evaluate carbon-related data variables.

FIA must update the strategic plan within six months and every five years thereafter. Among other items, the first update must include (1) a plan to implement nationally consistent data collection protocols and procedures; and (2) a plan to expand current data collection, further integrate remote sensing technology, or both.

FIA must also prepare and publish a compilation of certain forest statistics every two years.

Additionally, the bill requires FIA to continue (1) the Timber Products Output survey, and (2) the National Woodland Owner Survey.

To provide data consistency, FIA must include a clear definition of forest when reporting data.

Finally, FIA (1) must also establish an office, a data platform, or both to process and respond to complex data requests submitted by external organizations; and (2) may impose fees on the organizations submitting the requests.

Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act

This bill establishes new federal criminal offenses for operating a motor vehicle within 100 miles of the U.S. border while fleeing from a U.S. Border Patrol agent or a federal, state, or local law enforcement officer who is actively assisting or under the command of the U.S. Border Patrol.

The bill establishes criminal penalties for an offense, including a mandatory minimum prison term for an offense resulting in death or serious bodily injury. Additionally, a non-U.S. national who is convicted of or admits to committing an offense is inadmissible, deportable, and ineligible for immigration relief (including asylum).

This resolution supports the designation of Career and Technical Education Month to celebrate career and technical education across the United States.

This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment requiring the Supreme Court to consist of nine Justices.

Mandatory Removal Proceedings Act

This bill requires the immediate initiation of removal proceedings against a non-U.S. national (alien under federal law) whose visa is revoked on security and related grounds.

Securing our Border Act

This bill addresses issues concerning border security and immigration, including by transferring unobligated funds from the Internal Revenue Service to certain border-related projects.

Specifically, the bill transfers certain unobligated funds previously appropriated for tax enforcement activities (e.g., collecting owed taxes and conducting criminal investigations) to fund (1) nonintrusive inspection systems along the northern border and southwest border of the United States, and (2) the construction of a border wall system along the southwest border.

The bill also authorizes the U.S. Customs and Border Protection to pay recruitment, retention, and relocation bonuses, subject to various requirements and limitations. For example, a relocation bonus may not exceed 15% of the agent's annual basic bay and must be conditioned on the agent agreeing to serve for at least three years at the new duty station.

The bill also modifies the treatment of non-U.S. nationals (aliens under federal law) arriving by land from a country next to the United States. Specifically, if such an individual is not clearly entitled to admission into the United States, the Department of Justice must (1) return the individual to that neighboring country or a safe third country while removal proceedings are pending, or (2) detain the individual while the individual's asylum application is under consideration. (Current law authorizes DOJ to return the individual to the neighboring country but does not require such action or detention.)

Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act of 2025

This bill prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from transmitting certain information to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) utilized by licensed importers or dealers of firearms.

Specifically, the bill prohibits the VA from transmitting personally identifying information of a veteran or a beneficiary to the NICS solely on the basis that such veteran or beneficiary has an appointed fiduciary to manage their benefits, unless there is an order or finding of a judicial authority that such veteran or beneficiary is a danger to themselves or others.

Supporting Made in America Energy Act

This bill requires oil and natural gas lease sales that include certain public land and waters, prohibits lease sales in other areas, and establishes related requirements.

Beginning in FY2025, the Department of the Interior must conduct a minimum of four onshore lease sales annually in each state that has federal land available for oil and natural gas leasing. If a lease sale is canceled, delayed, or deferred, Interior must conduct a replacement sale during the same year.

Beginning in FY2026, Interior must conduct a minimum of two offshore, region-wide lease sales annually in the Gulf of Mexico Region of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) by specified dates. The sales must include the Central Gulf of Mexico Planning Area and the Western Gulf of Mexico Planning Area.

Interior must also conduct a minimum of six offshore lease sales of at least 1 million acres each over a 10-year period in the Cook Inlet Planning Area. The bill sets a 12.5% royalty rate for such leases.

Interior must plan and approve the subsequent OCS oil and gas leasing programs by specified deadlines.

The bill extends through 2035 a moratorium on oil and gas leasing in certain eastern and central portions of the Gulf of Mexico and expands the moratorium to include the South Atlantic Planning Area and the Straits of Florida Planning Area.

The bill also requires the President to obtain congressional approval before impeding or circumventing certain federal energy mineral leasing processes.