Scott Franklin

**Finding Federal Savings Committee Resolution** This resolution establishes the House Committee on the Elimination of Nonessential Federal Programs to analyze underperforming or nonessential federal programs and recommend actions to modify or eliminate those programs. The resolution also establishes expedited procedures for legislation reported by the committee to eliminate programs or rescind funding. The committee shall cease to exist at the end of the 120th Congress.

This resolution supports the designation of National Agriculture Day.

This resolution censures Representative Al Green.

**Fair Access to Banking Act** This bill places restrictions on certain banks, credit unions, and payment card networks if they refuse to do business with a person who complies with the law. Restrictions include prohibiting the use of electronic funds transfer systems and lending programs, termination of an institution's depository insurance, and specified civil penalties. Banks and other specified financial institutions are allowed to deny financial services to a person only if the denial is justified by a documented failure of that person to meet quantitative, impartial, risk-based standards established in advance by the institution. This justification may not be based upon reputational risks to the institution. The bill establishes the right for a person to bring a civil action for a violation of this bill.

**Defending Domestic Orange Juice Production Act of 2025** This bill requires finished pasteurized orange juice to contain at least 10% by weight of orange juice soluble solids, exclusive of the solids of any added optional sweetening ingredients. (Current regulations require at least 10.5% by weight of orange juice soluble solids.)

**Jeremy and Angel Seay and Sergeant Brandon Mendoza Protect Our Communities from DUIs Act of 2025** This bill makes driving while intoxicated or impaired a ground for (1) barring a non-U.S. national (*alien* under federal law) from admission into the United States, or (2) deporting the individual. The bar to admission shall apply to an individual who has been convicted of the offense or has admitted to having committed the acts which constitute the elements of the offense. As a ground for deportability, the individual must have been convicted of the offense.

**Educational Choice for Children Act of 2025** This bill establishes a nonrefundable tax credit for contributions (cash or stock) made by an individual to a tax-exempt organization that provides scholarships for qualified elementary and secondary school expenses to eligible students (scholarship granting organization), subject to limitations. Under the bill, the tax credit is limited to the greater of $5,000 or 10% of adjusted gross income. Further, the bill establishes a $5 billion annual volume cap (for 2025-2028) for the tax credit (which may be increased under certain circumstances). The volume cap is allocated by the Department of the Treasury for the tax credit on a first-come, first-serve basis (based on the contribution date). However, under the bill, 10% of the volume cap must be divided evenly among states for allocation to individuals residing in those states. The bill allows any portion of the tax credit that exceeds the individual’s tax liability (less certain other tax credits) to be carried forward for up to five tax years. The bill also * establishes specific requirements for a scholarship granting organization, * requires a scholarship granting organization to distribute all contributions within a specific timeframe (exceptions apply), and * excludes from gross income scholarships received by an individual from a scholarship granting organization. Finally, the bill prohibits federal, state, and local government entities, officers, and employees from imposing requirements that prevent the use of scholarship funds for private or religious elementary or secondary education expenses or discouraging the use of scholarship funds at such education institutions.

**Protecting Resources Of Taxpayers to Eliminate Childhood Transgender Surgeries Act of 2025 or the PROTECTS Act of 2025** This bill prohibits providing or using federal funds to perform, refer for, or reimburse any entity for certain gender transition procedures for an individual under the age of 18.  The bill’s prohibition applies to certain gender transition procedures that are performed to intentionally change an individual’s body to no longer correspond to the individual's biological sex, including surgeries, medications, and implants specified in the bill. The bill provides exceptions for specified procedures, such as treating certain genetic abnormalities or preventing imminent death or impairment of a major bodily function, when performed by a health care provider with the consent of the individual’s parent or legal guardian.

**Veterans' Assuring Critical Care Expansions to Support Servicemembers Act of 2025 or the Veterans' ACCESS Act of 2025** This bill addresses the administration of the Veterans Community Care Program (VCCP) and other Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care matters. Among other provisions regarding the VCCP, the bill * establishes in statute access standards that determine when a veteran is eligible to receive non-VA care through the VCCP, * requires the VA to notify veterans regarding their eligibility for care within two business days after the VA is aware the veteran is seeking care, and * extends the deadline for the submittal of claims under the VCCP by health care entities and providers. The VA must address its mental health treatment programs by * establishing a standardized screening process to determine whether a veteran satisfies criteria for priority or routine admission to a mental health residential rehabilitation treatment program or a program for residential care for mental health and substance abuse disorders, * tracking the performance of medical facilities and Veterans Integrated Service Networks in meeting the requirements for mental health treatment screenings and timely admission to treatment programs under such screenings, and * establishing an appeal process for when a veteran is denied admission to a covered treatment program or is accepted into a program but not offered bed placement in a timely manner. Additionally, the VA must establish an online self-service module for veterans to request and manage appointments, track referrals, and appeal and track decisions related to requests for care.