Legislation

The Apprenticeships for Small Businesses Act of 2025 establishes a new Career and Technical Education Credit to support small businesses. This credit allows eligible employers to claim up to $10,000 annually based on 50% of qualified wages and workers' compensation costs for employees under 21 or those in approved training programs. The goal is to incentivize small businesses to invest in the training and development of young or newly skilled workers.

The Stop Price Gouging in Grocery Stores Act of 2025 aims to protect consumers by prohibiting grocery stores from charging "grossly excessive" prices for food items. The bill also bans stores from adjusting prices based on personal tracking data, such as facial recognition, and requires clear signage if facial recognition technology is used. Furthermore, it mandates that large physical grocery stores must use printed signs instead of electronic shelf labels for displaying prices.

The Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act establishes federal crimes for knowingly transporting a minor across state lines to circumvent her home state's parental involvement laws for an abortion. It also mandates that physicians performing out-of-state abortions on minors must provide at least 24 hours of actual or constructive notice to a parent, unless specific exceptions apply. The law protects the minor and her parents from prosecution under the transportation provision and includes civil remedies for parents harmed by violations.

The Beneficiary Enrollment Notification and Eligibility Simplification 2.0 Act (BENES 2.0 Act) mandates that the Social Security Administration proactively inform individuals approaching retirement age about their Medicare eligibility. This is achieved by including a standardized, comprehensive notice about Medicare basics, penalties, and coordination with other insurance within their Social Security statements starting at age 60. The goal is to ensure beneficiaries receive critical enrollment information early enough to avoid late enrollment penalties. The required notice content will be developed in consultation with various stakeholder groups and reviewed regularly for updates.

The Counseling for Career Choice Act updates federal education funding to strengthen career guidance and counseling programs in schools. This legislation mandates that these programs align student options with current local workforce needs and requires counselors to provide personalized planning, financial literacy awareness, and exposure to real-world experiences like apprenticeships. Furthermore, the Act encourages strong partnerships between schools and local workforce development boards to ensure students have access to up-to-date career information and support.

The Land of the Free Act of 2025 repeals a section of the Immigration and Nationality Act that previously made certain protected speech activities grounds for making an alien deportable. This legislation removes a specific restriction, ensuring that engaging in protected speech will no longer be a basis for removal from the United States under that provision.

The Epstein Crime Victims Act amends federal law to strengthen crime victims' rights during pre-trial proceedings. It requires prosecutors to notify victims of nonprosecution agreements, in addition to existing requirements for plea bargains and deferred prosecution agreements. Crucially, the Act grants victims the right to sue the government in federal court if they are not timely notified about these specific types of agreements.

The Ending Qualified Immunity for ICE Agents Act removes the special legal protection known as qualified immunity for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in civil rights lawsuits. This change means ICE agents can be held personally liable when sued for allegedly violating an individual's constitutional rights. Consequently, agents will no longer be able to use "good faith" belief or unclear legal precedent as defenses against such claims.

The Growing Opportunities in Agriculture Act (GO Ag Act) establishes a new competitive grant program to fund the creation of innovative, high-quality agricultural education programs in high schools. These grants, limited to $100,000 per entity, are intended to develop new curricula, support work-based learning, and fund leadership training. Recipients must report annually on program performance, with a total authorization of $5 million through FY 2028.

The Safeguarding Trust in Our Politics Act prohibits tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations from providing any direct or indirect funding for the administration of public office elections. This measure aims to prevent these organizations from financially supporting the mechanics of running elections at the state or local level. The restrictions take effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.

This resolution expresses strong support for recognizing August 17 through August 23, 2025, as "Warehouse Worker Recognition Week." It honors the critical role over 1.8 million warehouse workers play in the national supply chain and economy. Furthermore, the resolution acknowledges the demanding and often hazardous working conditions these essential employees face.

This resolution celebrates the 50th anniversary of Bruce Springsteen's iconic album, *Born to Run*, recognizing his profound impact on American music and New Jersey culture. It highlights his extensive career achievements, numerous awards, and national honors. The bill serves as a formal commendation of Springsteen and the E Street Band without enacting any new laws. It also encourages continued federal support for the arts.

This resolution formally condemns Representative Delia Ramirez of Illinois for remarks suggesting allegiance to the Republic of Guatemala over the United States. Congress expresses concern that such statements conflict with a representative's oath to prioritize the interests and well-being of their American constituents. The action serves as a formal disapproval, affirming that the loyalty of elected officials must remain solely with the United States.

The Limiting Extremist Travel to the United Nations Act imposes strict travel conditions on certain foreign officials attending UN meetings in New York City. These restrictions specifically target officials from Iran, those linked to Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs), and representatives from non-member UN organizations. The bill severely limits the movement of Iranian and FTO-linked officials to direct routes between airports, the UN, and their lodging, while others are restricted to a 25-mile radius and banned from educational institutions.

The Quantum Encryption Readiness and Resilience Act mandates a comprehensive review of the cybersecurity and national security risks posed by advanced quantum computers. It requires the establishment of a detailed risk mitigation plan focusing on the adoption of post-quantum cryptography across federal agencies and critical economic sectors. The bill also directs regular follow-up reports to Congress tracking the progress of these essential security upgrades.

The AIRFARE Act establishes a system to expedite gate passes and security access for caregivers accompanying minors or passengers needing assistance to their departing flights. This requires the TSA to create procedures allowing up to two designated helpers to walk these individuals directly to the gate. The system aims to streamline the process for family members and guardians needing to provide essential support at the airport.

The Catastrophic Specialty Hospital Act of 2025 establishes a new designation for hospitals specializing in long-term care for severe injuries like spinal cord or acquired brain injuries. This designation exempts qualifying hospitals from standard Medicare payment rules, implementing a new payment structure tailored to their specialized services. Hospitals must meet strict criteria regarding patient volume, continuum of care, and research commitment to receive and maintain this three-year designation.

The Reproductive Rights Are Human Rights Act of 2025 asserts that access to sexual and reproductive healthcare is a fundamental human right, citing international agreements. This bill mandates that the U.S. Secretary of State comprehensively detail the status of reproductive rights, including access to contraception, abortion care, and freedom from coercion, in the annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. Furthermore, it requires detailed reporting on disparities in reproductive health outcomes based on identity, such as race, sexual orientation, or disability. The Act emphasizes the need to hold governments accountable for denying these essential health services globally.

The Sustaining Our Democracy Act establishes a new federal program to provide annual funding to states specifically for improving election administration, security, and accessibility. This funding is sourced from a dedicated Trust Fund and administered by a new federal office. States must submit detailed plans outlining how they will use the money for upgrades like cybersecurity and expanded voting options, while being prohibited from using funds for voter intimidation or other prohibited activities.

The 504 Credit Risk Management Improvement Act of 2025 strengthens the oversight of the 504 loan program by granting the Office of Credit Risk Management new authority to supervise Certified Development Companies (CDCs). This includes mandatory file reviews, the ability to impose enforcement actions and civil penalties for violations, and the requirement for an annual risk analysis report to Congress. Furthermore, the bill mandates the SBA to establish clear procedures for CDCs to comply with existing National Environmental Policy Act requirements.