Legislation

This bill amends the Social Security Act to limit child's insurance benefits for those aged 18 or older and considered full-time students, if their parent receives old-age or disability benefits, is 67 or older, and has earnings exceeding $125,000 in a taxable year. This change affects benefits paid starting the month after the bill's enactment.

This bill eliminates the requirement for small businesses with government contracts under the Small Business Act to award construction subcontracts within the same county or state as the primary project. This change broadens the geographic area from which these small businesses can choose subcontractors.

The "IMPACT Act 2.0" aims to strengthen the competitiveness of U.S. cement, concrete, and asphalt production by promoting the use of low-emissions materials through research, development, and commercial application of new technologies. It establishes a grant program to reimburse states for using these materials in highway projects and creates a public directory of approved low-emissions materials. The act also authorizes states to enter into advance purchase agreements for innovative, domestically produced materials that meet certain performance and environmental standards.

This joint resolution affirms the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) to the Constitution. It asserts that the ERA has met the constitutional requirement for ratification by three-fourths of the states, superseding any previously set time constraints. With this resolution, the ERA is declared a valid constitutional amendment.

The Chesapeake Bay Conservation Acceleration Act of 2025 aims to restore and protect the Chesapeake Bay watershed through various initiatives. It establishes partnerships to support agricultural producers in implementing conservation activities, expands the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, and creates a pilot program for landowners to establish and manage conservation practices. The act also invests in workforce development for food and agricultural sciences and streamlines the hiring process for the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Finally, it transfers regulatory oversight of invasive catfish species to the Commissioner of Food and Drugs.

This bill extends the legislative authority of the National Emergency Medical Services Memorial Foundation to establish a commemorative work in the District of Columbia and its environs. It modifies Public Law 115-275, pushing the expiration date for certain actions related to the memorial's establishment to November 3, 2032.

The Vicksburg National Military Park Boundary Modification Act directs the Secretary of the Interior to transfer two parcels of land within the Vicksburg National Military Park to the State of Mississippi for public use, including a welcome center, interpretive center, or museum. Upon transfer, the Act requires the Secretary to adjust the park's boundary to reflect these changes.

The "Improving VA Training for Military Sexual Trauma Claims Act" aims to enhance the Department of Veterans Affairs' handling of military sexual trauma claims. It mandates annual sensitivity training for VA employees involved in processing these claims, requires reports on training programs, and expands the Secretary's duty to assist claimants by obtaining relevant records. Additionally, it addresses sensitivity training for contracted health care professionals to prevent re-traumatization of veterans during examinations.

The "No Student Loans for Campus Criminals Act" would make individuals convicted of offenses related to their conduct during protests at colleges or universities ineligible for federal student loans and federal student loan forgiveness programs. This prohibition applies retroactively and prospectively to loans under the Higher Education Act of 1965 and the Health Education Assistance Loan Program.

This resolution affirms the rule of law and the legitimacy of judicial review, recognizing the Supreme Court's duty to interpret the law. It requires the executive branch to comply with federal court rulings, while allowing for appeals when authorized by law. The resolution reinforces the established judicial power of the U.S. Supreme Court and other federal courts.

The "Veterans Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2025" increases the rates of compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and for the survivors of certain disabled veterans, effective December 1, 2025. The percentage increase will match the increase in Social Security benefits. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs is required to publish the adjusted rates in the Federal Register.

The "Ensuring Justice for Camp Lejeune Victims Act of 2025" amends the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 to clarify the criteria for harm, evidentiary standards, and jurisdiction of claims. It ensures jury trials at the request of either party, expedites claim disposition, and addresses offsets for prior settlements or judgments, while also setting limits on attorney fees. The Act applies retroactively to pending and future claims under the original Camp Lejeune Justice Act, without altering existing rules for claimant eligibility or filing deadlines.

The "Tar Sands Tax Loophole Elimination Act" amends the Internal Revenue Code to classify products derived from tar sands as crude oil, making them subject to the federal excise tax on petroleum. It broadens the definition of "crude oil" for excise tax purposes to include various oil types and gives the Secretary authority to classify other fuels as crude oil if they meet specific hazard and quantity conditions. This change ensures that tar sands and similar substances are taxed like traditional crude oil, closing a potential loophole. The Act is effective upon enactment.

The "Military Spouse Hiring Act" amends the Internal Revenue Code to include employers who hire qualified military spouses as eligible for the work opportunity tax credit. A qualified military spouse is certified by a local agency as married to a member of the U.S. Armed Forces. This expansion of the work opportunity credit applies to amounts paid after the law's enactment for individuals starting work after that date.

The "No Tax on LOSAP Act" amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase the amount of qualified payments excluded from gross income for volunteer firefighters and EMS providers from $50 to $1,000. It also clarifies that payments under length of service award programs (LOSAP) are considered qualified payments, ensuring these benefits are not taxed. These changes apply to awards and payments made after the enactment of this bill.

The "Property Improvement and Manufactured Housing Loan Modernization Act of 2025" amends the National Housing Act to increase loan limits for property improvement and manufactured housing loans. It clarifies that these loans can be used for constructing accessory dwelling units and updates loan limits for various types of properties and improvements. The bill also requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to study the cost-effectiveness of factory-built housing and to develop methods for annually indexing loan limits.

The "GATE Act of 2025" prohibits National Laboratories from admitting citizens of China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and Cuba as visitors or assignees, with exceptions for US citizens and lawful permanent residents. The Secretary of Energy may waive this prohibition if the benefits outweigh the risks, after consulting with intelligence officials. Congress must be notified within 30 days of any waiver issued, including the reasons for the waiver.

The "Strengthening Communities of Recovery Act" reauthorizes and amends a section of the Public Health Service Act. It updates the name of the section from "Building" to "Strengthening communities of recovery". The bill also increases funding for community recovery programs from 5 million to 16 million per year through 2029.

The "Unlocking Domestic LNG Potential Act of 2025" amends the Natural Gas Act to grant the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) exclusive authority over approving or denying applications for LNG (liquefied natural gas) export and import facilities. FERC must consider natural gas import or export as consistent with public interest. The Act does not affect existing authority of other federal agencies, nor does it limit the President's power to prohibit imports or exports, especially concerning state sponsors of terrorism.

The "Safe Schools Improvement Act" aims to prevent bullying and harassment in public schools by requiring states to establish and enforce policies that prohibit bullying and harassment based on various characteristics, including race, sex, disability, and religion. It mandates the collection and reporting of data on bullying incidents and requires biennial evaluations of programs and policies to combat bullying. The Act ensures that schools provide annual notice of prohibited conduct and grievance procedures to students, parents, and educational professionals. This bill seeks to create a safer and more inclusive learning environment for all students.