Legislation

The Cybersecurity for Rural Water Systems Act aims to protect rural water and wastewater systems from cyber threats by establishing a cybersecurity circuit rider program. This program will provide technical assistance to rural water and wastewater systems, helping them assess vulnerabilities, improve cybersecurity protocols, and address weaknesses in their cyber protection plans. The Act allocates $10 million annually from 2025 to 2029 to fund the program.

The "REP VA Act" aims to improve the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) telephone communication by requiring a single, recognizable phone number and clear caller ID for all VA-related calls to veterans by January 1, 2026. It also mandates the Veterans Health Administration to establish call centers in multiple time zones to address healthcare appointment and referral inquiries, enhancing accessibility for veterans nationwide.

The Resident Education Deferred Interest Act or REDI Act amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to allow borrowers participating in a medical or dental internship or residency program to defer their student loan payments. During the deferment period, borrowers will not be required to make principal payments, and interest will not accrue on the loan.

This bill restricts the sale and export of specific defense articles to the United Arab Emirates. These restrictions will remain in place until the President certifies to Congress that the UAE is not supporting the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan. The restrictions apply to items listed under Categories I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, XIV, XVI, XVII, or XVIII of the United States Munitions List.

The "SHRED Act of 2025" increases the penalties for officers and employees of the Department of Justice and the intelligence community who conceal, remove, or mutilate government records. If convicted, individuals could face imprisonment for no less than 20 years, up to life, be fined, or both.

The "Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act" amends the Food Security Act of 1985, to provide an exception to payment limitations for individuals and legal entities who derive at least 75% of their income from farming, ranching, or silviculture. This exception applies to specific agricultural disaster relief programs, ensuring that those primarily engaged in agriculture are not unfairly limited in accessing disaster assistance.

The Baby Observation Act, or BOs Act, directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study and report to Congress on the use of home cardiorespiratory monitors for infants to prevent sudden unexpected infant death. The report will assess the effectiveness, performance, and accuracy of these monitors, as well as new care models and health care plan coverage criteria. It will also provide recommendations on insurance coverage for these monitors.

The Producer and Agricultural Credit Enhancement Act of 2025 modifies loan amounts and terms available to farmers and ranchers. It increases the limits on farm ownership and operating loans, changes the calculation of inflation percentage, modifies the down payment loan program, and increases the microloan limit. The Act also requires the Secretary of Agriculture to create regulations allowing certain Farm Service Agency-guaranteed loans to be refinanced into direct loans. Finally, the Act expresses the sense of Congress that Farm Service Agency loans should be fully funded.

The "No Bailouts for Reparations Act" prohibits the federal government from providing financial assistance to state or local governments that implement reparations programs based on slavery or related historical practices. This includes loans, grants, and other forms of financial support. The prohibition applies specifically to the government enacting the reparations program. "State" is defined broadly to include all U.S. states, territories, and possessions.

The NEWBORN Act authorizes funding for infant mortality pilot programs in areas with high infant mortality rates. Grants will be awarded to eligible entities for up to 5 years to create, implement, and oversee these programs. Funds can be used for community needs assessment, outreach to at-risk mothers, and coordination between health departments and existing entities. The Act allocates $10,000,000 for each fiscal year from 2025 through 2029 to support these programs.

The United States Citrus Protection Act prohibits the importation of commercially produced fresh citrus fruit from China into the United States. This prohibition goes into effect 90 days after the law is enacted.

The "Joint Task Force to Counter Illicit Synthetic Narcotics Act of 2025" establishes a multi-agency task force to coordinate efforts in combating the trafficking of illicit synthetic narcotics, particularly those involving China. The task force will develop strategies, facilitate information sharing, and conduct joint operations to disrupt trafficking networks. A director appointed by the President will lead the JTFISN and report to the Attorney General, providing regular updates to Congress on the task force's activities and plans. The bill explicitly prohibits the task force from targeting individuals for personal drug use or low-level dealing without ties to larger networks.

The Air America Act of 2025 authorizes the Director of the CIA to award payments to former employees of Air America and affiliated companies who supported the U.S. government between 1950 and 1976, or to their survivors. Eligible individuals or their survivors could receive up to $40,000 for five years of qualifying service, with additional amounts for longer service, with a cap on total awards at $60 million. The Act establishes application procedures, limitations on attorney fees, and prohibits judicial review of the Director's decisions, while also requiring regular reports to Congress on the status of the award payments. This act does not qualify anyone for federal benefits like retirement, disability, or death benefits.

This bill aims to make housing more affordable by reforming land use regulations, investing in housing infrastructure, and ensuring fair practices in real estate transactions. It also seeks to address historical housing discrimination through down payment assistance, community revitalization, and strengthened financial regulations. The bill expands protections against housing discrimination and improves housing assistance programs to promote access to higher-opportunity neighborhoods, while reforming estate tax laws to ensure fairer taxation of estates and transfers. Finally, the bill increases accessibility in housing for individuals with disabilities by mandating more accessible units in HUD-funded projects.

The "CAPE Canaveral Act" mandates the relocation of NASA's headquarters to Brevard County, Florida. This transfer must be completed within one year of the bill's enactment.

The "Social Security Overpayment Relief Act" limits the Social Security Administration's ability to recover overpayments to a 10-year period. The government is restricted from adjusting payments or recovering funds if the overpayment occurred more than 10 years before the error was discovered, applying to both Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits.

This bill aims to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires by streamlining forest management activities, such as hazardous fuel reduction and vegetation management near power lines. It expands the use of timber sales and grazing for risk reduction, increases the size of wildfire mitigation projects, and reforms administrative requirements related to land management and species protection. The bill also includes provisions to facilitate collaborative forest restoration projects between states, counties, Indian tribes, and the federal government. These changes are intended to expedite wildfire mitigation efforts and protect communities and ecosystems.

The Pilot Certificate Accessibility Act allows pilots to use digital copies of their airman certificates, including mobile certificates issued by the FAA, for FAA inspections. This provides pilots with more flexibility by allowing them to use electronic devices or cloud storage to present their credentials. The FAA must update its regulations within one year to reflect these changes.

The "Ending China's Unfair Advantage Act of 2025" prohibits U.S. funding for the Montreal Protocol and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change until China is no longer considered a developing country under the Montreal Protocol and is included in Annex I of the UN Framework Convention. This restriction will remain in place until the President certifies that these changes have been made.

The "DOE and NSF Interagency Research Act" mandates collaborative research and development between the Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation to advance their respective missions. This collaboration will be formalized through a memorandum of understanding, promoting data sharing, supporting research infrastructure, and fostering STEM education. A report detailing the outcomes and future opportunities of this coordination is required within two years, ensuring adherence to research security guidelines. The bill aims to improve research and development effectiveness through collaborative efforts.