Legislation

The "Farewell to Foam Act of 2025" bans the sale, offer for sale, or distribution of expanded polystyrene (EPS) food service ware, loose fill, and coolers starting January 1, 2028. The ban applies to food service providers, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers, with escalating civil penalties for violations after an initial written warning. The EPA Administrator is authorized to enforce the ban and create necessary regulations, and may allow states to enforce the ban if they meet the Administrator's requirements. Certain entities with lower annual revenues will face limitations on how frequently they can be penalized.

The "United States Commission on International Religious Freedom Reauthorization Act of 2025" reauthorizes funding for the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) through fiscal year 2028. This extension ensures the continuation of USCIRF's work in monitoring and advocating for religious freedom around the world.

This bill designates the United States Postal Service facility located at 840 Front Street in Casselton, North Dakota, as the "Commander Delbert Austin Olson Post Office". It also mandates that all references to this facility in any federal record will now refer to it by this new name.

The Stop Electronic Stalking Act of 2025 amends federal stalking laws to include the use of unauthorized geotracking devices. This bill defines a geotracking device as any electronic or mechanical tool used to remotely monitor a person's location without their consent. By including this, the law aims to modernize stalking definitions to address technological advancements.

The Veteran Appeals Transparency Act of 2025 requires the Board of Veterans Appeals to publish weekly updates on the Department of Veteran Affairs website, the docket dates of cases assigned to a Board member for decision that week. The notice must state that the assignment does not guarantee a decision will be made that week. This requirement does not apply to cases that have been advanced or remanded by the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.

The Paycheck Protection Act prohibits federal agencies and the U.S. Postal Service from deducting labor organization dues, fees, or political contributions from an employee's paycheck. This act amends existing sections of Title 5 and Title 39 of the United States Code to reflect these changes.

The Defense Against Drones Act of 2025 permits individuals to shoot down drones flying under 200 feet over their property using a legally obtained shotgun, as long as it complies with state firearm laws. Individuals are not required to return the drone, but must report the incident to the FAA within 60 days, including the location and drone registration number if available. The FAA will issue regulations to implement this law. This act does not override state laws regarding liability for actions taken under it.

The Stop the Cartels Act aims to combat drug and human trafficking by prioritizing intelligence gathering, blocking funds to Mexico until cooperation barriers are removed, and designating drug cartels as Special Transnational Criminal Organizations. It also stops federal grant money from going to state or local governments that don't follow federal immigration laws and modifies current immigration laws, particularly concerning the treatment of alien minors and asylum eligibility. Additionally, the act reauthorizes and modifies federal programs aimed at preventing and treating substance abuse, increasing funding for certain block grants while eliminating or phasing out several other related programs.

The "Affordable College Textbook Act" aims to lower the cost of college textbooks for students by expanding the use of open educational resources. It authorizes the Secretary of Education to award grants to higher education institutions to create and expand the use of open textbooks. The act also amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require institutions to disclose textbook price information, including whether the material is an open educational resource, on online course schedules. Finally, it directs the Comptroller General to prepare a report on the cost of textbooks and the implementation of these provisions.

The "Telehealth Expansion Act of 2025" amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow more flexibility for health plans covering telehealth services. This act ensures that offering telehealth services without a deductible does not disqualify a health plan as a high-deductible health plan. These provisions aim to expand access to remote healthcare services by reducing financial barriers. The changes will take effect for plan years beginning after December 31, 2024.

The Conservation for Agricultural Leased Land Act, or CALL Act, directs the Secretary of Agriculture to study conservation practices on leased agricultural land, including barriers to adopting such practices, especially for farmers and ranchers who are people of color, and beginning farmers and ranchers. The study will review existing research, Cooperative Extension System initiatives, and various factors affecting leasing relationships and land ownership trends. A report with findings and recommendations for addressing barriers and improving outreach must be submitted to Congress by December 31, 2026. The Secretary may partner with a non-Federal entity to conduct the study.

This bill directs the Secretary of Agriculture to convey approximately 232.9 acres of National Forest System land in Arizona to Gila County, Arizona, without payment. Gila County must use the land to serve and support veterans, or it reverts back to the United States. Gila County will be responsible for all costs related to the conveyance.

The Strategic Ports Reporting Act requires the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense to map and study strategic ports, assessing China's efforts to control these ports and the potential risks to U.S. interests. The Act mandates a report to Congress outlining strategies to secure trusted investment, protect strategic ports from Chinese control, and ensure open access. This report will include assessments of national security threats, vulnerabilities, and funding sources to enhance transparency and mitigate negative impacts of China's influence over strategic maritime infrastructure.

The "No Immigration Benefits for Hamas Terrorists Act" amends immigration laws to prevent individuals involved in the Hamas attacks against Israel from entering or receiving immigration benefits in the United States. It applies to those who participated in, planned, financed, supported, or otherwise facilitated the attacks. The Act also mandates an annual report to Congress detailing the number of individuals found inadmissible or removable due to their connection to the attacks.

The "Pay Our Troops Act of 2025" ensures that members of the Armed Forces, essential Department of Defense civilians, and contractors continue to receive pay and allowances during periods when regular funding is disrupted. This act provides necessary appropriations to cover these costs for fiscal year 2025. The Act's provisions will terminate upon the enactment of regular appropriations, a continuing resolution that provides funding for the same purpose, or on January 1, 2026.

The "Capital Gains Inflation Relief Act of 2025" amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow taxpayers to adjust the basis of certain assets, like common stock and tangible property, for inflation when calculating capital gains or losses, using the GDP deflator to determine the inflation adjustment. This adjustment applies to indexed assets held for more than 3 years and acquired after December 31, 2025, requiring taxpayers to maintain written records of the original purchase price. The bill includes specific rules for pass-through entities, regulated investment companies, and real estate investment trusts, and disallows adjustments for sales between related persons or when the primary purpose is to increase the indexing adjustment. It also authorizes the Secretary to prescribe regulations to carry out the purposes of this section.

The Default Proceed Sale Transparency Act aims to improve the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) procedures by requiring firearm dealers to report firearm transfers to the FBI within 24 hours if a background check is not immediately completed. It mandates the creation of an online portal and hotline for reporting information to help the FBI prioritize background checks and prohibits destroying firearm transfer records until the background check is complete. Additionally, the Act requires the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to publish annual reports on firearm transfers that occur after a background check is not completed within the required timeframe.

The Hospital Transparency Compliance Enforcement Act aims to increase hospital price transparency by requiring hospitals to publish standard charges annually and prohibits hiding this information online. It establishes financial penalties for non-compliance, varying with hospital size, and mandates the public listing of hospitals failing to meet these transparency requirements. This act ensures that hospitals provide clear pricing information to patients, promoting informed healthcare decisions.

This bill directs the Comptroller General to review and report on the funding shortfalls in the Veterans Benefits Administration for fiscal year 2024 and the expected funding shortfall in the Veterans Health Administration for fiscal year 2025. It requires a comparison of spending versus the VA's plan, reasons for diversions, and accuracy of projections. The Comptroller General must submit a report to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, who then submits it to the appropriate congressional committees.

This bill codifies Executive Order 14158, officially establishing the President's Department of Government Efficiency into law.