Legislation

The "Preventing Deep Fake Scams Act" establishes a task force to study and report on the use of artificial intelligence in the financial services sector. The task force will assess both the benefits and potential risks, especially regarding deep fakes and their potential use in fraud and identity theft. The goal is to develop best practices and recommend legislation or regulations to protect consumers from AI-related financial crimes.

The "Time to Choose Act of 2025" prohibits federal agencies from contracting with consulting firms that simultaneously work for certain foreign entities, such as the governments of China and Russia, or face penalties. It requires firms bidding on federal contracts to certify they do not have consulting contracts with these "covered foreign entities," with exceptions allowed under national security interests. The Act also outlines penalties for firms providing false information about their foreign contracts, including contract termination and False Claims Act liabilities. This law aims to address conflicts of interest where firms may be undermining U.S. security while contracting with U.S. agencies.

The Veterans Mental Health and Addiction Therapy Quality of Care Act mandates an independent study comparing the quality of mental health and addiction care provided by the VA and non-VA providers. This study will evaluate health outcomes, use of evidence-based practices, care coordination, and patient satisfaction. The goal is to identify areas for improvement in veteran mental health and addiction treatment within and outside the VA system. A report of the study's findings must be submitted to Congress and published online.

The Justice Thurgood Marshall National Historic Site Establishment Act of 2025 establishes the Justice Thurgood Marshall National Historic Site at Public School 103 in Baltimore, Maryland, where Marshall attended elementary school. The Beloved Community Services Corporation will continue to own and manage the School and serve as the management entity for the Historic Site, with the National Park Service providing technical and financial assistance. This act aims to preserve and interpret Justice Marshall's historic contributions as an affiliated area of the National Park System, without authorizing the Secretary of Interior to acquire the School or assume financial responsibility for its operation.

The "Assistance for Rural Water Systems Act of 2025" enables the Secretary to provide additional financial assistance to rural water, wastewater, and waste disposal facilities. This includes offering grants and low-interest loans, as well as loan forgiveness or refinancing options, to help these entities maintain public health and address financial challenges in disadvantaged areas. The Secretary will also establish a residential indicator of affordable water services to determine eligibility for assistance.

The Apache County and Navajo County Conveyance Act of 2025 directs the Secretary of Agriculture to convey specified National Forest System lands in Arizona to Navajo County and Apache County, without monetary consideration, for use as a cemetery and potential townsite. The counties are responsible for all conveyance costs, and the land reverts to the U.S. if not used as a cemetery.

The "Capital Gains Inflation Relief Act of 2025" adjusts how capital gains or losses are calculated on the sale of certain assets held for over 3 years by using an "indexed basis" that accounts for inflation. This indexed basis is calculated by increasing the asset's adjusted basis by an "applicable inflation adjustment" based on the percentage increase in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) deflator during the holding period. The bill outlines specific rules for various types of assets, investment entities, and transactions, and it applies to assets acquired after December 31, 2025. It also requires written documentation of the original purchase price for the indexed asset.

The Hearing Device Coverage Clarification Act requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to clarify that fully implanted active middle ear hearing devices are prosthetics, not hearing aids, and thus not subject to the hearing aid coverage exclusion under the Social Security Act. This clarification must be made within 60 days of the Act's enactment. The Act ensures these devices are recognized as prosthetics, as defined in existing regulations.

The "Renaming the National School Lunch Program Act of 2025" renames the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to the Jean E. Fairfax National School Lunch Act. This change recognizes Jean E. Fairfax's extensive contributions to the program and her advocacy for marginalized communities. The renaming also addresses concerns about the current namesake's opposition to civil rights. All references to the previous name in existing legislation will be updated accordingly.

The Bureaucratic Labor Adjustment and Downsizing Effort Act eliminates nonessential civil service positions within the executive branch that are not exempt from furlough due to funding lapses. Any position designated as non-exempt from furlough will be abolished, and federal funds will no longer be used for the salary or expenses of these positions. Vacant positions are abolished immediately, while occupied positions are abolished as soon as they become vacant. The bill also prevents any positions from being newly designated as exempt from furlough.

The HIDTA Enhancement Act reauthorizes funding for High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTAs) through 2030, mandating specific reporting on fentanyl trafficking and associated challenges. It increases funding for the Counterdrug Technology Assessment Center to support law enforcement efforts against fentanyl and directs the Attorney General to prioritize fentanyl trafficking prosecutions by providing additional resources. The bill allocates $333,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2025 through 2030 for HIDTAs.

The Higher Education Reform and Opportunity Act overhauls federal student loan programs by terminating most existing loan options and introducing Federal Direct simplification loans with set interest rates and loan limits. It also phases out loan forgiveness programs for new loans made after July 1, 2025, with limited exceptions. The bill introduces alternative state accreditation systems for postsecondary institutions and programs to qualify for Title IV funding and mandates increased transparency by requiring colleges to publish detailed information on student outcomes and loan data. Finally, it introduces financial accountability measures for schools based on student loan default rates.

The Apprenticeships to College Act aims to strengthen the connection between apprenticeship programs and educational institutions. It directs the Secretaries of Labor and Education to form an agreement supporting a college consortium. This consortium will focus on aligning education and apprenticeship records, providing guidance on funding, and creating credit awarding systems for apprenticeship program participants. Participation in the consortium is voluntary for higher education institutions and apprenticeship sponsors.

The Transportation Freedom Act aims to boost American auto manufacturing through tax incentives for companies that keep production and jobs in the U.S. while also rolling back recent vehicle emissions and fuel efficiency regulations. It restricts states' abilities to set their own emission standards and directs the EPA and DOT to establish new, flexible emissions standards based on technological and economic feasibility. This could lead to more fuel-efficient vehicles, reduced emissions, and shifts in the automotive industry.

The Lactation Spaces for Veteran Moms Act requires all Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers to establish accessible, hygienic, and private lactation spaces for women veterans and the public to express breast milk. These spaces must meet specific standards for accessibility, privacy, and hygiene, and be implemented within two years.

The Judicial Ethics Enforcement Act of 2025 establishes an Office of Inspector General for the Judicial Branch to investigate misconduct allegations, prevent fraud and abuse, and recommend improvements to judicial regulations. The Inspector General, appointed by the Chief Justice, has the power to subpoena witnesses and documents but cannot review judicial decisions or punish judges. This act aims to increase transparency and accountability within the judicial branch while protecting whistleblowers from retaliation.

The JUDGES Act of 2025 authorizes the appointment of additional district judges across multiple states between 2029 and 2039 to address increasing caseloads. It also amends the organization of Texas and California district courts and requires the Comptroller General to submit reports on judicial caseloads and detention space needs. Furthermore, the Act mandates the public accessibility of the Judicial Conference of the United States' Article III Judgeship Recommendations report.

The "Access to Reproductive Care for Servicemembers Act" ensures that members of the Armed Forces and their dependents can access leave and reimbursement for travel expenses related to abortion services and assisted reproductive technology, such as in vitro fertilization, when these services are not available nearby. It protects the privacy of service members seeking such care and prohibits any adverse actions against them for utilizing these provisions. The bill aims to address barriers to reproductive healthcare created by state abortion restrictions and logistical challenges faced by military personnel.

The "Precision Brain Health Research Act of 2025" amends the Precision Medicine for Veterans Initiative to include research on brain and mental health conditions, such as those caused by repetitive low-level blast exposure and dementia. It mandates data sharing between the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense, directs specific research activities, and requires reports to Congress on the initiative's progress and recommendations. The act authorizes $5 million annually from 2025 to 2034 to fund these efforts.

The "Move the ICC Out of NYC Act of 2025" aims to prevent the International Criminal Court (ICC) from using United Nations facilities in the United States. It mandates the U.S. Ambassador to the UN to negotiate a supplemental agreement to the United Nations Headquarters Agreement to prohibit the ICC's use of UN facilities within the U.S., based on the grounds that the U.S. has not ratified the Rome Statute and the ICC lacks jurisdiction over U.S. citizens.