Legislation

The GRACE Act eliminates the Office of Enforcement within the Department of Education. This change is directed by the Secretary of Education through the chief operating officer for Federal Student Aid.

This bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to increase transparency in generic drug applications. It requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to inform potential generic drug applicants whether their drug is qualitatively and quantitatively the same as the original, and to disclose the reasons for any differences. The bill also sets guidelines for determining sameness and prevents the Secretary from changing a determination of sameness unless there are safety or effectiveness concerns, or an error has been identified. These changes will take effect immediately upon enactment.

The "Restoring the VA Home Loan Program in Perpetuity Act of 2025" limits the Department of Veterans Affairs Servicer Purchaser Program to a maximum of 250 loans per fiscal year. It also mandates the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit a report outlining the plan to sell loans acquired on or after May 31, 2024, to non-government entities. This aims to ensure the VA Home Loan Program remains sustainable.

The "Protecting Our Guests During Hostilities in Ukraine Act" establishes a "Ukrainian guest status" for individuals paroled into the U.S. under the Uniting for Ukraine program, allowing them to work in the U.S. This status begins from their initial parole date and expires 120 days after the Secretary of State determines it is safe for civilians to return to Ukraine, but can be revoked by Homeland Security if the individual poses a security risk.

The "Employer Participation in Repayment Act" permanently extends the tax exclusion for employer-provided student loan repayment assistance. This allows employers to contribute to their employees' student loan debt without the contribution being considered taxable income for the employee. This provision was previously set to expire in 2026, but this bill makes the exclusion permanent for payments made after the enactment of this law.

The "Keeping Our Field Offices Open Act" prevents the Social Security Administration (SSA) from closing or consolidating field offices, hearing offices, and resident stations, ensuring continued access to services. It requires the SSA Commissioner to justify any planned closures to Congress with detailed analysis and cost-benefit assessments, considering the impact on vulnerable populations. The bill mandates public notice, hearings, and a final report to Congress before any changes, allowing appeals and maintaining the number of offices at or above the January 20, 2025 level, excluding temporary emergency closures.

The "Apprenticeship Opportunity Act" encourages participation in apprenticeship programs by requiring states to disregard income earned during the first year of a registered apprenticeship when determining eligibility for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). States that do not comply will face a reduction in their TANF grants. This aims to make apprenticeships more accessible for individuals and families relying on TANF.

The EARLY Minds Act amends the Public Health Service Act to prioritize early intervention for youth mental health. States can use up to 5% of federal mental health funds for evidence-based prevention programs for children and adolescents, regardless of diagnosis. The Secretary must report to Congress on the implementation and outcomes of these programs, focusing on access to care and reduced mental illness severity.

The IHE Nonprofit Clarity Act amends the Higher Education Act of 1965, defining certain tax-exempt institutions as nonprofit institutions of higher education. It specifies that any higher education institution recognized as a 501(c)(3) organization under the Internal Revenue Code and exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of that code will be considered a nonprofit institution of higher education.

The ProTECT Act of 2025 amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to prohibit the taking or importing of threatened species trophies. It defines "trophy" as any dead animal or animal part, raw or processed, obtained through hunting. These prohibitions aim to prevent trophy hunting from harming wildlife conservation efforts, disrupting social structures, and masking illegal trade.

The CROWN Act of 2025 prohibits discrimination based on hair texture and hairstyle in federally funded programs, housing, public accommodations, and employment. This bill aims to protect individuals from race-based hair discrimination by explicitly including hair texture and hairstyles commonly associated with a particular race or national origin in the definition of discrimination. It enforces these protections under existing civil rights laws, ensuring that people are not denied opportunities due to their natural or protective hairstyles. The act clarifies that it does not change the existing definitions of race or national origin in existing civil rights laws.

The SAFE Act of 2025 amends the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 to protect equines, such as horses, by prohibiting their slaughter for human consumption. This bill seeks to prevent the inhumane treatment of horses and ensure they are not processed for human food products.

The "Sickle Cell Disease and Other Heritable Blood Disorders Research, Surveillance, Prevention, and Treatment Act of 2025" aims to improve the treatment and prevention of complications related to sickle cell disease. It amends the Public Health Service Act to broaden the scope of activities eligible for funding through grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements. The act also increases annual funding for these initiatives to $8,205,000 from 2025 through 2029. Congress supports further research into heritable blood disorders, including sickle cell disease, to improve understanding and find cures.

The FIRE Cancer Act of 2025 aims to improve cancer prevention among firefighters by establishing cancer prevention programs, including early detection testing. It allocates $700 million in grants for these programs. The bill also directs FEMA and the CDC to create a voluntary program for firefighters to share anonymized screening results to identify cancer trends and causes.

The "Helping Heroes Act" establishes a Veteran Family Resource Program within the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide personalized support to veterans and their families by connecting them with VA benefits and community resources. It mandates the appointment of family coordinators in each Veterans Integrated Service Network to assist veterans and their families in accessing needed resources. The Act also requires regular surveys of disabled veterans and their families to identify their needs and ensures that all programs and activities funded by the Act adhere to federal nondiscrimination laws.

The FEHB Protection Act of 2025 aims to improve the integrity of the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program by verifying the eligibility of family members enrolled in health plans. It mandates the Director to establish processes for verifying qualifying life events, conduct comprehensive audits of covered family members, and disenroll ineligible individuals. The Act also allocates specific funding for oversight, audits, and the Office of the Inspector General to ensure proper implementation and prevent fraud within the FEHB Program.

The "Temporary Extension of Fentanyl-Related Substances Scheduling Act" extends the temporary scheduling order for fentanyl-related substances, which was set to expire on March 31, 2025, to September 30, 2025. This extension allows law enforcement to continue to treat fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs, helping to combat the opioid crisis.

The "Supporting Disabled National Guardsmen Act" allows National Guard members to be eligible for retirement from the Armed Forces due to disabilities incurred while performing State active duty. It also makes National Guard members eligible for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital care and medical services for disabilities incurred while performing State active duty, as well as for any illnesses or conditions resulting from these disabilities. The VA's ability to provide these services is limited to the extent and amount specifically allocated in advance through appropriations acts. Before the VA can reimburse for care or services, individuals or their healthcare providers are required to first exhaust all other available payment options.

The School Bus Safety Act of 2025 mandates comprehensive safety upgrades for school buses, including 3-point safety belts, fire suppression systems, improved firewalls, and automatic emergency braking. It also requires enhanced training for school bus operators and studies on motion-activated detection systems and safety belt alerts. Finally, it establishes a grant program to help local educational agencies implement these safety measures.

The Births in Custody Reporting Act of 2025 (BCRA) mandates states to report anonymized, aggregate data to the Attorney General on pregnant inmates and those who give birth in custody. This includes details on pregnancy outcomes, prenatal care, use of restraints, and postpartum care. Non-compliant states may face a reduction in federal funding, which will be reallocated to compliant states. The Attorney General will then publish these reports, conduct a study, and report to Congress on improving the treatment of pregnant inmates.