Legislation

The Competitive Bidding Relief Act temporarily maintains existing Medicare payment rates for durable medical equipment (DMEPOS) in areas not subject to competitive bidding. This legislation specifically mandates the use of a current transition rule for non-rural areas until the end of 2025. Furthermore, it delays the implementation of a new, potentially disruptive payment regulation until January 1, 2026.

The Child Care for Every Community Act establishes a universal, high-quality, and affordable early learning system, guaranteeing access to eligible children nationwide. It mandates rigorous federal standards for programs, facilities, and staff compensation, linking pay to public school benchmarks. The bill requires local governance through "prime sponsors" who must plan for equitable access and coordinate closely with K-12 education systems. Finally, it ensures state funding continuity through a maintenance of effort requirement to secure federal support.

This bill officially designates the United States Postal Service facility located at 47 Echo Avenue in Miller Place, New York, as the "Christopher Pendergast Post Office Building." The legislation ensures that all official government records and documents reflect this new name for the location.

The FARM SAFE Act ensures that critical agricultural disaster assistance programs continue to operate without interruption during federal government shutdowns or lapses in appropriations. This legislation mandates that necessary Department of Agriculture employees remain on the job to administer these vital aid programs. By classifying these workers as "excepted employees," the bill prevents layoffs or furloughs that could halt disaster relief efforts for farmers.

The Keep the Heat On Act of 2025 ensures that the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) continues to provide vital energy assistance to vulnerable households during a federal government shutdown in fiscal year 2026. This legislation authorizes the Treasury Department to immediately release necessary funds to maintain LIHEAP payments at the same rate as the previous fiscal year. The goal is to prevent disruptions in energy assistance for low-income families during periods of lapsed appropriations.

The Degrees Not Debt Act of 2025 aims to significantly increase the maximum Federal Pell Grant award, starting in the 2026–2027 school year. This legislation sets an initial maximum award of \$14,800, which will be indexed annually based on changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The bill seeks to boost financial aid availability for students pursuing higher education.

This bill ensures the continued operation of the District of Columbia courts and related agencies by providing automatic, temporary funding if Congress has not yet enacted a full-year budget. It authorizes payments from the Treasury at the previous year's rate until a new official appropriation is passed. This measure specifically covers federal payments to the D.C. Courts, defender services, and several related justice agencies.

The Advocates for Families Act of 2025 requires states to update their child welfare plans to ensure parents and caregivers have the right to secure and use a family advocate during any child welfare case. States must establish standards for these advocates and inform families of this right at the start of any case. The Secretary of Health and Human Services will report to Congress on the implementation and impact of this new family representation right.

The Expedited Removal of Criminal Aliens Act establishes a streamlined process for the immediate deportation of non-citizens who are members of criminal gangs or terrorist organizations, or who have been convicted of specific serious crimes. This new authority allows immigration officials to bypass standard removal proceedings for these individuals. Once subject to this expedited removal, the alien is barred from seeking relief or delay under other provisions of immigration law.

The Outdoor Americans with Disabilities Act prioritizes updating travel management plans on public lands to ensure access for motorized and off-road vehicles. It mandates that federal agencies map and maintain vehicle routes, specifically protecting access in areas designated as "disability-accessible land." The bill establishes strict criteria for closing roads, generally prohibiting closures that reduce overall motorized access unless safety is directly threatened. Furthermore, any road closed under these provisions must be replaced with an appropriate alternative route within one year.

The North Pacific Research Board Enhancement Act updates the structure and operations of the Board by adding a new seat specifically for an Alaska Native representative with subsistence experience. It also temporarily waives the administrative spending cap for five years while granting the NOAA Administrator limited authority to adjust the standard 15% cap in years when funding decreases. These changes aim to improve representation and ensure the Board can effectively manage its research funding.

This bill aims to reauthorize and update funding for municipal grants under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. These grants support projects focused on improving sewer overflow systems and promoting the reuse of stormwater runoff. The legislation authorizes $350 million annually for these critical water infrastructure improvements from fiscal year 2026 through 2031.

This resolution officially designates September 25, 2025, as National Ataxia Awareness Day to raise public understanding of ataxia, a group of serious neurological disorders affecting coordination. The bill supports efforts to educate the public and medical community about the condition, its impact, and the urgent need for increased research. Ultimately, it aims to boost support for those affected by ataxia while promoting the search for treatments and a cure.

The Head Start for America's Children Act aims to strengthen early childhood education by explicitly including infants and toddlers in growth goals and emphasizing mental health support. The bill significantly increases funding authorizations, updates numerous definitions to promote inclusivity (especially for Native American and Native Hawaiian communities), and establishes new requirements for staff compensation and professional development. Furthermore, it creates several new pilot programs focused on extending operating hours, fostering partnerships with higher education, and enabling community-wide eligibility in high-poverty areas.

The Non-Domiciled CDL Integrity Act establishes new federal standards for states issuing Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDLs) to individuals who do not reside in that state. This bill sets specific, strict requirements for foreign nationals seeking a CDL, including proof of lawful status and job-related visas, while also outlining distinct procedures for applicants residing in U.S. territories. The legislation mandates enhanced record-keeping and reporting by states to the Secretary of Transportation regarding these non-domiciled licenses.

The Wildfire Recovery Act ensures the federal government covers at least 75% of eligible fire management assistance costs for newly appropriated funds. It also mandates new rulemaking to establish clear standards for increasing federal disaster cost-sharing based on measurable financial impact. Finally, the bill updates FEMA policy to allow state, local, and Tribal governments to seek reimbursement for pre-staging their own equipment before a disaster is officially declared.

The Mental Health Emergency Responder Act establishes a new federal grant program to help communities develop or expand crisis response systems that prioritize mental health professionals over police involvement. These funds support hiring, training, and integrating specialized co-response teams into 911 and 988 dispatch systems. The program aims to divert individuals in mental health crises away from the criminal justice system, while respecting existing state laws regarding emergency detention.

The Emergency Relief for Federal Workers Act of 2025 provides financial relief to federal employees affected by government shutdowns. This bill waives the 10% early withdrawal penalty on Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) distributions up to \$30,000 taken due to a shutdown. Furthermore, it establishes rules allowing furloughed or non-paid employees to take TSP loans and prevents missed loan payments during a shutdown from being treated as a taxable distribution.

The Judicial Accountability for Public Safety Act of 2025 establishes a new civil cause of action allowing individuals to sue judges for serious harm resulting from decisions made with intentional disregard for public safety or gross negligence during bail or sentencing hearings. This law specifically targets egregious judicial conduct and removes standard judicial immunity protections for claims brought under this new section. The Act carefully defines key terms like "judicial officer" and sets a high bar for proving liability, requiring "clear and convincing evidence" of misconduct.

The Combating Trafficking in Transportation Act amends federal highway funding rules to allow states to use funds for installing human trafficking awareness signs at rest stops. The bill also modifies the Department of Transportation's advisory committee on human trafficking by increasing its membership and adding a required representative from State departments of transportation. This legislation aims to enhance public awareness and coordination regarding human trafficking within the transportation sector.