Legislation

The Bridge Investment and Modernization Act of 2025 extends and specifies funding for the Bridge Investment Program through fiscal year 2031. This legislation allocates billions of dollars annually to support crucial bridge projects across the nation. Additionally, the Act streamlines the project selection process by removing a specific criterion for funding eligibility.

This bill, the Religious Exemptions for Social Security and Healthcare Taxes Act, allows employees belonging to specific religious faiths to claim a credit or refund for Social Security taxes previously deducted from their paychecks. To qualify, individuals must apply for authorization under existing tax code procedures related to religious exemptions. These provisions apply to tax years beginning after the date the Act is enacted.

The Head Start for Our Future Act updates the Higher Education Act of 1965 by replacing the term "literacy training" with "child development and early learning" when describing eligible community services. This change explicitly ensures that Head Start and Early Head Start programs are recognized under this section of the law. The bill aims to better reflect the comprehensive nature of early childhood education services.

The Bunker Buster Act of 2025 expresses Congress's strong disapproval of Iran's escalating nuclear activities and regional aggression. The bill outlines a sense of Congress urging continued diplomatic pressure while ensuring Israel is prepared for contingencies should Iran pursue a nuclear weapon. To this end, it authorizes the President to provide specific military and infrastructure support to Israel upon request, provided national security interests are met. Crucially, this Act explicitly states it does not grant authority for the use of military force against Iran.

The Greenlighting Growth Act aims to ease financial reporting burdens for emerging growth companies (EGCs) during their initial public offerings (IPOs) and other initial filings. Specifically, it exempts EGCs from providing detailed historical financial statements for acquired companies that predate their earliest audited reporting period. This exemption is permanent, even after a company ceases to be classified as an EGC.

The Taiwan Conflict Deterrence Act of 2025 mandates the Treasury Secretary to report annually on the finances of high-ranking Chinese Communist Party officials if the President deems China's actions a threat. This bill also prohibits U.S. financial institutions from providing significant services to these targeted officials and their immediate families who benefit from illicitly obtained funds. The President retains waiver authority for national security interests, and enforcement relies on existing economic powers.

The Law Enforcement Officer and Firefighter Recreation Pass Act expands the availability of the free National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass. This legislation mandates that the pass be provided at no cost to qualifying active law enforcement officers and firefighters. This benefit is added to the existing provision for members of the Armed Forces.

The Wild Horse and Burro Protection Act of 2025 aims to reform the management of wild horses and burros on federal lands by phasing out the use of helicopters in roundups over two years. This legislation mandates increased transparency through camera requirements on any remaining aircraft used during this transition. Furthermore, it directs the GAO to report on humane, non-aircraft population management alternatives and their economic impacts.

The Public Housing Fire Safety Act mandates that the Secretary of HUD report to Congress on the presence of automatic sprinkler systems in public housing, paying special attention to currently exempt projects. The Act also establishes a competitive grant program, funded by an annual $25 million appropriation to the Capital Fund, to help public housing agencies install sprinklers in those previously exempt buildings. This legislation focuses on data collection and providing funding for voluntary upgrades, rather than forcing immediate installation in all exempt properties.

The Frank Wolf Space Security Act severely restricts the use of U.S. Federal funds for collaboration between American space agencies (like NASA) and the People's Republic of China or Chinese-owned entities. This ban covers bilateral agreements, contracts, and hosting official Chinese visitors. Exceptions are permitted only if the FBI approves and agencies certify that the activity poses no risk to U.S. national security and avoids individuals involved in human rights abuses.

The Building Civic Bridges Act establishes a new Office of Civic Bridgebuilding within the National and Community Service Corporation to promote activities that unite divided communities. This Office will manage a competitive, research-backed grant program to fund local projects focused on reducing conflict and improving social cohesion. The Act mandates that the program be implemented using only donated funds, with no new federal appropriations authorized.

This bill establishes the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative to enhance citizen safety and promote the rule of law in designated Caribbean countries through 2029. The Initiative focuses on combating transnational crime, strengthening justice systems, and implementing crime prevention programs. It also mandates the development of strategies to improve natural disaster response and resilience across the region.

The End Tenant Credit Screening Act generally prohibits landlords and property managers from using consumer reports containing credit history or credit standing for tenant screening purposes, even with applicant consent. This restriction applies to decisions about approving an application, setting security deposits, or determining lease terms. The only exception allows credit checks if a housing provider decides to reconsider an initial denial of an application.

The DASHBOARD Act of 2025 mandates that large commercial data operators disclose the economic value of user data to consumers every 90 days and provide users with an easy way to delete all their information. Additionally, major companies meeting specific user thresholds must disclose the aggregate, material value of their user data holdings to the SEC for investor transparency. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is tasked with enforcing consumer data rights under this Act, treating violations as unfair business practices.

This proposed constitutional amendment would eliminate immunity from criminal prosecution for federal officials, including the President, based on their official duties. It also explicitly prohibits the President from issuing a self-pardon for any federal crimes. If ratified, these changes would take effect immediately.

This bill establishes the Early Childhood Education Trust Fund, funded by 15% of annual estate tax collections, to provide dedicated funding for child care services. It simultaneously lowers the lifetime estate and gift tax exemption amount from $\$15,000,000$ to $\$7,000,000$. These changes are set to take effect for estates and gifts made after December 31, 2025.

The State-Based Universal Health Care Act of 2025 empowers individual states to design and implement their own comprehensive universal health coverage systems. States can apply for a federal waiver to bypass most existing federal health insurance rules, including major parts of the ACA, Medicare, and Medicaid. In exchange for waiving federal funding, the federal government will transfer equivalent funds to the state, provided the state commits to covering at least 95% of its residents within five years and maintains budget neutrality for the federal government.

The HEALTH for MOM Act of 2025 allows states the option to establish "maternity health homes" to provide enhanced, coordinated care for pregnant and postpartum women enrolled in Medicaid. These health homes must offer comprehensive, patient-centered care planning that links medical services with crucial social and behavioral supports for one year after delivery. To encourage adoption, the bill provides temporary enhanced federal funding for states that choose to implement this coordinated care model.

The Qualified to Serve Act aims to standardize and clarify medical accession standards for individuals joining the Armed Forces. It prohibits disqualification based on certain medical conditions diagnosed before age 13, provided specific conditions regarding subsequent treatment and current fitness are met. The bill also mandates formal review and national security waiver processes for medical disqualifications and requires annual reporting on disqualifications and waivers to Congress.

The Hookah Clarification Act of 2025 establishes a distinct federal tax classification for waterpipe tobacco, commonly known as hookah or shisha. This legislation sets a significantly lower tax rate of $0.5662 per pound specifically for waterpipe tobacco, while maintaining the current rate for other types of pipe tobacco. The Act also provides a clear definition for what constitutes "waterpipe tobacco" for tax purposes.