Legislation

The United States Colored Troops Congressional Gold Medal Act directs the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the posthumous presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to the African Americans who served with Union forces during the Civil War in recognition of their service and bravery. The Act directs the Secretary of the Treasury to strike the gold medal, which will then be given to the Smithsonian Institution for display and research. The Act also allows for the creation and sale of bronze duplicates of the medal to cover production costs, with proceeds going back to the Mint's Public Enterprise Fund.

This bill amends existing regulations to include Czechia in the list of countries whose citizens are eligible for admission into the United States as E-1 nonimmigrant traders, under the condition that the Czech government provides similar trade benefits to U.S. citizens. This change would allow Czech citizens to enter the U.S. for trade purposes if U.S. citizens are afforded the same opportunities in Czechia.

The Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act of 2025 expands the Emergency Conservation Program and the Emergency Forest Restoration Program to include damage from wildfires and other conservation measures. It allows producers and landowners to receive advance payments to cover costs for repairs, replacements, or restoration. The bill extends the deadline for completing these measures to 180 days and ensures that damage from wildfires, including those spread by natural causes or caused by the Federal Government, is eligible for payment.

This resolution establishes the first Monday in March as COVID-19 Victims Memorial Day to remember the lives lost during the pandemic. It acknowledges the pandemic's devastating impact, particularly on vulnerable communities, and honors the sacrifices of frontline workers. The resolution aims to ensure that the memory of those who died and the challenges faced are never forgotten.

The "Securing our Border Act" aims to enhance border security by increasing scanning at entry points, constructing a border wall, and incentivizing Customs and Border Protection agents. It mandates the transfer of funds to Customs and Border Protection for nonintrusive inspection systems to achieve a 100% scanning rate at all northern and southwest border land ports of entry. The Act also allocates funding for border wall construction along the southwest border and authorizes bonuses for U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents to aid in recruitment, retention, and relocation. Additionally, it amends immigration law to require the return or detention of aliens arriving from contiguous territories while awaiting asylum proceedings.

The "Foreign Assistance Accountability and Oversight Act" establishes a Director of Foreign Assistance within the State Department to optimize the impact of foreign assistance by aligning resources with foreign policy goals, measuring effectiveness, and promoting transparency. This director will lead strategic planning, budget processes, and program evaluations, ensuring resources are obligated in a timely manner. The act also affirms USAID's status as an independent agency and emphasizes the importance of congressional oversight in foreign assistance management.

The "Future Logging Careers Act" amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, modifying child labor laws related to logging operations. It defines "logging operation" and "mechanized operation," and it exempts 16 and 17-year-olds working in logging jobs deemed hazardous by the Secretary of Labor if they are employed by their parent or guardian in a logging operation owned or operated by them.

The SENIOR Act, or the "Social Engagement and Network Initiatives for Older Relief Act," amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to include "loneliness" alongside "social isolation," ensuring programs address both issues for older individuals. Additionally, the Act requires the Secretary to prepare a report on programs authorized by the Older Americans Act of 1965, focusing on addressing the negative health effects of loneliness in older individuals and the relationship between strong multigenerational families and loneliness. The report will include recommendations for reducing negative health effects of loneliness and for policies/programs that foster strong family connections across generations.

This bill officially designates the military installation in Fayetteville, North Carolina, under the Secretary of the Army's jurisdiction, as Fort Bragg. It mandates that all references to this installation in U.S. laws, regulations, and documents will now refer to it as Fort Bragg. The term "military installation" is defined as in title 10 of the U.S. Code.

The Water Infrastructure Subcontractor and Taxpayer Protection Act of 2025 amends the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014 to protect taxpayers and subcontractors. It mandates payment and performance security for construction projects receiving federal financial assistance. The Act ensures that either state/local laws provide sufficient security or the Secretary/Administrator enforces federal bond requirements.

The "Tax Fairness for Survivors Act" exempts from federal income taxes any monetary judgments, awards, or settlements received relating to sexual assault or sexual harassment claims. This includes both lump sum and periodic payments. The bill ensures survivors are not further burdened by taxes on compensation intended to help them recover. These amendments will apply to taxable years beginning after the enactment of this Act.

The "1071 Repeal to Protect Small Business Lending Act" repeals Section 704B of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, which mandated data collection on small business loans. This repeal aims to reduce compliance costs for financial institutions, especially smaller ones, and improve small businesses' access to credit by removing regulatory barriers. The act also makes related amendments to the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.

The Officer John Barnes Act requires the Bureau to inform claimants of their benefit eligibility determination within 270 days of receiving a claim.

The "Social Security and Medicare Lock-Box Act" aims to protect Social Security and Medicare surpluses by creating separate accounts within the respective trust funds to hold surplus funds. These funds cannot be invested in U.S. obligations unless Congress passes a law allowing for alternative investment vehicles. The Act also establishes a commission to study and recommend alternative investment strategies for the Social Security and Medicare Part A surpluses, with a report due to the President and Congress by October 1, 2025.

The "Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act of 2025" prevents the Department of Interior and Department of Agriculture from banning or regulating lead ammunition and fishing tackle on federal lands and waters open to hunting and fishing. An exception is allowed in specific areas where lead is scientifically proven to be the primary cause of wildlife population decline, but any restrictions must align with state laws or have the approval of the state's fish and wildlife department. The reasoning for any such prohibition or regulation must be published in the Federal Register.

The "Senior Citizens Tax Elimination Act" repeals the inclusion of Social Security benefits in gross income for taxable years beginning after the enactment date. It also appropriates funds to the Social Security Act and the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 to offset any reduction in transfers caused by this repeal. The Act expresses Congress's preference against using tax increases to fund these provisions.

The PLCAA Federal Jurisdiction Act allows firearm manufacturers, sellers, or trade associations to move civil lawsuits from state to federal court if they believe the case qualifies as a "qualified civil liability action." The federal court then determines if the case meets this definition and has the power to dismiss it.

The "Ensuring Continuity in Veterans Health Act" amends the Veterans Community Care Program to prioritize continuity of care for veterans. This ensures veterans can maintain consistent relationships with healthcare providers and receive uninterrupted treatment through the program.

The PROTECT Our Children Reauthorization Act of 2025 reauthorizes and amends the PROTECT Our Children Act of 2008, enhancing efforts to combat child exploitation and internet crimes against children. It updates the National Strategy for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction, amends the National ICAC Task Force Program to include Tribal and military entities, and modifies the purpose of ICAC task forces to include identifying child victims. The act also revises the duties of task forces to include reactive and proactive measures, and authorizes appropriations for these efforts.

The "Cartel Marque and Reprisal Authorization Act of 2025" grants the President authority to commission private individuals or groups to seize cartel members and their assets outside the U.S. through letters of marque and reprisal. This aims to combat cartels that pose a threat to U.S. national security and foreign policy. A security bond is required to ensure operations adhere to the terms of the letter. The term "cartel" refers to organizations designated in a specific executive order or defined as transnational criminal organizations.