Legislation

The FADS Act of 2025 clarifies the authority for the Department of Energy to dispose of certain foreign-origin radiological materials, specifically Russian-made Americium-241, at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). This change addresses a current regulatory gap that prevents the safe and efficient disposal of these materials alongside similar U.S.-origin waste. The legislation ensures that these proliferation-attractive sources can be quickly removed from circulation.

This bill, titled the Epstein Files Transparency Act, mandates the Attorney General to release nearly all unclassified Department of Justice records related to Jeffrey Epstein within 30 days of enactment. The legislation strictly limits the justifications for withholding or redacting documents, prohibiting secrecy based on political sensitivity or potential embarrassment. The only permissible redactions involve victim privacy, child sexual abuse material, or narrowly defined threats to active investigations or national security classifications. Upon completion, the Attorney General must submit a detailed report to Congress listing all released and withheld materials, including an unredacted list of all named government officials.

The Homecare for Seniors Act expands the definition of qualified distributions from Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) to include certain long-term home care expenses. This allows seniors to use tax-free HSA funds for in-home assistance with at least three daily living activities, provided the care is delivered by a licensed provider. The bill also mandates a public awareness campaign to inform citizens of this new tax benefit.

The Housing not Handcuffs Act of 2025 prohibits federal agencies from penalizing individuals experiencing homelessness for engaging in necessary life-sustaining activities on public land. This protection applies unless a strictly defined, fully accommodating indoor alternative space is available. The Act establishes a "necessity defense" in court for survival-related infractions and allows individuals to sue to enforce these new rights.

The TPS Reform Act of 2025 fundamentally shifts the authority for designating and extending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) from the executive branch to Congress. Under this Act, Congress must pass specific legislation to grant initial TPS or approve any extensions based on ongoing conflict or disaster conditions. The Secretary of Homeland Security assumes the administrative responsibilities previously held by the Attorney General regarding TPS.

This Act, also known as the VA COST SAVINGS Enhancements Act, directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to analyze the cost-effectiveness of treating regulated medical waste on-site at its facilities versus shipping it off-site. If on-site treatment is found to be financially beneficial over a five-year period, the VA must purchase and install the necessary treatment systems. Importantly, this legislation does not authorize any new funding for its implementation.

The Countering Untrusted Telecommunications Abroad Act aims to enhance U.S. national security by promoting secure global telecommunications infrastructure, specifically by expressing concern over companies like Huawei and ZTE. The bill mandates reports from the Secretary of State detailing the use of untrusted telecom equipment by U.S. allies and assessing the security of technology used within U.S. embassies abroad. Furthermore, it directs the government to diplomatically support the development of trusted telecommunications projects globally.

The Innovate Less Lethal to De-Escalate Tax Modernization Act aims to encourage the development and use of safer policing tools. This bill exempts qualifying less-than-lethal projectile devices and their ammunition from federal excise taxes normally applied to firearms and ammunition. Furthermore, it removes these specific less-lethal devices from the stringent regulations imposed by the National Firearms Act. The legislation establishes clear criteria for what qualifies as a less-lethal device eligible for these tax and regulatory exemptions.

This Act ensures that when the EPA sets new air quality standards, they must immediately provide the necessary guidance for states to process preconstruction permits. If this guidance is delayed, the new standard cannot be applied to permit reviews until the instructions are published. Furthermore, the bill specifies that the new 2024 PM2.5 standard will not apply to certain permit applications already underway before the EPA officially designates the affected areas. These changes do not eliminate requirements for installing the best available pollution control technology.

The Iranian Campaign Medal Act establishes a new military decoration, the Iranian Campaign Medal, to recognize service members deployed in support of operations during the Iran-Israel War. This medal will be awarded by the Secretaries of the military branches upon approval of its design by the Secretary of Defense. Eligibility requires active duty service in a designated area or performing qualifying service related to the operation.

The Protecting Americans from Reckless Gun Dealers Act of 2025 mandates annual public reporting by the Attorney General detailing ATF actions on firearms dealer licenses, including violations and revocations. It also requires the GAO to conduct a comprehensive study on the effectiveness of ATF's licensing and enforcement procedures. This legislation aims to increase transparency and evaluate the consistency of federal oversight for firearms dealers.

This resolution formally condemns the violent attack on the U.S. Border Patrol facility in McAllen, Texas, on July 7, 2025. It expresses support for the injured agents and reaffirms Congress's strong backing for the dedicated men and women of the Border Patrol. The bill emphasizes that such violence against law enforcement is unacceptable and undermines national security efforts.

This resolution establishes an advisory working group tasked with making recommendations for adding relief portraits of women lawgivers to the Hall of the House of Representatives. The group will determine specific honorees, outline the funding and commissioning process, and decide on the exact placement of the new portraits. They must submit a final report with these recommendations within one year of adoption or by the end of the 119th Congress.

This resolution affirms strong United States support for Montenegro's ongoing efforts to accede to the European Union. Congress recognizes Montenegro's progress as a key NATO ally and partner in combating corruption and promoting regional stability. The bill urges the Administration and allies to actively support Montenegro's accession path without imposing additional specific conditions.

The Rural Weather Monitoring Systems Act mandates a comprehensive study by the Comptroller General on the current capabilities and limitations of weather monitoring in rural areas. This report will assess resource availability, identify underserved locations, and detail the obstacles rural communities face in establishing or upgrading their weather systems. The goal is to determine the necessity of improved weather monitoring infrastructure across the countryside.

The SECURE Act aims to strengthen due process protections for all individuals facing security clearance revocation or denial, extending coverage beyond just executive branch employees. It also enhances transparency by requiring agencies to report detailed annual statistics on clearance actions, including employer identification and the reasons for denial or revocation. This legislation ensures clearer reporting standards for government-wide security clearance decisions.

The Brownfields Broadband Deployment Act aims to accelerate the deployment of communications infrastructure by streamlining federal environmental reviews for projects located entirely on designated brownfield sites. This legislation exempts qualifying broadband projects on contaminated land from certain requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). The goal is to reduce regulatory hurdles for FCC-authorized communication facility modifications or new builds situated exclusively on these previously used sites.

The Syria Sanctions Relief Act aims to significantly reduce existing U.S. restrictions on the Syrian Arab Republic. This legislation specifically repeals key prior measures, including the Syria Human Rights Accountability Act of 2012 and the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019. The bill's primary effect is the removal of these established sanctions and accountability measures.

The Accountability Doesn't Expire Act extends the operational life of the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee until 2030 to ensure continued oversight of pandemic spending. Additionally, this bill mandates that the Committee report to Congress on the impact of extending the statute of limitations for prosecuting Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan fraud.

The HUD Transparency Act of 2025 mandates that the Inspector General for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) must provide annual testimony to key Congressional committees. This testimony will detail efforts to combat fraud, waste, and abuse, assess the effectiveness of HUD programs, and offer recommendations for improving efficiency and accountability. This ensures regular, direct oversight of HUD operations by Congress.