Legislation

The FDA Modernization Act 3.0 mandates the Secretary of Health and Human Services to update regulations, replacing "animal tests" with "nonclinical tests" to align with the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, thus modernizing drug development and evaluation processes. This interim rule will take effect immediately and aims to refine terminology and definitions within Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations, while also correcting technical errors in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

The "GRID Power Act" aims to reform the process for connecting new power projects to the electric grid, prioritizing dispatchable power projects that enhance grid reliability and resilience. It requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to establish rules allowing transmission providers to propose adjustments to their interconnection queue, giving priority to these reliability-focused projects. These proposals must demonstrate the need for prioritization, explain the improvements to grid reliability, and include public comment opportunities. FERC must review and update these regulations regularly to address ongoing grid reliability and resilience issues.

The "Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act of 2025" amends the Agricultural Credit Act of 1978, allowing the Secretary to provide advance payments to agricultural producers and owners of nonindustrial private forest land for emergency measures such as repairing or replacing fencing, farmland, conservation structures, and forest restoration. It also clarifies that damages from wildfires, including those not naturally caused, are covered under the Emergency Conservation Program if the spread is due to natural causes. This act aims to improve access to funds for necessary repairs and rehabilitation following natural disasters.

The "Stop Arming Cartels Act of 2025" prohibits the import, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession of .50 caliber rifles, with exceptions for government use and rifles lawfully possessed before the Act. It also creates an exception to the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, allowing lawsuits against gun manufacturers or sellers who knowingly sell firearms in violation of the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act. Additionally, the bill prohibits firearm sales to significant foreign narcotics traffickers and includes rifles in multiple firearm sales reporting requirements.

The "Protect Our Letter Carriers Act of 2025" aims to protect postal workers by allocating funds for high-security collection boxes and electronic mailbox keys. It also mandates the appointment of dedicated attorneys to prosecute crimes against postal employees and directs the Sentencing Commission to increase penalties for assaulting or robbing them.

The "Small Business Disaster Damage Fairness Act of 2025" increases the collateral threshold for Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loans from $14,000 to $50,000. The Act also requires a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on the performance and default rates of these loans. Finally, the SBA must now tailor its outreach and marketing for disaster loans to address the specific challenges faced by rural communities in accessing them.

The "Safe Passage on Interstates Act of 2025" aims to prevent the obstruction of interstate highways. It establishes penalties, including fines and imprisonment, for individuals who knowingly disrupt traffic flow or endanger vehicles on these highways. Increased penalties are applied if emergency vehicles are obstructed or if a death occurs as a result of the obstruction.

The "Words Matter for the District of Columbia Courts Act" amends the District of Columbia Official Code, modernizing language related to individuals with intellectual disabilities. Specifically, it replaces outdated terms like "substantially retarded persons" and "at least moderately mentally retarded" with the more respectful and accurate term "persons with moderate intellectual disabilities" in legal references. This change affects the jurisdiction of the U.S. District Court, the Superior Court, and the Family Court within the District of Columbia.

This bill proposes to eliminate the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). It would cut off all federal funding to USAID starting from the bill's enactment date. Any unspent funds previously allocated to USAID would be rescinded and transferred to the Secretary of State, along with the agency's assets and liabilities.

The "Banning SPR Oil Exports to Foreign Adversaries Act" prohibits the Secretary of Energy from exporting or selling petroleum products from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to China, North Korea, Russia, Iran, or any entity controlled by these countries or the Chinese Communist Party, with a waiver option for national security interests. The Secretary must issue a rule to carry out this section within 60 days of enactment.

The DRONE Act of 2025 allows the Department of Justice to use certain grants to purchase and operate unmanned aircraft systems (drones) for public safety purposes. This includes grants from the Byrne program and the COPS program. The goal of the act is to provide law enforcement and other public safety agencies with an additional tool to improve their effectiveness and efficiency.

The BOOST Act introduces a refundable tax credit for individuals who purchase communications signal boosters to improve broadband internet access in their primary residence, if that residence is in an unserved area. The credit covers 75% of the cost, up to $400, for signal boosters, satellite network equipment, and related ground station equipment. This credit is available for taxable years between 2025 and 2029 and is limited to one claim per individual.

The Emergency Fuel Reduction Act of 2025 aims to expedite wildfire prevention by allowing certain hazardous fuel reduction projects on federal land to be exempt from some environmental review requirements. These projects include removing dead or diseased trees, protecting infrastructure, and reducing wildfire risks near communities, while also improving forest health and aiding threatened species recovery. The exemptions apply to projects treating 10,000 acres or less in high-risk areas but exclude wilderness areas and lands where vegetation removal is prohibited.

The "Small Business Disaster Damage Fairness Act of 2025" increases the minimum disaster loan amount for which the Small Business Administration may require collateral from $14,000 to $50,000. The Act requires a GAO report on the performance and default rates of disaster loans. It also requires the Small Business Administration to tailor its outreach and marketing for disaster loans to address the unique challenges faced by rural communities.

The "Educators Expense Deduction Modernization Act of 2025" increases the tax deduction for eligible educators' expenses from $250 to $1,000. This extension of benefits is applicable through 2026 and is effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

The "QUIET Act" aims to regulate robocalls using artificial intelligence by requiring disclosure when AI is used to mimic a real person in robocalls or text messages. It mandates that callers reveal the use of AI at the beginning of the communication. The Act also doubles the penalties for illegal robocalls or texts that use AI to impersonate individuals with the intent to defraud or cause harm.

This bill recognizes obesity as a disease with complex causes and widespread health and economic consequences. It acknowledges the high prevalence and costs associated with obesity, particularly among certain populations. The bill expresses the House of Representatives' support for addressing obesity as a disease. It urges healthcare professionals and researchers to develop effective strategies for prevention and treatment.

The "Stop Arming Cartels Act of 2025" aims to combat the arming of cartels by banning .50 caliber rifles, allowing lawsuits against gun manufacturers who knowingly sell to prohibited individuals, and prohibiting firearm sales to significant foreign narcotics traffickers. It also expands reporting requirements for multiple firearm sales to include rifles.

The "Federal Initiative to Guarantee Health by Targeting Fentanyl Act" amends the Controlled Substances Act to classify fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs, targeting substances structurally related to fentanyl through specific chemical modifications. This aims to combat the opioid crisis by addressing fentanyl analogs, while clarifying that mandatory minimum sentences do not apply to controlled substances described in subsection (e)(1) of schedule I.

This bill authorizes the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the Freedom Riders, collectively, in recognition of their contributions to the Civil Rights movement. The medal will be displayed at the Smithsonian Institution and other appropriate locations, with bronze duplicates available for sale to the public. Funds from the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund will cover the costs.