Legislation

This Act, the Enhancing COPS Hiring Program Grants for Local Law Enforcement Act, updates federal grant guidelines to allow local law enforcement agencies to use public safety funds for hiring and retention bonuses. These bonuses are specifically permitted when departments face significant recruitment challenges or high attrition rates. The bill also clarifies the definition of a "law enforcement officer" for grant eligibility purposes.

The Labor Market Response Act requires organizations applying for certain grants to provide evidence of in-demand jobs or documented worker shortages in their applications. This ensures grant funding targets areas with clear, current labor market needs. These new requirements will take effect starting October 1, 2025.

The Learn and Serve America Reinvestment Act secures $40 million annually for the Learn and Serve America program, ensuring dedicated funding for service-learning initiatives. This bill expands eligibility to include local and state educational agencies and updates the funding process to a competitive award system starting in Fiscal Year 2026. It also mandates specific allocations for the Bureau of Indian Affairs and requires annual reporting on fund usage.

This bill provides appropriations for the fiscal year 2026 across key federal areas, including the Army Corps of Engineers civil works, the Department of the Interior's water and reclamation projects, and the Department of Energy's research, defense, and infrastructure programs. It allocates billions for water infrastructure, energy development, and scientific research while imposing strict controls on fund transfers and procurement across these agencies. Furthermore, the Act includes several general provisions that restrict the use of federal funds for lobbying, certain regulatory actions, and specific social policy mandates.

The PERU Act of 2025 aims to grant Peruvian nationals eligibility for E-1 (treaty trader) and E-2 (treaty investor) nonimmigrant visas. This change aligns Peru with other treaty countries by establishing reciprocal treatment for traders and investors. The provision takes effect only if the Peruvian government offers the same visa status to U.S. citizens.

This bill authorizes appropriations for the Department of Defense for Fiscal Year 2026, covering procurement, research, personnel, and operations and maintenance across all military branches. It also includes significant provisions aimed at streamlining acquisition processes, enhancing cybersecurity for defense systems, and addressing critical supply chain vulnerabilities, particularly concerning foreign adversaries. Furthermore, the legislation authorizes military construction projects and extends several key authorities related to personnel benefits, international security cooperation, and the modernization of the defense industrial base.

The FAMILY Act establishes a national Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance program administered by a new office within the Social Security Administration. This program provides monthly benefits to eligible individuals who take time off for qualified caregiving reasons, including serious health conditions or victims of violence. The Act also sets forth detailed eligibility requirements, benefit calculation formulas, and job protection guarantees for employees utilizing the leave. Finally, it creates a funding mechanism to support existing state-level paid leave programs that meet federal standards.

This bill, the Pathways to Health Careers Act, updates and funds the Health Profession Opportunity Grants (HPOG) program to train low-income individuals for careers in the health professions. It establishes rigorous application requirements for grantees, mandating comprehensive support services like childcare and career coaching to ensure participant success. The legislation also sets aside specific funding for demonstration projects focused on helping individuals with past records and expanding maternal health workforce roles.

The STOP FRAUD in Medicaid Act expands the responsibilities of State Medicaid Fraud Control Units to include investigating and prosecuting fraud committed by individuals applying for or receiving Medicaid benefits. This broadens their current focus, which primarily targets provider fraud. These new duties will take effect 180 days after the bill is enacted.

The FAIR Act of 2025 invalidates pre-dispute arbitration agreements and class action waivers for employment, consumer, antitrust, and civil rights claims. This law restores the right for individuals to pursue these disputes in court or through collective legal action. The provisions apply to all covered disputes arising on or after the date the Act is enacted.

The No Funds for Foreign Abortions Act strictly prohibits U.S. foreign assistance from going to any foreign government or private organization that performs, promotes, or funds abortions overseas. This ban applies even if the prohibited activities are funded by the recipient's own money, not U.S. funds. The legislation defines prohibited activities broadly and requires annual certification of compliance by the Secretary of State. Exceptions exist only for abortions resulting from rape or incest, provided documentation is supplied.

The Susan E. Lukas 9/11 Servicemember Fairness Act establishes a presumption of service connection for specific diseases developed by veterans who served at the Pentagon Reservation between September 11 and November 19, 2001. This provision simplifies the process for these veterans to receive VA disability benefits for listed conditions like asthma, cancer, and cardiovascular disease, linking them automatically to their toxic exposure following the 9/11 attacks. The Secretary is also empowered to add other related illnesses to this covered list.

The Essential Skills and Child Care for Health Professions Act amends grant requirements for demonstration projects supporting healthcare workforce training. This legislation mandates that funded projects must provide participants with foundational skills training, including basic education if needed, alongside guaranteed and affordable childcare. These new requirements are set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

The No Bribes for Politicians Act of 2025 aims to increase transparency and reduce conflicts of interest for high-ranking officials. This bill mandates biannual financial disclosures for certain employees and expands disclosure requirements to include relatives of the President, Vice President, and Cabinet secretaries. Furthermore, it prohibits the President and Vice President from owning for-profit businesses or using their office for commercial gain while in office. The Act also establishes immediate disposal rules for certain official gifts received by federal employees.

This resolution formally recognizes the critical disparities in mental health access and treatment for Black youth, citing alarming increases in suicide rates among this population. It calls on the current administration to build upon previous efforts and implement recommendations from the *Ring the Alarm* report. The bill specifically urges increased funding, promotion of community education to reduce stigma, and protection of existing mental health service structures.

The Promoting Health Careers in Community and Technical Colleges Act ensures that recipients of Health Professions Opportunity Demonstration Project grants must train participants to earn recognized postsecondary credentials. This legislation also explicitly makes community colleges eligible to apply for these federal demonstration grants. These changes will take effect starting October 1, 2025.

The Freedom from Automated Speed Enforcement Act of 2025 aims to discourage states from using automated speed enforcement systems, such as speed cameras, by threatening to withhold 10% of their federal highway funds starting in late 2026 if they do not certify their absence. These systems are generally banned unless they are strictly limited to use within active school zones or construction zones. The bill grants the Secretary of Transportation authority to implement necessary regulations to enforce these provisions.

The DEMO Act establishes new federal grants to fund demonstration projects aimed at creating career pathways in high-demand health professions for individuals with arrest or conviction records. These projects must provide education, training, and necessary support services to help eligible individuals obtain credentials and secure employment in the health sector. The Secretary of Health and Human Services will award funds to qualified entities, prioritizing those with proven success in job placement and retention. The goal is to evaluate effective strategies for integrating this population into the healthcare workforce while addressing state-level credentialing barriers.

The College Students Continuation of Mental Health Care Act of 2025 establishes a system for licensing reciprocity, allowing college mental health providers to offer telehealth services to their enrolled students across state lines. This streamlines care by generally adhering to the provider's home state licensing rules, while ensuring patient safety through required disclosures and identity verification. The Act also encourages interstate agreements to further facilitate this cross-state mental health support for students.

The Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act of 2025 comprehensively bans the manufacture, processing, use, and sale of commercial asbestos and products containing it upon enactment. The bill establishes clear definitions for commercial asbestos and includes limited exceptions for existing chlor-alkali plant diaphragms until 2030. It also grants the President authority to issue temporary, renewable national security exemptions under strict conditions. This legislation amends the Toxic Substances Control Act to eliminate most commercial uses of this hazardous material.