Legislation

The Central Valley Water Solution Act establishes a program to provide over \$4.5 billion in financial and technical assistance for 22 specific water infrastructure projects within California's Central Valley Project. This funding targets critical needs such as groundwater storage, water quality treatment, and major canal capacity corrections. The Secretary of the Interior is tasked with implementing these projects in coordination with California and affected Indian Tribes. Importantly, the authorized funds are non-reimbursable, except for certain planning studies.

This bill, the Pharmacists Fight Back in Federal Employee Health Benefit Plans Act, establishes new rules for Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) administering prescription drug benefits for federal employees. It mandates specific reimbursement rates for pharmacies and prohibits PBMs from engaging in anti-competitive practices like steering patients to affiliated pharmacies. The legislation also institutes civil monetary penalties and potential debarment for PBMs that fail to comply with these new requirements.

The Opportunities for Success Act of 2025 significantly reforms federal student aid by increasing funding authorizations for existing grant programs and expanding eligible activities to include early learning and work-based learning. The bill establishes a new formula for allocating funds based on student financial need, while also creating a reservation for high-performing institutions. Furthermore, it mandates substantial changes to the Federal Work-Study program, requiring specific allocations for work-based learning and community service, and introducing new data collection requirements.

This Act temporarily freezes the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) ability to revise or replace the existing "Accidental Release Prevention Requirements: Risk Management Programs Under the Clean Air Act, Safer Communities by Chemical Accident Prevention" rule. This restriction on EPA action remains in effect until January 20, 2029.

The Nuclear Plant Decommissioning Act of 2025 establishes new requirements for transparency and community involvement during nuclear facility decommissioning, mandating consultation with affected states and tribes before the NRC approves decommissioning plans or license transfers. The bill also creates several grant programs to financially support local advisory boards and aid communities impacted by stranded waste and economic disruption from plant closures. Finally, it requires plant operators to fund dedicated economic recovery accounts for host communities based on the size of their decommissioning trusts.

This bill establishes new federal requirements for Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) contracting with Medicare Part D and Medicaid plans, effective in 2027. It mandates specific payment standards for pharmacies, requires PBMs to pass manufacturer rebates directly to patients and plan sponsors, and strictly prohibits steering patients toward specific pharmacies. Additionally, the legislation enhances transparency by expanding drug price reporting requirements for all types of pharmacies within the Medicaid program.

The Biological Intellectual Property Protection Act of 2025 aims to safeguard sensitive U.S. biotechnology by controlling the export of synthetic DNA and RNA sequences. This bill establishes a license requirement for transferring these digital sequences to foreign entities of concern, particularly those linked to adversaries like the People's Republic of China. Congress finds this action necessary to prevent intellectual property theft that supports foreign military modernization and strategic technology development.

This bill mandates a joint report from NASA and the Department of Commerce studying the merits and options for establishing a new institute focused on space resources. The institute would aim to advance U.S. preeminence by developing technology and reducing risks associated with identifying and utilizing resources in space. The report must assess the best structure, such as a virtual or physical entity, and potential partnerships to achieve these goals.

This resolution honors the service and sacrifice of United States Army Sergeants William Nathaniel Howard and Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, who were killed in action in Syria on December 13, 2025. It recognizes their distinguished service in the Iowa Army National Guard and condemns the terrorist assault that took their lives. The resolution extends profound gratitude and sympathy to their families and all those affected by the attack.

The Resilience Investment, Support, and Expansion from Trauma Act (RISE from Trauma Act) establishes new federal grant programs to fund local coordination efforts and hospital-based interventions aimed at addressing community trauma. It also strengthens the national network for child trauma support and expands workforce development initiatives. The bill seeks to improve outcomes for children, youth, and families by increasing trauma-informed training for professionals in healthcare, education, and law enforcement. Ultimately, this legislation aims to build more resilient communities through coordinated prevention, intervention, and healing strategies.

This act authorizes and appropriates necessary federal funding to replace the outdated air traffic control tower at El Paso International Airport. The legislation ensures the modernization of critical air traffic infrastructure in El Paso, Texas.

The Bus Operator Safety and Security Act mandates that new fixed-route buses purchased with federal funds, meeting specific size and lifespan criteria, must be equipped with a protective barrier around the operator's workstation. This barrier must fully enclose the area without obstructing the driver's line of sight. This requirement can be waived if the relevant labor union agrees to the waiver for the specific bus purchase.

The Flight Risk Reduction Act amends federal law to establish a new presumption against pretrial release for non-citizens who are not lawful permanent residents. This legislation mandates a detention hearing for such individuals and shifts the burden to them to prove, with clear and convincing evidence, that release conditions will ensure their court appearance and community safety. Notably, the bill prohibits using a non-citizen defendant's U.S. family or employment ties as evidence to overcome this detention presumption.

The PFAS Accountability Act of 2025 establishes a federal legal right for individuals significantly exposed to PFAS to sue responsible parties. This Act creates a cause of action for harm caused by exposure and shifts the cost of necessary medical monitoring to the manufacturers. Furthermore, it encourages industry-funded research into the safety of these persistent chemicals.

The Community Development Block Grant Equity Act of 2025 significantly revises the formula used to distribute CDBG funds to cities, counties, and states. This new formula prioritizes areas based on weighted factors, including poverty rates and the extent of older, poverty-occupied housing. The bill also authorizes specific funding levels for the CDBG program through Fiscal Year 2029, adjusted annually for inflation.

The Climate Justice Grants Act establishes a multi-billion dollar grant program within the EPA to fund projects that reduce pollution and build resilience in environmental justice communities. Eligible recipients, including governments and nonprofits, can use funds for initiatives like deploying zero-emission technology, improving energy efficiency, and developing community solar. The Act prioritizes funding for low-income communities, rural areas, and U.S. Territories, ensuring projects are community-driven.

The High-Capacity Grid Act mandates that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) establish a "best-available transmission conductor" standard based on capacity, efficiency, and sag mitigation. This legislation requires FERC to presume that using these advanced conductors in covered transmission projects is prudent and cost-justified. Conversely, using anything less than the best-available conductor will be presumed imprudent in rate cases.

The Satellite Cybersecurity Act of 2025 mandates a comprehensive federal review of cybersecurity support for commercial satellite systems, led by the Comptroller General. It requires the Department of Commerce to establish a public online clearinghouse for cybersecurity resources and consolidate voluntary industry recommendations. Furthermore, the Act compels the Department of Commerce to develop and submit a national cybersecurity strategy for these systems to Congress.

This Act mandates that the Secretaries of the military departments develop comprehensive master plans for each Service Academy to address critical infrastructure needs. These plans must detail failing infrastructure, propose replacement or renovation within five years, and assess risks from various threats. The Secretaries are required to submit these plans to Congress by December 1, 2027.

The Pathways to Prosperity Act establishes a new grant program to strengthen workforce development at community colleges. This program aims to help institutions create or expand high-quality training for high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand industries. Grants will prioritize partnerships with employers to ensure participants earn recognized, portable credentials leading to career advancement. The Secretary of Labor will oversee the competitive awards, performance measurement, and evaluation of the funded programs.