Legislation

The Hydropower Licensing Transparency Act requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to submit an annual report to Congress detailing the status of long-delayed hydropower license applications. This report specifically tracks new, renewed, or original license applications that have been pending for three years or more after the applicant provided notice of intent. The goal is to increase accountability and provide Congress with specific details on the bottlenecks slowing down the licensing process for these energy projects.

The VA Home Loan Program Reform Act enhances the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) ability to prevent foreclosure on veteran-guaranteed home loans by allowing the VA to step in and pay lenders to stop default proceedings. It establishes a new Partial Claim Program, enabling the VA to pay a portion of a veteran's loan debt (up to 25% or 30% in specific cases) to cure a default. Furthermore, the bill mandates the creation of required loss mitigation steps for lenders and requires the VA to report on strategies ensuring veterans are not disadvantaged in real estate transactions. Finally, it extends and sets new funding authorizations for comprehensive service programs aimed at assisting homeless veterans through fiscal year 2030.

The Promoting United States Wireless Leadership Act of 2025 aims to strengthen American influence in global technical standards-setting bodies for wireless technologies like 5G. It directs the Assistant Secretary of Commerce to actively encourage participation from trusted U.S. stakeholders in these groups. This effort specifically requires excluding any entity deemed a threat to U.S. national security. The Act also mandates a strategy briefing to Congress within 60 days of enactment.

This Act establishes direct federal compensation for the few remaining survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. It mandates a substantial payment of over \$20 million to each living survivor as compensation for over a century of unaddressed injustice. Receiving this payment will finalize all related claims against the United States government.

This bill amends the Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to require the Comptroller General to obtain prior approval from Congress before initiating a civil action against the executive branch for withholding appropriated funds. Specifically, the Comptroller General must receive authorization via a concurrent resolution from Congress to file such a lawsuit. This measure shifts the authority to sue over impoundments from the Comptroller General's discretion to one requiring explicit Congressional consent.

This bill, the Prohibition of Medicaid Funding for Conversion Therapy Act, prohibits Medicaid plans from using federal funds to pay for conversion therapy services. Conversion therapy is defined as any paid practice aimed at changing an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity. This legislation ensures that taxpayer dollars do not support efforts to alter a person's core identity.

The Essential Air Service Reliability Act of 2025 updates the Essential Air Service (EAS) program by requiring airlines seeking federal subsidies to submit contingency plans for non-weather-related service disruptions. This legislation also shifts the selection criteria for subsidy recipients to prioritize the proposed rate of compensation. These changes aim to ensure more reliable air service to smaller communities by mandating operational backups.

The Asbestos Exposure in Housing Reduction Act of 2025 mandates that sellers and landlords must disclose any known asbestos hazards in homes built before 2019 before a buyer or renter is contractually obligated. This law grants potential buyers a 10-day inspection window and requires a specific, prominent asbestos warning statement in all sales or lease contracts. Violations of these new disclosure rules carry significant civil penalties, including potential treble damages for knowing non-compliance.

The School Resource Officer Reform Act provides tax benefits and expands death benefits for certain school resource officers. Specifically, it excludes the compensation of retired, armed peace officers serving in schools from federal income and FICA taxes. Additionally, the bill amends federal law to ensure school resource officers are eligible for Public Safety Officers' Death Benefits if they die in the line of duty.

The Clean Hands Firearm Procurement Act requires the federal government to publicly list licensed gun dealers frequently associated with traced firearms used in crimes within three years of retail sale. Federal agencies are prohibited from awarding contracts to these "covered firearms dealers" for a period of three years following their listing. Exceptions to this contract ban can only be made if the Secretaries of Defense or Homeland Security certify that the waiver is necessary for national security.

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.