Legislation

The Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument Access Act aims to enhance public access to the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument in Maine by allowing the Department of Interior to acquire additional land from willing sellers to be added to the monument. It ensures the continuation of hunting, fishing, and recreational activities on newly acquired lands, and permits the gathering of fiddlehead ferns. The Act also allows for the establishment of administrative sites and visitor facilities, and emphasizes collaboration with local communities and Tribal governments for educational and management purposes.

This bill streamlines the House's consideration of three measures: disapproving the Department of Energy's energy conservation standards for water heaters, disapproving the EPA's rule on waste emissions charges for petroleum and natural gas systems, and establishing the congressional budget for fiscal year 2025 while setting budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026-2034. It sets specific debate times and waives certain procedural rules to expedite the process.

This bill designates the Federal building located at 225 South Pierre Street in Pierre, South Dakota, as the "Marcella LeBeau Federal Building." The bill is also cited as the "Marcella LeBeau Recognition Act." Any law, regulation, map, document, record, or other official paper of the United States that refers to the federal building described above will now refer to it as the "Marcella LeBeau Federal Building".

The "Fairness for Crime Victims Act of 2025" aims to protect the Crime Victims Fund by establishing a point of order in the House and Senate against legislative maneuvers ("CHIMPs") that reduce the fund's availability below a 3-year average. This fund, which supports victims of crimes like child abuse and sexual assault, is financed through federal crime fines and penalties. The point of order can be waived with a three-fifths vote, and it does not apply if the fund balance is within $2 billion of the prior year's balance. This bill seeks to ensure that funds intended for crime victims are not diverted for other purposes.

The "Congressional Award Program Reauthorization Act" extends the Congressional Award Act until October 1, 2028. It modifies the requirements for the Congressional Award medals, removing specific material requirements. The amendment is effective retroactively as of October 1, 2023.

The Rural Emergency Hospital Access Act removes the requirement that off-campus facilities must be within a 35-mile radius of a hospital to receive Medicare benefits. This change aims to improve access to emergency care in rural areas by allowing facilities to qualify for provider-based status regardless of their proximity to a main hospital. The Secretary of Health and Human Services is required to implement this change within 60 days.

The "Second Chance for Moms Act of 2025" requires a warning label on mifepristone indicating its effects may be reversed with progesterone, potentially increasing fetal survival, and provides a hotline number for further information. It also directs the Secretary to establish a 24/7 toll-free hotline for women seeking to reverse the effects of mifepristone, offering referrals exclusively to healthcare providers who offer abortion pill reversal.

The COVID Fraud Transparency Act of 2025 mandates the Inspector General of the Small Business Administration to report to Congress every three months on the number and total value of COVID-19 loans, including details on new, suspected, and resolved fraud cases related to these loans. This reporting will occur every 3 months for 2 years. The bill specifies that no additional funds will be allocated for the implementation of this Act.

The "Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Enhancement Act" aims to improve the hygienic handling of breast milk, baby formula, and related items during airport security screening. It mandates the TSA to update its guidance in consultation with maternal health organizations to minimize contamination risks and ensure hygienic standards are met during additional screenings. The Department of Homeland Security's Inspector General will audit compliance and report on screening technologies' impact on these items.

The "Securing America's Land from Foreign Interference Act" prohibits members of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and entities under CCP control from purchasing public or private real estate within the United States and its territories. This includes the 50 states, Washington DC, and US territories.

The Heroes’ Tax Exemption Act of 2025, exempts active duty members of the Armed Forces from paying income tax on any amount earned after the second October 1 occurring after the enactment of this Act.

The "287(g) Program Protection Act" amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to mandate that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) enter into agreements with states and their subdivisions, enabling their law enforcement officers to perform certain immigration enforcement functions, provided they meet DHS standards. It requires DHS to justify denials of state requests, prohibits limits on the number of agreements, and ensures agreements accommodate various enforcement models preferred by the states. The Act also establishes appeal processes for agreement terminations, mandates uniform training standards, and directs DHS to publish annual performance reports and recruitment plans for the 287(g) program.

The Sergeant Gary Beikirch Medal of Honor Act removes a restriction in existing law that prevented Medal of Honor recipients from receiving the Medal of Honor special pension concurrently with other benefits. This change allows recipients to receive both the special pension and other benefits simultaneously.

Alexandra's Law Act of 2025 amends the Controlled Substances Act to allow individuals to face homicide charges for drug-related offenses involving fentanyl or fentanyl analogues that result in death. Courts must advise those convicted of fentanyl-related offenses about the dangers of fentanyl and counterfeit pills. Previous convictions for similar offenses can be used as evidence of knowledge in subsequent cases, but these provisions do not apply to minors.

The "District of Columbia Code Returning Citizens Coordination Act" mandates the Bureau of Prisons Director to provide the D.C. Mayor with information on individuals under their jurisdiction due to the National Capital Revitalization and Self-Government Improvement Act of 1997, including their name, age, location, and release date. The Mayor can share this information with counsel for the persons, and to organizations that provide legal representation to persons in criminal or post-conviction matters, or in matters related to reentry, but cannot share it with D.C. law enforcement. This aims to support returning citizens while maintaining confidentiality.

The SNAP Benefits Fairness Act of 2025 amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to remove the cap on the maximum deduction for shelter expenses when determining SNAP benefits, allowing for a more accurate reflection of recipients' actual costs. This change will take effect on January 1 of the year following the bill's enactment.

The "Stop Illegal Reentry Act" increases the penalties for individuals who illegally reenter the United States after having been deported or removed. It raises the maximum prison sentence for general illegal reentry to five years. Repeat offenders or those with prior felony convictions could face up to 10 years, and aggravated felons or repeat re-entrants could face a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 20 years in prison.

The "Representing our Seniors at VA Act of 2025" ensures that the National Association of State Veterans Homes is represented in consultations with the Under Secretary for Health. It also adds a representative from the Association with a nursing home administration license to the Department of Veterans Affairs Geriatrics and Gerontology Advisory Committee. This aims to improve the quality of care and address the specific needs of senior veterans within state veterans homes.

The "Fairness for the Trades Act" expands the permitted uses of 529 education savings accounts to include expenses related to tools and equipment necessary to start a qualified business trade. These trades are defined by specific North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes and the equipment must be tangible and depreciable. This change applies to taxable years beginning after the enactment of this Act.

The "PROTECTS Act of 2025" prohibits federal funds from being used for gender transition procedures for individuals under 18, including surgeries and hormone therapies, with exceptions for certain medical conditions and genetic disorders. The bill defines "sex" as biologically determined male or female based on reproductive systems.