Legislation

The Department of Veterans Affairs Continuing Professional Education Modernization Act increases the reimbursement amount for continuing professional education expenses for certain full-time health care professionals of the Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill requires the Secretary to reimburse certain health care professionals up to $2,000 per year and allows the Secretary to adjust the dollar amounts, provided that the reimbursement is not less than $2,000 per year for each individual.

The Noncontiguous Shipping Relief Act of 2024 modifies regulations for foreign freight vessels operating in noncontiguous trade, such as between the U.S. mainland and Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. territories. It allows foreign vessels meeting specific criteria to transport goods in these trades under certain conditions, including documentation and adherence to labor standards. The Act also includes provisions related to jurisdiction in injury or death cases, participation in compensation plans, and compliance with environmental standards. Additionally, it sets requirements for non-U.S. citizens irregularly engaging in domestic coastwise trade.

The "Restoring Trade Fairness Act" suspends normal trade relations with China, leading to increased tariffs on Chinese goods, with the goal of countering unfair trade practices and bolstering domestic industries. It modifies duty rates, phases in increases, and allows the President to further adjust duties and establish quotas to reduce reliance on Chinese imports. The Act also establishes a trust fund to compensate U.S. producers for losses due to Chinese retaliation and allocates remaining funds to defense spending. Additionally, it directs changes to the U.S. list of agreed-upon duty rates on goods at the World Trade Organization and prohibits duty-free entry for articles originating from covered nations, even if valued at $800 or less.

The "Improving Federal Assistance to Families Act" directs the Census Bureau to create a "Regionally Adjusted Poverty Line" that accounts for regional cost of living differences. It mandates the use of either this new line or the existing federal poverty line, whichever results in a higher poverty rate for each state, for determining eligibility for federal programs. The Act also requires a GAO study on the ALICE threshold as an alternative poverty measure and its potential integration into federal program eligibility standards.

The Asylum Accountability Act amends the Immigration and Nationality Act, making individuals who fail to appear at their removal proceedings permanently ineligible for adjusting their immigration status. This eliminates the previous 10-year waiting period for such individuals to seek legal residency or citizenship.

This bill expresses support for designating March 2025 as "National March into Literacy Month" to highlight the importance of child and adult literacy. It recognizes the efforts of students, parents, teachers, and school leaders. The bill encourages parents, schools, and all Americans to promote literacy and organize events that raise awareness about the importance of reading.

The "Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Amendments Act of 2025" amends the Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2010, modifying how funds are used for water projects and related activities. It establishes the "MRI Projects Account" and the "Crow CIP Implementation Account" to support water infrastructure development and clarifies the Tribe's control over these projects. The Act also extends provisions related to Yellowtail Dam and updates cross-references within the original Act for accuracy.

This bill amends Title 38 of the U.S. Code to establish specific qualifications for marriage and family therapists who provide clinical supervision within the Veterans Health Administration. It requires that these therapists meet existing standards and either be authorized to provide clinical supervision in their state or be designated as an approved supervisor by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.

Expresses support for strengthening public schools through community partnerships, mental health resources, and equitable funding. Aims to advance equity and excellence in public education, ensuring high-quality education for every child through evidence-based practices. Designates the week of February 24-28, 2025, as Public Schools Week.

This bill recognizes the importance of International Mother Language Day in promoting linguistic diversity and multilingualism, while also calling attention to the high number of languages, including Native American languages, that are endangered or extinct. It emphasizes the need to preserve existing languages as crucial to maintaining the United States' cultural heritage. The bill encourages the people of the United States to observe International Mother Language Day through various activities and programs.

The ICE Security Reform Act of 2025 separates Homeland Security Investigations from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, establishing it as a distinct entity within the Department of Homeland Security, and renames U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement as U.S. Immigration Compliance Enforcement. It outlines the transfer of functions, personnel, assets, and legal authorities to ensure a seamless transition, while also maintaining the validity of existing legal documents and proceedings. The Act empowers officials to delegate duties and allows for the continued use of existing funds to support terminated programs.

The Disaster Recovery Efficiency Act requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to implement recommendations from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to improve the federal approach to disaster recovery. These recommendations were outlined in a GAO report (GAO23104956) issued on November 15, 2022.

The FREE Act aims to streamline federal permitting processes by requiring agencies to implement a "permitting by rule" system with clear standards and strict deadlines for approval. It mandates agencies to report on their current permitting processes, identify permits suitable for the new system, and automatically approve applications meeting all requirements within 180 days. The Act also includes provisions for audits, compliance verification, appeals, and financial responsibility for agencies causing unreasonable delays, with oversight from Congress and the Comptroller General. This legislation intends to reduce delays and costs in federal permitting while still protecting the interests that permitting systems are meant to safeguard.

The "Universal Right To Vote by Mail Act of 2025" seeks to establish a uniform standard for mail-in voting across the United States by removing additional requirements for voting by mail in federal elections. It requires election officials to contact voters to resolve signature discrepancies or missing signatures on mail-in ballots, ensuring these ballots are counted if the issues are corrected promptly. This act aims to increase voter participation and convenience while maintaining the option for in-person voting. States must comply with these requirements for federal elections starting in 2026.

This bill directs the Secretary of Defense to establish a compensation fund for current and former military firefighters, and their survivors, who have become ill due to PFAS exposure during their service. Firefighters employed at a military site where PFAS was present are presumed to have been exposed. The fund will provide compensation for disability or death resulting from occupational illnesses, as well as necessary medical benefits.

This bill authorizes the creation of a Congressional Gold Medal for Master Sergeant Roddie Edmonds, posthumously recognizing his courageous actions during World War II when he saved approximately 200 Jewish-American soldiers from Nazi persecution by defying a direct order to identify them. The medal will be presented to his next of kin, and the bill also allows for the creation and sale of bronze duplicates to commemorate his heroism.

The "Protect Minors from Medical Malpractice Act of 2025" allows individuals under 18 who undergo gender-transition procedures to sue the medical practitioner who performed the procedure if they are injured as a result, with a 30-year window after turning 18 to bring a civil action. It also protects medical practitioners' freedom of conscience by prohibiting federal laws from requiring them to perform gender-transition procedures and prohibits federal funding to states that require medical practitioners to perform gender transition procedures. The act defines "gender-transition procedure" while providing exceptions for individuals with ambiguous biological sex characteristics or genetic/biochemical conditions affecting sex chromosomes or hormone production and treatments for infections, injuries, diseases, or disorders caused or worsened by gender-transition procedures, or procedures necessary to prevent imminent death or major bodily impairment as certified by a physician.

The "Protecting Military Installations and Ranges Act of 2025" expands the authority of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to review real estate transactions near military installations and airspace involving foreign entities connected to Russia, China, Iran, or North Korea. It mandates CFIUS review of certain real estate purchases, leases, or concessions near military facilities and requires certifications to Congress. The Act also puts limitations on the approval of energy projects related to CFIUS reviews.

The "Protecting the Dignity of Unborn Children Act of 2025" prohibits the reckless disposal or abandonment of fetal remains in landfills or U.S. navigable waters. Violators may face up to 3 years in prison, a fine, or both. This law specifically exempts women from prosecution related to the disposal of their unborn child's remains.

The "No Taxpayer Funding for the U.N. Population Fund Act" prohibits U.S. taxpayer dollars from being contributed to the United Nations Population Fund. This includes both direct and indirect contributions from the Department of State, as well as any other federal department or agency.