Legislation

The "Caring for Survivors Act of 2025" increases dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses of veterans. Additionally, it modifies the requirements for survivor benefits for veterans who were totally disabled at the time of death, reducing the required period of disability from 10 to 5 years, and introduces proportional compensation for disability periods less than 10 years.

The "Free Speech Protection Act" aims to protect free speech by preventing government employees from censoring speech on social media platforms and from colluding with platforms to suppress or label content. It establishes reporting requirements for communications between government employees and social media platforms, terminates the Disinformation Governance Board, and prohibits grants for programs focused on misinformation. The Act also amends the Communications Act of 1934 and ensures transparency through the Freedom of Information Act regarding government communications with social media platforms.

The "Combating Cartels on Social Media Act of 2025" aims to combat transnational criminal organizations' use of social media and online platforms for illicit activities, including recruitment. It mandates a joint assessment by the Department of Homeland Security, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of State on how these organizations use online services for recruitment and illegal operations. The Act further requires a joint strategy to counter these recruitment efforts, enhance cooperation between law enforcement, and increase outreach to at-risk communities, while ensuring the protection of civil rights and liberties. This act does not authorize additional funding for implementation and clarifies that it does not expand the existing powers of the involved departments.

The "Health Care Providers Safety Act of 2025" authorizes the Secretary to award grants to health care providers. These grants will enhance the physical and cyber security of healthcare facilities, personnel, and patients. Funds can be used for security services, upgrades to physical access, cyber security, video surveillance, data privacy, and structural improvements.

The "Protecting Higher Education from Foreign Threats Act" prohibits colleges and universities from receiving federal funding if they employ instructors funded by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). A CCP-funded instructor is defined as someone who directly instructs students and receives funds from the CCP while employed by the institution. Institutions can regain eligibility for federal funding if they no longer employ CCP-funded instructors. This change will take effect 180 days after the Act is enacted.

The "Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act of 2025" allows victims of specific violent crimes committed by aliens to sue sanctuary jurisdictions if sanctuary policies prevented the alien's detention or deportation. It mandates that sanctuary jurisdictions that accept certain federal grants waive immunity from these lawsuits and protects state and local entities from liability when complying with Department of Homeland Security detainers. This act aims to ensure cooperation between federal and local law enforcement and provide legal recourse for victims harmed by sanctuary policies.

The "Fiscal Year 2025 Veterans Affairs Major Medical Facility Authorization Act" authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to carry out specific major medical facility projects in fiscal year 2025. These projects include constructing a new critical care center and expanding clinical space for mental health in West Los Angeles, California, and Dallas, Texas, respectively. The Act also authorizes appropriations of $1,567,000,000 for these projects.

The "Filing Relief for Natural Disasters Act" allows the Secretary to postpone federal tax deadlines, similar to federal disaster declarations, upon a written request from a state governor for a qualified state-declared disaster. It defines a "qualified state-declared disaster" as a natural catastrophe, fire, flood, or explosion, as determined by the Governor, that causes significant damage. This act also extends mandatory tax deadline extensions from 60 days to 120 days.

This bill codifies Executive Order 14096, solidifying the nation's commitment to environmental justice. By codifying the executive order, it ensures the order has the full force and effect of law.

The "Assuring Medicare's Promise Act of 2025" aims to bolster the solvency of Medicare's Hospital Insurance Trust Fund by expanding the application of the net investment income tax. It directs revenue from the net investment income tax to the Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and broadens the base of the tax to include trade or business income for high-income individuals, with certain income thresholds and phase-in provisions. This act amends both the Social Security Act and the Internal Revenue Code to ensure the financial stability of Medicare.

The "Estate Tax Rate Reduction Act" reduces the tax rate to 20% for estates, gifts, and generation-skipping transfers for those dying or transfers made after December 31, 2024. The bill specifies that the budgetary effects of this section will not be entered on any PAYGO scorecards.

The "Advancing FASD Research, Services and Prevention Act" aims to enhance support for individuals and families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) through increased research, prevention, and service programs. This act amends the Public Health Service Act to expand training, integrate a case definition for FASD, and build state and tribal capacity for identification, treatment, and support. It also establishes Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Centers for Excellence to expand diagnostic capacity, develop public awareness campaigns, and serve as clearinghouses for evidence-based resources. Finally, the act authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 2025 through 2029 to carry out these provisions and requires a report on efforts to advance public awareness and identify best practices related to FASD.

The "Honor Our Living Donors Act" aims to support organ donation by removing financial barriers for living donors. It ensures that grant recipients do not consider the income of organ recipients when reimbursing donors. The Act also removes the expectation of payments by organ recipients and requires an annual report to Congress on grant funding adequacy for donor reimbursements.

The "Do No Harm in Medicaid Act" prohibits federal Medicaid funding for gender transition procedures for individuals under 18, defining these procedures as surgeries and hormonal treatments intended to alter a person's body to a different sex. Exceptions are provided for treatments related to verifiable genetic disorders, abnormalities, infections, injuries, or imminent threats to life, as well as procedures to reverse previous gender transition interventions. The bill defines "sex" as biologically determined based on reproductive systems.

The "Fueling Alternative Transportation with a Carbon Aviation Tax Act of 2025" increases excise taxes on fuel used by private jets and eliminates certain air transportation excise tax exemptions. It establishes the "Funding to Support Clean Communities Trust Fund," which will be funded by the increased taxes and used for grants and activities that deploy air quality monitoring systems, improve public transit and passenger rail infrastructure near airports, and improve public transportation in disadvantaged communities. At least 50% of the funds must be used for projects in disadvantaged communities, prioritizing those most affected by air pollution.

The "Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes on Imported Goods Act of 2025" limits the President's power under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. It prevents the President from using this Act to impose or raise tariffs or tariff-rate quotas on imported goods. The President retains the authority to block specific goods or all goods from a particular country.

The Protecting First Responders from Secondary Exposure Act of 2025 aims to protect first responders from secondary exposure to fentanyl and other lethal substances. The bill provides funding for training and resources on using containment devices and for purchasing these devices. This will help first responders to protect themselves from dangerous substances while on duty.

The "Protecting School Milk Choices Act of 2025" amends school lunch program requirements to mandate that schools offer both flavored and unflavored milk. Additionally, schools retain the option to provide lactose-free milk.

The Amtrak Transparency Act amends Title 49 of the U.S. Code, modifying requirements for Amtrak's Board of Directors meetings, including quorum rules, public notice for meetings, and annual meetings with state transportation heads. It mandates public disclosure of discretionary bonuses paid to officers and non-bargaining unit employees. Additionally, Amtrak must disclose vendor agreements over $250,000 to states or State-Amtrak Committees for state-supported route services upon request.

The Child Care Workforce and Facilities Act of 2025 aims to increase access to quality child care in child care deserts by providing competitive grants to States and Tribal entities. These grants will support the development and expansion of the child care workforce through education and training programs, as well as the construction, expansion, or renovation of child care facilities, including licensed family child care homes. The act authorizes $100,000,000 to be appropriated for fiscal years 2025 through 2031 to carry out these initiatives.