Legislation

The National Park System Long-Term Lease Investment Act grants the Secretary of the Interior the authority to extend certain existing National Park Service leases without adhering to standard regulatory procedures. This exception applies if the current lessee has held the lease for at least five years and is in good standing, and the extension is deemed beneficial for park management. The Act also mandates an update to the relevant federal regulations within 90 days.

This bill officially designates the United States Postal Service facility located at 765 West Old Route 66 in Ash Fork, Arizona, as the "Fayrene Hume Post Office." This action ensures the post office is formally recognized under this new name in all official records.

The Giving Reservists A Valiant Eternity (GRAVE) Act expands eligibility for a government-provided headstone or grave marker from the Department of Veterans Affairs. This change specifically allows members of the Armed Forces Reserve components to receive this benefit, even if they do not meet the standard minimum active-duty service requirements. The bill ensures that qualifying reservists are honored with a marker regardless of their active-duty time.

The Sustaining Our Democracy Act establishes a new federal program to provide annual grants to states for improving election administration, security, and accessibility, managed by a newly created Office of Democracy Advancement and Innovation. This funding is supported by a dedicated ten-year Trust Fund to ensure stable resources for election infrastructure upgrades. The bill imposes strict rules on how states can use the money, including prohibitions against purchasing insecure voting machines or restricting basic voter support. If states fail to comply, the federal Director can bypass state government to fund local election subdivisions directly.

The Military Spouse Entrepreneurship Act of 2025 directs the Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish a dedicated program offering comprehensive assistance to military spouses starting and growing small businesses. This initiative will provide online resources, mentorship, and specialized training to address challenges unique to military life, such as frequent relocation and deployments. The SBA must first survey existing barriers before implementing the tailored support services.

The Advancing Gun Safety Technology Act establishes a pilot program to fund small businesses developing innovative technologies designed to prevent accidental or unauthorized firearm use. Through grants managed by the Attorney General, the program aims to accelerate the development and commercial readiness of safety features like smart guns and advanced locking mechanisms. Up to $10 million is authorized for this initiative in Fiscal Year 2026.

The Cruise Passenger Protection Act of 2025 establishes comprehensive consumer protections and enhances safety standards for passengers on large cruise vessels operating in U.S. waters. It creates a new Department of Transportation office to handle consumer complaints, clarifies contract terms, and restricts mandatory arbitration for disputes. Furthermore, the bill mandates faster crime reporting to the FBI, increases video retention requirements, and standardizes crew training and medical support services onboard.

The Afghan Adjustment Act establishes new pathways for certain Afghan nationals already in the U.S. to obtain conditional permanent resident status, contingent upon rigorous security vetting. It also creates a special referral process for at-risk Afghan allies still outside the U.S. to access the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program remotely. Furthermore, the bill extends deadlines and expands eligibility for existing Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) while mandating significant interagency coordination and reporting to Congress on processing efficiency.

This concurrent resolution commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act, a landmark 1975 agreement establishing principles for security, economic cooperation, and human rights among signatory nations. Congress reaffirms the United States' enduring commitment to these foundational principles, especially in light of current violations by some states. The resolution urges all signatories to uphold their commitments and calls for public observance of this diplomatic milestone.

The West Bank Violence Prevention Act of 2025 mandates the President to impose targeted sanctions, including asset freezes and visa bans, on foreign individuals or groups whose actions threaten the peace and stability of the West Bank. These penalties specifically target those involved in violence against civilians, property destruction, or terrorism. The law requires regular reporting to Congress detailing those sanctioned and the steps being taken to mitigate violence in the region.

The Seedlings for Sustainable Habitat Restoration Act of 2025 expands the Forest Service's ability to fund ecosystem restoration by authorizing contracts and grants for collecting native seeds and growing seedlings. This funding can now go to a broader range of partners, including state agencies, tribes, and universities. Furthermore, the bill explicitly includes native seed collection and seedling production as eligible activities under the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program.

The Camden National Battlefield Park Study Act mandates the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a comprehensive study of the Camden Battlefield area in South Carolina. This study will determine the national significance of the site and assess the feasibility of establishing it as a National Park Service unit. The Secretary must report findings and recommendations to Congress within three years.

The Energy Efficiency for Affordable Housing Act increases the tax credit available for rehabilitating existing affordable housing to make it significantly more energy-efficient. This legislation allows eligible projects that achieve "enhanced energy performance" to count 130% of their rehabilitation spending toward the credit, or 160% in high-cost areas. Enhanced performance is defined by meeting new Department of Energy standards or following a qualified retrofit plan designed to cut energy use by 50% or more. These increased credit incentives generally apply to projects allocated after December 31, 2025.

The SEIZE Act authorizes the President to treat weapons and materiel seized en route from Iran to the Houthis in Yemen as if they were already U.S. military stock. This new designation allows the President to transfer these seized items to foreign partners using existing defense assistance authorities. The law also mandates annual reporting to Congress detailing the use of this authority.

The MORE DOT Grants Act aims to increase transportation funding opportunities for specific rural areas designated as "High-Density Public Land Counties." This bill lowers the required local matching funds by 50% for eligible DOT grant programs in these counties. It also mandates technical assistance and gives priority to applicants from these areas that have not recently received funding from the specific program. Finally, the legislation allows for greater flexibility in application requirements for these local and Tribal governments.

The MAPWaters Act of 2025 mandates federal land and water management agencies to standardize and digitize geospatial data regarding public access points and restrictions on federal waterways. This legislation requires the creation of a centralized, publicly accessible online database detailing current fishing rules, access status, and navigation limitations. The Act ensures that existing state and federal authority over water regulation and fishery management remains unchanged.

The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act aims to update Social Security by changing how cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) are calculated using a new index specific to the elderly (CPI-E). It also modifies contribution and benefit fairness by adjusting how earnings above the current wage limit are treated starting in 2026. Furthermore, the bill incorporates a portion of these higher earnings into the formula used to determine an individual's final benefit amount. These changes are designed to better reflect senior spending and adjust benefits for higher earners.

The CRP Improvement and Flexibility Act of 2025 updates the Conservation Reserve Program to enhance flexibility for farmers, particularly regarding land management. Key changes include allowing continuous enrollment for certain wildlife enhancement lands and establishing specific, limited conditions under which emergency haying may occur during the final weeks of nesting season. Furthermore, the bill introduces cost-sharing for necessary grazing infrastructure and significantly raises the maximum annual CRP rental payment cap to \$125,000.

The REMEDY Act aims to reform how brand-name drug companies use patent listings to delay generic competition. This legislation requires companies to designate a single, unchangeable "covered patent" to trigger the thirty-month exclusivity period against generic applications. Consequently, the automatic 30-month delay will only start if a patent infringement lawsuit is filed specifically concerning that designated patent for newer drugs. This measure seeks to prevent the manipulation of patent listings that extends market exclusivity beyond intended limits.

The Validation and Evaluation for Trustworthy (VET) Artificial Intelligence Act aims to foster trust and adoption of AI by establishing voluntary technical guidelines for testing and validating AI systems based on risk. This legislation directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to create these guidelines, which will cover safety, privacy, and transparency. Furthermore, the Act establishes an advisory committee to recommend qualifications for entities performing these AI assurance checks and mandates a study on the capacity of current assurance providers.