Legislation

The Gerald E. Connolly Esophageal Cancer Awareness Act of 2025 aims to address the rapidly increasing and deadly rates of esophageal cancer. This bill mandates a report from the Comptroller General analyzing healthcare spending and screening rates for high-risk individuals within the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program. The ultimate goal is to improve early detection, as catching this cancer early significantly increases survival rates.

This bill establishes a fast-track procedure in the House of Representatives for immediately considering and voting on the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 91) regarding the President's national emergency declaration of April 2, 2025. It waives standard procedural rules to limit debate to one hour before a final vote. Once passed by the House, the Senate must be notified within one week.

This resolution formally commemorates and celebrates the extraordinary legacy of the late Honorable Raúl Grijalva for his decades of dedicated service in Congress. It specifically honors his unwavering advocacy for the people of Arizona and his significant contributions to environmental protection and Tribal rights across the nation. The bill recognizes his leadership in safeguarding sacred sites, advancing social justice initiatives, and securing resources for Indigenous communities.

This resolution expresses strong support for designating June as "National Annuity Awareness Month." It highlights annuities as a crucial tool for guaranteeing lifetime income and boosting retirement confidence. The bill encourages educational efforts across the country to inform consumers about how annuities can help meet their long-term financial security goals.

This resolution condemns the international practice of using "flags of convenience," where ships are registered in countries with lax regulations to avoid U.S. laws and standards. Congress asserts that this practice undermines national security by weakening the U.S. merchant marine fleet and enables illegal activities like illicit trafficking and environmental harm. The bill strongly supports the U.S. maritime industry while calling on international bodies to enforce higher global labor and safety standards for shipping.

This joint resolution formally establishes "Life Month" to affirm the fundamental value and inherent dignity of every human life as an unalienable right. It recognizes the Supreme Court's *Dobbs* decision and urges Congress to enact laws protecting unborn life. Furthermore, the resolution commends organizations and individuals who support pregnant women and new families.

This resolution officially recognizes the significant and growing contributions of independent workers, freelancers, and sole proprietors to the American economy. It highlights the substantial economic impact of this sector, which provides flexibility and opportunity for millions of Americans. Furthermore, the resolution expresses concern over potential legislation that could restrict the freedom and flexibility enjoyed by these independent workers.

This resolution officially designates the Friday before Memorial Day as **National Poppy Day** to honor U.S. veterans. It recognizes the poppy as a long-standing symbol of remembrance for those who died in service, inspired by World War I. The bill encourages all citizens to wear a red poppy on this day to show appreciation for our fallen service members.

The Medicare for All Act establishes a universal, nationwide health insurance program providing comprehensive coverage for all U.S. residents with no out-of-pocket costs. It fundamentally restructures healthcare financing by implementing global budgets for institutions and a new fee schedule for individuals, while phasing out existing federal programs like Medicare and Medicaid. The legislation also sets strict quality standards for providers and creates a dedicated Trust Fund to manage the system's finances.

The Vote at Home Act of 2025 aims to modernize federal elections by establishing nationwide standards for voting by mail. It mandates that states mail ballots to all registered voters at least two weeks before federal elections and requires free postage for return ballots. Additionally, the bill overhauls voter registration by streamlining processes at the DMV and implementing automatic registration for eligible citizens who provide proof of citizenship when obtaining a driver's license.

This bill, the Border Drone Threat Assessment Act, mandates a comprehensive one-year threat assessment by the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security regarding the use of unmanned aircraft systems (drones) near U.S. international borders. The assessment must detail malign actors, their methods, current U.S. detection and defense capabilities, and privacy considerations. Following the assessment, a detailed report and subsequent briefing must be delivered to Congress outlining the threats and recommending any necessary legal or resource changes to counter them effectively.

The Closing the De Minimis Loophole Act eliminates the special, duty-free entry treatment for low-value imports under Section 321 of the Tariff Act of 1930. This change takes effect immediately for goods from China and after 120 days for all other countries. The Treasury Department is tasked with establishing new procedures to ensure proper duty collection and prevent fraud under the revised rules.

The Public Service Worker Protection Act expands the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) to explicitly cover federal, state, and local government employees. This ensures that public service workers are protected by federal workplace safety standards. The effective date varies depending on whether a state already has an approved OSHA plan.

The Close the Revolving Door Act of 2025 significantly tightens ethics rules governing former government officials and staff. It institutes a lifetime lobbying ban for former Members of Congress and extends the waiting period for former Congressional staff to six years. Furthermore, the bill mandates a centralized, public website for lobbying disclosures and imposes a six-year hiring ban on former lobbyists seeking congressional roles, while also increasing penalties for disclosure violations.

The Fuel Choice and Deregulation Act of 2025 aims to promote alternative fuels by legalizing and regulating aftermarket vehicle conversions, provided they meet emissions standards. It updates fuel economy calculations by introducing new definitions for alternative fuels and offering significant compliance bonuses to manufacturers focusing on these "fuel choice enabling" vehicles. Furthermore, the Act adjusts the EPA's authority regarding waivers for required ethanol blending in gasoline.

The Opportunities for Fairness in Farming Act of 2025 aims to increase transparency and accountability within agricultural checkoff programs. This bill establishes strict new rules prohibiting checkoff boards from using funds for lobbying or engaging in anticompetitive behavior. It mandates public disclosure of all spending records and requires regular audits by the Department of Agriculture's Inspector General to ensure compliance.

The Energy Threat Analysis Program Act of 2025 establishes a new program within the Department of Energy to enhance collaboration between government and private industry regarding energy sector security. This program will create a center to analyze threats, develop defensive strategies, and improve information sharing across critical energy infrastructure. The Act authorizes funding for five years and mandates annual reporting to Congress on the program's effectiveness.

The Buying American Cotton Act of 2025 establishes a new tax credit to incentivize businesses to use cotton grown in the United States. This Domestic Cotton Consumption Credit is calculated based on the amount of qualified U.S. cotton in an eligible product sold, factoring in processing location and market price. The bill mandates strict digital tracing requirements to prove the origin of the cotton throughout the supply chain. Special enhanced credit multipliers are available for businesses that elect to claim the credit separately for qualified U.S. cotton yarn or fabric components.

This resolution expresses strong support for designating June 6, 2025, as "National Gun Violence Awareness Day" and the entire month of June 2025 as "National Gun Violence Awareness Month." The designation aims to honor victims of gun violence and raise public awareness about the ongoing crisis. The measure encourages Americans to wear orange on that day and promote gun safety practices throughout the month.

The PAID Act, or Prohibit Auto Insurance Discrimination Act, bans private auto insurers from using personal factors like education, occupation, homeownership, and credit scores to set rates or determine eligibility. This legislation aims to prevent income-based discrimination by prohibiting the use of these proxies, which often result in higher premiums for lower-income drivers. Insurers must report to the FTC every two years to prove their models do not unfairly discriminate based on protected characteristics. Violations can result in significant civil penalties enforced by the FTC and allow consumers to sue for damages.