Legislation

The Supporting the Local Radio Freedom Act prevents Congress from imposing new performance fees on local radio stations for playing music. It emphasizes the mutually beneficial relationship between broadcasters and the recording industry, where radio provides free publicity that boosts music sales and supports artists. The act recognizes local radio's crucial role in communities by providing news, weather updates, and public service announcements. Ultimately, this bill aims to protect local radio stations and businesses from economic harm, ensuring they can continue serving their communities without additional financial burdens.

This bill prohibits the use of federal funds to support or facilitate the participation of the Russian Federation in any Group of Seven (G7) proceeding. It also blocks federal funding for reconstituting a Group of Eight (G8) that includes Russia. The goal of the bill is to restrict the Russian Federation's involvement in these international forums.

The Border Safety and Security Act of 2025 allows the Secretary of Homeland Security to suspend the entry of certain aliens at U.S. borders if it's needed to maintain control, and requires the Secretary to prohibit entry if aliens cannot be detained or placed in an appropriate program. State Attorneys General can sue the Secretary of Homeland Security in federal court if they believe this section is being violated. The bill defines "covered alien" as someone seeking entry who is inadmissible under existing immigration law.

The America First Act seeks to restrict access to federal benefits and programs for certain non-citizens, including those with parole status, DACA recipients, asylum seekers, and those with temporary protected status. It modifies eligibility requirements for federal public benefits, healthcare, housing, education, and tax credits, and reduces funding for sanctuary jurisdictions. The bill also places restrictions on FEMA, Community Development Block Grants, and tax-exempt organizations regarding assistance to certain non-citizens. Additionally, it requires verification of citizenship for programs like Head Start, WIC, and school meals.

The "Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act of 2025" seeks to modernize Medicare coverage for chiropractic services. It expands coverage to include all services provided by licensed Doctors of Chiropractic, not just manual spinal manipulation. Doctors of Chiropractic are required to attend an educational webinar to be eligible for Medicare reimbursement. This aims to align Medicare with other healthcare systems and private insurance in recognizing the full scope of chiropractic care.

The "Medicare Hearing Aid Coverage Act of 2025" aims to remove the existing Medicare exclusion for hearing aids and related examinations starting January 1, 2026. Additionally, the bill requires the Comptroller General to conduct a study and report on existing hearing aid programs, assessing their effectiveness and providing recommendations for improvement.

The Sporting Firearms Access Act of 2025 amends Title 18 to streamline the importation process for firearms and ammunition intended for sporting purposes like hunting and target shooting. It sets deadlines for import request decisions, requires detailed explanations for denials, and prohibits denial of imports for items substantially similar to those already available in the U.S. The bill also provides avenues for hearings and judicial review for denied applications, ensuring a fair and transparent process.

The Alaska Native Settlement Trust Eligibility Act amends the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. It excludes Settlement Trust interests and distributions from being considered when determining eligibility for certain needs-based programs for aged, blind, or disabled Natives or their descendants for 5 years. This change aims to ensure that vulnerable individuals can maintain access to essential benefits without jeopardizing their trust benefits.

This resolution elects Senator Charles E. Grassley from Iowa to serve as President pro tempore of the Senate. The President pro tempore is the second-highest-ranking officer of the Senate.

This resolution designates the week beginning February 3, 2025, as "National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week," recognizing the vital role of TCUs in providing culturally relevant education to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and other students. TCUs serve over 230 federally recognized Indian Tribes by offering high-quality postsecondary education and workforce preparation. The resolution encourages the public to participate in activities and programs that support these institutions.

The Combating Global Corruption Act of 2025 mandates the creation of a tiered ranking system for foreign countries based on their efforts to combat corruption. It sets minimum standards for governments to meet in eliminating corruption and requires the Secretary of State to assess and report on these efforts annually. The Act also directs the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Treasury to assess individuals in Tier 3 countries for potential sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Act, and requires the designation of anti-corruption points of contact in U.S. embassies in Tier 2 and Tier 3 countries.

This bill establishes a bipartisan Task Force on the Legislative Process to identify and recommend ways for the House and Senate to more efficiently consider and vote on legislation that has already passed the other chamber with significant bipartisan support. The Task Force will consist of 12 members appointed by House and Senate leaders, and will submit a report with its findings and recommendations within one year. The House and Senate Rules Committees will then post the report on their websites. The task force will terminate after the report is issued.

The "Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025" amends Title IX to prohibit schools receiving federal funding from allowing individuals born male to participate in female athletic programs. Sex is defined as determined by reproductive biology and genetics at birth. This bill aims to ensure fair competition for women and girls in sports.

This bill affirms the United States' role in improving global access to quality, inclusive public education, particularly for girls and marginalized groups. It recognizes education as a crucial factor for economic growth, poverty reduction, and stability. The bill encourages the U.S. government to prioritize education in humanitarian efforts and fulfill international education commitments through budget allocations. It also urges the use of diplomatic and development resources to promote quality education worldwide, focusing on inclusive education for disadvantaged children and adolescents.

The "Proxy Voting for New Parents Resolution" allows Members of the House, Delegates, and the Resident Commissioner who have recently given birth or whose spouse has given birth to designate another Member to vote on their behalf in the House, in committee, and in the Committee of the Whole for a period of 12 weeks. This proxy voting authority can begin before the birth if a doctor advises that the pregnancy presents a serious medical condition or that she is unable to travel safely. The resolution outlines specific procedures for designating, changing, and revoking proxy designations, ensuring transparency and adherence to instructions. Members whose votes are cast by proxy will not be counted for quorum purposes.

The POWER Act of 2025 amends the Stafford Act to allow electric utilities to conduct hazard mitigation activities alongside power restoration using federal disaster relief funds. Receiving power restoration assistance does not disqualify a facility from also receiving hazard mitigation assistance, if eligible. This change applies to funds allocated after the Act's enactment, promoting more resilient power infrastructure.

The "Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act" ensures that infants born alive after an abortion receive the same medical care as any other newborn, mandating immediate hospital transport and requiring healthcare practitioners to report any failures to comply. Violators face fines, imprisonment, and potential prosecution for homicide or attempted homicide, while the mother of the child is protected from prosecution. The bill also allows the woman on whom the abortion was performed to file a civil action against anyone who violated the requirements if a child was born alive.

Mel's Law requires higher education institutions to develop a policy for awarding posthumous degrees to students who were in good academic standing but died before completing their program. It prevents accreditation agencies from factoring posthumous degrees into their evaluations of institutions. This law aims to provide recognition for students who were close to achieving their academic goals before their untimely passing. The law goes into effect one year after enactment.

The "Health Coverage Choice Act" defines short-term limited duration insurance as health insurance policies lasting less than 12 months, with renewals allowed for up to 3 years from the original start date.

The "Protecting American Energy Production Act" affirms that states have primary regulatory authority over hydraulic fracturing on state and private lands. It prohibits the President from enacting a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing unless explicitly authorized by Congress.