Legislation

The Save Our Staff Act of 2025 (SOS Act) prohibits layoffs within key Small Business Administration (SBA) offices that provide essential services like training, loan oversight, and disaster relief. Furthermore, this Act mandates the immediate rehiring of any SBA employees laid off due to reductions in force between January 20, 2025, and the date of enactment. Rehired staff will receive their former positions, pay, and full back pay for the period they were unemployed.

The Restoring the Armed Career Criminal Act updates the criteria for applying enhanced penalties under the Armed Career Criminal Act for individuals with prior serious felony convictions who illegally possess a firearm. This bill establishes a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years for repeat offenders who knowingly violate federal firearm possession laws after having three or more qualifying serious felony convictions. The changes only apply to offenses committed on or after the date the Act becomes law.

The SBIR/STTR Application Assistance Act extends the vital FAST Program until 2030 to help small businesses secure federal research funding. This legislation mandates the Small Business Administration (SBA) to increase application assistance specifically targeting states historically underrepresented in SBIR/STTR awards. Furthermore, it requires enhanced outreach efforts to boost participation from researchers at minority and Hispanic-serving institutions in both programs.

This bill amends the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to explicitly clarify that time taken off for an employee's own organ donation surgery qualifies as a serious health condition. This ensures both private and federal sector workers receive FMLA protection for recovery from organ donation. The legislation also specifies how federal employees must substitute existing paid leave when taking FMLA time for this purpose.

The Asunción Valdivia Heat Illness, Injury, and Fatality Prevention Act of 2025 mandates that employers protect workers from dangerous heat stress conditions. This Act requires the Secretary (of Labor) to rapidly establish comprehensive, science-based worker heat protection standards, including mandatory rest, water, and shade provisions. Furthermore, it grants enforcement power to OSHA, ensuring these new heat safety rules carry the full weight of existing occupational safety law. The legislation also establishes strong anti-retaliation protections for employees who report heat hazards.

The Disaster Assistance Improvement and Decentralization Act aims to significantly streamline and strengthen federal disaster preparedness and recovery efforts. It focuses on establishing dedicated, protected funding for state and tribal hazard mitigation offices while accelerating access to initial grant money for preventative projects. Furthermore, the bill updates public assistance rules to increase administrative overhead flexibility and speed up the flow of recovery funds through advance payments and simplified procedures for smaller projects. Overall, the legislation seeks to reduce bureaucratic hurdles, ensure dedicated funds are used as intended, and improve administrative efficiency for local governments recovering from disasters.

The Preservation and Reinvestment Initiative for Community Enhancement Act (PRICE Act) establishes a new competitive grant program to improve manufactured housing communities serving low- and moderate-income residents. These funds can be used for essential infrastructure repairs, resident health and safety upgrades, and community enhancement projects. Priority will be given to projects that ensure the long-term affordability and stability of the housing.

This Act prohibits the operation of specific "connected vehicles" on Department of Defense (DoD) property starting in 2028. The Secretary of Defense must establish a list of banned vehicles designed, developed, or supplied by entities linked to a "foreign entity of concern." This measure aims to mitigate risks of sabotage, disruption to U.S. information technology, and threats to national security.

The Border Patrol Supervisors Retention Act aims to improve retention by expanding eligibility for higher rates of regularly scheduled overtime pay. This legislation extends the special overtime rules currently applied to GS-12 Border Patrol agents to cover agents at grades GS-13, GS-14, and GS-15. The bill ensures that supervisors in these higher pay grades receive enhanced overtime compensation.

The PATRIOT Parks Act authorizes National Park Service superintendents to implement an additional surcharge on entrance fees specifically for international visitors. This new revenue is dedicated solely to maintenance, staffing, and visitor services at the park where it is collected. Additionally, the Act allows for a separate surcharge on National Parks passes purchased by international visitors, with those funds directed to the Legacy Restoration Fund for major system-wide projects.

The State-Based Universal Health Care Act of 2025 allows individual states to apply for a federal waiver to create their own comprehensive universal health care systems. To receive this waiver, a state must commit to covering at least 95% of its residents within five years while ensuring the plan is budget-neutral for the federal government. If approved, the state can opt out of major federal health programs like the ACA and Medicare, receiving equivalent federal funding to administer its tailored system. The law mandates that these state plans must maintain coverage comprehensiveness and affordability relative to the replaced federal programs.

This resolution officially designates July 26, 2025, as the "National Day of the American Cowboy." It recognizes the historical and ongoing contributions of cowboys and cowgirls, celebrating the values of honesty, courage, and hard work they represent. The bill encourages all Americans to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies honoring this vital part of American culture.

The Control Tower Continuity Act eliminates the mandatory retirement age of 61 for federal air traffic controllers. While removing this cap, the bill institutes new, more frequent medical clearance requirements for controllers aged 61 and older. These changes aim to retain experienced controllers while ensuring continued safety standards.

The Veteran Burial Timeliness and Death Certificate Accountability Act aims to eliminate delays in certifying the deaths of veterans who pass away from natural causes. This bill mandates that VA physicians or nurse practitioners must certify a veteran's death within 48 hours, or a local official can step in. The legislation also requires the VA Secretary to annually report on compliance with this new timely certification standard.

The STEM RESTART Act establishes a new grant program under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) to help unemployed or underemployed mid-career workers re-enter high-demand, above-entry-level Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) jobs. These competitive "RESTART grants" will fund businesses to create "returnship" programs that offer on-the-job training, mentorship, and a clear path to full-time employment. The bill prioritizes programs that serve rural workers and ensures these opportunities lead to well-paying roles that supplement, rather than replace, existing staff.

This bill, the National Education Association Charter Repeal Act, officially revokes the federal charter previously granted to the National Education Association (NEA). It achieves this by repealing the specific section of U.S. Code that established the NEA's federal recognition. The legislation also updates the U.S. Code to remove the outdated reference to the repealed charter.

The Improving Police CARE Act establishes federal standards for trauma kits purchased by law enforcement agencies receiving specific federal funding. This ensures that these kits, which must include essential bleeding control equipment, meet defined performance criteria set by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The bill also mandates consultation with medical and law enforcement experts to develop these required standards within 180 days of enactment.

The SAWMILL Act establishes a new Timber Production Expansion Guaranteed Loan Program through the Department of Agriculture. This program aims to support the expansion or opening of rural sawmills and wood-processing plants. Loan guarantees are offered to facilities located near high-priority federal lands designated for ecological restoration and vegetation removal. The total value of these loan guarantees is capped at $220 million.

This joint resolution expresses congressional disapproval to halt a specific proposed defense export to Israel. The measure blocks the shipment of certain firearms, including 5,000 M5 Commando rifles, valued at $1,000,000 or more. This action effectively prohibits the export of these defense articles to the Israel National Police.

The Kay Hagan Tick Reauthorization Act updates and continues funding for federal programs addressing tick-borne diseases. This legislation modifies the composition of the Vector-Borne Disease Strategy Group and adjusts the authorized funding levels for the national strategy and local health department support through fiscal year 2030.