Legislation

The CHILD Act of 2025, or the Comprehensive Health and Integrity in Licensing and Documentation Act of 2025, significantly expands background check requirements under the National Child Protection Act of 1993. This legislation broadens the definition of a "covered individual" to include more employees, volunteers, and applicants seeking licensure or certification from organizations that contract with qualified entities. The goal is to ensure comprehensive vetting for anyone working or seeking approval within organizations connected to child protection services.

This Act authorizes the presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to Chad Robichaux, Sarah Verardo, and six other Special Operations veterans for their heroic, independent efforts in evacuating over 17,000 people from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan following the 2021 withdrawal. The medal will be struck by the Treasury and ultimately displayed at the Smithsonian Institution. The bill also permits the sale of bronze duplicate medals to cover production costs.

The STOP Shells Act strengthens U.S. export controls by requiring the Secretary of Commerce to apply licensing rules to subsidiaries of foreign entities already on restricted lists, provided U.S. interests own a controlling stake. Before listing an entity, the Secretary must assess the impact of applying the Foreign Direct Product Rule on national security. Any subsequent waivers to these new licensing requirements must be justified to Congress within two days.

The Neutralizing Unfair Chinese Export Subsidies Act of 2025 aims to counter unfair Chinese trade practices by strengthening allied efforts to enforce OECD export credit standards, placing the Treasury Secretary in charge of these international negotiations. The bill also updates the criteria the Treasury Secretary must use to determine if China is manipulating its currency exchange rate. If manipulation is found, the U.S. will actively oppose any increase in China's quota or voting power at the International Monetary Fund for one year.

The Pharmacy Benefit Manager Reform Act of 2025 aims to increase transparency and accountability across the prescription drug supply chain. It mandates fairer pharmacy network access for Medicare beneficiaries and imposes strict new financial reporting and service fee requirements on Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) working with Medicare and private health plans. Furthermore, the bill establishes new federal mechanisms to accurately track drug acquisition costs in Medicaid and explicitly bans the practice of "spread pricing" in state Medicaid contracts.

The Catalyzing Housing and American Ready Growth and Expansion Investments Act (CHARGE Investments Act) expands federal direct loan and loan guarantee programs for development projects near transit stations. These funds can now finance mixed-use commercial and residential construction, along with necessary infrastructure. Projects must be within a quarter mile of fixed transit and demonstrate significant private investment to qualify for this expanded support.

This resolution officially expresses the support of Congress for designating July as Disability Pride Month nationwide. It recognizes the significant contributions of people with disabilities while acknowledging ongoing discrimination. The bill encourages the public and organizations to observe the month through appropriate celebrations and by actively working to prevent exclusion.

This bill primarily serves as a technical update to ensure that federal rules governing Inspectors General, advisory committees, and ethics standards (Title 5, Chapters 4, 10, and 131) are current and accurate. It strengthens oversight by mandating detailed reporting and notification requirements for the removal or transfer of Inspectors General. Furthermore, the legislation establishes a comprehensive new inspection regime for Bureau of Prisons facilities, including the creation of an independent Ombudsman role to handle inmate and family complaints.

The Reproductive Health Travel Fund Act of 2025 establishes a federal grant program to help cover the logistical costs associated with accessing abortion services. This funding is specifically designated for travel, lodging, childcare, and other support services for individuals, but explicitly excludes payment for the procedure itself. Priority for these grants will be given to established community organizations that assist people living in states with abortion bans or heavy restrictions. The Act also includes provisions to protect grant recipients and users from state or local interference related to the funded activities.

This bill primarily enacts technical amendments across numerous titles of the U.S. Code to update statutory references, particularly reclassifying provisions to Title 34. The legislation corrects various cross-references, updates definitions in existing laws, and ensures that statutes governing areas like criminal justice, immigration, and defense correctly point to current legal citations. Overall, this is a comprehensive statutory cleanup effort to maintain legal accuracy and consistency.

The Housing for US Act establishes a revolving loan fund, administered by HUD, to provide capitalization loans to states for creating local funds dedicated to increasing middle-class housing supply through construction and rehabilitation. Funds generated from the release of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac obligations will initially seed this program before being redirected to deficit reduction after ten years. States receiving federal loans must contribute matching funds and adhere to strict affordability, labor, and prevailing wage requirements for all assisted housing projects.

The PRESUME Act, or Providing Radiation Exposed Servicemembers Undisputed Medical Eligibility Act, simplifies the process for veterans seeking recognition for radiation exposure during service. This bill prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from requiring veterans to provide proof of a specific, measured radiation dose to be officially classified as a radiation-exposed veteran. This change ensures that service members exposed to radiation are not denied status due to a lack of precise dosimetry records.

The Stop COYOTES Act increases mandatory prison sentences for certain felonies committed near schools and parks, and imposes harsher penalties for fentanyl trafficking based on increased monetary thresholds. Additionally, the bill mandates increased information sharing between Homeland Security agencies and border law enforcement regarding trafficking and smuggling, with required reporting to Congress.

The Federal Interviews Reform Act mandates the audio or video recording of interviews conducted by Department of Justice officers with individuals suspected of federal crimes. If an interview is not recorded as required, any statements made during that interview cannot be used as evidence in federal court. The Attorney General is responsible for establishing the necessary procedures to implement these recording requirements.

The Removing Burdens From Organ Donation Act mandates that hospitals electronically notify organ procurement agencies when a patient is declared deceased or near death. This law also grants these agencies electronic access to the potential donor's health records upon the update of the death status. Exemptions are available for hospitals facing significant hardship, cybersecurity attacks, or disaster situations. The Secretary must also issue guidance on best practices for implementing these new electronic notification procedures.

The BIRD Health Act of 2025 establishes a new cooperative program between the U.S. and Israel to accelerate joint research and development in healthcare innovation. Managed by the BIRD Foundation under the oversight of HHS, this program will fund projects spanning medical devices, digital health, and biomanufacturing. The goal is to leverage bilateral expertise to bring new health technologies to market while strengthening both nations' healthcare ecosystems.

The No More Narcos Act establishes an informational campaign and a national strategy to protect middle and high school students near the U.S.-Mexico border from recruitment by transnational criminal organizations. This legislation directs the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop and implement these protective measures. Furthermore, the bill authorizes the use of the Department of Justice's Assets Forfeiture Fund to finance these anti-recruitment and awareness efforts.

The Preventing Intelligence Gathering from Foreign Adversaries Act amends immigration law to prohibit entry and mandate removal for non-citizens who are subject to any foreign law compelling them to assist in intelligence gathering or espionage operations for a foreign adversary. This legislation specifically targets individuals legally obligated by another nation to cooperate with its intelligence services.

The Resilient Transit Act of 2025 establishes a new federal grant program to help public transportation agencies harden their systems against climate change impacts like floods and extreme weather. These grants will fund specific resilience improvements, such as installing flood barriers and backup power systems, with a focus on benefiting vulnerable and environmental justice communities. The bill also increases overall funding authorizations for related transit programs and mandates annual reporting on the use of these new resilience funds.

The United States Security Assistance Effectiveness Act aims to significantly reform how the State Department manages security and military aid to foreign partners. This bill establishes new leadership roles, creates a centralized Office of Security Assistance, and mandates comprehensive training for personnel involved in these programs. Furthermore, it requires the creation of a common database for all security assistance and establishes rigorous frameworks for monitoring, evaluation, and strategic planning to ensure aid effectiveness.