Legislation

The Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act expands the definition of "law enforcement officer" for federal retirement purposes under both the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). This change adds specific IRS, Postal Inspection Service, and VA police roles to those eligible for enhanced retirement benefits. The bill also establishes procedures for current officers to elect to have their prior service counted under these new definitions, which may require a payment from the employee and their employing agency.

The Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act of 2025 declares that practices attempting to change an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity for payment constitute an unfair and deceptive business practice. Citing professional consensus on the ineffectiveness and harm of such "conversion therapy," the bill prohibits its provision and advertising. Enforcement authority is granted to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and the law allows both the U.S. Attorney General and State Attorneys General to file civil actions against violators.

The Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Enhancement Act mandates the TSA to develop and update strict hygiene guidelines for screening breast milk, formula, and other essential baby drinks at airport security checkpoints. These rules, created in consultation with maternal health groups, aim to minimize contamination risks during any necessary additional screening. Furthermore, the Inspector General will audit compliance with these new handling standards within one year of the Act's enactment.

The MOMS Act aims to support expecting and new mothers through three main initiatives. It establishes a centralized federal resource website, Pregnancy.gov, to connect mothers with local support services and adoption agencies. The bill also creates grant programs to fund organizations offering positive alternatives to abortion and expanding access to at-home prenatal and postnatal telehealth care in underserved areas. Finally, it allows states to establish and enforce child support obligations against biological fathers for unborn children upon the mother's request.

The Universal Savings Account Act of 2025 establishes a new tax-advantaged savings vehicle called a Universal Savings Account (USA). These accounts allow for annual contributions, which are subject to an indexed limit starting at \$10,000 for 2025, with distributions generally being tax-free. The bill outlines specific rules for trustees, asset management, rollovers, and penalties for excess contributions.

The Disaster Relief for Farm Workers Act establishes a new grant program to provide emergency assistance to farm workers following covered disasters, such as severe weather or health crises. Beginning in fiscal year 2026, the Secretary must award grants to eligible farm worker organizations to deliver direct relief and build community resilience. These funds are specifically designated to help workers who lose income or are unable to work due to a qualifying event.

The Mental Health Improvement Act extends the availability of federal grants dedicated to mental and behavioral health education and training. This legislation shifts the funding period for these crucial training grants from fiscal years 2023–2027 to 2026–2030. The bill ensures continued support for developing the mental health workforce for an additional three years.

The Nurses for Under-Resourced Schools Everywhere (NURSE) Act establishes a federal grant program to help eligible local educational agencies hire more full-time registered nurses in public schools. These competitive demonstration grants prioritize high-need districts that currently lack adequate nursing staff. The goal is to address significant student health needs, including chronic conditions and mental health support, by increasing on-site nursing presence. Recipients must show a plan for long-term funding, as the federal share of costs decreases over the grant period.

This bill mandates the Treasury Secretary to determine if Hong Kong should be designated as a jurisdiction of primary money laundering concern. Furthermore, it requires the State Department to report on Hong Kong's role in facilitating violations of U.S. export controls and sanctions against adversaries like Russia and Iran. The report must also assess the impact of Hong Kong's National Security Law on financial compliance.

The Agricultural Biorefinery Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2025 updates federal assistance programs to specifically promote the development of advanced biofuels, renewable chemicals, and biobased product manufacturing. This legislation introduces competitive grants for pilot and demonstration-scale biorefineries while streamlining loan guarantee processes. The bill establishes detailed scoring criteria for grant applicants, prioritizing innovation, private investment, and environmental impact, and sets annual funding levels through fiscal year 2030.

The PATCH Act, or Protecting Access To Care in Hawaii Act, ensures that physicians in Hawaii receive fair compensation for their services. Starting in 2026, this bill mandates a minimum work geographic index of 1.5 for calculating Medicare payments for physicians' services furnished in the state. This adjustment is a direct increase to the payment formula and will not be offset by budget neutrality requirements.

The VA Employee Fairness Act of 2025 modifies the collective bargaining rules for employees of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) by streamlining existing statutes. This act removes outdated subsections related to bargaining and renumbers the remaining relevant section. Importantly, these changes do not affect the Secretary of Veterans Affairs' existing authority regarding incentive pay or expedited hiring processes.

The International Financial Institution Improvements Act of 2025 aims to increase transparency and accountability in U.S. engagement with the World Bank, IMF, and other multilateral development banks. It mandates clearer public reporting, requires consultation with civil society organizations on lending decisions, and directs U.S. representatives to advocate for stronger human rights, anti-corruption, and climate-related policies. The bill also authorizes increased U.S. financial commitments to development funds focused on Africa and Europe, contingent upon future Congressional appropriations.

The Constitutional Hearing Protection Act aims to treat firearm silencers equally under federal tax law by updating definitions and removing certain registration requirements if existing firearm laws are followed. The bill also preempts state and local governments from imposing special taxes or registration burdens on silencers. Furthermore, it mandates the destruction of existing federal records identifying silencer owners within one year of enactment.

Violet's Law mandates that federal research facilities establish procedures to place retired research animals, including dogs, cats, and primates, into new homes. These facilities must adhere to the Animal Welfare Act standards and ensure animals are certified healthy by a veterinarian before adoption. Eligible placements include registered animal rescue organizations, sanctuaries, shelters, or private individuals.

The Patent Eligibility Restoration Act of 2025 aims to restore clarity and consistency to patent eligibility by eliminating judicial exceptions to the current law. It establishes that any useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter is eligible for patent protection unless specifically excluded. While the Act broadens eligibility, it maintains exclusions for purely abstract ideas, unmodified natural materials, and mental processes, while clarifying the role of computers in patentable inventions.

The Disaster Housing Flexibility Act of 2025 establishes an optional Alternative Block Grant Program allowing states to receive a lump sum of federal funds for temporary disaster housing instead of the standard individual application process. This program requires FEMA to estimate the total assistance cost, which states can then manage directly. If funds remain after recovery, states may repurpose the surplus for eligible preparedness or mitigation activities. States accepting the grant must adhere to strict reporting requirements detailing fund usage and effectiveness.

This resolution officially commends and congratulates the Trinity College men's basketball team for winning the 2025 NCAA Division III National Championship. It recognizes their historic 30-and-3 season and the team's overall success. The bill also honors Head Coach James Cosgrove and acknowledges the broader achievements of Trinity College. Finally, official copies of this recognition will be sent to the college president and the head coach.

The Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians Restoration Act of 2025 officially recognizes the Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians, confirming their status as a federally recognized tribe. This Act makes the Tribe and its members eligible for all federal services and benefits available to recognized tribes. Furthermore, it mandates the Secretary of the Interior to take specified lands in western Michigan into trust for the benefit of the Tribe. The legislation ensures that this recognition does not diminish any existing rights the Tribe may hold.

The Defense Workforce Integration Act of 2025 aims to streamline the transition of separating service members into civilian Department of Defense (DoD) roles, particularly for those medically disqualified from service. It also establishes a new program to connect medically ineligible individuals with career opportunities in the defense industrial base and related national security sectors. Furthermore, the bill mandates that the Navy inform separating personnel about career opportunities within the Military Sealift Command. The DoD must report to Congress within one year on the implementation of these integration and information-sharing provisions.