Legislation

The Nurse Corps Tax Parity Act of 2025 clarifies the federal tax treatment of certain payments received from the Nurse Corps program. This legislation ensures that specific Nurse Corps payments are treated as qualified scholarships, potentially exempting them from federal income tax. These changes apply only to payments received in tax years beginning after the Act's enactment.

This Senate resolution expresses a profound lack of confidence in Secretary Robert Fitzgerald Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. It details numerous accusations of unlawful actions, including massive staff firings, defunding critical public health programs, and undermining established vaccine and health research. Ultimately, the resolution asserts that the Secretary has lost the trust of the Senate and the American people due to his conduct in office.

This Joint Resolution expresses the disapproval of Congress regarding a recent rule submitted by the National Park Service concerning motor vehicles within the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. By invoking the Congressional Review Act, this bill effectively nullifies and cancels the Park Service's submitted regulation. As a result, the proposed motor vehicle restrictions will not take effect.

This Act officially approves and implements the Tule River Tribe Reserved Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025, which ratifies the 2007 Agreement concerning the Tribe's water claims. The legislation confirms the Tribe's right to 5,828 acre-feet of water annually and authorizes significant funding for water development projects. Furthermore, it mandates the transfer of specified federal and tribal lands into federal trust status for the Tribe. Acceptance of these benefits requires the Tribe to waive nearly all past claims against the United States related to California water rights.

The Promoting Submetering for Affordable Housing Act aims to encourage the installation of water submetering in new affordable rental properties. This is achieved by increasing the available tax credit for developers who install these meters, allowing them to count 5% more of their building costs toward the credit calculation. To qualify, tenants must also have timely access to their water usage readings.

The Lowering Costs for Caregivers Act of 2025 aims to ease the financial burden on individuals caring for family members. This bill expands eligibility for contributions to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) by allowing parents to contribute on behalf of an individual or their spouse. Furthermore, it permits the use of Flexible Spending Arrangements (FSAs) and Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs) to cover medical expenses for parents and in-laws. Finally, the Act updates Archer MSA rules to include parents in the definition of covered individuals.

The Journalist Protection Act establishes new federal crimes for intentionally assaulting or attempting to assault journalists engaged in newsgathering activities. These offenses carry penalties ranging from fines and up to three years in prison for basic bodily injury, up to six years for serious bodily injury. The law specifically protects individuals whose primary work involves gathering and sharing information of public interest across various media platforms.

The PFAS Alternatives Act aims to protect firefighters by funding research and development for next-generation turnout gear that eliminates harmful PFAS chemicals. The bill establishes grants through NIOSH to create safer, PFAS-free protective equipment and separate funding for training programs on the proper care of this new gear. Ultimately, this legislation seeks to reduce occupational illness and injury among fire and EMS personnel.

The Helping Emergency Responders Overcome Student Debt Act (HEROES Act) expands federal student loan forgiveness eligibility to include volunteer firefighters and volunteer EMTs. This legislation allows time spent volunteering with recognized public safety organizations to count toward the service requirements for loan forgiveness. The Secretary of Education is tasked with establishing clear regulations defining the minimum required volunteer hours and the process for verifying service time.

The JOBS for Success Act of 2025 aims to boost employment and economic opportunity by investing in workforce development programs and expanding access to essential supportive services. This legislation focuses on connecting individuals with in-demand job training and resources necessary for long-term career success.

The Child Care for American Families Act significantly increases the federal tax credit available to employers who provide child care facilities or benefits. It establishes tiered credit percentages, reaching up to 60% for eligible small businesses in designated areas, and sets new spending and credit caps. Furthermore, the bill mandates guidance on multi-employer facilities and requires the Treasury Department to launch a public awareness campaign about these enhanced tax incentives. Finally, it directs the GAO to study and report on regulatory barriers affecting employer-provided child care.

The Transparency and Honesty in Energy Regulations Act establishes strict definitions for various social cost metrics related to greenhouse gas emissions. The core provision of the bill prohibits federal agencies from using these specific social cost estimates—including the social cost of carbon, methane, and nitrous oxide—in their required cost-benefit analyses for rulemaking and official actions. Furthermore, the Act mandates that federal agencies must report to Congress on all past uses of these climate-related cost figures in their decision-making processes since 2009.

The Albatross and Petrel Conservation Act of 2025 establishes comprehensive federal measures to protect vulnerable seabirds by restoring habitats, mitigating harm from human activities like pollution and fishing bycatch, and managing invasive species. It strictly prohibits the harming or interference with these birds unless specific permits are obtained for conservation or scientific purposes. The bill also creates the domestic structure necessary to uphold international conservation agreements and assigns enforcement penalties through existing federal wildlife and fisheries laws. Ultimately, this legislation aims to improve the survival rates of covered albatrosses and petrels through coordinated domestic action and global cooperation.

The Personnel Integrity in Veterans Affairs Act of 2025 requires the VA Secretary to submit annual performance plans for political appointees to Congress. This bill also mandates that the VA complete personnel investigations for departing employees and permanently note the findings in their official records, subject to employee review and appeal rights. These measures aim to increase transparency and accountability within VA personnel actions.

The CHOICE for Veterans Act of 2025 aims to overhaul how veterans receive assistance with their Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefit claims. It establishes new rules for the recognition, fees, and conduct of agents and attorneys who represent veterans. The bill also mandates increased transparency regarding available assistance and requires a review of the entire representative recognition process.

The Migratory Bird Protection Act of 2025 amends the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to establish a clear framework for authorizing the accidental "take" of migratory birds during otherwise legal activities. This includes creating a system for issuing incidental take permits and establishing civil penalties for unauthorized harm. The bill also creates the Migratory Bird Recovery Fund, financed by permit fees, to support bird conservation efforts and mandates ongoing research and reporting to Congress.

The Artificial Intelligence Literacy and Inclusion Act establishes new grant opportunities through the National Science Foundation to fund local programs that teach essential AI literacy, prioritizing underserved communities. It also mandates key federal agencies, including Labor, Commerce, and Education, to report on strategies for integrating AI education into job training, business support, and K-12 schooling. The goal is to boost public understanding and responsible use of artificial intelligence across the nation.

The Precision Agriculture Loan Program Act of 2025 establishes a new federal loan program to help crop and livestock producers finance the purchase of modern precision agriculture technology. These loans, capped at $500,000 per borrower with a 12-year repayment term, aim to increase efficiency and reduce waste through the adoption of tools like GPS guidance and variable-rate application systems. The Secretary of Agriculture must also report annually to Congress on loan distribution, producer demographics, and estimated environmental benefits achieved.

The Clean Slate Act of 2025 establishes new federal rules for automatically sealing certain criminal records, particularly for nonviolent marijuana offenses or arrests that did not result in conviction. It also creates a process allowing individuals convicted of specific nonviolent federal offenses to petition the court to seal their records after completing their sentences. Once sealed, these records are generally inaccessible, promoting rehabilitation, though exceptions exist for law enforcement and specific background checks.

The Locality-based Social Security Benefits Act of 2025 adjusts Social Security benefits to reflect the local cost of living. This bill mandates that the Commissioner of Social Security increase monthly payments based on the same locality pay percentages used for federal employees. This creates a localized cost-of-living adjustment on top of the standard benefit amount.