Legislation

The RIDE FAST Act extends the authorization of appropriations for crucial intercity passenger rail grants from 2026 to 2032. This change ensures continued federal funding availability for vital passenger rail improvement projects.

The Pay Our Military Act ensures that members of the Armed Forces continue to receive their pay and allowances if a full budget for fiscal year 2026 has not been enacted. This continuing appropriation provides necessary funds for active duty, reserves, and essential civilian support staff. This automatic funding remains in effect until a full appropriation is passed or until January 1, 2027.

The Improving Access to Institutional Mental Health Care Act removes the existing restriction that prevents Medicaid from covering medical services for individuals aged 65 and older receiving care in an Institution for Mental Diseases (IMD). This change aims to broaden Medicaid eligibility for necessary care within these specialized facilities. These provisions will take effect for services furnished on or after October 1, 2025.

The Stronger Schools Act establishes a competitive grant program for local school districts to enhance physical safety at elementary and secondary schools. Funds must be used to hire armed School Resource Officers and implement single-point entry systems featuring locked waiting rooms and metal detectors for visitor screening. The Secretary of Education will oversee the grant process and report on implementation to Congress within one year of enactment.

The ACPAC Modernization Act updates the membership structure of the Aviation Consumer Protection Advisory Committee. This legislation specifically adds "ticket agents" as a required category of members on the committee. This change ensures that ticket agent representatives will now formally advise the government on improving air travel consumer protection.

The No Shame at School Act of 2025 mandates that schools must stop shaming students over unpaid meal debt by prohibiting overt identification or segregation of students who owe fees. This law requires local agencies to actively pursue free meal certification for students with outstanding balances and prevents schools from taking food away after it has been served. Furthermore, it establishes strict rules for debt collection, forbidding communication directed at the child and banning the use of third-party debt collectors.

The Colorectal Cancer Payment Fairness Act eliminates the Medicare coinsurance requirement for certain colorectal cancer screening tests. This legislation removes the existing deadline related to cost-sharing for these screenings. Crucially, starting in 2026, Medicare will cover 100 percent of the cost for these preventative tests.

The Disaster Relief Continuity Act of 2025 ensures FEMA has immediate access to necessary funding to respond to declared disasters if Congress has not yet passed the budget for Fiscal Year 2026. This automatic funding allows essential disaster aid, operational costs, and ongoing recovery projects to continue without interruption. This temporary measure remains in effect until a new budget is passed or until January 1, 2027.

The Passport Sanity Act mandates that the Department of State limit gender designation options on official travel documents to only "male" or "female." This law specifically prohibits the issuance of passports, passport cards, or Consular Reports of Birth Abroad that include an "X" gender marker.

This bill officially designates the United States Postal Service facility located at 514 Frelinghuysen Avenue in Newark, New Jersey. The facility will now be known as the "Mildred Joyce Coleman Crump Post Office Building." This action ensures all official records reflect the new name for the Newark post office.

The Competitive Bidding Relief Act temporarily maintains existing Medicare payment rates for durable medical equipment (DMEPOS) in areas not subject to competitive bidding. This legislation specifically mandates the use of a current transition rule for non-rural areas until the end of 2025. Furthermore, it delays the implementation of a new, potentially disruptive payment regulation until January 1, 2026.

The Child Care for Every Community Act establishes a universal, high-quality, and affordable early learning system, guaranteeing access to eligible children nationwide. It mandates rigorous federal standards for programs, facilities, and staff compensation, linking pay to public school benchmarks. The bill requires local governance through "prime sponsors" who must plan for equitable access and coordinate closely with K-12 education systems. Finally, it ensures state funding continuity through a maintenance of effort requirement to secure federal support.

This bill officially designates the United States Postal Service facility located at 47 Echo Avenue in Miller Place, New York, as the "Christopher Pendergast Post Office Building." The legislation ensures that all official government records and documents reflect this new name for the location.

The FARM SAFE Act ensures that critical agricultural disaster assistance programs continue to operate without interruption during federal government shutdowns or lapses in appropriations. This legislation mandates that necessary Department of Agriculture employees remain on the job to administer these vital aid programs. By classifying these workers as "excepted employees," the bill prevents layoffs or furloughs that could halt disaster relief efforts for farmers.

The Keep the Heat On Act of 2025 ensures that the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) continues to provide vital energy assistance to vulnerable households during a federal government shutdown in fiscal year 2026. This legislation authorizes the Treasury Department to immediately release necessary funds to maintain LIHEAP payments at the same rate as the previous fiscal year. The goal is to prevent disruptions in energy assistance for low-income families during periods of lapsed appropriations.

The Degrees Not Debt Act of 2025 aims to significantly increase the maximum Federal Pell Grant award, starting in the 2026–2027 school year. This legislation sets an initial maximum award of \$14,800, which will be indexed annually based on changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The bill seeks to boost financial aid availability for students pursuing higher education.

This bill ensures the continued operation of the District of Columbia courts and related agencies by providing automatic, temporary funding if Congress has not yet enacted a full-year budget. It authorizes payments from the Treasury at the previous year's rate until a new official appropriation is passed. This measure specifically covers federal payments to the D.C. Courts, defender services, and several related justice agencies.

The Advocates for Families Act of 2025 requires states to update their child welfare plans to ensure parents and caregivers have the right to secure and use a family advocate during any child welfare case. States must establish standards for these advocates and inform families of this right at the start of any case. The Secretary of Health and Human Services will report to Congress on the implementation and impact of this new family representation right.

The Expedited Removal of Criminal Aliens Act establishes a streamlined process for the immediate deportation of non-citizens who are members of criminal gangs or terrorist organizations, or who have been convicted of specific serious crimes. This new authority allows immigration officials to bypass standard removal proceedings for these individuals. Once subject to this expedited removal, the alien is barred from seeking relief or delay under other provisions of immigration law.

The Outdoor Americans with Disabilities Act prioritizes updating travel management plans on public lands to ensure access for motorized and off-road vehicles. It mandates that federal agencies map and maintain vehicle routes, specifically protecting access in areas designated as "disability-accessible land." The bill establishes strict criteria for closing roads, generally prohibiting closures that reduce overall motorized access unless safety is directly threatened. Furthermore, any road closed under these provisions must be replaced with an appropriate alternative route within one year.