Legislation

The Rape Shield Enhancement Act of 2025 mandates a comprehensive review of federal rules governing evidence and discovery in court cases involving sexual assault. This review, conducted by the Judicial Conference, aims to strengthen protections for alleged victims by further limiting the admissibility of their past sexual behavior. The Act specifically calls for amendments to rules to narrow pre-trial information requests and enhance privacy safeguards for any sensitive victim information that is deemed admissible.

The END CELLS Act amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit the introduction, possession, or transfer of unauthorized wireless communication devices in jails and prisons. This legislation establishes significant civil and criminal penalties for violations involving contraband electronics in detention facilities. The law specifically targets actions that violate existing federal or state rules regarding such devices within correctional settings. These new rules apply to all conduct occurring after the date the Act is officially enacted.

The Protect LNG Act of 2025 aims to streamline and stabilize the permitting process for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facilities. It ensures that existing facility approvals remain valid even if challenged in court over environmental reviews, requiring courts to remand violations to agencies for correction rather than invalidating permits. Furthermore, the Act centralizes legal challenges to these covered applications exclusively in the U.S. Court of Appeals with geographic jurisdiction over the facility, subject to a strict 90-day filing deadline.

The End For-Profit Prisons Act of 2025 phases out the federal government's use of private companies for operating core federal prisons and community confinement facilities over an eight-year period. The bill mandates increased reporting on the federal prison population and requires research into effective recidivism reduction programs. Additionally, it establishes new duties for the Attorney General and the Bureau of Prisons to ensure comprehensive support and financial transparency for individuals upon their release from federal custody.

The National ACERT Grant Program Authorization Act establishes a new federal grant program to help communities address the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Administered by the Attorney General and HHS, these grants will fund local teams to improve trauma response systems, coordinate services, and train professionals. The legislation authorizes $10 million annually for these efforts from fiscal years 2026 through 2029.

The Justice for America’s Veterans and Survivors Act of 2025 mandates that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) submit an annual report detailing the causes of death among veterans. This report must specifically identify veterans with totally disabling service-connected disabilities and note any deaths by suicide linked to those conditions. The goal is to provide Congress with comprehensive data on veteran mortality trends.

The Gold Star Spouses Health Care Enhancement Act removes the three-year time limit for certain Gold Star surviving spouses to access TRICARE Prime medical and dental benefits. This change ensures eligible surviving spouses are no longer restricted by this previous eligibility window. These enhancements apply retroactively to qualifying surviving spouses.

The Stratton Ridge Air Force Memorial Act authorizes the relocation of a memorial honoring nine Air Force crew members lost in a 1982 training crash. The Secretary of Agriculture can permit the move to the Stratton Ridge rest area, provided private landowner consent and approval from the North Carolina Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration are secured. Crucially, this act mandates that all costs associated with the relocation, installation, and maintenance must be covered entirely by non-federal funds.

The Interactive Federal Review Act aims to modernize and accelerate environmental reviews for major federally funded highway projects under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). It mandates the Department of Transportation to encourage the use of interactive digital platforms and 3D models, or "digital twins," in the review and public engagement process. Furthermore, the bill prioritizes funding applications that commit to using these advanced digital tools to improve efficiency and transparency.

The Veterans Skilled Trades Transition Act mandates a comprehensive report detailing the success rate of veterans transitioning their military credentials into recognized civilian workforce certifications. This report will analyze existing credentialing programs and identify specific roadblocks veterans face when seeking state-level recognition for their military training. The goal is to improve the process for veterans entering skilled trades.

The Joint Reserve Detachment (JRD) Formalization Act mandates that the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) must establish and maintain a joint reserve detachment. This change converts the current discretionary authority for the DIU into a firm requirement for this reserve component.

The Patriots Over Politics Act creates a special, limited window for certain service members separated for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine between August 2021 and January 2023 to transfer their unused VA education benefits to an eligible dependent. This transfer option is available for 90 days following the bill's enactment. If transferred to a child, the benefit use is contingent upon the service member having completed at least six years of service.

The MARSHALS Act fundamentally restructures the United States Marshals Service (USMS), moving its organization entirely into the judicial branch. This bill establishes that the Director and all U.S. Marshals will be appointed by the Chief Justice, subject to oversight from a new Board. The legislation also clarifies the USMS's authority to protect federal judicial personnel and outlines specific conditions under which the Service can assist the Department of Justice.

The Deescalation Drone Pilot Program Act of 2025 establishes a pilot program managed by the FAA for law enforcement to test drones equipped only with non-lethal tools during active shooter events. This initiative aims to assess the safety, training, and effectiveness of using these specialized drones to keep officers at a safer distance. Following the testing phase, the FAA must create a formal rulemaking process to allow agencies nationwide to seek approval for using these domestically manufactured, non-lethal drones.

The Carla Walker Act establishes federal grants to improve forensic activities, specifically by funding the adoption of advanced whole genome sequencing and forensic genetic genealogy technology in public crime labs. These grants aim to help law enforcement generate investigative leads in unsolved cases or identify unknown human remains when standard DNA databases yield no results. The legislation also mandates that the Attorney General report back to Congress on the current use and future implementation needs of this technology.

The Improving Mental Health Access for Students Act mandates that colleges and universities must prominently display essential mental health and suicide prevention contact information on student ID cards or official websites. This includes the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, the Crisis Text Line, and the campus mental health center. These requirements take effect one year after the Act is signed into law.

The End Banking for Human Traffickers Act of 2025 aims to strengthen the financial industry's role in combating human trafficking. It mandates a review and enhancement of anti-money laundering procedures used by banks to better detect trafficking-related transactions. Furthermore, the bill requires an interagency task force to report specific legislative and administrative recommendations for improving detection and information sharing. Finally, it adds a requirement that the U.S. evaluate foreign countries' systems for stopping financial transactions linked to human trafficking.

The GRAIN DRY Act updates federal loan programs to specifically allow agricultural producers to access funds for building or improving storage facilities for propane. These loans must be used for propane primarily intended for agricultural production purposes. This ensures infrastructure funding directly supports farming operations.

The Streamlining Foreign Military Sales Act of 2025 amends the Arms Export Control Act by significantly raising the dollar thresholds for various financial reporting and approval requirements related to U.S. foreign military sales. This legislation aims to streamline the process by adjusting these key spending limits. The changes affect numerous sections governing the sale of defense articles and services to foreign nations.

The Vaccines in Trial and Liability Act of 2025 (VITAL Act) establishes a new federal crime for companies that commit fraud or conceal material data during clinical vaccine trials. This Act ties the discovery of such fraud to the revocation of Emergency Use Authorizations and removes liability protections previously granted under "Right to Try" and pandemic response laws. Furthermore, it allows individuals to pursue civil lawsuits against manufacturers who commit fraud related to vaccine trials while still accessing compensation through the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.