Legislation

The Ensuring Workers Get PAID Act of 2025 establishes a new voluntary Payroll Audit Independent Determination (PAID) program for employers to self-audit and correct unintentional minimum wage and overtime violations under the FLSA. This program aims to expedite the recovery of back wages for employees, building on the success of a previous pilot, while offering employers certain protections if they cooperate in good faith. Approval requires the employer to fix the violation, accurately calculate and pay back wages, and confirm they are not currently facing litigation over the issues identified. The Act also strictly prohibits employer retaliation against workers participating in the settlement process.

The Baseball Diplomacy Act removes specific government restrictions that currently hinder Cuban nationals coming to the U.S. to play professional baseball. This legislation exempts these athletes from certain financial and trade controls, ensuring they can earn and take their wages home. Furthermore, it streamlines the visa process by limiting the initial stay to the baseball season while allowing for easier re-entry for subsequent seasons with the same team.

The Improve Transparency and Stability for Families and Children Act modifies the deadlines for states to obligate and expend funds received under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, beginning in fiscal year 2027. This legislation allows states to reserve a limited percentage of future funds for later use, provided they notify the Secretary of Health and Human Services. The goal is to ensure timely use of federal assistance while offering limited flexibility for state planning.

The Comparison of Sustainable Transportation Act (COST Act) mandates two key studies comparing alternative fuel options for the federal fleet. First, it requires a cost analysis for replacing gasoline vehicles with either electric vehicles (EVs/PHEVs) or flex-fuel ethanol vehicles, including infrastructure costs. Second, it directs an analysis of the full lifecycle emissions for gasoline, flex-fuel, and electric vehicles. Both studies must be completed and made public within one year of enactment.

The Assisting Small Businesses Not Fraudsters Act prohibits the Small Business Administration (SBA) from providing financial assistance to individuals or businesses associated with someone finally convicted of fraud related to specific federal loans or grants. This measure aims to prevent those who have committed financial misconduct from receiving further government aid. The restrictions apply to the convicted individual and any small business concern where that person is an owner, officer, or key employee.

The DOGE POUND Act of 2025 severely restricts access to sensitive, individually identifiable health information systems managed by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Only individuals already authorized before January 20, 2025, or those who meet a strict set of new security, ethics, and service requirements, may access these specified systems. Knowingly violating these access restrictions results in severe penalties, including up to five years in prison. Furthermore, the HHS Inspector General must promptly report all unauthorized access incidents to Congress.

The John W. Walsh Alpha-1 Home Infusion Act of 2025 amends Medicare to specifically cover augmentation therapy for individuals with severe Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency Disorder when administered in the home. This legislation establishes new payment rules under Medicare Part B for the necessary intravenous kits and associated nursing services. The goal is to ensure qualified home infusion suppliers are reimbursed directly for providing this essential, ongoing maintenance treatment.

The Ensuring Sound Guidance Act of 2025 focuses on strengthening fiduciary duties by prioritizing pecuniary (financial) factors in investment advice unless clients explicitly agree otherwise. It also mandates the SEC to study environmental disclosure practices within the municipal bond market and investigate the effectiveness of current rules preventing corruption in the solicitation of municipal securities business. The bill requires the SEC to report its findings and recommend necessary regulatory or legislative actions within one year of enactment.

The Building Youth Workforce Skills Act amends existing law to allow local areas to use designated youth workforce funds to pay for training services for eligible in-school and out-of-school youth through individual training accounts. This change standardizes how young people can access training, aligning their options with those available to adults and dislocated workers.

The National Taxpayer Advocate Enhancement Act of 2025 grants the National Taxpayer Advocate the explicit authority to hire and directly supervise lawyers within their office. This change modernizes the structure of the Taxpayer Advocate Service by ensuring appointed counsel report directly to the Advocate. The bill clarifies employee descriptions to align with this new hiring power.

The Lowering Egg Prices Act of 2025 aims to reduce costs by streamlining the handling of surplus broiler hatching eggs sold to commercial egg breakers for processing into liquid egg products. This bill exempts these specific surplus eggs from certain current shell egg regulations. It also mandates the creation of a new rule within 180 days to establish appropriate temperature and time limits for holding these eggs before processing.

This bill establishes the Commission on National Agricultural Statistics Service Modernization to overhaul how the government collects farm data. The Commission will study and recommend ways to modernize the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) using new technology and improved data quality. It is tasked with reducing survey burdens on farmers and improving data timeliness, especially for specialty crops. The Commission must submit its final recommendations to Congress and the President within two years of enactment.

The Recovery of Stolen Checks Act allows taxpayers whose original IRS refund check was lost or stolen to elect to receive the replacement refund via direct deposit. This change aims to provide a faster and more secure method for taxpayers to receive their rightful funds. The Treasury Secretary is required to establish the necessary procedures for this option.

The Expanding Medical Education Act establishes new federal grants to help medical and osteopathic schools establish, upgrade, or expand programs, prioritizing those in medically underserved areas. These funds are intended to support the recruitment and training of diverse students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, and develop curricula focused on culturally competent care. The Secretary of HHS must report regularly to Congress on the impact of these grants on the healthcare workforce in underserved communities.

The Tipped Employee Protection Act updates the definition of a "tipped employee" under federal law. It mandates that an employee's total earnings—including tips and cash wages—must meet the federal minimum wage over a flexible calculation period. This period can now range from as short as one day up to a full month.

The Say No to Indoctrination Act prohibits public elementary and secondary schools from teaching or advancing concepts related to "gender ideology." This new restriction amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to ban specific instruction in schools.

This bill, the Doris Miller Congressional Gold Medal Act, authorizes the posthumous presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to honor Doris Miller for his extraordinary heroism during the attack on Pearl Harbor. The legislation directs the Secretary of the Treasury to strike the medal and mandates its placement with the Smithsonian Institution for public display and research. The Act also permits the sale of bronze duplicate medals to cover production costs, with proceeds deposited back into the U.S. Mint Public Enterprise Fund.

The Farmers’ Market Expansion Act of 2025 amends the Seniors Farmers' Market Nutrition Program to enhance purchasing options for seniors. This bill specifically updates the list of eligible foods under the program. The key change allows seniors to use their benefits to purchase tree nuts at participating farmers' markets.

This bill reauthorizes the Military and Civilian Partnership for Trauma Readiness Grant Program under the Public Health Service Act. It extends the authorization for this grant program, which supports trauma readiness training and coordination between military and civilian medical systems. The reauthorization shifts the funding authorization period from fiscal years 2019-2023 to fiscal years 2025-2029.

This Act officially authorizes the adjustment of the boundaries for Big Bend National Park. The Secretary of the Interior is permitted to acquire approximately 6,100 acres of land or rights through donation or exchange to expand the park. Crucially, this expansion explicitly prohibits the use of eminent domain to secure the additional property.