Legislation

The Training and Nutrition Stability Act of 2025 ensures that income received from specific job training, educational, and vocational rehabilitation programs will not count against an individual's eligibility for federal food assistance. This change aims to encourage participation in workforce development activities without jeopardizing necessary nutritional support. The bill also includes minor technical updates to existing law to accommodate this new exclusion.

The Connecticut River Watershed Partnership Act establishes a new, non-regulatory program to coordinate restoration and protection efforts across the five-state watershed. This initiative will develop a comprehensive strategy and support it through a competitive, voluntary grant program to fund projects benefiting ecology, water quality, and climate resilience. The law specifically mandates outreach to environmental justice communities and requires annual reporting to Congress on funded projects. Funding is authorized through fiscal year 2030, with at least 75% of appropriations dedicated to the grant program.

The Rural Health Sustainability Act of 2025 updates the criteria for hospitals seeking the Rural Emergency Hospital designation under Medicare. This bill retroactively adjusts the eligibility review date to January 1, 2014, and adds a new pathway for designation based on certification by the Office of Rural Health Policy. This aims to broaden access to this critical designation for eligible rural facilities.

The State Border Security Assistance Act establishes two new federal grant funds to support state and local efforts regarding immigration enforcement. The first fund provides resources for physical border barriers, surveillance technology, and relocation costs along the southern border. The second fund is dedicated to assisting states with the costs of arresting, prosecuting, and detaining undocumented individuals, particularly those who have committed crimes. Both programs are authorized through 2029, with remaining funds returning to the Treasury.

The Quantum Leadership in Emerging Applications and Policy Act of 2025 establishes the Commission on American Quantum Information Science and Technology Dominance. This independent body is tasked with reviewing the nation's standing in quantum science and technology to ensure U.S. national and economic security. The Commission will analyze global competition, investment strategies, workforce needs, and commercialization barriers before delivering comprehensive recommendations to Congress and the President.

The Truth in Tariffs Act mandates that businesses clearly disclose to consumers the exact amount of a product's price attributed to specific, Presidentially-imposed tariffs enacted after January 20, 2025. This cost must be explicitly labeled as a "tariff surcharge" on the final price. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is tasked with enforcing this requirement, treating violations as unfair or deceptive business practices. Small businesses, as defined by the Small Business Act, are exempt from this disclosure rule.

The Civilian Conservation Center Enhancement Act of 2025 aims to revitalize Civilian Conservation Centers (CCCs) as residential training facilities for underserved youth. This legislation mandates the creation of specialized training programs, particularly in areas like wildland firefighting, to support the needs of the Department of the Interior and Agriculture. Furthermore, the bill establishes hiring goals and provides enhanced hiring authorities to ensure covered graduates secure employment in federal conservation and firefighting roles. It also includes provisions for improving agency housing stock using student labor.

The Regulatory Accountability Act fundamentally overhauls federal rulemaking procedures to increase transparency, require rigorous cost-benefit analysis for major rules, and mandate public access to supporting data. It establishes new definitions for agency guidance and significantly structures public comment periods, including special provisions for major economic rules. Furthermore, the Act limits judicial review of certain agency decisions and institutes a mandatory post-promulgation review framework for major regulations.

The Water Affordability, Transparency, Equity, and Reliability Act of 2025 significantly increases federal funding allocations for clean water, drinking water, and rural water infrastructure programs. It mandates comprehensive reporting on water affordability and discrimination issues while allowing states greater flexibility in using revolving funds, including purchasing private water systems. The Act also establishes new grant opportunities for lead line replacement and PFAS contamination cleanup, and institutes requirements for Project Labor Agreements on funded construction projects. Finally, it updates definitions to expand drinking water assistance eligibility for underserved border communities known as colonias.

The Healthy Dog Importation Act establishes new federal requirements for bringing live dogs into the United States, mandating electronic health documentation, vaccinations, and permanent ID for most imports. It defines key roles like "importer" and "compensation" while outlining specific exceptions for returning pets or working dogs. The law requires the Secretary to create detailed regulations within 18 months, including establishing a central tracking database and the authority to charge necessary fees for verification.

The Assault Weapons Ban of 2025 comprehensively defines and bans the manufacture, sale, and transfer of specific semiautomatic assault weapons and large-capacity ammunition feeding devices. It grandfathers existing possessions but requires background checks for all future private transfers of these previously owned weapons. The bill also permits the use of federal Byrne grant funds for state-run buy-back programs targeting these banned items.

The Wild Olympics Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act designates over 126,000 acres of the Olympic National Forest as new wilderness areas. It also adds numerous river segments in Washington State to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, protecting them from development like dams. The bill ensures that existing private rights and treaty rights of Indian Tribes are fully preserved. Overall, this legislation significantly expands federal conservation protections across the Olympic Peninsula.

The American Ownership and Resilience Act establishes an Ownership Investment Facility to provide government leverage to licensed investment companies making "covered investments," primarily focused on supporting Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) and worker cooperatives in acquiring business ownership. The Act sets strict operational rules for these investment companies, including capital requirements, portfolio diversification limits, and mandates for independent review of ESOP transactions. Furthermore, it details the licensing process, oversight mechanisms, and reporting requirements to ensure accountability and protect employee interests.

The Global Fairness in Drug Pricing Act aims to significantly lower prescription drug costs for Americans. It directs the HHS to establish "most-favored-nation" price targets based on international rates and enhances safe importation options. Additionally, the bill mandates enforcement actions against anticompetitive drug manufacturer behavior and requires a study on global pricing discrimination.

The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Elimination Act proposes to end the federal government's primary incentive for developing affordable housing. Specifically, this bill mandates that no new Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) will be issued for any building placed in service after the law's enactment date. This action effectively phases out the current mechanism used to finance new low-income housing projects.

The See the Board Act establishes a new federal grant program administered by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. This program aims to fund nonprofit organizations that provide free, on-site eye care services, including exams and glasses, directly to students in public elementary and secondary schools. The goal is to improve student access to necessary vision care through mobile or portable clinics.

The Teenagers Earning Everyday Necessary Skills (TEENS) Act modifies existing child labor laws to provide clearer guidelines for student employment during the school year. This bill sets a specific limit, stating that a teenager's work will not be deemed "oppressive child labor" based on hours if they work 24 hours or less per week. Furthermore, work hours must fall strictly between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. on any day school is in session.

The Wildlife Confiscations Network Act of 2025 establishes a national, voluntary partnership—the Wildlife Confiscations Network—to coordinate the care and placement of illegally smuggled or confiscated wildlife. This network will utilize qualified animal care facilities to ensure seized animals receive proper triage, housing, and forensic documentation. The Act authorizes up to $5 million annually from Fiscal Year 2026 through 2030 to support this critical infrastructure.

The Leadership in CET Act establishes a temporary pilot program at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to expedite the examination of patent applications for critical and emerging technologies like AI and quantum computing. This fast-track system aims to boost U.S. innovation leadership by prioritizing these key technological advancements. The program will run for five years or until 15,000 applications are accepted, with provisions for potential renewal.

The Supreme Court Tenure Establishment and Retirement Modernization Act of 2025 establishes fixed, non-renewable 18-year terms for all future Supreme Court Justices, with appointments staggered every two years. This legislation also outlines a process for phasing out current Justices upon the confirmation of new appointees. Finally, it grants the Chief Justice the authority to temporarily fill sudden vacancies below the standard nine-justice level using a randomly selected retired Justice.