Legislation

The No Regional Transportation Optimization Act (No RTO Act) prohibits the United States Postal Service (USPS) from implementing its Regional Transportation Optimization initiative if the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) formally determines that the plan will negatively impact rural communities. This measure ensures that rural areas are protected from potentially harmful changes to USPS transportation planning.

The Small Business Liberation Act exempts qualifying small business concerns from certain import duties or requirements imposed by the President under a national emergency declaration. This provision ensures that small businesses are shielded from specific trade restrictions enacted during national emergencies.

The Targeting Child Predators Act of 2025 shifts the authority for issuing certain administrative subpoenas from the Treasury to the Department of Homeland Security. This bill establishes a mandatory 180-day nondisclosure requirement for recipients of these subpoenas if the issuing official certifies that disclosure would seriously impede an investigation. Furthermore, it creates a formal judicial review process allowing recipients to challenge these secrecy orders in federal court.

The Stop Foreign Funds in Elections Act expands existing federal campaign finance law to prohibit foreign nationals from contributing or donating to state and local ballot initiatives, referenda, and recall elections. This measure aims to prevent foreign influence in local democratic processes. The prohibition takes effect immediately upon the Act becoming law.

The Aviation Workforce Development Act expands the qualified uses for 529 college savings plans. This allows individuals to use tax-free funds for specific aviation maintenance and commercial pilot training courses. This change aims to reduce the financial burden of specialized aviation education.

This bill establishes a new category, "Foreign Financial Threat Organizations," allowing the Treasury Secretary to designate foreign entities engaged in fraud against U.S. persons. Once designated, these organizations face immediate asset freezes and penalties equivalent to those imposed on global terrorist organizations. The legislation also mandates reporting on enforcement actions and the return of funds to victims.

The Uplifting First-Time Homebuyers Act of 2025 significantly increases the penalty-free withdrawal limit from retirement accounts for first-time homebuyers. This legislation raises the maximum allowable distribution from $\$10,000$ to $\$50,000$. This change is designed to provide greater financial flexibility for individuals purchasing their first home, taking effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.

The STAND Against Emerging Opioids Act aims to control the emerging threat of tianeptine by reclassifying it under federal law. This bill specifically moves tianeptine, along with its analogues, salts, and isomers, to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act. This scheduling change will take effect 90 days after the Act is signed into law.

The Striking and Locked Out Workers Healthcare Protection Act ensures that employers cannot terminate or alter group health plan coverage for employees during a lawful strike or an employer-initiated lockout. This legislation aims to prevent employers from using health benefits as leverage during labor disputes. The bill also establishes significant civil penalties, including fines up to \$150,000 per violation, for employers who interfere with this coverage, and allows for individual liability for directors and officers involved in such violations.

The Tackling Predatory Litigation Funding Act establishes a new federal excise tax on proceeds received from third-party litigation financing agreements. This tax is calculated at the highest income tax rate plus an additional 3.8 percentage points, applied annually to the proceeds received by a "covered party." The bill also institutes specific withholding requirements on payments made to financiers and reclassifies litigation funding proceeds to ensure this new tax structure is applied.

The Clinical Trial Modernization Act aims to increase diversity and accessibility in medical research by funding outreach to underrepresented populations. It updates anti-kickback laws to allow sponsors to cover participant expenses and provide necessary digital health tools to encourage enrollment. Furthermore, the bill exempts up to \$2,000 annually in payments received by participants from federal income tax.

The Supporting Our Surviving Spouses Act removes the statute of limitations for certain survivor benefit claims filed by the spouses of armed forces members who died in the line of duty on or after September 11, 2001. This change allows eligible survivors to file these specific claims at any time after the law is enacted. The bill ensures that no deadline prevents these survivors from seeking entitled benefits.

The Barriers to Suicide Act of 2025 establishes a new grant program through the Department of Transportation to fund the installation of suicide deterrents like nets and barriers at high-risk locations such as bridges and rail stations. The bill also amends existing law to explicitly allow National Highway System funds to be used for these safety barriers on bridges. Finally, it mandates a study on the effectiveness of suicide prevention measures for structures other than bridges.

The Healthy Food Financing Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2025 ensures continued federal support for projects that improve access to healthy food options. This bill reauthorizes the initiative by significantly increasing mandatory funding levels, starting at \$25 million in FY 2026 and rising to \$50 million annually by FY 2030. These funds are drawn from the Commodity Credit Corporation to support healthy food infrastructure development.

This bill amends Medicare to require cognitive impairment screening during the Annual Wellness Visit and the Initial Preventive Physical Examination. It mandates the use of specific, approved screening tools to detect potential issues like Alzheimer's disease early. The goal is to ensure timely diagnosis, allowing patients and caregivers to access necessary planning and support services sooner.

The More Funding for COPS Act reauthorizes and increases funding for the COPS ON THE BEAT grant program. This legislation extends the authorization for this vital program for an additional five fiscal years, covering 2026 through 2030. The bill specifically increases the maximum authorized funding level to support the hiring of more community police officers.

The Six Assurances to Taiwan Act codifies the historical U.S. commitments known as the Six Assurances, reinforcing the foundation of U.S. policy toward Taiwan. It explicitly states that the U.S. has not agreed to set a date for ending arms sales or to consult with Beijing on those sales. Furthermore, the Act establishes a mandatory Congressional review process before the President can pause arms sales or take actions that significantly alter the U.S. position on Taiwan's sovereignty. This legislation aims to ensure stability in the Taiwan Strait by upholding these long-standing policy guidelines.

This bill temporarily amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow taxpayers to deduct interest paid on qualified loans taken out to purchase certain passenger vehicles made in the United States. This deduction is available for a limited time, subject to an annual cap of \$10,000 and income phase-outs. The legislation also imposes new information reporting requirements on lenders receiving \$600 or more in interest on these specific vehicle loans.

This bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a feasibility study on designating the approximately 280-mile Bonneville Shoreline Trail in Utah as part of the National Trails System. The study will assess the suitability of this historic trail, which follows the ancient shoreline of Lake Bonneville, for official national recognition.

The Stronger Communities through Better Transit Act establishes a new federal grant program to provide operating support for high-quality public transit services. This funding is specifically targeted to improve mobility and environmental outcomes, with a requirement that the majority of funds benefit underserved communities or areas of persistent poverty. The Act also increases the federal share for rural transit operating assistance up to 80%.