Legislation

The Don't Penalize Victims Act simplifies the process for determining eligibility for federal disaster assistance. It removes language that required agencies to check every potential funding source to prevent duplication of benefits. This change streamlines aid distribution by focusing on preventing double payments for the same disaster loss.

This bill ensures that veterans have the option to receive and submit a physical, paper copy of the VA travel reimbursement form (Form 10-3452) by mail or at any VA medical facility. It mandates that the Department of Veterans Affairs must provide these physical copies upon request to accommodate veterans who cannot or prefer not to use digital submission methods. This guarantees accessible avenues for veterans seeking reimbursement for travel expenses related to their VA care.

The Farm Ownership Improvement Act establishes a temporary, five-year pilot program for direct farm ownership loans to help farmers and ranchers secure financing. This program allows the Secretary of Agriculture to use flexible financial assessment methods when evaluating a borrower's ability to repay. The Secretary must track the program's success and report annually to Congress with a recommendation on making the program permanent.

This bill, the Hatch Act Enforcement Transparency and Accountability Act, aims to increase public and Congressional oversight of how political activity complaints against federal employees are handled. It mandates new reporting requirements for the Special Counsel regarding decisions not to investigate certain employees and requires the public posting of detailed enforcement statistics, including demographic data. The legislation also requires written explanations for decisions not to prosecute certain non-career employees who allegedly violated the Hatch Act.

The Choice in Affordable Housing Act of 2025 aims to increase the participation of private landlords in the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program, particularly in high-opportunity neighborhoods. It establishes new incentives, such as one-time payments and security deposit assistance, funded by the Herschel Lashkowitz Housing Partnership Fund. The Act also modernizes inspection standards, requires the use of specific Small Area Fair Market Rents, and mandates annual reporting on the program's effectiveness.

The Native ELDER Act aims to significantly improve services and support for Native American elders by establishing a new Tribal Advisory Committee within the Administration for Community Living. This committee will advise on policy and government-to-government consultation regarding Native Americans under the Older Americans Act. The bill also mandates technical assistance for Title VI grantees and requires comprehensive reports on caregiver support models and in-home service needs for Native elders.

This act, officially named the Eliminating Fraud and Improper Payments in TANF Act, aims to strengthen the integrity of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. It mandates that states administering TANF must now adhere to the federal Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019 to identify and stop improper payments. Furthermore, the Secretary of Health and Human Services must report to Congress on a comprehensive plan to reduce these improper payments over the next decade.

This bill officially renames the Maine Forest and Logging Museum in Bradley, Maine, to the National Museum of Forestry and Logging History. This designation formally recognizes the museum's importance to the nation's forestry and logging heritage. The change is effective immediately across all federal records and documents.

The HELP Copays Act mandates that financial assistance provided by third parties, such as non-profits or drug manufacturers, must count toward a patient's deductible, copayment, and out-of-pocket maximums. This change ensures that patient cost-sharing requirements are met even when external aid is used to cover prescription drug costs. The new rules generally apply to plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.

The Stop Russian Market Manipulation Act bans the importation of specific Russian-origin minerals, including platinum group metals, nickel, and copper, into the United States. This prohibition begins 90 days after enactment and remains in effect until one year after the President certifies that Russia has ceased all fighting against Ukraine. Crucially, the President has no authority to waive this specific ban.

The Accelerating Broadband Permits Act aims to speed up the deployment of broadband infrastructure by improving how federal agencies track and manage communications use applications. It mandates better data collection and requires agencies to analyze and report on any delays that cause applications to miss established processing deadlines. Furthermore, the bill updates the definition of a "major project" for broadband infrastructure to include projects over $5 million that require National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review.

The Harriet Tubman Tribute Act of 2025 mandates that the likeness of Harriet Tubman must be included on the face of all new $20 Federal Reserve notes printed after December 31, 2030. The Secretary of the Treasury has the authority to delay this implementation by up to two years under specific economic or security concerns. This act ensures a prominent tribute to Tubman on circulating currency.

The Do No Harm Act amends the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) to ensure that federal anti-discrimination, labor, and equal access laws take precedence over religious freedom claims in specific circumstances. This legislation clarifies that RFRA protections cannot be used to override requirements in federal contracts or agreements involving government funding. Furthermore, the Act explicitly limits the application of RFRA to challenges against government actions, precluding its use in private litigation between non-governmental parties.

The Protect Our Probationary Employees Act allows certain federal employees involuntarily separated during a specific timeframe to avoid restarting their probationary period upon rehire. If rehired into a similar role, their remaining probationary time will be calculated by subtracting previously served time from the new job's full requirement. This provision is designed to credit time already served before separation and will expire in 2029.

The Livestock Disaster Assistance Improvement Act of 2025 aims to strengthen federal disaster aid for agricultural producers. This bill expands eligibility for conservation payments, streamlines approval processes for emergency repairs, and modifies payment timelines for the Livestock Forage Disaster Program. Additionally, it establishes an interagency working group to improve the accuracy and data used by the U.S. Drought Monitor.

This Act aims to immediately restore U.S. funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and support refugees across the region. It repeals previous legislative bans on UNRWA funding and directs the Secretary of State to resume payments promptly. The bill mandates regular reporting to Congress detailing UNRWA's progress in implementing accountability reforms recommended by the Independent Review Group.

The Hawaii Native Species Conservation and Recovery Act of 2025 establishes a new grant program to fund science-backed projects aimed at protecting and recovering Hawaii's native plants and animals. This program will provide federal funding, generally covering up to 75% of project costs, to eligible entities for efforts like invasive species control and habitat restoration. The Secretary of the Interior must issue annual reports detailing all funded projects to Congress. The Act authorizes $30 million annually for this effort over ten fiscal years.

The Oregon Recreation Enhancement Act designates the Rogue Canyon and Molalla Recreation Areas to protect their scenic and ecological values, requiring specific wildfire mitigation planning for these new sites. The Act also expands the Wild Rogue Wilderness Area, adding significant acreage under strict wilderness management. Finally, it withdraws certain federal lands in Curry and Josephine Counties from mineral entry and disposal to ensure their long-term protection.

The Puppy Protection Act of 2025 significantly increases humane treatment standards for dog dealers under the Animal Welfare Act. This legislation mandates specific minimum space requirements, daily exercise access, and mandatory socialization for housed dogs. Furthermore, it establishes strict limits on female dog breeding frequency and age, alongside enhanced veterinary care protocols.

The National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Coin Act authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue special commemorative gold, silver, and clad coins honoring the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial. These coins will be sold to the public, with surcharges from the sales benefiting the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. The Treasury must ensure that the production and issuance of these coins result in no net cost to the U.S. Government.