Legislation

The SNAP SECURE Act of 2025 extends federal funding for states to replace Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits lost due to administrative errors. This legislation pushes the deadline for utilizing these reimbursement funds from 2024 to 2034. The goal is to ensure eligible clients continue to receive benefits lost through state agency mistakes.

The Energy Cybersecurity University Leadership Act of 2025 establishes a new Department of Energy program to bolster cybersecurity expertise for the nation's energy infrastructure. This initiative will provide competitive funding for scholarships, fellowships, and research focused on energy cybersecurity at universities. The program specifically mandates hands-on training opportunities and outreach to minority-serving institutions.

The TREES Act of 2025 establishes a new federal grant program managed by the Secretary of Energy to fund community-based tree planting projects. These grants aim to reduce residential energy consumption by strategically planting trees for shade and wind protection. Priority funding will be given to projects that maximize energy savings for low-income households and benefit underserved neighborhoods. The program is authorized to plant at least 300,000 trees annually, with federal funding covering 90% of eligible project costs.

The Global Fragility Reauthorization Act updates the existing strategy for dealing with fragile areas by mandating an annual high-level policy alignment meeting among federal agencies. It extends the authorization for both the Prevention and Stabilization Fund and the Complex Crises Fund until 2030. Furthermore, the bill allows for greater flexibility in using Economic Support Funds for monitoring and learning activities related to the Global Fragility Strategy.

This resolution recognizes the escalating global threats against journalists and reaffirms the vital role of a free and independent press in upholding democracy and informing the public. It highlights the dangers faced by reporters in conflict zones and under repressive regimes, emphasizing that press freedom is a priority for U.S. foreign policy. The measure calls for the U.S. government to continue championing journalist safety and accountability for those who attack the press worldwide.

The Modernizing Government Technology Reform Act realigns the use of technology modernization funds to strictly match Congress's original intent, focusing on replacing outdated IT systems and boosting cybersecurity. It establishes new repayment rules to ensure the fund remains solvent until its sunset date of December 31, 2032. Furthermore, the bill mandates that agency CIOs report their high-risk legacy IT systems, which the Federal CIO will use to create and publicly report a prioritized list of the government's riskiest systems.

This resolution expresses support for designating May 5, 2025, as the "National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls." It highlights the severe crisis of violence, homicide, and human trafficking disproportionately affecting American Indian and Alaska Native women and girls. The bill calls for national recognition of this day to honor victims and urges the Department of Justice to conduct an updated study on the crisis. Ultimately, it acknowledges ongoing efforts while emphasizing that more action is urgently needed to address this national tragedy.

The United States Automobile Consumer Assistance and Relief Act (USA CAR Act) introduces a new tax deduction for interest paid on car loans. This deduction applies only to "qualified automobile interest," defined as interest on loans taken out after January 1, 2025, to purchase a vehicle assembled in the United States. This aims to provide financial relief for consumers purchasing domestically assembled vehicles.

The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit Enhancement Act of 2025 significantly increases the maximum expenses eligible for the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit to \$8,000 for one child and \$16,000 for two or more. This legislation also modifies the income-based calculation for the credit percentage and makes the credit partially or fully refundable for eligible taxpayers. Furthermore, key dollar limits will be adjusted annually for inflation starting in 2026.

The Transaction and Sourcing Knowledge (TASK) Act directs the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to consider new reporting requirements for publicly traded companies regarding environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues. Specifically, it mandates the SEC to look into requiring disclosures related to supply chains connected to forced labor in Xinjiang, China, and transactions with U.S. government-restricted entities. Furthermore, the bill requires companies operating in China to report on the presence and involvement of any Chinese Communist Party (CCP) committees within their facilities.

This bill amends the Social Security Act to limit the amount the Social Security Administration can withhold from a person's monthly benefit to recover an overpayment. Unless the individual agrees to a higher rate, the SSA can withhold no more than 10 percent of a monthly benefit payment to recoup accidental overpayments. This new limit applies to existing and future unrecovered overpayments under Title II benefits.

The Medicare Protection Act of 2025 amends how Medicare calculates premiums by excluding gains from the sale of a principal residence from the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) calculation. This change prevents profits from a primary home sale from triggering higher Part B and Part D premiums. This exclusion can only be applied once per individual for IRMAA purposes.

This resolution officially designates April 2025 as Community College Month to celebrate the vital role of over 1,000 community colleges nationwide. These institutions are recognized for providing accessible, affordable higher education and essential workforce training. The bill emphasizes their significant contribution to advancing local economies and overall U.S. prosperity.

This Act mandates the creation of a new federal protocol to assess the cumulative health risks posed by combined environmental stressors, including pollution and climate change impacts. It also establishes a targeted enforcement program to identify and address communities overburdened by repeated environmental law violations. The goal is to ensure public health is protected by considering total environmental exposure and actively reducing pollution in the most affected areas.

The Restore M-44 Act officially cancels the Master Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Departments of the Interior and Agriculture concerning wildlife management tools. This legislation specifically rescinds the previous prohibition on the Department of Agriculture's use of M44 sodium cyanide ejector devices. Consequently, the Secretary of Agriculture is now authorized to purchase, deploy, and train personnel on the use of these devices.

This resolution expresses strong support for designating May 2025 as "Renewable Fuels Month." It recognizes the vital role renewable fuels play in reducing carbon emissions and lowering consumer fuel prices. Furthermore, the bill highlights how these fuels support rural economies and decrease U.S. reliance on foreign energy sources.

The Secure E-Waste Export and Recycling Act establishes strict new controls banning most exports of used electronics, classifying them as electronic waste. Exports are only permitted for specific, rigorously documented exemptions, such as tested, working electronics intended for reuse or processed materials intended for recycling. Shippers of exempted items must register, file detailed export information, and provide declarations confirming the recipient's ability to handle the materials properly.

The Homeland Security Climate Change Coordination Act establishes a new Climate Coordinating Council within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This council, composed of senior leaders from across the department, is tasked with coordinating efforts to address how climate change impacts DHS operations, assets, and programs. Its primary goal is to develop risk-based strategies to mitigate these impacts and ensure compliance with relevant executive orders. The Secretary must report annually to Congress on the council's activities for ten years.

The Expediting Generator Interconnection Procedures Act of 2025 directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to rapidly update interconnection rules for new power generation and energy storage projects. This mandates the creation of new procedures to ensure faster, more cost-effective grid connections while maintaining reliability. The rules must require transmission providers to use realistic assumptions, find cost-effective solutions for necessary upgrades, and improve queue management through better tools and transparency. FERC must finalize these new rules within 18 months of the Act's enactment.

This bill amends Medicare rules to cap the out-of-pocket coinsurance amount beneficiaries must pay for certain services provided in an Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC). If the standard ASC coinsurance exceeds the annual inpatient hospital deductible, the beneficiary's cost will be limited to that deductible amount. The Secretary will cover the difference owed to the ASC.