Legislation

The Emergency Response Authority Act allows state governors, with Department of Defense consent, to order National Guard Active Guard and Reserve (AGR) members to assist with state disaster response for up to 14 days annually. States must fully reimburse the federal government for the costs associated with this duty. This provision clarifies liability protections for members serving under these state-directed orders.

This bill mandates the Department of Defense (DoD) to develop and submit a strategy for accelerating its response to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination from its activities. The strategy must prioritize cleanup based on health risks and establish clear timelines for remediation efforts. Furthermore, the DoD is required to create a public online dashboard detailing funding, cleanup status, and timelines for every affected military installation.

This act reauthorizes and expands the National Landslide Preparedness Act, updating definitions to specifically address hazards from atmospheric rivers and extreme precipitation events. It also establishes the Next Generation Water Observing System within the USGS to provide real-time water data and enhances groundwater and streamgage monitoring programs. Overall, the bill strengthens federal efforts to mitigate risks from landslides and improve water resource management across the nation.

The National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2025 updates and expands the national strategy to mitigate earthquake risks across the U.S., where nearly half the population is vulnerable. This legislation broadens the program's scope to include the evaluation and retrofitting of critical buildings and infrastructure, explicitly incorporating Tribal governments into preparedness efforts. It also enhances scientific research, improves early warning systems, and authorizes specific funding levels for key federal agencies through fiscal year 2028.

This bill authorizes the posthumous presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to honor Robert Parris Moses for his profound contributions to the Civil Rights Movement and his dedication to math literacy education through the Algebra Project. The medal will be presented to his daughter, Maisha Moses, recognizing his lifelong advocacy for full citizenship rights. The Secretary of the Treasury is tasked with designing and producing the medal, with provisions made for selling bronze duplicates.

This bill ensures that landlords must count a veteran's or service member's VA/DoD education benefits as income when evaluating rental applications. It also limits the lease term to the duration of the remaining education benefits entitlement. Furthermore, the legislation provides a 60-day grace period before the VA can terminate education benefits due to a single unmet program requirement.

The American Products in Parks Act mandates that all items sold in National Park System gift shops and visitor centers must be manufactured in the United States. This requires that final assembly, significant processing, and the sourcing of virtually all components occur domestically. The Secretary of the Interior is tasked with establishing compliance procedures one year after the law's enactment.

This Act strengthens financial literacy requirements for service members by shifting responsibility for the financial literacy survey to the Secretary of Defense and expanding the data collected. It mandates improvements to tracking and addressing non-completion of mandatory training. Furthermore, the legislation requires the development of a strategy to evaluate the effectiveness of the Department of Defense's financial education programs.

The SATOS Act of 2025 establishes a federal grant and loan program to support animal welfare infrastructure in underserved rural communities. This program, administered by the Secretary of Agriculture, provides funding for eligible entities to construct, expand, or improve domestic animal care facilities like shelters and veterinary clinics. The Act also reserves funds for technical assistance to help communities plan and manage these essential animal care operations.

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to create an exception to the automatic enrollment requirements for certain retirement plans. Specifically, it exempts multiemployer plans from these automatic enrollment provisions. This change will take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

The Change Corruption Act prohibits the United States from featuring the likeness of any living or currently serving President on its currency. This measure aims to prevent undue influence or self-promotion by sitting or recent Presidents on national coinage.

The No Cost Educational Resources Act of 2025 establishes a new grant program to support colleges and universities in adopting, adapting, and creating open educational reading materials for STEM courses. These grants aim to facilitate the use of free, publicly available digital texts as required course readings. Priority will be given to institutions serving high numbers of low-income or minority students that demonstrate strong collaboration between faculty and librarians. The legislation requires a report to Congress evaluating the impact of these grants on student savings and the adoption of free materials.

The ICHRA Permanency Act aims to provide long-term stability for Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRAs). This legislation codifies the existing 2019 final rule regarding ICHRAs and other account-based group health plans into law. By doing so, it ensures these arrangements have the full force and effect of permanent federal regulation.

The EAT Healthy Foods from Local Farmers Act establishes a new federal grant program to help states purchase nutritious, culturally relevant foods directly from eligible small businesses. These foods will then be distributed to people in need through local food banks and pantries. The legislation aims to improve food access, strengthen local supply chains, and create economic opportunities for underserved farmers and producers. It also mandates the USDA to create an internal working group to align all departmental procurement with these goals.

This bill, the Board of Veterans Appeals Annual Report Transparency Act of 2025, mandates new reporting requirements for the Chairman of the Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA). The Chairman must annually identify and quantify the specific factors contributing to both untimely case dispositions and remands within the BVA. This aims to increase transparency regarding delays in the veterans' appeals process.

The Data Rights for Information and Vehicle Electronics in Real-time (DRIVER) Act mandates that vehicle manufacturers provide owners with secure, real-time access to their vehicle's data at no extra cost. This bill also prohibits manufacturers and fleet owners from selling covered vehicle data without giving the owner or driver a clear opportunity to opt out. The Federal Trade Commission is granted authority to enforce these provisions against unfair or deceptive practices.

The Reuniting Families Act is comprehensive legislation designed to significantly reform U.S. immigration by reducing massive visa backlogs and prioritizing family reunification across various categories. It achieves this by recapturing unused visas, reclassifying certain family members as "immediate relatives," and creating new pathways for permanent partners and refugees to join their loved ones. Ultimately, the bill aims to keep families together, speed up legal immigration processes, and address past discrimination in the visa system.

The Office of Fusion Act of 2025 reestablishes a dedicated Office of Fusion within the Department of Energy to accelerate the research, development, and commercial deployment of fusion energy. This office will coordinate federal efforts, foster public-private partnerships aimed at starting construction on private fusion power plants by 2028, and ensure U.S. leadership in the sector. The Act mandates the creation of a commercial deployment roadmap to identify and overcome key barriers to bringing fusion power online.

This comprehensive bill addresses several national priorities, including establishing a national carbon tax to fund infrastructure and transition programs, increasing cancer research funding, and creating a commission to address the national debt. It also includes measures to restrict stock trading for House members, sanction Russia, enhance school safety, standardize primary election rules, review intelligence sharing with Ukraine, support veteran small businesses, and increase benefits for ALS veteran survivors. Overall, the legislation seeks to tackle climate change, improve health and infrastructure funding, reform governance, and support veterans.

The SPELL Act expands existing federal student loan forgiveness and cancellation programs to include teachers of English learners and bilingual or dual language immersion teachers. This aims to support educators working with these specialized student populations. The changes apply to individuals who become eligible for these programs on or after the date the Act becomes law.