Legislation

The Promoting Affordable Childcare for Everyone (PACE) Act aims to significantly enhance childcare financial support for families. It restructures the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit, potentially making it refundable and increasing its maximum rate, while also raising the tax-free exclusion limit for employer-provided dependent care assistance to \$7,500. These key provisions are scheduled to take effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2025, with future adjustments for inflation built into the new rules.

The EITC Lookback Act allows taxpayers whose earned income has decreased from the previous year to elect to use their higher prior-year income when calculating their Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). This provision is designed to help those with recent income drops potentially receive a larger credit. This new option will be available for tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.

The Safeguarding Charity Act clarifies that the federal income tax exemption granted to many tax-exempt organizations, such as charities and social welfare groups, will no longer be counted as "Federal financial assistance." This change specifically redefines federal aid for the purpose of applying various federal laws and regulations moving forward. The Act ensures that the value of existing tax breaks is excluded from future calculations of government assistance received by these entities.

This Act officially establishes the **Department of Homeland Security Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Act**. It clarifies the appointment process for the DHS Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties and mandates that the Secretary of Homeland Security provide the Officer with necessary permanent staff and resources. The changes ensure the Officer has the support required to fulfill their duties within the department.

The Buffalo Tract Protection Act withdraws approximately 4,288 acres of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land near Placitas, New Mexico, from new mining claims and mineral/geothermal leasing. This action specifically protects Tracts A, B, C, and D as identified on the November 13, 2019 map. While the surface of these lands may still be sold, the United States will retain ownership of all subsurface mineral rights.

This bill amends the Small Business Act to allow disaster loans to be issued specifically for damages resulting from prolonged power outages. It defines a "prolonged power outage" based on the number of affected properties and the duration or severity of uninsured losses. Furthermore, the legislation permits loan funds to be used by small businesses for purchasing energy resilience systems, such as generators and solar power equipment.

The IRA Charitable Rollover Facilitation and Enhancement Act of 2025 removes the current restriction preventing individuals from making direct charitable rollovers from their Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) to Donor Advised Funds (DAFs). This change immediately allows IRA owners to transfer retirement assets directly to DAFs for charitable purposes. The bill simplifies and enhances charitable giving options for IRA holders.

The Hospital Adoption Education Act of 2025 aims to improve adoption awareness and support within healthcare settings. This legislation directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop and distribute educational resources for hospital staff regarding sensitive adoption issues. Furthermore, the Act establishes grants to fund professional development and training for care providers on patient-centered care for expectant mothers and adoptive families. The goal is to ensure objective, unbiased information is accessible where expectant parents most trust to find it.

This Act, the Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area Enhancement Act, directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study on expanding the existing National Heritage Area. The study will specifically assess the feasibility of including Saratoga and Washington Counties in New York. This process requires consultation with various state, local, and historical preservation entities.

The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail Completion Act mandates the completion of a continuous route for the Trail within ten years, subject to funding. It establishes a joint Trail Completion Team to develop a comprehensive roadmap for finishing and optimizing the route. This plan must identify gaps, explore easement options, and estimate total development costs. The Act emphasizes that it does not grant new powers for land acquisition beyond existing legal authorities.

The Online Consumer Protection Act mandates that social media platforms and online marketplaces create clear, understandable terms of service detailing user rights and platform rules. It requires these entities to establish comprehensive consumer protection programs, overseen by a dedicated officer who reports to the CEO. Companies meeting certain revenue or user thresholds must file annual compliance reports with the FTC, which will be made public. Finally, the Act provides robust enforcement mechanisms, allowing the FTC, State Attorneys General, and private individuals to sue for damages, invalidating pre-dispute arbitration clauses for violations.

The Financial Inclusion in Banking Act of 2025 establishes a new Office of Community Affairs within the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). This office is tasked with researching the barriers preventing un-banked and under-banked consumers from accessing traditional banking services. The Act mandates that this office coordinate federal efforts and develop strategies to boost financial education for these underserved populations. Finally, the Office must report biennially to Congress with findings and specific recommendations to improve financial inclusion.

The Securing Semiconductor Supply Chains Act of 2025 directs the Commerce Department's SelectUSA program to focus on attracting foreign direct investment into domestic semiconductor manufacturing. This involves coordinating with state-level economic development groups to identify barriers and opportunities for boosting investment in the critical chip supply chain. The Act mandates a report detailing current and future strategies to secure this supply chain without authorizing new funds.

This Act mandates improvements to the mental health components of the Department of Defense's Transition Assistance Program (TAP) and the Department of Veterans Affairs' Solid Start Program. It ensures transitioning service members and new veterans receive comprehensive information on available mental health services, suicide risk, and related support resources. The Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs must jointly report to Congress on these updates within one year of enactment.

The Mobile Mammography Promotion Act of 2025 aims to support mobile mammography services by providing full refunds for federal motor fuel excise taxes paid on fuel used in these specialized vehicles. Furthermore, the Act eliminates the federal retail tax on fuel sold specifically for use in these mobile medical units. This legislation seeks to reduce operational costs for providers offering crucial diagnostic services directly to patients.

The Thriving Communities Act of 2025 establishes a new grant program, administered jointly by the Departments of Transportation and HUD, to provide technical assistance to rapidly growing communities. This program aims to empower fast-growing towns and cities to advance major infrastructure projects, with a focus on transit-oriented development. The Act authorizes significant funding for the program and requires detailed reporting on coordination efforts and metrics used for fund distribution.

The Kairo Act of 2025 mandates that all federally funded child care and early learning providers establish a "Parents Bill of Rights." This bill must clearly outline parents' rights to access crucial facility records, inspection reports, and video evidence related to their child. Providers must distribute these rights to all parents and face consequences for non-compliance.

This resolution expresses support for designating April 13–26, 2025, as "National Young Audiences Arts for Learning Week." It recognizes the critical value of arts education in developing student skills like creativity and critical thinking. The week serves to honor the extensive national impact of the Young Audiences Arts for Learning network on students and educators. The bill encourages the public to observe this week with activities that promote awareness of arts in education.

This resolution formally impeaches Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors. It details numerous alleged abuses of presidential power, including obstructing justice, defying court orders, usurping Congressional authority over spending, and engaging in corrupt practices for personal gain. The document argues these actions demonstrate a betrayal of his oath and render him unfit to remain in office.

This resolution supports designating the week of April 28 through May 2, 2025, as "National Specialized Instructional Support Personnel Appreciation Week." It recognizes the vital role of over one million school-based professionals, such as counselors, social workers, and nurses, in supporting student learning and well-being. The bill commends these staff for providing essential prevention and intervention services that create safe and supportive learning environments. Ultimately, it encourages policymakers to recognize and promote the importance of these personnel for improving overall educational outcomes.