Legislation

The "MAILS Act" aims to improve communication between the Postal Service and local communities regarding the relocation or establishment of post offices. It mandates a formal process for local officials to request new post offices and requires the Postal Service to gather community input, provide detailed notifications to local officials, and offer public presentations before any temporary relocation lasting more than two days. Additionally, for extended relocations, the Postal Service must report to Congress on communication compliance and reasons for extending the relocation period.

The MEDAL Act of 2025 seeks to honor Medal of Honor recipients by increasing their special monthly pension from the Department of Veterans Affairs from $1,406.73 to $8,333.33, recognizing their extraordinary heroism and inspiration to the Armed Forces. The bill maintains the surviving spouse's special monthly pension at $1,406.73, subject to periodic adjustments.

The "SAVE Moms and Babies Act of 2025" prohibits the approval of new abortion drugs and restricts the use of previously approved abortion drugs by limiting label changes, mandating in-person dispensing by certified healthcare practitioners, and requiring comprehensive reporting of adverse events. It defines key terms such as "abortion drug," "adverse event," and "unborn child," and it rescinds conflicting investigational use exemptions three years after enactment. This bill aims to ensure patient safety and regulatory oversight in the use of abortion drugs.

The "Abundant American Resources Act of 2025" mandates studies to assess the dollar value of onshore and offshore mineral resources on federal lands. These studies will be conducted by the Bureau of Land Management, the Forest Service, and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, and will help determine the economic potential of resources like oil, gas, and other minerals in specific areas, excluding national parks and certain older national monuments. The goal is to evaluate mineral values in national monuments, critical environmental concern areas, and areas withdrawn from mineral development.

The "LICENSE Act of 2025" modifies CDL regulations to expand who can administer CDL knowledge tests and driving skills tests. It allows certified state or third-party examiners to administer knowledge tests after completing specific training. The Act also permits states to administer driving skills tests to any CDL applicant, regardless of their residence or training location. These revisions aim to streamline the CDL testing process and must be implemented within 90 days.

The "Boosting Long-term US Engagement in the Pacific Act" or "BLUE Pacific Act" aims to establish a comprehensive U.S. strategy for the Pacific Islands, focusing on strengthening partnerships, promoting regional stability, and supporting sustainable development. It directs the President to develop a detailed partnership strategy, encourages increased staffing and strategic communication, and enhances coordination with allies. The Act authorizes various programs to improve public health, education, media freedom, and workforce development, while also addressing peace and security through institutional strengthening and transnational crime prevention. Additionally, it focuses on resource and economic development, environmental and disaster resilience, ocean and environmental sustainability, and enhanced technology and connectivity, with significant funding allocated to support these initiatives.

This bill exempts federal actions concerning energy and mineral activities on federal lands from the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This includes leases, easements, or rights-of-way for oil, gas, or coal under the Mineral Leasing Act, and permits/authorizations for critical mineral exploration/extraction under the Mining Law of 1872. Effectively, these activities would not require environmental impact assessments typically mandated by NEPA.

This bill, the "Halt All United States Investments in Venezuela's Energy Sector Act of 2025," prohibits U.S. investment in Venezuela's energy sector until the U.S. President certifies that the Maduro regime recognizes the legitimate results of the July 28, 2024, election and has transferred power to a democratically elected government. The President can waive the prohibition if it is vital to U.S. national security. The Secretary of the Treasury will implement the measures and can impose penalties for violations.

The "End Unaccountable Amnesty Act" seeks to reform immigration laws by requiring congressional approval for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations and terminations, changing procedures for unaccompanied alien children, repealing cancellation of removal, restricting acceptable identification documents for air travel, and limiting the use of immigration parole. The bill also places restrictions on who can be granted special immigrant juvenile status. Furthermore, it sets a limit on the number of people who can be granted parole and requires a report to Congress on those granted parole.

The "Green Tape Elimination Act of 2025" exempts hazardous fuel reduction activities on federal lands from certain environmental regulations, including the National Environmental Policy Act and the Endangered Species Act, for a 10-year period. This exemption aims to expedite efforts to reduce hazardous fuels and mitigate wildfire risks by streamlining environmental reviews and compliance processes. The bill also excludes air quality data from these activities when determining violations of air quality standards. "Hazardous fuel reduction activity" includes prescribed fires, wildland fire use, and mechanical methods.

The "Families’ Rights and Responsibilities Act" affirms that parents have a fundamental right to direct the upbringing, education, and healthcare of their children. It restricts government interference in these rights, requiring a compelling governmental interest and the least restrictive means when such interference occurs, while also ensuring parents can seek legal remedies if their rights are violated. The Act also ensures attorney's fees can be awarded in cases under this act, similar to other civil rights cases. This law applies to all federal laws, both past and future, unless explicitly excluded.

The "Salad Bars in Schools Expansion Act" aims to increase fruit and vegetable consumption among students by expanding access to salad bars in schools participating in the National School Lunch Program. The Act directs the Secretary to create a marketing plan, offer training and grants to schools for salad bar implementation, prioritizing those with high percentages of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunches or located in food deserts. The Act requires the Secretary to submit reports and revise existing policies to promote and support salad bars in schools, utilizing existing funds.

The "Northeast Fisheries Heritage Protection Act of 2025" prohibits commercial offshore wind energy development in Lobster Management Area 1 in the Gulf of Maine. Additionally, the bill requires the Comptroller General to conduct a study assessing the environmental review processes of federal agencies regarding offshore wind projects in the Gulf of Maine, considering impacts on marine life, fishing industries, air quality, and cultural resources. The study will also evaluate stakeholder consultation processes.

This resolution congratulates the Jackson State University Tigers for their victory in the 2024 Celebration Bowl, recognizing their outstanding season and the honor they brought to the university and the State of Mississippi. It acknowledges individual player awards and the Coach of the Year award for T. C. Taylor. The resolution also directs the Secretary of the Senate to send copies to the university's President, Athletic Director, and Head Football Coach.

The "Archie Cavanaugh Migratory Bird Treaty Amendment Act" clarifies the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to ensure that Alaska Native handicrafts containing nonedible migratory bird parts can be possessed, sold, traded, or shipped without violating the Act, provided the bird parts were not obtained wastefully or illegally. It defines "Alaska Native" and "authentic Alaska Native article of handicraft" and directs the Secretaries of State and Interior to establish bilateral procedures with relevant countries to clarify the treatment of these handicrafts. The Act also mandates updates to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act's regulations to align with these amendments.

The CONSTRUCTS Act of 2025 aims to expand training and education for residential construction careers by establishing a grant program through the Department of Labor. These grants will be awarded to junior and community colleges, area career and technical education schools, and training service providers, with a priority for those serving rural areas and underserved populations. The funds will support the creation and expansion of training programs, partnerships with local businesses, and outreach to students about careers in residential construction. The act authorizes \$20 million to be appropriated annually from 2025 through 2029 to fund this initiative.

This bill reaffirms the strong economic and security partnership between the United States and Canada, highlighting their significant trade relationship that supports millions of American jobs. It emphasizes the importance of strengthening this alliance through collaboration in areas like defense, border security, energy, and supply chains. The bill also supports joint efforts to address shared threats, promote democracy, and enhance economic competitiveness.

The "Main Street Tax Certainty Act" amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to make the deduction for qualified business income permanent. This is achieved by eliminating the expiration date for this deduction. This change provides long-term tax certainty for small businesses.

This bill amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, mandating a minimum 60-day public comment period for significant changes to quality control review guidance issued by the Secretary of Agriculture. This requirement applies when the guidance necessitates alterations to state agencies' systems, procedures, staffing, or impacts SNAP recipient verification. An exception is provided for urgent situations, allowing interim guidance alongside the public comment period.

The "Build Housing with Care Act of 2025" establishes a grant program to encourage the co-location of affordable housing and child care services. The program, managed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, will award competitive grants to eligible entities for projects that design, plan, construct, or renovate co-location facilities. The bill prioritizes entities operating in childcare deserts or serving low-income families and requires a report to Congress on the program's implementation. Additionally, the bill directs the Comptroller General to study child care access for public housing residents and provide recommendations for improvement.