Legislation

The Review Every Veterans Claim Act of 2025 prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from denying a veteran's claim for benefits solely because the veteran failed to appear for a scheduled medical examination. This ensures that missing one required exam appointment will not automatically result in the outright rejection of the entire benefits application. The VA must still process the claim using other available evidence.

The Rent Relief Act of 2025 establishes a new federal refundable tax credit for renters whose housing costs exceed 30% of their gross income. This credit is designed to provide financial assistance to households spending a disproportionate amount on rent. Furthermore, the Act creates a mechanism allowing eligible taxpayers to receive advance monthly payments of this credit before filing their annual tax return. These provisions apply to tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.

The IMPACT Act establishes a new research and development program to make U.S. cement, concrete, and asphalt production cleaner, more competitive, and less polluting. This initiative mandates the creation of a five-year strategic plan focusing on carbon capture, alternative fuels, and material efficiency. The program will also support real-world demonstration projects and provide technical assistance to help bring these advanced, low-emissions technologies to market.

The Protecting Children Over Profits Act amends federal law to streamline law enforcement access to electronic records in child exploitation cases. This legislation adjusts the standards for obtaining telephone records related to such crimes. Furthermore, it prevents electronic service providers from being compensated for the costs associated with providing assistance or facilities for investigations involving child exploitation.

The America Supports Taiwan Act affirms the U.S. commitment to Taiwan's security under the Taiwan Relations Act amidst increasing pressure from the People's Republic of China. This legislation mandates that federal agencies must use the name "Taiwan" instead of "Chinese Taipei" in official communications, with limited exceptions. The bill aims to support Taiwan's self-defense capabilities and reject PRC claims of ownership over the island.

This bill, the "Direct Hire To Fight Fires Act," grants the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior new authority to directly hire qualified individuals for federal wildland firefighting and support positions, bypassing lengthy competitive hiring processes. It mandates the agencies to streamline hiring policies within one year to reduce the time it takes to fill essential roles. Furthermore, the Secretaries must annually report to Congress and the public on staffing needs, vacancies, and the use of these new hiring flexibilities.

The No Bailouts for Reparations Act prohibits the federal government from providing any financial assistance, including loans or grants, to state or local governments that establish reparations programs. This restriction specifically targets programs providing reparations based on race, ethnicity, or historical practices connected to slavery. The goal is to prevent federal funds from supporting locally created reparations initiatives.

The Tariff Transparency Act of 2025 directs the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) to investigate and report on the economic effects of proposed or announced tariffs on trade with Mexico and Canada. This comprehensive report must detail the impact of potential duties on consumer prices, the fallout from retaliatory measures, and the costs associated with ongoing trade uncertainty. The USITC is required to submit its findings to Congress within one year of the Act's enactment.

The Deliver for Democracy Act ties the Postal Service's ability to raise rates for periodicals to meeting specific on-time delivery performance targets. It mandates annual public reporting on newspaper delivery performance, requiring the Postmaster General to detail service metrics. Furthermore, the bill directs the GAO to study and report on strategies the USPS could use to improve the financial standing of underperforming mail products.

The 988 Lifeline Cybersecurity Responsibility Act strengthens security measures for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline program. It mandates immediate reporting of cybersecurity vulnerabilities or incidents within 24 hours to designated officials. Furthermore, the bill requires a comprehensive study on the cybersecurity risks facing the 988 Lifeline network.

The HELPER Act of 2025 establishes a new FHA mortgage insurance program to assist first responders, educators, and law enforcement officers in purchasing homes. This program offers eligible first-time homebuyers 100% financing with no down payment required. Instead of monthly premiums, borrowers pay an upfront FHA insurance premium at closing.

The Finn Sawyer Access to Cancer Testing Act mandates expanded coverage for advanced cancer diagnostic and laboratory tests under Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP. This legislation ensures federal health programs cover high-tech sequencing and interpretation services, while also waiving the Part B deductible for Medicare patients receiving these tests. Additionally, the bill establishes a national education program to raise awareness among both patients and providers regarding the importance of genomic testing in cancer care.

The Proven Forest Management Act of 2025 updates how the National Forest System is managed, prioritizing environmental benefits like fire fuel reduction and biodiversity improvement. While managers must generally coordinate with affected groups, they can waive certain environmental goals if the cost is deemed too high. The Act also establishes an expedited approval process for smaller projects focused on reducing forest fuels.

The Peer to Peer Mental Health Support Act establishes a new pilot program to fund evidence-based mental health peer support activities in secondary schools. This program will competitively award grants to eligible entities to train students and staff in early intervention, response, and resilience building. The Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use will evaluate the program's effectiveness in improving student mental health outcomes before it concludes in 2029.

The WEST Act of 2025 establishes a new 6% federal excise tax on the endowments of very large, non-religious private colleges and universities that meet specific asset thresholds. This tax applies to institutions with prior-year assets exceeding $11.9 billion, or $10.5 billion for certain state-affiliated entities. The tax is calculated based on the total fair market value of the institution's assets at the end of the preceding year, beginning in 2025.

The Autonomy for Disabled Veterans Act increases the maximum financial assistance available to disabled veterans for necessary home improvements related to their health services. This legislation raises the existing benefit caps to provide greater support for accessibility modifications. Furthermore, it mandates annual adjustments to a specific benefit amount based on the rate of inflation to ensure continued relevance.

The "No Student Loans for Campus Criminals Act" prohibits individuals convicted of any federal or state crime related to on-campus protests from receiving federal student loan forgiveness or cancellation. Furthermore, these convicted individuals are barred from taking out any new federal student loans. This restriction applies to most existing federal student loan programs.

The Nationally Enhancing the Well-being of Babies through Outreach and Research Now (NEWBORN) Act establishes new pilot programs to combat infant mortality across the U.S. These programs will award grants to eligible entities to develop community-specific outreach and support services, prioritizing areas with the highest mortality rates. Funds will support critical services for at-risk mothers, such as prenatal care, smoking cessation, and postpartum support. Grantees must submit annual reports detailing their methods and outcomes for evaluation.

The SHRED Act of 2025 significantly increases penalties for Department of Justice and intelligence community employees who conceal, remove, or destroy official government records. This legislation mandates severe punishment, including a minimum of 20 years up to life in prison, for these specific acts of record tampering.

The Traveler's Gun Rights Act updates the federal definition of "State of residence" for individuals, including military members, to better reflect where they actually live or are stationed. This change also modifies the identification requirements for firearm background checks to accommodate those without a traditional physical residence. The goal is to clarify residency rules across various federal firearms laws.