Legislation

The "Destruction of Hazardous Imports Act" amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, granting the Secretary of Health and Human Services the authority to destroy refused articles that pose a significant public health concern. It prohibits the unauthorized movement of articles marked for destruction into interstate commerce or export. The changes will take effect 180 days after enactment, with implementing regulations finalized within 90 days to align with international agreements.

The Catch Up Act amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow both spouses to make catch-up contributions to the same health savings account (HSA). For married couples with family coverage under a high deductible health plan, the contribution limit is applied without considering other high deductible health plan coverage of either spouse and is divided equally between the spouses, including catch-up contributions if both are age 55 or older. This change is effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

The Dignity in Housing Act of 2025 mandates that the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development inspect public housing projects with 100 or more units at least once every two years. These inspections will ensure the properties meet maintenance requirements and must be conducted by HUD employees or chosen inspectors, excluding public housing agency staff. The results of these inspections will be published online to promote transparency.

The CLEAN FTZ Act of 2025 aims to combat illicit international trade by identifying and classifying foreign free trade zones based on their compliance with international standards and efforts to counter criminal activities. The Act directs the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to create a tiered system for countries with free trade zones, offer assistance to countries in lower tiers, and authorizes the President to impose economic sanctions and visa restrictions on individuals and entities involved in illicit trade in those zones. It also establishes a public hotline and website for reporting illegal activities within these zones and authorizes necessary appropriations to carry out the Act.

This bill redesignates the Great Falls Scenic Overlook Trail Bridge and Overlook Park within the Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park in honor of Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. The facilities will be renamed the Bill Pascrell, Jr. Scenic Overlook Trail Bridge and the Bill Pascrell, Jr. Overlook Park, respectively. Any reference to the former names in any law, map, regulation, document, or record of the United States shall be considered a reference to the new names.

The Aid Accountability Act of 2025 amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to increase accountability for federal employees and recipients of federal funds. It mandates termination and financial restitution for federal employees who knowingly violate aid requirements, and ineligibility for future funding for grantees and contractors who violate the requirements. The Secretary of State will determine violations and penalties, with decisions subject to federal court review and congressional reporting. Final determinations by the Secretary of State will be subject to the procedures under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code.

The "Protecting American Families and Servicemembers from Anthrax Act" requires the Secretaries of Health and Human Services and Defense to develop a 10-year strategy for maintaining anthrax countermeasures and protecting civilians, service members, and military dependents. It also mandates a report to Congress on weaponized anthrax threats, including multi-drug resistant strains, and requires annual updates to this report. The goal is to ensure the availability of necessary countermeasures and enhance defense against anthrax threats.

The "Crime Doesn't Fly Act of 2025" prohibits the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) from accepting ICE arrest warrants as valid forms of identification at airport security checkpoints. This ensures that individuals subject to immigration enforcement are not able to use these warrants to pass through security and board commercial aircraft, with exceptions for aliens being removed from the United States in accordance with section 101 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

The "MAIN Event Ticketing Act" aims to protect consumers and improve online ticket sales by strengthening the BOTS Act of 2016. It targets the use of automated software to bypass ticket purchasing limits and requires ticket sellers to implement security measures, report circumvention incidents to the FTC, and address the causes of such circumvention. The act also increases penalties for violations and encourages collaboration between law enforcement agencies.

This bill abolishes the Department of Education, transferring authority over student financial aid programs to the Treasury Secretary. It then directs the Treasury Secretary to allocate block grants to states for elementary and secondary education, based on the proportion of federal income taxes paid by residents of each state. The bill encourages states to use non-federal funds to promote educational choice and competition.

The "Improve Employer-Directed Skills Act" amends the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to streamline the process for employer-referred individuals to receive on-the-job training. It allows one-stop operators to bypass certain assessments if an employer certifies the individual's need for training and ability to participate. The act also enables employers to contract with local boards for employer-directed skills development programs, ensuring participants gain relevant skills and have a commitment for employment upon completion.

The PEER Support Act aims to address behavioral health workforce shortages by formally recognizing and supporting peer support specialists – individuals with lived experience in recovery who assist others facing mental health or substance use challenges. It mandates the creation of a specific job category for peer support specialists in the Standard Occupational Classification system and establishes an Office of Recovery within SAMHSA to promote their training, integration, and professional development. Additionally, the Act requires a report analyzing state criminal background check policies for peer support specialists, with recommendations to reduce barriers to certification.

The Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act of 2025 establishes federal minimum standards for collective bargaining rights for public employees and supervisory employees. It requires the Federal Labor Relations Authority to determine if state laws substantially provide these rights; if not, the Authority will administer collective bargaining procedures in those states. The act outlines specific rights and procedures, including the right to organize, bargain collectively, and engage in concerted activities, while also addressing enforcement and exceptions. This law aims to ensure that public service workers have the ability to negotiate for fair wages, hours, and working conditions.

The "Election Results Accountability Act" amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002, setting deadlines for states to count ballots (90% within 72 hours) and certify federal election results (within 2 weeks), with exceptions for emergencies. States that fail to meet these deadlines may face withheld election administration funds unless a compliance plan is approved. These changes apply to elections held more than 90 days after the Act's enactment.

This bill amends the Aquifer Recharge Flexibility Act, allowing existing infrastructure to be used for aquifer recharge and water transport without additional federal approval, provided there is no major expansion or modification. It requires notification to the Bureau of Land Management before use, including details of the intended use and relevant agreements. The bill clarifies that it does not waive compliance with other federal laws or authorize new construction.

The Medicare Enrollment Protection Act of 2025 creates a one-time special enrollment period for Medicare Part B for individuals enrolled in COBRA, allowing enrollment during COBRA coverage and for three months after it ends. It ensures that these individuals will not face increased Medicare Part B premiums and protects their COBRA benefits by clarifying that these benefits should not be reduced or terminated for those eligible for, but not enrolled in, Medicare Part B. The Act also mandates updated COBRA continuation coverage notices to explain Medicare secondary payer rules and their application to COBRA.

The "Raise the Wage Act of 2025" aims to increase the federal minimum wage to $17.00 per hour over five years, after which it will be annually adjusted based on the median hourly wage of all employees. The bill also gradually raises the minimum wage for tipped employees until it matches the standard minimum wage, while ensuring they retain all tips. Additionally, it increases and then eliminates the subminimum wage for newly hired employees under 20 and individuals with disabilities, promoting fair wages for all workers.

The End Kidney Deaths Act introduces a $10,000 per year tax credit for five years, up to $50,000, for individuals who make a qualified non-directed living kidney donation, where the donor does not know the recipient. This credit aims to incentivize kidney donations and will not be considered valuable consideration in violation of organ purchase prohibitions. The Act applies to donations made after December 31, 2026, and before January 1, 2037.

The "Buying Faster than the Enemy Act of 2025" aims to streamline the Department of Defense's acquisition processes for commercial products and services. It modifies commercial solutions openings, limits contract clause flowdown to subcontractors, and requires the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement to list defense-unique laws and contract clauses applicable to contracts for commercial products and services. The bill also establishes consortia for prototype projects, increases the maximum advance payment allowed, and modifies the process for determining whether products and services are commercial, favoring commercial solutions unless proven unsuitable.

The "Protecting Student Athletes’ Economic Freedom Act of 2025" clarifies that student-athletes are not considered employees of their institution, conference, or association. This classification applies under any Federal or State law or regulation, ensuring that their participation in varsity intercollegiate athletics does not create an employer-employee relationship. The bill also defines key terms such as "association," "conference," "institution," and "student-athlete" to provide clarity on the scope and application of the Act.