Legislation

The Secure Commercial Driver Licensing Act of 2025 mandates that all commercial driver's license (CDL) tests must be administered exclusively in English. Furthermore, the bill establishes a mandatory one-year waiting period before an individual can upgrade from a standard driver's license to a CDL. Finally, it grants the Secretary of Transportation the authority to revoke a state's permission to issue out-of-state commercial licenses if that state fails to comply with federal regulations.

The Stop Medical Profiteering and Theft Act (Stop MPT Act) aims to protect healthcare stability and patient care by regulating property transactions between healthcare entities and Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs). This bill requires the Secretary of HHS to review and approve such deals to prevent long-term financial harm or public health risks, imposing penalties for violations. Additionally, it modifies tax code provisions to favorably treat rental income REITs receive from qualified healthcare properties.

The Shutdown Fairness Act ensures that federal employees deemed "excepted" and required to work during a government shutdown, starting in fiscal year 2026 or later, are guaranteed to receive their salaries and allowances. This automatic funding from the Treasury Department covers essential personnel and their supporting contractors until a full-year budget or continuing resolution is enacted. The goal is to provide financial certainty for workers performing emergency duties during funding lapses.

The FEMA Operations Continuity Act of 2025 ensures that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) can continue all critical disaster relief, recovery, and mitigation operations without interruption during a lapse in appropriations or a government shutdown. This is achieved by explicitly authorizing the use of the Disaster Relief Fund for ongoing and future disaster assistance activities. The Act safeguards these funds from diversion and exempts authorized FEMA work from standard shutdown restrictions by deeming it essential to protect life and property.

The Boosting University Investments in Low-Income Districts Act (BUILD Act) establishes a new federal grant program administered by the Department of Commerce. This program aims to revitalize economically struggling areas by providing substantial funding to eligible colleges located within designated "distressed communities." Colleges must first secure a planning grant to develop an approved revitalization strategy before receiving implementation grants ranging from $25 million to $50 million to execute local economic development projects.

The Skin Substitute Access and Payment Reform Act establishes a new Medicare Part B payment system for advanced skin substitute products starting in 2026, basing initial payments on 2023 utilization data and subsequent annual updates tied to the Consumer Price Index. The bill also enhances program integrity by identifying high-volume providers for increased scrutiny, including prepayment reviews and mandatory prior authorization requirements starting in 2027. Furthermore, it mandates the creation of a single, consolidated billing code for all skin substitute products by 2026.

The Remembering American Hostages Act of 2025 mandates the display of the U.S. Flag on specific dates commemorating American hostages and wrongfully detained individuals, such as November 4th and October 7th. This requirement extends to all U.S. embassies, consulates, and passport offices nationwide. Additionally, the bill strongly encourages state and local governments to fly the Hostage and Wrongful Detainee flag on designated days or upon the return or death of a captive.

The Western Wildfire Support Act of 2025 aims to modernize wildfire management through comprehensive reforms across preparation, response, and recovery. It focuses on increasing federal spending transparency, accelerating the deployment of advanced detection technology, and establishing permanent teams for rapid post-fire stabilization. Ultimately, the bill seeks to improve coordination between federal, state, and tribal partners while ensuring better accountability for recovery funding.

The Making Access To Cleanup Happen (MATCH) Act of 2025 streamlines the Emergency Watershed Protection Program by allowing local sponsors to begin critical cleanup work before final federal agreements are signed. This allows state-level processes to authorize early spending on emergency measures following a natural disaster. Any eligible costs incurred early will count toward the sponsor's required contribution, provided a final agreement is eventually reached. However, sponsors assume the financial risk if the Secretary ultimately declines to enter into an agreement.

The Government Shutdown Salary Suspension Act mandates that the salaries of Members of Congress, the President, and the Vice President be held in escrow during any government shutdown caused by a failure to fund the government. This withheld pay will not be released until the shutdown ends or the official's term concludes, whichever comes first. All standard tax withholdings and deductions will still be applied to the escrowed amounts.

This bill mandates that the Secretary of Defense establish regulations requiring all optional combat boots worn by service members as part of their required uniform to be 100% manufactured in the United States. This requirement covers all materials and components used in the boots. Exceptions are provided for boots needed for specialized military requirements or documented medical necessity.

The Bracero Program 2.0 Act aims to modernize the H-2A temporary agricultural worker program by streamlining employer processes through a new online portal and setting a guaranteed minimum wage plus $\$2.00$ per hour for workers. It also establishes a six-year pilot program allowing certain returning H-2A workers to move between approved farms within the same state for greater job flexibility. Finally, the bill expands H-2A eligibility to include greenhouse and indoor farm workers and mandates several oversight reports by the GAO.

The Efficiency Gains through Grading Standards And Viable Enhancement Act of 2025 (EGG SAVE Act) establishes a temporary, declining tax credit for businesses that purchase and install high-accuracy, in-ovo sex identification equipment in U.S. commercial egg hatcheries. This credit encourages the adoption of technology that determines embryo sex before hatching, requiring a 95% accuracy rate. Claiming the credit necessitates a corresponding reduction in the equipment's tax basis.

The Fraud Reduction And Uncovering Deception (FRAUD) in VA Disability Exams Act requires the VA to establish systems to identify and report fraudulent activity on Disability Benefit Questionnaire (DBQ) forms. This legislation enhances the investigative authority of the VA's Inspector General to address suspected fraud. While generally preventing reopening of past benefit decisions based on these investigations, the VA may reopen a decision if a court convicts someone of fraud related to the claim evidence. The VA must also report annually to Congress on these anti-fraud efforts.

The National Fire Academy RESCUE Act ensures that fire departments are reimbursed for expenses incurred when National Fire Academy training courses are canceled due to a lapse in federal appropriations (a government shutdown). FEMA must reimburse departments for covered costs, such as travel and backfill staffing, within 90 days of receiving an itemized application following the shutdown's end. This reimbursement does not apply if the cancellation was due to reasons other than a lapse in appropriations, such as instructor illness or other emergencies.

This bill authorizes the striking and presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to Donald J. Trump in recognition of his alleged extraordinary peacemaking efforts globally. Congress specifically cites several purported international peace deals and ceasefires secured by the former President as justification for this high honor. The Act also outlines the process for creating and selling bronze duplicates of the medal to cover production costs.

The Federal Emergency Management Continuity Act of 2025 ensures that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) can continue essential disaster relief operations during a government funding lapse. This act authorizes the FEMA Administrator to use existing, previously appropriated funds from the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) to maintain critical Stafford Act programs. Furthermore, necessary staff will be retained as "excepted employees" to manage these ongoing life-saving and property-protecting activities.

The FCRA Liability Harmonization Act aims to standardize civil liability for class action lawsuits under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). This bill caps the total recovery amount for both willful and negligent violations in class actions at the lesser of $500,000 or 1% of the company's net worth. Furthermore, it places new limits on the recoverable attorney's fees and court costs associated with these class action claims.

This bill, the White House NOT FOR SALE Act, prohibits placing any individual's or organization's name on permanent or semi-permanent displays within the White House or its grounds without express approval from both the Speaker and Minority Leader of the House. This approval process requires consultation with the White House Curator and the Committee for the Preservation of the White House. However, displays that qualify as "commemorative works" are governed by existing federal law instead.

The BALL Act, or White House Building Activities Locked-out in Lapse Act, prohibits the use of federal funds for any construction or renovation projects at the White House or its grounds during a government shutdown caused by a lapse in appropriations. This spending ban remains in effect until new funding is enacted. The only exception allows for work deemed immediately necessary for health or safety reasons.