Legislation

This bill establishes federal minimum nurse-to-patient staffing ratios for hospitals to improve patient safety and quality of care. It mandates that hospitals create transparent staffing plans developed with input from direct care nurses and sets strict enforcement mechanisms, including civil penalties for non-compliance. Additionally, the Act supports the nursing profession by expanding scholarship and stipend programs and funding new nurse retention and mentorship initiatives.

The Traffic Safety Enhancement Act of 2025 amends federal transportation funding rules to explicitly allow states to use Surface Transportation Block Grant Program funds for the construction of roundabouts. This change provides states with greater flexibility to implement modern intersection designs aimed at improving traffic flow and safety.

The K2 Veterans Total Coverage Act of 2025 establishes a presumption of service connection for a broad range of diseases in veterans who served at Karshi Khanabad Air Base, Uzbekistan. This means the VA will automatically assume these specific illnesses are related to military service, significantly easing the burden of proof for veterans seeking disability benefits. The covered conditions include various cancers, cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, and chronic multisymptom illnesses.

The Nurse Staffing Standards for Hospital Patient Safety and Quality Care Act of 2025 establishes mandatory minimum registered nurse-to-patient ratios across various hospital units to enhance patient safety and care quality. This legislation requires hospitals to implement detailed staffing plans, ensures enforcement through federal programs like Medicare and Medicaid, and supports the nursing workforce through expanded financial aid and retention initiatives. Furthermore, the bill protects nurses who refuse unsafe assignments and establishes clear mechanisms for reporting violations.

The Reauthorizing Support and Treatment for Officers in Crisis Act of 2025 extends critical support for law enforcement officers. This bill reauthorizes a vital program designed to provide necessary treatment and support services. Specifically, it renews the program's authorization from 2025 through 2029.

The Defund Cities that Defund the Police Act of 2025 defines "Defunding States" and "Defunding Localities" as jurisdictions that significantly cut police budgets without a corresponding revenue drop or abolish law enforcement agencies. This Act prohibits any jurisdiction meeting this definition from receiving certain federal economic development and community development grants. If a designated jurisdiction receives funds, they must return them, and the money will be reallocated to eligible, non-defunding areas within the state.

This act officially expands Joshua Tree National Park by adding approximately 20,149 acres of Bureau of Land Management land under the National Park Service's jurisdiction. It also renames the Cottonwood Visitor Center to the Dianne Feinstein Visitor Center. Finally, the bill includes a minor technical correction regarding conservation funding in a previous act.

The PROTECT Our Children Reauthorization Act of 2025 updates and extends key federal efforts to combat child exploitation. This bill revises the National Strategy to focus on emerging technology trends and mandates detailed resource planning for law enforcement. It also modifies the operations of Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Forces, clarifying their duties, expanding partnerships, and providing liability protections for lead prioritization decisions. Finally, the Act adjusts grant funding allocations and authorizes specific funding levels through fiscal year 2028.

The Invest America Act establishes new tax-advantaged savings vehicles called "Invest America accounts," which are limited to investing in S\&P 500 index funds. These accounts feature a \$5,000 annual contribution limit and allow distributions to be taxed at favorable net capital gains rates. Furthermore, the bill mandates a one-time, tax-free federal contribution of \$1,000 into these accounts for eligible U.S. citizens born after July 4, 2026.

The Law Enforcement Education Grant Program Act of 2025 establishes a new federal grant program to provide up to $4,000 annually for individuals pursuing associate's or bachelor's degrees in law enforcement or criminal justice. Recipients must agree to serve as a full-time law enforcement officer for four years after graduation or repay the funds with interest. Additionally, this Act repeals existing federal programs related to university sustainability found under Part U of the Higher Education Act of 1965.

The Fair Prescription Drug Prices for Americans Act establishes a new cap on the U.S. retail list price for prescription drugs and biological products. This price cannot exceed the average retail list price for the same item in six other wealthy nations: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom. Manufacturers charging above this international reference price will face significant civil monetary penalties based on the amount they overcharge.

This resolution honors the service and memory of Army Staff Sgt. Jose Duenez Jr., Staff Sgt. Edvin F. Franco, Staff Sgt. Troy S. Knutson-Collins, and Pfc. Dante D. Taitano, who tragically died during a training support mission in Lithuania. It recognizes their distinguished service while supporting critical NATO deterrence efforts in the region. The resolution also acknowledges the international cooperation involved in their recovery and reaffirms the commitment to regional security.

The Simplifying Forms for Veterans Claims Act mandates an independent review of all Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) forms sent to claimants to ensure they are clear and easy to understand. The VA Secretary must hire an outside entity to assess these forms and implement recommendations for improvement within a set timeline. Additionally, this bill slightly extends the expiration date for certain limits on veterans' pension payments.

The Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act of 2025 establishes a new advisory committee within the VA to focus on improving physical, digital, and service accessibility for veterans with disabilities. This committee, composed of veterans, experts, and VA staff, will review compliance with accessibility laws and provide recommendations to the VA Secretary. Additionally, the bill extends the expiration date for a limitation on certain pension payments for veterans residing in nursing facilities.

This resolution strongly condemns the Russian Federation for the abduction, forced transfer, and illegal deportation of Ukrainian children. It asserts that the return of all abducted children must be a prerequisite before finalizing any peace agreement to end the war. The bill highlights Russia's intent to erase Ukrainian identity through forced adoption and citizenship changes, actions deemed violations of international law and potential war crimes.

This resolution recognizes the critical importance of the Arctic Council as the primary forum for cooperation among Arctic nations. It reaffirms the United States' commitment to this body and its role in addressing regional challenges like climate change and sustainable development. The bill encourages continued U.S. leadership and adequate resourcing to navigate increasing strategic competition in the rapidly changing Arctic.

This resolution strongly condemns former FBI Director James Comey for a social media post interpreted as inciting violence against President Donald J. Trump during his overseas trip. Congress demands that federal authorities investigate Comey's actions and permanently bar him from any future federal employment. The measure asserts that political violence incitement by former high-ranking officials is unacceptable and threatens national security.

The Belarus Democracy, Human Rights, and Sovereignty Act of 2025 updates existing U.S. policy to strongly condemn the Lukashenka regime for fraudulent elections, human rights abuses, and complicity in Russia's war against Ukraine. The bill mandates continued sanctions against officials involved in repression and supporting Russia, while significantly increasing U.S. assistance for Belarusian democracy, civil society, and sovereignty efforts. It also requires new intelligence reporting on Belarus's role in aiding Russia's aggression, including the transfer of Ukrainian children.

The Children Don't Belong on Tobacco Farms Act amends child labor laws to prohibit individuals under 18 from having direct contact with tobacco plants or dried tobacco leaves. This change ensures that agricultural work involving direct handling of tobacco falls under federal child labor protections. The bill specifically updates exemptions to reflect this new restriction on youth employment in tobacco agriculture.

The Securing Semiconductor Supply Chains Act directs the SelectUSA program to coordinate with state economic development organizations to attract foreign direct investment into U.S. semiconductor manufacturing. This effort aims to secure the critical supply chain for computer chips, which are vital for the economy and national security. The Act requires a report detailing strategies to boost investment while ensuring foreign adversaries do not benefit from these efforts. All activities under this law must be funded using existing operational budgets.