Legislation

The GRANTED Act of 2025 aims to expedite the approval process for federal easements, rights-of-way, and leases. It mandates that executive agencies must approve or deny complete applications by a set deadline, otherwise, the application is automatically approved. The bill clarifies the definition of a "complete" application and sets a 30-day timeframe for agencies to notify applicants of any missing information. These changes apply to applications received on or after the enactment date of this Act.

The "Safe Storage Lockers for House Office Buildings Act" allows House employees to bring legal self-defense weapons into House office buildings, provided they store them in Capitol Police-operated lockers at external pedestrian entrances. The Capitol Police Board is required to install and manage these storage lockers within 180 days, enabling employees to comply with D.C. laws outside the buildings while adhering to Federal law inside. This act defines which weapons are covered and clarifies which buildings are included, excluding garages.

The "No Alipay Act of 2025" prohibits all financial transactions between Alipay and any person in the United States. This includes using any apps or payment services run by Alipay. It defines "United States person" and "financial transaction" to clarify the scope of the prohibition. The goal of the bill is to block Alipay from operating within the U.S.

The Stop Politicians Profiting from War Act of 2025 prohibits members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children from owning stock or having financial interests in defense contractors to prevent profiting from war. It requires divestment of conflicting assets within a specified timeframe, with exceptions for diversified investment funds and U.S. Treasury securities. Violators may face civil penalties, and the Act allows for deferred capital gains taxes on required divestments.

The "Employer Participation in Repayment Act" permanently extends the tax exclusion for employer-provided student loan repayment assistance. This allows employers to contribute to their employees' student loan debt without the contribution being considered taxable income for the employee. This provision was previously set to expire before January 1, 2026, but is now a permanent part of the tax code. The change is applicable for payments made after the enactment of this law.

This bill amends Title 38 of the U.S. Code to establish presumptions regarding radiation and toxin exposure for veterans who served at the Nevada Test and Training Range between 1972 and 2005, excluding Nellis and Creech Air Force Bases. It recognizes certain activities at the range as radiation-risk activities and presumes exposure to toxins for veterans stationed there during the specified period. Additionally, it establishes a presumption of service connection for lipomas and tumor-related conditions for these veterans.

The "Community News and Small Business Support Act" introduces two tax credits aimed at supporting local news and small businesses. First, it provides a tax credit for small businesses that advertise in local media outlets, such as newspapers and broadcast stations. Second, it establishes a payroll tax credit for local news organizations to help them employ local news journalists. Both credits are designed to alleviate financial burdens and promote investment in local journalism and small business advertising, with specific limitations and eligibility requirements. The provisions of this act will be in place for 5 years.

The Law Enforcement Protection and Privacy Act of 2025 amends FOIA to protect sensitive firearms data, penalizes unauthorized disclosures of protected information by non-federal entities, and grants licensees the right to sue for damages resulting from such disclosures. It establishes financial penalties for improper disclosures and allows harmed parties to seek compensation in court. The act defines key terms and ensures that other legal remedies remain available.

The Health Equity and Rare Disease Act of 2025, or HEARD Act of 2025, aims to improve health equity in the research, diagnosis, and treatment of rare diseases, particularly within minority populations. It directs the NIH and CDC to expand research, data collection, and awareness campaigns, while also promoting diversity in clinical trials and healthcare professions. The act also establishes grant programs for physician training and support for Tribal epidemiology centers, and requires reports to Congress on federal efforts and Medicare barriers. Finally, the act aims to address disparities in access to care and improve outcomes for individuals with rare diseases.

The "Strengthening State and Local Efforts to Counter Transnational Repression Act" amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to bolster law enforcement's ability to counter transnational repression and related terrorism threats. It mandates the development of a training program for state, local, and tribal law enforcement to identify, record, and share information on transnational repression, as well as to protect potential targets and victims. The Act also calls for research and development of technology to enhance participation in these training programs and requires a report to Congress on its implementation. Transnational repression is defined as actions by a foreign government or its agents intended to coerce, harass, or threaten individuals in the U.S.

This bill impeaches Judge James E. Boasberg, Chief Judge for the District of Columbia, for high crimes and misdemeanors. The impeachment accuses Boasberg of abusing judicial power for political gain by obstructing the President's authority to remove aliens associated with a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization. Boasberg is accused of interfering with the President's enforcement of laws, jeopardizing national safety, and undermining the separation of powers. The bill seeks his removal from office.

The Safeguard Pets, Animals, and Research Ethics Act (SPARE Act) aims to reduce and eventually eliminate animal testing in federally funded research by promoting alternative methods. It prohibits the use of federal funds for animal research with some exceptions, and establishes a fund to support the transition to non-animal testing methods. The act also requires research facilities to establish programs for releasing research animals to adoption or sanctuary and mandates public reporting and annual audits to ensure compliance. Violators may face civil penalties.

The Timely Departure Act mandates nonimmigrant visa applicants (excluding certain visa types and those from visa waiver countries) to pay a bond between $5,000 and $50,000 to ensure timely departure from the U.S. Overstaying a visa results in automatic forfeiture of the bond, ineligibility for future immigration benefits for 4 to 12 years, and prompt removal from the U.S. Asylum seekers must apply before their authorized stay expires, or they will be ineligible. The forfeited bonds will be used for immigration detention and enforcement.

The China Trade Relations Act of 2025 withdraws normal trade relations with the People's Republic of China (PRC), subjecting Chinese products to standard trade rules. It expands the conditions under which the PRC is ineligible for normal trade relations, citing human rights violations, non-compliance with international labor standards, economic espionage, and failure to protect religious and cultural heritage. The President can waive these restrictions under certain conditions, but Congress can terminate any extensions. The Act also requires regular reports to Congress on the PRC's compliance with these conditions.

The TOTAL Care Act initiates a five-year pilot program within the TRICARE Prime program, allowing female beneficiaries to access obstetrical and gynecological care without needing a referral, including the option to select a TRICARE OBGYN provider as an additional primary care manager. Within four years, the Secretary of Defense must report to Congress on the program's impact on TRICARE Prime enrollment and costs.

The SECURE Notarization Act of 2025 authorizes and sets minimum standards for notary publics to perform electronic and remote notarizations for transactions affecting interstate commerce. It requires recognition of notarizations across state lines and in federal courts, while also allowing states to set their own standards and requirements under certain conditions. The Act does not mandate notaries to perform electronic or remote notarizations and includes provisions to protect against fraud and false advertising.

The "Farm to Fly Act of 2025" aims to boost the production and use of sustainable aviation fuels by including them in Department of Agriculture bio-energy programs. It amends existing definitions to recognize sustainable aviation fuel and directs the Secretary of Agriculture to promote its development through collaborative initiatives and manufacturing assistance. This act supports U.S. agriculture, enhances energy security, and promotes clean energy in the aviation sector by utilizing sustainable biomass resources.

This bill proposes withholding 50% of federal transportation funds from Washington, D.C., if the Mayor does not remove the "Black Lives Matter" phrase from Black Lives Matter Plaza and all D.C. government materials within 60 days. It also requires the redesignation of the Plaza as Liberty Plaza.

The "Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act of 2025" allocates $150 million from 2025-2029 to improve public access to private lands for recreational purposes. A portion of the funds, $3 million, will be used to specifically enhance access to land covered by wetland reserve easements through agreements with state and tribal governments.

This bill renames the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center in Casper, Wyoming, to honor Barbara L. Cubin. The newly named center will be known as the "Barbara L. Cubin National Historic Trails Interpretive Center". The bill also directs that any law, regulation, map, record, or other official paper of the United States refer to the center as the "Barbara L. Cubin National Historic Trails Interpretive Center".