Legislation

The Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2025 aims to increase affordable housing options by updating state housing credit formulas, refining tenant eligibility rules, and improving credit eligibility and determination. This includes adjusting income verification processes, modifying student occupancy rules, and protecting domestic abuse victims. The bill also focuses on Native American and rural assistance by addressing housing needs in Indian areas and streamlining income eligibility for rural projects. Additionally, it revises rules for exempt facility bonds and renames the "low-income housing tax credit" to the "affordable housing tax credit" while encouraging data sharing and discouraging discriminatory land use policies.

The Religious Workforce Protection Act allows religious workers facing green card delays to extend their R-1 visa status beyond the usual five-year limit while their application is pending. It also provides job flexibility for those with long-delayed applications and exempts certain religious workers from the one-year foreign residence requirement before applying for a new visa.

This bill introduces a refundable tax credit for eligible individuals who make home accessibility improvements, such as installing ramps or modifying bathrooms. The credit covers 35% of improvement expenses, with a maximum of $10,000 in expenses qualifying for the credit in a single tax year and $30,000 over all tax years. The credit is subject to income limitations, and the bill requires the Treasury to provide guidance on qualifying improvements and conduct public outreach. It applies to tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.

The Fair Day in Court for Kids Act of 2025 aims to ensure that unaccompanied children have legal representation in immigration proceedings by providing government-funded counsel. It mandates that these children receive complete copies of their immigration files and have sufficient time to review them, and it also requires the Department of Homeland Security to allow counsel access to detained non-citizens. The Act directs the Office of Refugee Resettlement to develop guidelines for legal representation and requires annual reports on the provision of counsel to unaccompanied children. Additionally, it allows unaccompanied children to reopen their immigration cases if they were not provided with appointed counsel, and it authorizes the necessary appropriations for implementation.

The "Tax Fairness for Workers Act" allows above-the-line tax deductions for union dues and other employee-related business expenses. This amends the Internal Revenue Code to ensure these deductions are not subject to certain limitations, providing tax relief for workers. These changes will be effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

The "Finger Lakes National Heritage Area Act" establishes the Finger Lakes National Heritage Area, encompassing 14 counties in New York, as part of the National Heritage Area System. The Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance is designated as the local coordinating entity, tasked with submitting a management plan to the Secretary of the Interior within three years. The Act terminates the Secretary of the Interior's authority to provide assistance 15 years after enactment.

The Paula Bohovesky and Joan D’Alessandro Act amends title 18 of the United States Code, allowing the possibility of a death sentence or life imprisonment for individuals convicted of sexual offenses against victims under the age of 18.

The "People Over Parking Act of 2025" allows property owners of new or significantly renovated buildings within 0.5 miles of public transit to decide how many parking spots to include, regardless of state or local laws. This applies to residential, retail, commercial, or industrial buildings that affect interstate or foreign commerce. The bill defines qualifying public transit access points based on fixed guideways, passenger ferry systems, and bus systems.

The "Tax Fairness for Workers Act" permits employees to deduct union dues and other employee business expenses above-the-line, bypassing previous deduction limitations. This change is achieved by amending sections of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, specifically 62(a)(1) and 67(g). These amendments will be effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

The Gold Star Family Education Parity Act ends educational assistance under Chapter 35 of title 38, United States Code, on August 1, 2029. Individuals losing Chapter 35 eligibility will be entitled to educational assistance under chapter 33, subject to certain conditions and limitations. This change is also reflected in an updated table of sections.

The "Bolstering Security Against Ghost Guns Act" directs the Department of Homeland Security to develop and implement strategies to counter threats posed by ghost guns. This includes assessing cross-border trafficking, researching prevention methods, tracking firearm violations at TSA checkpoints, analyzing data on U.S.-sourced firearms recovered in Mexico, and evaluating threats associated with foreign terrorist organizations. The Act aims to enhance prevention, preparedness, and response to terrorism and violence involving ghost guns.

The Veterans Education and Technical Skills Opportunity Act of 2025, or VETS Opportunity Act of 2025, amends existing law regarding educational assistance programs for veterans. It mandates regular and substantive interaction between students and instructors in independent study programs at higher education institutions participating in federal student aid programs. This change applies to academic terms starting on or after August 1, 2025.

The "Increasing Transparency in Generic Drug Applications Act" amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to increase transparency in generic drug applications by requiring the Secretary of Health and Human Services to disclose information about the sameness of a proposed generic drug to the listed drug, and to issue guidance on how sameness is determined. This ensures generic drug manufacturers understand the requirements for approval, and prevents the Secretary from changing a determination of sameness unless specific conditions are met. It also protects trade secrets and confidential information while promoting transparency.

The Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Restoration Act aims to identify and properly honor deceased Jewish members of the Armed Forces mistakenly buried under non-Jewish markers in U.S. military cemeteries overseas. The American Battle Monuments Commission will manage a 10-year program, partnering with a nonprofit organization to identify these servicemembers and contact their families, ensuring their religious heritage is appropriately recognized. $500,000 is authorized to be appropriated to the Commission for each of the 10 fiscal years to carry out this section.

The "Safeguarding American Property Act of 2025" amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to mandate the detention of criminal aliens who commit trespassing, vandalism, or arson. This bill expands the list of offenses that trigger mandatory detention for certain non-citizens.

The Veterans Telecommunication Protection Act ensures that cable and voice service providers offer veterans organizations recognized by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs the same residential rates available to individuals or households, if those rates are lower than standard commercial rates. This aims to reduce telecommunication costs for veterans organizations, allowing them to better serve their members. This act amends the Communications Act of 1934, with these changes taking effect immediately upon enactment.

The "Fairness for Stay-at-Home Parents Act" amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, allowing employees to take leave for the birth of a son or daughter. It also mandates employers to inform employees taking leave for a birth that the employer cannot recover insurance premiums if the employee chooses not to return to work due to the birth.

The FIGHTER Act of 2025 excludes the regular compensation of active duty members of the Armed Forces from gross income for tax purposes, excluding those who served in Congress within the last 10 years. The Department of the Treasury will adjust withholding procedures to accommodate this change, which takes effect for taxable years after 2024. The Act also mandates cost-saving measures within the United States DOGE Service to offset any resulting reduction in federal revenue.

The Pell Grant Flexibility Act amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to ease Pell Grant calculations for students with disabilities. It ensures that eligible students with disabilities taking at least 5 credits, which is considered a reduced but appropriate course load by their institution, receive Pell Grants as if they were full-time students. This adjustment aims to provide more equitable access to financial aid for students with disabilities pursuing higher education.

The "Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act" improves coordination between federal and state agencies and the Do Not Pay system to prevent improper payments to deceased individuals. It mandates the Social Security Administration to share necessary information with the Do Not Pay system while ensuring compliance with privacy and data protection requirements. The changes made by this bill will take effect on December 28, 2026.