Legislation

This bill prohibits federal agencies from removing civil service employees during any lapse in discretionary appropriations, commonly known as a government shutdown. If an employee is terminated in violation of this rule during a shutdown, they will have the option to be reinstated with full back pay once funding resumes. This measure aims to protect federal workers from job loss caused by budget impasses.

The Litigation Reimbursement Act mandates that federal courts must order the U.S. government to pay the attorney fees and litigation costs for defendants who are acquitted after a criminal trial. Furthermore, this bill converts the court's ability to award costs and fees to the prevailing party in covered civil cases into a mandatory requirement. This ensures that winning parties in specific criminal and civil litigation are reimbursed for their legal expenses.

The Veterans Flight Training Responsibility Act of 2025 establishes a \$100,000 cap on the total educational assistance the VA will pay for flight training under the Post-9/11 GI Bill at public colleges and universities. This maximum benefit amount will automatically increase annually based on the Consumer Price Index to keep pace with inflation. This new limitation applies only to veterans beginning flight training programs on or after August 1, 2026.

The PEACE Act establishes a U.S. policy supporting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Armenia and Azerbaijan while strongly encouraging a comprehensive peace agreement between the two nations. It mandates the imposition of sanctions on Azerbaijani officials, military units, and associated entities if they engage in hostile military action against Armenia. Furthermore, the Act outlines specific reporting requirements for the President to keep Congress informed about the situation and the implementation of these measures.

The Veterans Healthcare Equality Act of 2025 explicitly prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from discriminating against veterans based on gender identity when providing healthcare services. This law mandates that the VA must furnish medically necessary treatments, including those for gender dysphoria, prescribed by a healthcare provider. Furthermore, the VA Secretary is required to provide regular updates to Congress regarding the implementation of these non-discrimination protections.

This bill, the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa Criminal Justice Support Act, updates federal law to clarify the inclusion of the Northern Mariana Islands within the definition of "State" under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968. The primary change involves simplifying the statutory language to ensure accurate and streamlined reference to the territory. This technical amendment supports consistent application of federal criminal justice provisions.

The National Flood Insurance Program Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2025 extends the NFIP through 2030 while imposing a five-year cap on premium increases to protect policyholders. The bill dedicates significant funding toward proactive flood mitigation projects and modernizes mapping standards to increase local transparency and control. Furthermore, it strengthens policyholder rights by establishing clearer claim appeal processes and mandating greater disclosure of flood risk information during property sales.

The Pay Our Public Shipyard Workers Act ensures that civilian and military shipyard workers continue to receive their salaries and benefits if Congress fails to pass a full budget for fiscal years 2026 or 2027. This measure automatically appropriates necessary funds from the Treasury to cover these essential workers during budget delays. This temporary funding mechanism ceases once a standard appropriation bill is enacted or on January 1, 2027.

The Funding Small Businesses During Shutdown Act ensures that critical Small Business Administration (SBA) loan servicing programs can continue operating for 30 days during a government shutdown in fiscal year 2026. This legislation allocates specific funds to cover the salaries and operating costs necessary to maintain key SBA loan functions. The goal is to prevent disruptions to small business lending support during a lapse in appropriations.

This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to strengthen reporting requirements for states applying for Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services block grants. It mandates that states provide detailed information regarding their Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) programs, including available medications, diversion protocols, and misuse data. The goal is to ensure greater transparency and accountability in how these federal funds are used for substance use services.

The Agriculture Infrastructure Stability Act of 2025 mandates the research and development of a new revenue-loss crop insurance policy to help stabilize farm income. The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation must make this policy available to farmers within two years, provided it meets existing statutory requirements. Furthermore, the Corporation is required to report its research findings and policy details to Congress within one year of the Act's passage.

The Protect Consumers from Reallocation Costs Act of 2025 prohibits the EPA from reallocating the renewable fuel volume obligations of small refineries that receive exemption extensions. This ensures that the volume remains tied to the exempt refinery rather than being shifted to other obligated parties. Furthermore, the bill requires the EPA to count the fuel produced by an exempt small refinery when calculating the overall production obligations for its parent company.

This resolution expresses strong Congressional support for designating the first Friday of October as "Manufacturing Day." The bill recognizes the critical economic contribution and job creation power of the U.S. manufacturing sector. By endorsing this day, Congress encourages nationwide events to promote modern manufacturing careers to students and the public.

This bill seeks to nullify the Department of Health and Human Services' final rule regarding medications for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) treatment. Specifically, it voids the majority of the rule, with the exception of provisions related to the accreditation of opioid treatment programs. This action effectively removes the federal regulation concerning OUD medication treatment standards.

The Every Kid Outdoors Reauthorization Act renews the popular program offering free access to national parks and federal recreation sites for eligible youth. This reauthorization specifically targets fifth graders or 10- and 11-year-old home-schooled learners. The bill authorizes $25 million annually to support the program, including funding for outreach and transportation assistance for underserved communities.

The SPEED and Reliability Act of 2025 overhauls the federal permitting process for major electric transmission lines managed by FERC. It establishes new criteria for approving projects that enhance national reliability, reduce bottlenecks, and benefit consumers. The bill mandates that FERC actively consider landowner input and ensures that project costs are fairly allocated only to the customers who benefit from the upgrades. Finally, it clarifies lead agency roles for federal approvals and sets deadlines for coordination.

The National Gun Violence Research Act of 2025 aims to significantly increase federal research into the causes, consequences, and prevention of gun violence. This bill repeals previous restrictions that limited data collection and research by agencies like the ATF, CDC, and NIH. It establishes a new National Gun Violence Research Program to coordinate efforts, fund grants through agencies like the NSF and HHS, and develop voluntary safety standards through NIST.

The PEACE Act of 2025 imposes strict new financial sanctions on foreign banks knowingly dealing with sanctioned Russian entities following escalating attacks on Ukraine. It mandates the Treasury Department to seize specific Russian Central Bank assets held in the U.S. and transfer them to a fund supporting Ukraine. The Act also requires a review of major Russian energy companies and includes provisions for presidential waivers and a sunset clause tied to Russia ceasing destabilizing actions.

The Healthy Start Reauthorization Act of 2025 secures vital funding for the Healthy Start Initiative, a program dedicated to improving maternal and child health outcomes. This legislation specifically authorizes a consistent annual appropriation of \$145,000,000 for the program through fiscal year 2030. This reauthorization ensures predictable budgetary support for this critical public health effort.

The Black Vulture Relief Act authorizes livestock producers and their employees to take action against black vultures that pose an imminent threat to their livestock. This permission overrides certain existing regulations but strictly prohibits the use of poison. Those who take vultures under this authority must submit an annual report to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service once the required reporting form is made available.