Legislation

This bill establishes an expedited process for the House of Representatives to immediately consider and vote on a joint resolution (H. J. Res. 72) regarding the national emergency declared by the President on February 1, 2025. It waives standard procedural hurdles to ensure a swift debate, limited to one hour, followed by a vote on final passage. The legislation clears the path for the House to quickly address the resolution before sending its decision to the Senate within one week.

This resolution officially designates May 2025 as National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month. It highlights the significant national impact of asthma and food allergies, noting the high rates of illness, missed school/work days, and associated healthcare costs. The bill encourages public awareness and appropriate activities throughout May to address these widespread health challenges.

The Promoting New Bank Formation Act aims to encourage the creation of new banks by providing regulatory relief for newly insured institutions. This includes a three-year phase-in period for new capital standards and streamlined processes for adjusting initial business plans. The Act also establishes temporary, favorable capital requirements for new rural depository institutions and expands lending authority for Federal savings associations to include agricultural loans. Finally, it mandates a study on barriers to new bank formation, especially in underserved areas.

The USPS SERVES US Act aims to reform postal operations by linking annual rate increases to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) minus 0.5% and establishing penalties for service failures. The bill also creates an independent Office of the Customer Advocate within the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) to represent public interests. Furthermore, it mandates stricter procedures for service changes and overhauls how retiree health benefits funds are invested.

The Time to Choose Act of 2025 aims to eliminate conflicts of interest by prohibiting federal consulting contracts for firms simultaneously working for the U.S. government and designated "covered foreign entities," such as China or Russia. This law requires companies to certify they are not aiding these foreign entities or face contract cancellation and penalties under the False Claims Act. Exceptions are narrowly permitted only if deemed essential for national security and approved by top defense and intelligence officials. The Act mandates no new funding to implement these requirements.

This resolution officially recognizes May as National Foster Care Month to raise awareness about the challenges facing children in the foster care system. It highlights the urgent need for improved policy and support to ensure every child achieves a safe, permanent, and loving family. The bill encourages greater investment in prevention services, family reunification, and support for youth aging out of care.

This resolution expresses support for designating May as National Bladder Cancer Awareness Month to highlight the serious impact of this often-overlooked cancer. It emphasizes that early detection is crucial for survival, yet awareness of symptoms and the need for research remain low. The designation aims to promote public education, support patients, and push for renewed research into better treatments and a cure.

This resolution expresses strong support for designating the week of May 4 through May 10, 2025, as National Small Business Week. It aims to celebrate the vital contributions of the over 34.5 million small businesses that support tens of millions of jobs nationwide. The bill honors the hard work and entrepreneurial spirit of small business owners in every community.

The Cold-blooded Animal Research and Exhibition Act amends the Animal Welfare Act to explicitly include reptiles and fish within the definition of "animal" for research and exhibition purposes. This expansion broadens federal oversight to cover more cold-blooded species used in testing, while maintaining specific exemptions for certain farm animals and lab rodents. The bill ensures that all dogs remain covered under the Act regardless of their use.

The Mississippi River Restoration and Resilience Initiative Act establishes a new, non-regulatory federal program within the EPA to fund large-scale projects aimed at restoring the health and resilience of the Mississippi River Corridor. This initiative will focus on improving water quality, enhancing community resilience to flooding, restoring habitat, and controlling invasive species. The Act also mandates the creation of a dedicated Program Office, research centers, and a comprehensive science plan to guide restoration efforts and measure success across the ten Mississippi River States.

This bill aims to enhance safety for individuals outside their vehicles and for workers in construction zones by updating federal highway safety programs. It mandates improved data collection on roadside and work zone crashes and expands public awareness campaigns to cover disabled vehicles and work zones. Furthermore, the legislation establishes two specialized working groups to develop strategies and share data to reduce fatalities and injuries in these specific high-risk areas.

The Fair Taxation of Digital Assets in Puerto Rico Act of 2025 clarifies the federal tax treatment of digital asset income for Puerto Rican residents. This bill specifies that income derived from digital assets, including earnings from mining, staking, or sales, will not be considered income sourced within Puerto Rico for federal tax purposes. This provision applies to individuals qualifying under Section 933 and takes effect for tax years beginning after enactment.

The Broadband Incentives for Communities Act establishes a new grant program to help local governments streamline their processes for reviewing and approving applications related to broadband deployment. This funding is intended to help local entities hire staff or purchase technology to speed up permitting, ensuring federal broadband investment translates quickly into new infrastructure. The Act also creates an advisory council to address deployment challenges faced by industry and local governments.

The GUARD Act expands the use of federal grant funds to help state, local, and tribal law enforcement investigate elder financial fraud, "pig butchering" scams, and general financial fraud. This legislation allows agencies to hire specialized staff, receive advanced training on emerging technologies, and acquire necessary investigative tools. Furthermore, the Act mandates comprehensive federal reports to Congress detailing the scope of these scams and the effectiveness of current enforcement efforts.

The Green Climate Fund Authorization Act of 2025 seeks to authorize $4 billion annually for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to contribute to the Green Climate Fund. This legislation affirms U.S. policy that international climate financing must prioritize environmental justice, indigenous rights, and gender equality. Congress notes this funding is essential but acknowledges that the actual global need for climate finance is significantly higher.

The SNAP SECURE Act of 2025 extends federal funding for states to replace Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits lost due to administrative errors. This legislation pushes the deadline for utilizing these reimbursement funds from 2024 to 2034. The goal is to ensure eligible clients continue to receive benefits lost through state agency mistakes.

The Energy Cybersecurity University Leadership Act of 2025 establishes a new Department of Energy program to bolster cybersecurity expertise for the nation's energy infrastructure. This initiative will provide competitive funding for scholarships, fellowships, and research focused on energy cybersecurity at universities. The program specifically mandates hands-on training opportunities and outreach to minority-serving institutions.

The TREES Act of 2025 establishes a new federal grant program managed by the Secretary of Energy to fund community-based tree planting projects. These grants aim to reduce residential energy consumption by strategically planting trees for shade and wind protection. Priority funding will be given to projects that maximize energy savings for low-income households and benefit underserved neighborhoods. The program is authorized to plant at least 300,000 trees annually, with federal funding covering 90% of eligible project costs.

The Global Fragility Reauthorization Act updates the existing strategy for dealing with fragile areas by mandating an annual high-level policy alignment meeting among federal agencies. It extends the authorization for both the Prevention and Stabilization Fund and the Complex Crises Fund until 2030. Furthermore, the bill allows for greater flexibility in using Economic Support Funds for monitoring and learning activities related to the Global Fragility Strategy.

This resolution recognizes the escalating global threats against journalists and reaffirms the vital role of a free and independent press in upholding democracy and informing the public. It highlights the dangers faced by reporters in conflict zones and under repressive regimes, emphasizing that press freedom is a priority for U.S. foreign policy. The measure calls for the U.S. government to continue championing journalist safety and accountability for those who attack the press worldwide.