Legislation

The "Cool Roof Rebate Act of 2025" establishes a rebate program, running through September 30, 2030, for eligible households to receive financial assistance for the purchase and installation of cool roof products. Rebate amounts vary based on the type and performance of the cool roof product installed, with higher rebates for products that meet more stringent solar reflectance and thermal emittance criteria. The Act also requires a report to Congress on the program's impact and authorizes appropriations for both the rebate program and updates to the Cool Roof Calculator. To be eligible, households must have an income less than 200% of their ZIP Code's median income and reside in a high-risk area according to the CDC's Heat and Health Index.

The "Save Our Sequoias Act" aims to protect giant sequoia groves from wildfires, insects, and drought by streamlining environmental review processes for emergency response projects, establishing a collaborative coalition, and creating a reforestation strategy. This act directs the Secretary to create agreements, assessments, and strike teams to address threats to giant sequoias on both public and National Forest System lands. It also establishes grant programs and amends existing laws to support these efforts, including stewardship contracting and good neighbor agreements. Finally, the act authorizes appropriations for these protection and restoration activities.

The "Community First Act" aims to reduce local jail populations and incarceration times by authorizing the Attorney General to award grants to eligible partnerships. These grants will support data analysis, strategic planning, and the implementation of various programs, including reducing cash bail, increasing pretrial services, and expanding diversion programs. Grantees must consult with local entities, analyze jail data, and meet specific incarceration reduction targets, with priority given to areas with high incarceration rates and plans to prevent jail bed increases. The Act authorizes \$20 million annually for planning grants and \$100 million annually for implementation grants from 2026 through 2030.

The Trade Review Act of 2025 requires the President to notify Congress within 48 hours of imposing or increasing import duties, including justifications and potential impacts. Any such duty will expire after 60 days unless Congress passes a joint resolution of approval. Congress can also disapprove and nullify a duty through a joint resolution of disapproval. This act excludes antidumping and countervailing duties and establishes expedited procedures for congressional review.

This resolution expresses support for National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day and its goals of promoting education, prevention, treatment, and care for young people affected by HIV/AIDS. It encourages state and local governments to support the day and advocates for the rights of young people with HIV/AIDS to receive comprehensive and inclusive care free from discrimination and stigma. The resolution also supports increased funding for HIV/AIDS programs and the removal of scientifically inaccurate HIV laws, while urging accessible healthcare services for youth, including medications like PrEP and PEP, without parental consent. Finally, it recognizes the negative impact of legislative efforts restricting bodily autonomy for young people on access to HIV prevention, education, and confidential testing and treatment.

This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to allow HBCU grants to be used for strengthening arts and cultural programs, including financial aid, outreach, support services, art collection preservation, and paid apprenticeships. It allows HBCUs to partner with the National Endowment for the Arts to carry out these activities. The bill aims to address underfunding in HBCU arts programs and promote diversity in the arts.

The Nuclear Family Priority Act prioritizes immigration for spouses and minor children of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents by eliminating immigration preferences for parents of U.S. citizens. It sets a new worldwide level for family-sponsored immigrants and creates a new nonimmigrant visa for parents of adult U.S. citizens, with specific requirements for healthcare coverage and financial support from their children. The Act invalidates family-sponsored immigration petitions filed after the bill's introduction.

The FLARE Act amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow for the permanent and full expensing of costs related to flaring and venting mitigation systems, which capture and process natural gas. This incentive applies to systems placed in service after 2025, and does not apply to property used by foreign entities of concern.

The "Remote Access Security Act" amends the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 to regulate remote access to items under U.S. jurisdiction by foreign persons. This bill expands export control regulations to include remote access, defining it as access to controlled items by a foreign person via network connection from a different physical location. It broadens the scope of activities, documents, and enforcement measures related to export control to include remote access, aiming to protect national security and foreign policy interests.

This resolution designates April 14-20, 2025, as "National Osteopathic Medicine Week" to recognize the contributions of osteopathic physicians to healthcare in the United States. It acknowledges 150 years of osteopathic medicine and celebrates the role of osteopathic medical colleges in training future physicians.

The "Safe Workplaces Act" directs the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to study and report on reducing workplace violence. It requires the Secretary of Labor, through OSHA, to issue non-mandatory guidance on activities and work practices to reduce workplace violence, considering factors like engineering controls and environmental risks. The guidance will address unique characteristics and potential threats in various workplaces, such as retail stores, hospitals, and schools. The act defines key terms related to workplace violence, including "dangerous weapon," "engineering controls," and "environmental risk factors."

The "10th Amendment Restoration Act of 2025" establishes a Constitutional Government Review Commission to evaluate federal agencies and determine if their authority aligns with powers delegated by the Constitution. The Commission will make recommendations on whether to repeal agencies' authorizing statutes, aiming to return non-delegated powers to the states or the people. It will also suggest how to distribute federal budget savings to states for administering returned powers. Congress will then consider the Commission's recommendations under expedited procedures.

The "Ellie Helton, Lisa Colagrossi, Kristen Shafer Englert, Teresa Anne Lawrence, and Jennifer Sedney Focused Research Act" or "Ellie's Law" aims to address the critical need for more research on brain aneurysms. The act authorizes $20,000,000 to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke for each fiscal year from 2026 through 2030 to conduct comprehensive research on unruptured intracranial aneurysms, with a focus on diversifying the study population by age, sex, and race. These funds are intended to supplement existing funding for brain aneurysm research.

The "One Door to Work Act" allows states to apply for consolidated grants to fund innovative workforce development projects for 5 years, with rigorous evaluations to assess outcomes. The Secretary can waive certain requirements for approved projects, which must still comply with performance accountability and priority of service for veterans and low-income individuals. Projects are limited to a certain number per period and must meet performance targets to be renewed, with sanctions for underperformance.

The AFRIKANER Act prioritizes refugee status for white South Africans facing persecution due to their race, along with their immediate family members. It streamlines the refugee application process, mandates regular reports on application statuses and denials, and ensures that those admitted are not subject to standard immigration limitations. The act aims to provide asylum to a specific group facing humanitarian concerns.

The "Staged Accident Fraud Prevention Act of 2025" establishes federal penalties for intentionally staging motor vehicle collisions with commercial vehicles. Those found guilty of staging accidents could face fines and up to 20 years in prison, with increased penalties for incidents resulting in serious injury or death. The Act ensures that individuals are not prosecuted under this federal law if they have already been tried for the same actions under state or local laws.

This bill supports the designation of April 11-17, 2025, as "Black Maternal Health Week" to raise awareness about the maternal health crisis affecting Black women and birthing people in the U.S. It recognizes the unacceptable disparities in maternal mortality rates, where Black women are significantly more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than White women. The bill urges Congress to address systemic racism and promote equitable access to resources, healthcare, and comprehensive maternal health programs for the Black community, while also supporting policies like the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act. It aims to amplify Black voices, invest in community-led solutions, and increase funding for Black-led organizations and perinatal professionals.

This bill expresses Congress's commitment to ensuring that every vote cast by U.S. servicemembers and overseas citizens is counted, as required by the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA). It urges states and territories to uphold their UOCAVA obligations, and calls upon the Attorney General to monitor and enforce compliance with the act, protecting the voting rights of those serving abroad.

This bill recognizes the historical and cultural importance of Emancipation Day in Washington, D.C., which commemorates the end of slavery in the district. It acknowledges the ongoing struggle for equal rights and representation for D.C. residents. The bill also urges Congress to pass the Washington, D.C. Admission Act, granting statehood to the District.

The College Admissions Accountability Act of 2025 seeks to prevent discrimination in college admissions by establishing a Special Inspector General for Unlawful Discrimination in Higher Education. This inspector general would investigate allegations of discrimination based on race, review relevant federal policies, and recommend corrective actions. The bill also specifies that institutions found to be discriminating based on race would be ineligible for federal funding. Finally, the bill requires quarterly reports to Congress summarizing the activities of the Special Inspector General.