Legislation

The Sergeant Gary Beikirch Medal of Honor Act removes a restriction in existing law that prevented Medal of Honor recipients from receiving the Medal of Honor special pension concurrently with other benefits. This change allows recipients to receive both the special pension and other benefits simultaneously.

Alexandra's Law Act of 2025 amends the Controlled Substances Act to allow individuals to face homicide charges for drug-related offenses involving fentanyl or fentanyl analogues that result in death. Courts must advise those convicted of fentanyl-related offenses about the dangers of fentanyl and counterfeit pills. Previous convictions for similar offenses can be used as evidence of knowledge in subsequent cases, but these provisions do not apply to minors.

The "District of Columbia Code Returning Citizens Coordination Act" mandates the Bureau of Prisons Director to provide the D.C. Mayor with information on individuals under their jurisdiction due to the National Capital Revitalization and Self-Government Improvement Act of 1997, including their name, age, location, and release date. The Mayor can share this information with counsel for the persons, and to organizations that provide legal representation to persons in criminal or post-conviction matters, or in matters related to reentry, but cannot share it with D.C. law enforcement. This aims to support returning citizens while maintaining confidentiality.

The SNAP Benefits Fairness Act of 2025 amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to remove the cap on the maximum deduction for shelter expenses when determining SNAP benefits, allowing for a more accurate reflection of recipients' actual costs. This change will take effect on January 1 of the year following the bill's enactment.

The "Stop Illegal Reentry Act" increases the penalties for individuals who illegally reenter the United States after having been deported or removed. It raises the maximum prison sentence for general illegal reentry to five years. Repeat offenders or those with prior felony convictions could face up to 10 years, and aggravated felons or repeat re-entrants could face a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 20 years in prison.

The "Representing our Seniors at VA Act of 2025" ensures that the National Association of State Veterans Homes is represented in consultations with the Under Secretary for Health. It also adds a representative from the Association with a nursing home administration license to the Department of Veterans Affairs Geriatrics and Gerontology Advisory Committee. This aims to improve the quality of care and address the specific needs of senior veterans within state veterans homes.

The "Fairness for the Trades Act" expands the permitted uses of 529 education savings accounts to include expenses related to tools and equipment necessary to start a qualified business trade. These trades are defined by specific North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes and the equipment must be tangible and depreciable. This change applies to taxable years beginning after the enactment of this Act.

The "PROTECTS Act of 2025" prohibits federal funds from being used for gender transition procedures for individuals under 18, including surgeries and hormone therapies, with exceptions for certain medical conditions and genetic disorders. The bill defines "sex" as biologically determined male or female based on reproductive systems.

This bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to add a carving of President Donald J. Trump to Mount Rushmore National Memorial. The Secretary would be required to carry out this directive through the National Park Service Director.

The "Semiconductor Technology Advancement and Research Act of 2025" or "STAR Act of 2025" incentivizes domestic semiconductor design by adding qualified semiconductor design expenditures to the advanced manufacturing investment credit. This includes a 25% tax credit for these expenditures, covering in-house and contract design expenses for semiconductor design conducted in the United States. This credit aims to boost innovation and development in semiconductor technology. The credit will terminate for construction beginning or expenditures made after December 31, 2036.

The "Sustainable Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Services in the Home Act" expands access to in-home cardiopulmonary rehabilitation services by allowing them to be delivered via telehealth, including designating a patient's home as a provider-based location. It broadens originating sites for telehealth services and waives geographic requirements for in-home cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation programs. The Act directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish standards for designating a patient's home as a provider-based organization, aligning with the Hospital Without Walls program.

The Reignite Hope Act of 2025 incentivizes employment in qualified opportunity zones by offering a tax credit to employers who hire critical employees, such as healthcare workers and first responders. Additionally, it permanently extends and modifies the child tax credit, increasing the credit amount per child and dependent while adjusting income limitations and refundability criteria.

The "Build the Wall Act of 2025" establishes a fund dedicated to constructing and maintaining physical barriers along the U.S. southern border. It redirects unobligated funds from the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds into this new "Southern Border Wall Construction Fund." The Department of Homeland Security will then use this fund for border wall projects.

The "Charitable Act" modifies the tax deduction for charitable contributions for individuals who do not itemize deductions. For the 2026 and 2027 tax years, the deduction will be capped at one-third of the standard deduction amount for the individual. The Act also eliminates and redesignates certain penalty clauses in the Internal Revenue Code related to these deductions, updating references accordingly.

The POST IT Act of 2025 aims to enhance transparency for small businesses by requiring the Small Business Administration (SBA) to include hyperlinks to guidance documents explaining policies, regulations, and technical issues on its website. This act focuses on rules with a small entity compliance guide, ensuring easier access to essential information for small businesses. The Act also clarifies that the SBA is not required to disclose information protected under section 552(b) of title 5, United States Code and that no additional funds will be approved for this act.

This bill expresses the House of Representatives' goal that nearly every student in the U.S. achieves grade-level reading proficiency, which is essential for success in school, work, and life. It encourages the use of structured literacy approaches, diagnostic assessments, and one-on-one tutoring to improve reading levels. The bill also urges state and local governments to collaborate with private groups to implement effective literacy programs for both students and adults.

The Fred Korematsu Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2025 authorizes the posthumous presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to Fred Korematsu, recognizing his advocacy for civil rights and justice. This act directs the Secretary of the Treasury to create the medal, which will be displayed at the Smithsonian Institution and other locations. The legislation also allows for the creation and sale of bronze duplicates of the gold medal to cover production costs, with proceeds deposited into the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund. This act commemorates Korematsu's legacy and dedication to equality.

The "DEI to DIE Act" eliminates diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and positions within the Federal Government, redirecting focus to individual merit and equal dignity. It mandates the termination of DEI initiatives across federal agencies, requiring detailed reports on DEI-related expenditures and activities. The Act also revises federal employment practices to ensure they reward individual skills and performance, and establishes a monitoring system to prevent the resurgence of DEI programs under different labels.

The "End China's De Minimis Abuse Act" amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to prevent duty-free treatment for goods that circumvent trade restrictions or are split into multiple shipments to avoid duties. It mandates electronic filing of tariff classifications for goods from countries subject to Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 and establishes penalties for violations. These changes aim to close loopholes that allow certain imports to bypass tariffs and trade regulations. The act will take effect 30 days after enactment.

The "Safeguarding American Workers Benefits Act" amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify Social Security number (SSN) requirements for the Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit. It mandates that to claim these credits, the SSN must be issued by the Social Security Administration to a U.S. citizen or someone authorized to work in the U.S. These modifications will be effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.