Legislation

The Preventing HEAT Illness and Deaths Act of 2025 aims to combat the nation's leading weather-related killer by establishing a coordinated federal strategy to address extreme heat. The bill creates an Interagency Committee and a National Integrated Heat Health Information System (NIHHIS) within NOAA to improve data sharing, research, and response planning. Furthermore, it authorizes a new Community Heat Resilience Program to provide financial assistance for local projects focused on reducing heat-related health risks, prioritizing vulnerable communities.

The Marijuana 1-to-3 Act of 2025 mandates the Attorney General to reschedule marijuana under federal law. Specifically, this bill requires the immediate transfer of marijuana from its current Schedule I classification to Schedule III. This change in legal status must be finalized within 60 days of the Act's enactment.

The High Occupancy Vehicle Lane Exemption Reauthorization Act extends the federal regulations governing High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) facilities. Specifically, this bill pushes back the expiration date for these existing HOV facility rules from September 30, 2025, to September 30, 2031. This ensures the current federal guidelines remain in effect for an additional six years.

This Act prohibits "covered foreign entities," primarily defined as those connected to the People's Republic of China, from acquiring or leasing U.S. agricultural land. Covered entities currently owning such land must divest within one year or face severe daily fines and potential criminal forfeiture. Additionally, the bill imposes a temporary two-year ban on these same entities purchasing residential real estate, with separate penalties for non-compliance. The legislation mandates the creation of new enforcement offices within the Departments of Agriculture and Commerce to oversee compliance.

The Data BRIDGE Act mandates that the FCC update its national broadband map to specifically include the locations of agricultural areas. This update must be completed within 180 days of the bill's enactment. To ensure accuracy, the FCC is required to consult with the Secretary of Agriculture and other relevant stakeholders during this process. This action aims to better identify broadband coverage gaps affecting farms.

The Enduring Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act makes a key change to federal criminal law by permanently extending the \$5,000 special assessment fee charged to non-indigent individuals convicted of certain offenses. This fee, which was previously set to expire in 2025, will now continue indefinitely. The revenue generated supports victims of trafficking.

The Ensuring Naval Readiness Act amends existing law to allow the Navy to construct certain naval vessels or major components in shipyards located in NATO or Indo-Pacific treaty partner nations. This exception is permitted only if the foreign construction cost is lower than the domestic cost. Furthermore, the Navy must certify to Congress that the foreign shipyard is not owned or controlled by any entity based in the People's Republic of China.

The Stop Foreign Propaganda Act codifies existing sanctions against Iran and establishes new penalties for U.S. persons who knowingly provide paid media services to sanctioned foreign media entities. These sanctions include asset freezes and visa denials for violators. The bill also mandates an annual Treasury Department report detailing enforcement actions and foreign government payments to media outlets spreading propaganda.

The Medical Debt Relief Act of 2025 aims to shield consumers from the negative impact of medical bills on their financial standing. This legislation prohibits the reporting of any adverse information related to medical debt on consumer credit reports under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Furthermore, it bans lenders from using a consumer's medical debt history when making decisions about granting credit.

The Seedlings for Sustainable Habitat Restoration Act of 2025 authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to expand partnerships for ecosystem restoration activities. This allows the Forest Service to fund a broader range of groups, including universities and tribal organizations, for crucial work. The bill specifically enables the use of funds for collecting native seeds and growing seedlings necessary for habitat replanting efforts.

This bill requires states to reimburse the federal government for the costs of deploying military forces, such as the National Guard, when state or local obstruction of federal immigration enforcement leads to civil unrest. If a state fails to pay the resulting invoice from the Department of Defense within 180 days, the President is authorized to withhold federal discretionary grant funds to cover the debt. This legislation establishes financial accountability for local interference with federal immigration operations.

This resolution honors the life and legacy of human rights activist Father Stan, who died in Indian custody in 2021 after being imprisoned on charges later linked to fabricated digital evidence. It details his tireless work defending the rights of marginalized Adivasi communities in Jharkhand. Furthermore, the resolution strongly encourages the Indian government to conduct an independent investigation into Father Stan's arrest, incarceration, and death. It also sends a global message against the mistreatment of human rights defenders.

The Access to Fertility Treatment and Care Act mandates that private health insurance plans covering obstetrical services must also cover a broad range of fertility treatments, ensuring cost-sharing rules are comparable to other medical services. This legislation also extends mandatory fertility coverage to the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) and TRICARE plans if they cover maternity care. Furthermore, the bill establishes new benefits for veterans and their families through the VA, requires State Medicaid plans to cover fertility treatment, and adds fertility care to Medicare coverage with a 100% payment rate and no deductible for patients starting in 2026.

The Strengthening Protections for Domestic Violence and Stalking Survivors Act of 2025 updates federal law to broaden protections against intimate partner violence by expanding the definition of an "intimate partner" to explicitly include dating relationships. This bill also introduces a new federal prohibition on firearm possession for individuals convicted of a misdemeanor crime of stalking. These changes aim to close loopholes and ensure comprehensive safety measures for survivors of abuse and harassment.

The Restoring Equal Opportunity Act aims to eliminate "disparate-impact liability" across major federal laws. This bill prohibits lawsuits claiming discrimination based solely on the unintended, disproportionate negative effect of a rule or practice. Consequently, it removes the ability to challenge employment and housing practices unless discriminatory intent can be proven. The Act also nullifies specific prior regulatory approvals related to civil rights enforcement.

The SPARC Act establishes a new federal loan repayment program to incentivize specialty medical providers to practice in underserved rural communities. This program offers to repay up to $250,000 of eligible education loans in exchange for a six-year service commitment in a designated rural shortage area. The Secretary of Health and Human Services will administer the program through HRSA, prioritizing loan repayment for both physicians and non-physician specialists.

The Global Fragility Reauthorization Act updates the existing strategy for addressing global instability by strengthening interagency coordination and policy alignment. It reauthorizes crucial funding mechanisms, including the Prevention and Stabilization Fund and the Complex Crises Fund, extending their authorization through 2030. The bill also refines the process for selecting priority countries and mandates enhanced reporting and evaluation of U.S. stabilization efforts abroad.

The Keep Seniors Fed Act makes technical amendments to the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 regarding how income is calculated for food assistance eligibility. Specifically, it mandates that income received under Title II of the Social Security Act must now be counted when determining eligibility for benefits. These changes will take effect 90 days after the bill is signed into law.

The Fairness for Khobar Act of 2025 ensures that certain victims of the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing and the 1996 Khobar Towers bombing receive overdue lump sum payments. This legislation corrects past injustices where victims were denied payments due to relying on incorrect guidance from the Department of Justice. The Act mandates the Special Master to authorize these catch-up payments using designated reserve funds.

This Act codifies existing U.S. sanctions targeting individuals undermining peace and stability in the West Bank, making them permanent law unless lifted by the President. It immediately reinstates any previously terminated sanctions under the relevant Executive Order. The President can only lift these sanctions after certifying to Congress that the targeted person has ceased harmful activities and provided assurances against future non-compliance.