Legislation

The Predatory Truck Leasing Prevention Act of 2025 aims to eliminate unfair lease-purchase agreements where truck drivers are tied to the motor carrier they drive for without gaining ownership of the vehicle. This Act directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish rules banning predatory programs where carriers control the driver's work and debt, yet the driver forfeits any built-up equity. Furthermore, the legislation provides a mechanism for drivers to seek relief from existing lease terms that violate the new regulations.

The Fertilizer Research Act of 2025 mandates the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a comprehensive, year-long study of the U.S. fertilizer industry. This report will detail market size, pricing trends over 25 years, import volumes, and supply chain dynamics. A key focus is evaluating industry concentration and recommending whether a new system for transparent fertilizer price reporting should be established.

The RESPECT Act of 2025 updates the authority for reconsidering decisions regarding interment or memorialization in national cemeteries, allowing reviews for decisions made on or after June 18, 1973. It also standardizes and clarifies the legal language used when referencing the definition of a tier III sex offender in relation to these decisions. Finally, the Act removes an outdated provision from a previous law concerning national cemeteries.

The Transit Crime Reporting Act of 2025 mandates the Secretary of Transportation to issue annual public reports detailing violent and non-violent crimes on federally funded transit systems. Additionally, the Act establishes a new Task Force, chaired by the FTA Administrator, to develop and recommend strategies for enhancing safety across these transit networks. This Task Force will deliver an initial report within one year and a final set of recommendations within two years of enactment.

The Measuring the Cost of Disasters Act of 2025 mandates the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to establish and maintain a public database and webpage detailing all U.S. "billion-dollar disasters." This hub must include estimated costs, location, and type of event, updated at least every six months. The system will also feature historical maps and graphs, ensuring continuity with previous disaster tracking methods.

The Safety Grant Consistency Act aims to streamline federal highway safety grant programs by imposing strict limits on the Secretary of Transportation. This legislation prohibits the creation of any new performance goals or requirements for existing grant programs (under 23 U.S.C. §§ 402 and 405). Furthermore, the Secretary must eliminate or ease existing requirements unless they were explicitly mandated by Congress.

The Grasslands Grazing Act of 2025 makes a technical update to federal law regarding grazing leases and permits by aligning the land reference in the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 with the current definition of "National Forest System land." This change clarifies terminology without altering existing regulations or the application of other laws governing national grasslands.

The SAVES Act establishes a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) pilot program to award grants to nonprofit organizations that provide service dogs to eligible veterans. These grants, up to $\$2,000,000$ each, will fund the training and provision of service dogs for veterans with qualifying conditions like PTSD or TBI. The bill also extends the expiration date for certain limits on veterans' pension payments until February 2033.

This bill amends the Veterans Community Care Program to officially include eyeglass lens fittings as a covered medical service provided by non-VA providers. It mandates that the VA quickly establish procedures to ensure veterans eligible for community care can easily access local providers for these fittings. The VA Secretary must report to Congress within 180 days on the implementation and impact of this new coverage.

This bill establishes a pilot program for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to test whether allowing canine handlers to keep their working dogs at home is effective compared to traditional central kenneling. The program must run for at least two years across various ports of entry, with handler participation being voluntary. Upon completion, CBP must report findings to Congress comparing the two methods regarding cost, performance, and animal/handler well-being, along with recommendations for future policy.

The NSF AI Education Act of 2025 significantly expands the National Science Foundation's role in bolstering the AI workforce through education and training. It establishes new scholarships and fellowships for students and professionals in AI-related fields, while also creating Centers of AI Excellence at community colleges and technical schools. Furthermore, the bill funds research awards to develop effective AI teaching methods and materials for K-12 education. Overall, this legislation aims to build a robust, skilled, and diverse AI talent pipeline across all educational levels.

The Veterans Law Judge Experience Act of 2025 prioritizes candidates with at least three years of relevant professional legal experience when appointing new members to the Board of Veterans Appeals. This ensures that individuals with direct experience in veterans' benefits law receive priority consideration for these judicial roles.

This Act mandates the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct a comprehensive threat assessment regarding the criminal organization Tren de Aragua's infiltration across U.S. borders. Following this assessment, the Secretary must deliver a strategic plan to Congress detailing specific actions to counter these transnational criminal threats. The legislation ensures federal agencies coordinate efforts to disrupt the group's operations and prevent its further establishment within the United States.

The Military Housing Performance Insight Act mandates that the military submit detailed reports on privatized housing twice a year instead of annually. These semi-annual reports must now include specific data on how housing information is collected, used for decision-making, and any limitations in resident satisfaction metrics. Furthermore, the Department of Defense is required to publish these comprehensive reports publicly within 30 days of submission.

This bill, the William Lacy Clay Sr. Memorial Stamp Act, directs the Postmaster General to issue a commemorative postage stamp honoring the life and significant legislative achievements of the late Congressman William Lacy Clay, Sr. The stamp will recognize his decades of service, particularly his work as a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus and his efforts to advance civil rights and equality. The Postmaster General is tasked with determining the final design and the period during which the stamp will be available for sale.

The Protect Children’s Innocence Act establishes federal penalties, including imprisonment, for knowingly performing genital or bodily mutilation or chemical castration on individuals under the age of 18. This law applies when interstate commerce is involved in the act, communication, or payment for the procedure. It explicitly prohibits religious or customary defenses for female genital mutilation and details specific medical exceptions, such as procedures necessary for a minor's immediate health. The bill defines the prohibited procedures broadly, covering female genital mutilation and surgeries intended to alter a minor's body to correspond with a different sex.

The Saving the American Dream Act mandates that key federal housing agencies collaborate to share research and data through a formal agreement. This legislation requires these agencies to jointly submit a comprehensive report to Congress outlining policy solutions for improving housing finance coordination, reducing mortgage costs, and addressing barriers to new home construction. The goal is to ensure federal housing policy is based on coordinated, evidence-based analysis.

The Veterans Education and Technical Skills Opportunity Act of 2025 aims to improve educational benefits and support for service members and veterans. This bill revises the repayment process for voluntarily contributed Post-9/11 GI Bill funds, clarifies standards for independent study programs, and updates rules regarding educational absences due to service orders. Additionally, it modifies VA compliance survey notice periods and mandates timely notification to school officials regarding handbook updates.

The VA Extenders Act of 2025 is a comprehensive bill designed to ensure the continuity of numerous existing Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs and authorities for another year, generally through September 30, 2026. It extends key provisions across healthcare, benefits administration, housing support, and oversight functions, preventing lapses in critical services like suicide prevention grants, homeless veteran support, and educational assistance protections. The legislation also includes structural improvements and increased accountability measures for the VA's mortgage protection programs.

The Capital for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Act of 2025 establishes a new pilot loan program to address the unique upfront capital needs of new farmers and ranchers. This program offers specialized development loans, up to $100,000, with flexible repayment terms (3-10 years) for long-term business investments. Borrowers must also receive mandatory training in farm and ranch management.