Legislation

The "Made in America Manufacturing Finance Act of 2025" aims to bolster domestic manufacturing by increasing the loan limits for small manufacturers under the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act. This will allow small manufacturers to access more capital, with loan limits increasing to $7,500,000 - $10,000,000 depending on the type. The goal is to provide greater financial support to help these businesses grow and thrive within the United States.

The Ukrainian Adjustment Act of 2025 aims to streamline the process for eligible Ukrainian nationals to gain lawful permanent resident status in the United States. It allows the Secretary of Homeland Security to adjust the status of Ukrainians who were paroled into the U.S. after February 20, 2014, or to join family members already in the U.S., provided they meet certain vetting and admissibility requirements. The Act also provides protections for battered spouses and prohibits charging fees for application-related processes, while exempting those granted adjusted status from certain immigration quota limitations.

The ICELAND Act would allow Icelandic nationals to be eligible for E-1 and E-2 nonimmigrant visas to the United States, which are for treaty traders and investors, respectively. This would occur if the Government of Iceland provides similar nonimmigrant status to U.S. nationals.

The "Tenants Right to Organize Act" ensures tenants in housing choice voucher and low-income housing tax credit programs have the right to form and participate in tenant organizations without fear of retaliation. It requires Public Housing Agencies and owners to recognize these organizations, consider tenant concerns, and provide meeting spaces. The Act also establishes an enforcement protocol for violations of these rights and provides funding for tenant outreach, training, and resident councils.

The Student Loan Tax Elimination Act eliminates origination fees on federal direct loans. This change applies to loans where the first disbursement is made, or for consolidation loans when the application is received, on or after July 1 of the year following the Act's enactment. By repealing subsection (c) of section 455 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, this act seeks to reduce the upfront costs associated with federal student loans.

The Law Enforcement Solidarity Act aims to ensure cooperation between state and local jurisdictions and federal law enforcement. It mandates that jurisdictions with policies restricting cooperation with federal law enforcement will be ineligible for certain federal funds. The Attorney General is required to submit an annual report identifying these jurisdictions to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees.

The Uniform School Mapping Act prohibits federal funding for emergency response maps that do not meet specific digital, accuracy, and accessibility standards beginning in fiscal year 2026. It mandates the Secretary of Homeland Security to create a strategy for procuring and distributing compliant maps for critical federal sites to public safety agencies. The strategy must be submitted to congressional committees. The Act defines key terms related to emergency response mapping and public safety agencies.

The "Protecting America's Property Rights Act" aims to safeguard homeowners by ensuring Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac use regulated third-party products for lien and title protection. It mandates increased capital reserves for mortgages lacking sufficient protection and directs the Director to establish regulations for compliance. This bill ensures stronger consumer protection against property rights issues.

The "Evidence-Based Drug Policy Act of 2025" repeals a section of the Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act of 1998. This change eliminates a requirement related to the Drug-Free Communities Support Program.

This bill mandates that FEMA use licensed professionals for cost estimation, material acquisition, and other activities related to disaster relief projects under the Stafford Act. It requires FEMA to obtain consent from licensed professionals before disapproving plans and to approve purchases suggested by them, while also preventing FEMA from hindering contracts with these professionals. The bill also stipulates that FEMA employees managing rebuilding projects must be licensed professionals, and it assigns states the responsibility of hiring these professionals to develop the scope of work for covered activities.

This bill directs the Secretary of Energy to collaborate with the Attorney General, Secretary of Homeland Security, and Postmaster General to develop technologies for detecting fentanyl vapor or particles. The aim is to enhance rapid screening in locations like mail facilities, prisons, and U.S. borders. Additionally, the bill redesignates a section in the Department of Energy Research and Innovation Act and updates the authorization of appropriations.

The "Medicaid Empowerment Act of 2025" amends Section 1915 of the Social Security Act to extend renewal periods for specific Medicaid home and community-based services waivers and state plan amendments. This extension applies to subsections (c)(3), (h)(2), and (i)(7)(C) of the Act.

The "No Tax on Overtime Act" introduces a new tax deduction for qualified overtime compensation, capped at 300 hours per year, for individuals earning under a certain income threshold. This deduction is available to both itemizers and non-itemizers, and employers are required to report overtime compensation on Form W-2. The deduction phases out for taxpayers with higher incomes, and the provisions apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

This bill amends the Arms Export Control Act to streamline defense trade cooperation with Australia and the United Kingdom under the AUKUS agreement. It modifies provisions related to export licenses and clarifies that certain regulations do not relate to the Missile Technology Control Regime. Additionally, the bill changes U.S. policy to no longer presume denial for exports of specific materials to NATO allies, major non-NATO allies, and the Five Eyes intelligence alliance.

The "Artificial Intelligence Literacy and Inclusion Act" aims to boost AI understanding across communities by funding local AI literacy programs, especially in underserved areas. It directs the National Science Foundation to award grants for AI education initiatives and requires several federal agencies to explore how their programs can further AI literacy to maintain US competitiveness. The act prioritizes ethical AI development and ensures that AI education considers the societal impacts of these technologies. Ultimately, this bill seeks to empower individuals with the knowledge to navigate and utilize AI effectively.

This bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish an Office of Rural Health within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The office will serve as the primary point of contact for rural health issues within the CDC, conduct and promote research, develop policies and programs, and coordinate with other agencies to improve healthcare and address health disparities in rural areas. It will also award grants and manage agreements to support activities that improve health and healthcare in rural areas.

The RESTORE Act provides back pay to Department of Veterans Affairs employees who were involuntarily removed and subsequently reinstated or reappointed between January 20, 2025, and the enactment date of this Act. This back pay will be provided in accordance with existing federal law (5 U.S.C. 5596). The Act excludes individuals removed from political positions from receiving back pay.

The RPM Access Act aims to improve healthcare access and outcomes, especially in rural areas, by adjusting Medicare reimbursement for remote patient monitoring (RPM). It sets a minimum threshold for practice expense and malpractice geographic indices used in calculating Medicare payments for RPM services, ensuring more equitable compensation across different regions. The bill also introduces quality standards for RPM services to be eligible for Medicare reimbursement, including real-time response capabilities and data compatibility with electronic health records. Finally, the Act requires a report to Congress analyzing the cost savings and practice expenses associated with RPM under Medicare.

The Better CARE for Animals Act of 2025 aims to strengthen the enforcement of animal welfare regulations by clarifying definitions, prohibiting unlicensed dealers, and increasing penalties for violations. It empowers the Attorney General to take civil action, seize animals, and seek warrants for enforcement, while also ensuring that penalties and fines can cover the costs of animal care during legal proceedings. The Act mandates collaboration between the Secretary of Agriculture and the Attorney General to share information on repeat offenders. Ultimately, this bill seeks to ensure that federal courts have jurisdiction over Animal Welfare Act violations.

The "AFTER SCHOOL Act" aims to reduce juvenile crime by providing grants to local educational agencies and nonprofits for after-school programs in counties with high juvenile offense rates. These programs will offer academic support, skill development, leadership opportunities, and a safe environment for students in grades 6-12. The Attorney General will oversee the grant program and report to Congress on its effectiveness. The bill authorizes $15 million in funding per year for fiscal years 2026-2029.