Legislation

The NEPTUNE Act authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to procure up to two new ships specifically designed for laying and repairing submarine telecommunications cables. Furthermore, this legislation prohibits the retirement of the existing cable ship, USNS Zeus, until a fully capable replacement vessel is officially in the Navy's active inventory. This ensures the continuous protection and maintenance of vital undersea networks.

The Defending American Property Abroad Act of 2025 targets foreign governments in the Western Hemisphere that have seized or unfairly controlled port infrastructure essential to U.S. trade access since early 2024. The bill requires the executive branch to identify this "prohibited property" and subsequently ban any associated vessels from accessing U.S. ports or receiving services. Furthermore, the Act expands the definition of unfair trade practices to explicitly include the nationalization or discriminatory treatment of U.S. assets by foreign nations.

The BEACON Act establishes a new Office of Inspector General (IG) within the Executive Office of the President (EOP) to provide oversight. This EOP IG will operate under the President's direction regarding highly sensitive matters like intelligence or confidential sources. The bill also mandates new, detailed reporting requirements for the EOP IG, including certification of full access to information and reporting on any presidential limitations on investigations.

The Small Business Payment for Performance Act of 2025 ensures that small businesses receive prompt interim payments when the government mandates changes to their existing construction contracts. Upon requesting an equitable adjustment for contract modifications, the agency must issue an immediate partial payment covering at least 50% of the estimated additional costs. This legislation also mandates that prime contractors promptly pass these interim funds down to affected subcontractors.

The Build More Housing Near Transit Act of 2025 incentivizes the construction of new housing near public transit by awarding extra points on federal capital investment grants. These extra points are given to applicants whose jurisdictions have adopted "pro-housing policies," such as reducing parking minimums or streamlining approval processes for multi-family housing. The Secretary must consult with HUD to ensure these local policies are expected to result in measurable increases in housing, particularly for low-income residents.

The Innovate to Save Lives Act creates a new 10% tax credit for small businesses conducting qualified research aimed at mitigating threats from specified drugs like fentanyl and methamphetamine. This incentive targets research focused on preventing the use of or treating the effects of these dangerous substances. The provision is designed to encourage private sector innovation in combating the ongoing drug crisis.

The Prompt and Fair Pay Act establishes new rules for Medicare Advantage (MA) plans to ensure providers receive fair compensation and timely payments. Starting in 2027, MA plans must pay doctors and suppliers at least as much as Original Medicare for the same services. Additionally, the Act mandates enforceable deadlines for MA plans to pay clean claims—within 14 days for electronic submissions and 30 days for others—and requires detailed notification for any claim that is not considered "clean."

The No Cages in the Everglades Act prohibits the Department of Homeland Security from using any federal funds to operate or build immigration detention facilities within the Everglades ecosystem. The bill also mandates immediate, unannounced access for Members of Congress to all immigration detention centers for oversight purposes. Furthermore, it requires the DHS Inspector General to conduct a comprehensive review of any existing detention facilities in the area.

This bill officially designates a specific section of 16th Street Northwest in Washington, D.C., as "Oswaldo Payá Way." This action honors the late Cuban dissident Oswaldo Payá Sardinas for his lifelong, nonviolent advocacy for democracy and human rights in Cuba. The legislation also changes the official street address for one property on that block to reflect the new designation.

The Medicaid Breast Cancer Access to Treatment Act expands Medicaid eligibility to cover certain individuals who have had breast or cervical cancer. This legislation also mandates that Medicaid coverage must include breast reconstruction surgery following a medically necessary mastectomy. These changes aim to ensure comprehensive care and remove financial barriers for cancer survivors under the program.

The Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities for All Act of 2025 reforms federal predisaster hazard mitigation funding by shifting control from direct local applications to a state-managed system. It establishes a new three-part formula for allocating funds to states based on equal shares, population, and natural hazard vulnerability. This legislation ensures tribal governments receive a minimum allocation and mandates that states pass at least half of their received funds directly to local governments executing recommended projects.

The Combating Online Fentanyl Trafficking Act authorizes the Attorney General to provide incentive pay of up to 25% of salary for Department of Justice employees possessing specialized cyber skills essential to combating fentanyl trafficking. This new pay structure is designed to attract and retain talent needed for digital investigations into illicit fentanyl distribution. The incentive pay is specifically excluded from certain federal pay caps but will count toward retirement calculations.

The Healthy Moms and Babies Act aims to significantly improve maternal and infant health outcomes through the Medicaid program. This legislation mandates enhanced quality reporting, establishes initiatives to safely reduce C-section rates, and offers states the option to create coordinated "maternity health homes" for pregnant and postpartum women. Furthermore, the Act supports workforce training, explores the role of community health workers like doulas, and requires studies on social factors affecting maternal health.

The Supporting Upgraded Property Projects and Lending for Yards (SUPPLY) Act establishes a new federal insurance program, managed by HUD, to specifically back second mortgages used for financing the construction of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). This legislation also directs the FHFA to allow Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to purchase and securitize these newly insured ADU construction loans, subject to risk oversight. The goal is to increase the availability of financing for property owners looking to add secondary housing units.

The Save Affordable Housing Act of 2025 eliminates the "qualified contract option" for certain new low-income housing tax credit projects starting in 2025. For existing projects, the bill mandates that housing agencies reassess the fair market value of non-low-income units, factoring in long-term rent restrictions. These changes aim to update the rules governing how low-income housing tax credits are allocated and managed.

The Small Nonprofit Retirement Security Act of 2025 allows tax-exempt nonprofit organizations to claim valuable federal retirement plan startup and auto-enrollment tax credits. Instead of receiving a refund, eligible nonprofits can apply these credits directly against their required payroll tax obligations. This measure aims to encourage small tax-exempt employers to establish retirement plans for their employees.

The Inspector General Access Act of 2025 revises the procedures governing internal investigations of Department of Justice (DOJ) personnel. This legislation streamlines the rules by removing a specific category of allegations previously handled under a separate investigative trigger. Consequently, the Act renumbers existing provisions and broadens the scope of certain oversight investigations within the DOJ.

The American Cooperation with Our Neighbors Act establishes a strategy for the U.S. government to enhance local and state-level cooperation with Mexican partners to combat fentanyl trafficking. It also mandates a review by the State Department to explore ways to improve access to financial services within Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states. The bill focuses on strengthening security coordination, sharing resources, and building local capacity on both fronts.

The Stop Unnecessary Expenditures (SUE) Act prohibits the use of any federal funds to purchase subscriptions to *The Wall Street Journal*. This restriction applies to all congressional offices and committees, effective starting in fiscal year 2025. The bill aims to eliminate this specific type of government spending.

The District of Columbia Courts Home Rule Act grants the Council of the District of Columbia greater authority to enact laws concerning the D.C. Courts. This is achieved by removing a specific restriction on the Council's lawmaking power found in the D.C. Home Rule Act. Essentially, this legislation expands the local legislative control over the District's judicial system.