Legislation

This bill, the "District of Columbia Legislative Home Rule Act," eliminates Congressional review of District of Columbia laws, giving the city greater autonomy over its legislative process. It removes the requirement for Congressional approval of D.C. acts, allowing laws passed by the D.C. Council and Mayor (or through voter initiatives) to take effect without Congressional intervention. These changes will apply to D.C. acts passed on or after the first day of the One Hundred Nineteenth Congress.

This proposed constitutional amendment mandates a balanced federal budget, where total spending cannot exceed total income, unless a supermajority in Congress approves specific overspending. The President must submit a balanced budget annually. Exceptions are allowed for declared wars, national emergencies, or natural disasters, each requiring specific congressional approval. The amendment would take effect five years after ratification, giving Congress time to enact enforcement legislation.

The HELP PETS Act prohibits federal funding to colleges and universities that conduct or fund painful research on dogs and cats. Exceptions include clinical veterinary research benefiting the animal, and studies involving service or military animals. "Painful research" refers to procedures classified as pain category D or E by the Department of Agriculture. This law aims to ensure federal funds are not used for painful experiments on pets in higher education institutions.

This bill allocates \$25,977,070 from the House of Representatives' funds to cover the expenses of the Committee on Armed Services during the 119th Congress, including staff salaries. The funds are divided into two equal amounts, one for each session of Congress. Payments must be made via vouchers approved by the Chairman and the House Administration Committee, and all expenditures must comply with the House Administration Committee's regulations.

This proposed constitutional amendment would lower the national voting age to 16. It repeals the 26th Amendment and prohibits the federal government or any state from denying citizens aged 16 and older the right to vote based on age. The amendment grants Congress the authority to enforce this change through appropriate legislation.

The "National Law Enforcement Officers Remembrance, Support and Community Outreach Act" aims to support the National Law Enforcement Museum's programs for community outreach, public education, and officer safety and wellness through grants to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. The act authorizes \$6,000,000 to be appropriated to the Secretary of the Interior for each of the first 7 fiscal years after the law is enacted. It requires annual progress reports to ensure accountability and transparency in the use of funds. The Act allows the Secretary to use funds to continue activities the National Law Enforcement Museum was already doing when this law was enacted.

The "States' Education Reclamation Act of 2025" abolishes the Department of Education, transferring its programs to other federal departments and providing states with grants equivalent to their 2025 federal education funding. States must use these funds for elementary, secondary, and postsecondary education, adhering to state laws and maintaining fiscal accountability through annual audits and reports. The Act also prohibits discrimination in programs funded by these grants and requires a plan for the Department of Education's closure. Finally, the Government Accountability Office must submit a report reviewing the feasibility of funding education by lowering the federal tax burden and ending federal grants for education programs.

The "FAITH in Small Business Act" codifies a Small Business Administration rule ensuring faith-based organizations receive equal treatment in SBA loan and disaster assistance programs. This guarantees that these organizations are not discriminated against and can participate in SBA programs on the same basis as other eligible entities.

This bill amends the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006, specifically section 119(d), to permanently extend the American Samoa economic development tax credit. By removing the expiration date, the tax credit will continue to be available for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2021, supporting economic development in American Samoa.

The Restore Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability Act of 2025 aims to improve accountability within the VA by streamlining the process for removing or disciplining employees, including supervisors and senior executives, for misconduct or poor performance. It sets specific timelines and standards for disciplinary actions, emphasizing the use of substantial evidence and limiting external review of penalties. The bill also protects whistleblowers and ensures that disciplinary actions are based on a thorough consideration of the employee's record and the nature of the offense. These changes will apply retroactively to misconduct or performance issues that occurred after the enactment of the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017.

This bill expresses support for women's access to comprehensive, high-quality healthcare services nationwide, emphasizing the importance of physical, mental, and spiritual wellness. It recognizes the Pro Womens Healthcare Centers as an example of comprehensive care, highlighting their services and standards. The bill aims to empower women to advocate for their health and acknowledges the interconnectedness of women's health with the well-being of men, families, and communities. Ultimately, the bill champions the implementation of similar high-quality, life-affirming care standards across the nation.

This resolution informs the House of Representatives about the Senate's selection of Jennifer A. Hemingway as the new Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper.

The "Protecting Higher Education from the Chinese Communist Party Act of 2025" restricts certain visas for members of the Chinese Communist Party and their families, with exceptions only for UN obligations or national security waivers. This includes individuals who have served on the National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party. The President can waive the restriction for national security reasons.

The "Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act" establishes a commission to examine the history of slavery and discrimination in the United States from 1619 to the present. The commission will study the lingering negative effects of these injustices on living African Americans and U.S. society, and recommend appropriate remedies, including how to educate the American public on its findings to promote racial healing and understanding. The commission will submit a written report of its findings and recommendations to Congress within 18 months of its first official meeting, and the act authorizes the appropriation of $20,000,000 to implement the provisions of this act.

This bill authorizes the appointment of one additional district judge for the district of Idaho. The President will appoint the new judge, with confirmation by the Senate. The bill also updates the U.S. Code to reflect the increase in the number of judgeships for Idaho.

The PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Peer Support Program Act establishes a grant program within the Department of Veterans Affairs to fund peer-to-peer mental health support for veterans. Grants, up to $250,000, will be awarded to eligible entities like nonprofits and veteran service organizations to operate programs that meet specific standards, hire veteran peer specialists, and provide 24/7 mental health support. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs will establish an advisory committee to set program standards and best practices. The bill allocates $25,000,000 over three years to carry out the program.

The "Action Versus No Action Act" streamlines environmental impact studies for certain collaborative forest management activities by limiting the analysis to only two options: taking action or taking no action. When considering the "no action" option, the Act requires the evaluating body to consider the effects on forest health, potential losses, habitat diversity, wildfire, and timber production. This focused approach aims to expedite collaborative forest management projects while still considering potential environmental and socioeconomic impacts.

The "Promoting New Bank Formation Act of 2025" aims to encourage the creation of new financial institutions, especially in underserved areas, by phasing in capital standards, allowing changes to business plans, adjusting the Community Bank Leverage Ratio for rural community banks, and expanding agricultural loan authority for federal savings associations. The Act also requires federal banking agencies to study and report on the reasons for the decline in new financial institutions and ways to promote their formation.

The "Make Transportation Authorities Accountable and Transparent Act" mandates an audit by the Department of Transportation's Inspector General on coronavirus relief funds allocated to the five largest transit agencies. This audit will cover the five fiscal years prior to the Act's enactment, detailing the amount of funds received and how they were spent. A report summarizing the audit findings must be submitted to Congress within 180 days.

The Voluntary School Prayer Protection Act of 2025 ensures that state and local education agencies respect constitutionally protected prayer in public schools. The bill states that the Department of Education will not provide funding to any agency that denies or prevents voluntary participation in constitutionally protected prayer. The bill does not require anyone to participate in prayer.