Legislation

The Essential Skills and Child Care for Health Professions Act amends grant requirements for demonstration projects supporting healthcare workforce training. This legislation mandates that funded projects must provide participants with foundational skills training, including basic education if needed, alongside guaranteed and affordable childcare. These new requirements are set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

The No Bribes for Politicians Act of 2025 aims to increase transparency and reduce conflicts of interest for high-ranking officials. This bill mandates biannual financial disclosures for certain employees and expands disclosure requirements to include relatives of the President, Vice President, and Cabinet secretaries. Furthermore, it prohibits the President and Vice President from owning for-profit businesses or using their office for commercial gain while in office. The Act also establishes immediate disposal rules for certain official gifts received by federal employees.

This resolution formally recognizes the critical disparities in mental health access and treatment for Black youth, citing alarming increases in suicide rates among this population. It calls on the current administration to build upon previous efforts and implement recommendations from the *Ring the Alarm* report. The bill specifically urges increased funding, promotion of community education to reduce stigma, and protection of existing mental health service structures.

The Promoting Health Careers in Community and Technical Colleges Act ensures that recipients of Health Professions Opportunity Demonstration Project grants must train participants to earn recognized postsecondary credentials. This legislation also explicitly makes community colleges eligible to apply for these federal demonstration grants. These changes will take effect starting October 1, 2025.

The Freedom from Automated Speed Enforcement Act of 2025 aims to discourage states from using automated speed enforcement systems, such as speed cameras, by threatening to withhold 10% of their federal highway funds starting in late 2026 if they do not certify their absence. These systems are generally banned unless they are strictly limited to use within active school zones or construction zones. The bill grants the Secretary of Transportation authority to implement necessary regulations to enforce these provisions.

The DEMO Act establishes new federal grants to fund demonstration projects aimed at creating career pathways in high-demand health professions for individuals with arrest or conviction records. These projects must provide education, training, and necessary support services to help eligible individuals obtain credentials and secure employment in the health sector. The Secretary of Health and Human Services will award funds to qualified entities, prioritizing those with proven success in job placement and retention. The goal is to evaluate effective strategies for integrating this population into the healthcare workforce while addressing state-level credentialing barriers.

The College Students Continuation of Mental Health Care Act of 2025 establishes a system for licensing reciprocity, allowing college mental health providers to offer telehealth services to their enrolled students across state lines. This streamlines care by generally adhering to the provider's home state licensing rules, while ensuring patient safety through required disclosures and identity verification. The Act also encourages interstate agreements to further facilitate this cross-state mental health support for students.

The Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act of 2025 comprehensively bans the manufacture, processing, use, and sale of commercial asbestos and products containing it upon enactment. The bill establishes clear definitions for commercial asbestos and includes limited exceptions for existing chlor-alkali plant diaphragms until 2030. It also grants the President authority to issue temporary, renewable national security exemptions under strict conditions. This legislation amends the Toxic Substances Control Act to eliminate most commercial uses of this hazardous material.

This resolution expresses support for designating September 23, 2025, as "Mary Church Terrell Day" to honor her legacy. It recognizes her groundbreaking contributions as an educator, suffragist, and tireless advocate against racial discrimination. The bill specifically calls on Congress to formally acknowledge her lasting impact on both the civil rights and women's rights movements.

The Southern Arizona Protection Act revokes Presidential Proclamation 7320 concerning the Ironwood Forest area in Arizona. This legislation specifically prohibits the designation or extension of any new national monuments within the boundaries generally shown on the June 12, 2000 map for the Ironwood Forest National Monument. Future monument designations in this area will require an act of Congress.

The Bipartisan Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program Expansion Act increases the federal share of grant funding for certain public safety activities from 50% to 60%. This change aims to reduce the financial burden on states for purchasing essential equipment. Additionally, the Act authorizes $60 million annually for this program from fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

The ENABLE Conservation Act of 2025 streamlines federal conservation efforts by updating the Food Security Act of 1985. This legislation allows land enrolled in new state-level wildlife enhancement initiatives to count toward existing federal conservation program requirements. It also includes technical amendments to ensure accurate cross-referencing of acreage limitations within the law.

The Northern Arizona Protection Act invalidates the recent presidential designation of the Baaj Nwaavjo Itah Kukveni-Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument. This legislation explicitly prohibits the future establishment or expansion of any national monuments in that specific area of Arizona. Moving forward, monument designation in this region requires explicit authorization through an Act of Congress.

The Motor Carrier Safety Selection Standard Act of 2024 establishes a "safe harbor" standard for shippers to prove they were not negligent when selecting a motor carrier. This protection is granted if the shipper verifies the carrier's registration, insurance, and current FMCSA safety compliance confirmation within 45 days of shipment. The Act also mandates the Secretary of Transportation to update FMCSA safety fitness determination rules within one year.

This resolution formally recognizes the significant legacy of fencing pioneer Peter Westbrook and the transformative work of the Peter Westbrook Foundation. The Foundation provides underserved youth with free fencing instruction alongside crucial academic and life skills support. This effort has resulted in remarkable success, including high rates of high school graduation, college attendance, and Olympic representation.

The Rural Health Training Opportunities Act aims to boost healthcare training in underserved areas by prioritizing grant applications that serve rural communities. It mandates that all funded projects must include a comprehensive plan to cover participant transportation costs. Furthermore, the Secretary must report annually to Congress on the success and rural focus of these demonstration projects.

The Power Plant Reliability Act of 2025 grants the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) new authority to address inadequate electric service by ordering utilities to keep existing power units operational for up to five years. This Act also mandates that power plant owners must provide at least five years' advance notice before permanently retiring a generating unit, with exceptions for catastrophic events. Crucially, compliance with a FERC service order supersedes conflicting federal, state, or local environmental laws, shielding utilities from related penalties.

This resolution expresses strong support for recognizing September 2025 as "National Children's Emotional Wellness Month." It aims to increase public awareness regarding the critical importance of children's emotional health amidst rising rates of anxiety, depression, and mental health crises among youth. The bill acknowledges the vital work of mental health professionals and seeks to reduce barriers to care for children and families.

This Act provides continuing funding for the federal government through Fiscal Year 2026, ensuring all agencies can operate while also extending numerous existing programs for one month into October 2025. It includes specific provisions for the Department of Defense, the Judiciary, and various health and veterans' services, while also making permanent enhancements to Affordable Care Act subsidies. Overall, the legislation maintains the operational status quo for most government functions while addressing specific budgetary and administrative deadlines.

The Peer to Peer Mental Health Support Act establishes a pilot program to fund evidence-based mental health peer support activities in high schools. This program allows eligible entities to receive competitive awards to train students and staff on early intervention and resilience building. All activities must be overseen by a mental health professional, and the program's effectiveness will be evaluated and reported to Congress before its scheduled end in 2029.