Legislation

The SNAP Administrator Retention Act of 2025 aims to improve SNAP administration by requiring states to raise staff wages to match federal pay scales. Once approved, the federal government will fully fund 100% of the state agency's administrative personnel costs for SNAP. This funding is contingent on states using the money to supplement, not supplant, their existing administrative staffing budgets.

The Veterans Housing Stability Act of 2025 establishes a new Partial Claim Program allowing the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to step in and cover a portion of a veteran's mortgage debt to prevent or resolve default on a VA-guaranteed loan. Under this program, veterans agree to repay the interest-free VA-purchased debt later, while the VA secures a secondary lien on the property. The legislation also outlines specific responsibilities for lenders and establishes civil penalties for fraudulent activity related to this new default prevention tool.

This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to create a comprehensive plan for identifying, testing, and deploying emerging and innovative technologies to enhance U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operations. The plan must detail how CBP will integrate new tools, assess their impact on privacy and civil liberties, and establish clear metrics for success. It also formalizes the role of CBP Innovation Teams in rapidly adapting commercial technology to address border security gaps.

The Servicemember Healthcare Freedom Act of 2025 addresses a gap in healthcare coverage for federal civilian employees who also serve in the National Guard or Reserves. This bill removes the restriction preventing these dual-status members from enrolling in TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) if they are already covered by the Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) plan. By allowing earlier enrollment into TRS starting January 1, 2026, the Act ensures these service members maintain continuous and comprehensive healthcare coverage during active duty mobilization periods.

This bill establishes the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Response Team Grant Program to fund local and tribal teams dedicated to responding to childhood trauma. Administered by the Attorney General and HHS Secretary, these grants will support coordinated responses, build partnerships with mental health services, and provide trauma-informed training. Congress has authorized $10 million annually for this program from Fiscal Years 2026 through 2029.

This bill amends budget rules to explicitly prohibit making changes to Medicare and Medicaid through the budget reconciliation process. It updates existing law to ensure these major health programs are treated the same as other entitlement programs under special budget procedures. The goal is to safeguard Medicare and Medicaid from being altered using this fast-track legislative method.

The Parity for Native Hawaiian Veterans Act of 2025 aims to improve benefits for Native Hawaiian veterans. This bill updates the definition used by the VA for direct housing loans to align with existing Native American housing laws. Furthermore, it mandates that the VA reimburse Native Hawaiian health systems for medical care provided to eligible veterans and exempts Native Hawaiian veterans from certain medical cost-sharing requirements.

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to specifically exclude certain military bonuses from gross income for tax purposes. It updates existing tax law to ensure that bonuses paid to members of the uniformed services under specific statutes are not subject to federal income tax. This exclusion will take effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.

The Tanning Tax Repeal Act of 2025 officially eliminates the federal excise tax on indoor tanning services. This legislation strikes the relevant chapter from the Internal Revenue Code, immediately ceasing the tax requirement for services rendered after the bill's enactment. In short, it removes the tax on tanning salons moving forward.

The CDFI Bond Guarantee Program Improvement Act of 2025 aims to strengthen the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Bond Guarantee Program. This legislation adjusts the calculation and sets new annual limits for government guarantees on bonds issued for community and economic development. Furthermore, it extends the program's authorization period and mandates the Treasury Secretary to report twice on the program's effectiveness to Congress.

This resolution formally honors the lives and dedicated missionary service of Natalie and Davy Lloyd, who were tragically killed while serving in Haiti. It expresses the deepest condolences of the Senate to their family and friends. The measure recognizes their commitment to serving God and the Haitian community, particularly through their work with children.

The Bridge Protection Act establishes new federal requirements for owners of older bridges over navigable waters seeking federal funding. These owners must conduct vulnerability assessments against ship or barge collisions using the AASHTO Method II. If a bridge is deemed high-risk, owners must implement a mitigation plan or risk losing future federal grants for that structure. The Act also creates a dedicated grant program to help fund these necessary safety assessments and physical improvements.

The Strengthening American Nuclear Energy Act officially codifies several recent Executive Orders into federal law. This action solidifies policies aimed at modernizing nuclear reactor testing, accelerating advanced nuclear technology deployment for national security, reforming the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), and revitalizing the domestic nuclear industry. Essentially, the bill makes key presidential directives regarding nuclear energy permanent law.

This bill establishes new rules for providing federal compensation to very large egg producers following avian influenza outbreaks. To qualify for aid, these major entities must agree to temporarily halt stock buybacks and dividend payments for two years. Publicly traded or private equity-owned companies face additional certification requirements proving financial necessity, with severe penalties, including prison time, for false claims.

The Medicare Economic Security Solutions Act aims to reform the Medicare Part B late enrollment penalty structure. This bill lowers the penalty rate, changes how long the penalty lasts, and excludes periods of coverage under COBRA, retiree plans, or VA health care from penalty calculations. Additionally, it removes employment status restrictions for qualifying for a special enrollment period when COBRA or retiree coverage ends.

The Association Health Plans Act expands the ability for certain groups or associations of employers to band together to offer health plans under federal law (ERISA). This allows broader groups, including self-employed individuals, to qualify as a single employer for offering coverage. The bill also provides these associations with flexibility in setting premium rates based on the risk profile of each participating employer. However, these plans must still adhere to existing federal protections against discrimination based on health status or pre-existing conditions.

The Second Chance Reauthorization Act of 2025 extends and improves critical federal grant programs designed to support successful reentry for formerly incarcerated individuals. This legislation specifically reauthorizes key demonstration projects through 2030 and broadens the scope of services these grants can cover. Updates now explicitly allow funding for substance use disorder treatment, including peer recovery support and reentry housing services. Overall, the bill ensures continued federal investment in evidence-based reentry initiatives through the end of the decade.

The Protect LNG Act of 2025 establishes specific rules for federal agency decisions and litigation concerning Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) export facilities. This bill ensures that existing LNG facility permits remain valid even if their environmental reviews are challenged in court, requiring agencies to fix errors rather than voiding authorizations. Furthermore, it centralizes legal challenges to these decisions in the U.S. Court of Appeals circuit where the facility is located and imposes a strict 90-day deadline for filing lawsuits after final agency approval.

The No Loan Forgiveness for Terrorists Act of 2025 amends the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program to disqualify employment with organizations that engage in activities with a "substantial illegal purpose." This exclusion specifically targets organizations involved in terrorism support, significant violations of immigration or child protection laws, or repeated illegal acts like vandalism or trespassing. Therefore, working for such entities will no longer count toward the forgiveness of federal student loans.

The Plant Biostimulant Act of 2025 updates federal law to specifically define "plant biostimulant," separating it from other regulated agricultural products. This legislation requires the EPA to update its regulations to reflect these new definitions within 120 days of enactment. Furthermore, the bill mandates the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a comprehensive study on how various biostimulants can improve soil health and sustainability outcomes.