Legislation

The Put School Counselors Where They’re Needed Act establishes a demonstration project to award competitive grants to low-graduation-rate secondary schools. These grants fund the hiring of additional school counselors specifically tasked with supporting students at risk of not graduating. The goal is to supplement existing staff and provide intensive, individualized support to boost four-year graduation rates.

The Close the Revolving Door Act of 2025 aims to significantly restrict influence peddling by implementing a lifetime lobbying ban for former Members of Congress and extending the cooling-off period for Congressional staff to six years. The bill also establishes a centralized, searchable public website for lobbying disclosures, mandates new annual reporting for large lobbying entities regarding former officials they employ, and increases the maximum fine for certain lobbying violations to $\$500,000$.

The SMART Prices Act aims to strengthen Medicare by significantly accelerating and expanding the number of drugs eligible for price negotiation. This bill lowers the time requirements for certain single-source drugs to qualify for negotiation and adjusts the maximum fair price ceilings for negotiated drugs starting in 2028. Overall, the legislation seeks to increase price competition and lower costs within the Medicare drug program.

The AG RESEARCH Act establishes a new competitive grant program to address the significant deferred maintenance backlog in U.S. agricultural research facilities. This program provides substantial mandatory and authorized funding to modernize, renovate, and equip these critical sites. The goal is to ensure that American agricultural research remains globally competitive and cutting-edge.

This bill amends the Small Business Act to provide immediate relief for disaster loan recipients. It mandates a one-year waiver of all interest accrual and principal payments for certain SBA disaster loans made after the date of enactment. This ensures borrowers have a full year of relief following the disbursement of disaster recovery funds.

This bill primarily repeals and modifies numerous existing requirements across federal science and technology acts, specifically targeting and eliminating mandates related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in STEM programs and research funding. It also restricts federal agencies from imposing policy requirements on funding recipients that are not explicitly established in law. The legislation streamlines various programs while maintaining specific encouragement for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Tribal Colleges or Universities (TCUs).

The Fit to Serve Act prohibits the U.S. Armed Forces from discriminating against service members based on their gender identity. This means military branches cannot set different standards, involuntarily discharge personnel, or deny medically necessary healthcare due to a service member's gender identity. The bill ensures equal opportunity for joining, serving, and receiving care regardless of one's internal sense of self.

The STABLE GENIUS Act prohibits elected officials and federal candidates from trading or holding digital assets like cryptocurrencies while running for or serving in office. This ban extends for one year after leaving office, with the only exception being placement into an approved qualified blind trust. Violators face significant civil penalties, and willful violations resulting in major financial harm or personal gain could lead to criminal charges and up to 18 years in prison.

The Second Chance Reauthorization Act of 2025 extends and improves key federal grant programs designed to support successful reentry for formerly incarcerated individuals. This legislation shifts the authorization window for several demonstration projects to run from 2026 through 2030. It also specifically broadens the scope of reentry demonstration projects to explicitly fund substance use disorder treatment, including peer recovery services and reentry housing. Overall, the bill ensures continued federal support for vital reentry, education, and substance abuse collaboration initiatives through the end of the decade.

The Leadership in CET Act establishes a pilot program to expedite the patent examination process for inventions in critical and emerging technologies, specifically Artificial Intelligence, Semiconductors, and Quantum Science. This initiative aims to accelerate U.S. innovation leadership in these vital sectors by prioritizing relevant patent applications. The program will run for five years or until 15,000 applications are accepted, with provisions for potential renewal. Applicants must meet specific criteria, including not being a "foreign entity of concern," to qualify for this expedited review.

The Taiwan PLUS Act aims to strengthen U.S. defense cooperation with Taiwan by treating it as a key security partner. This legislation directs the U.S. government to treat Taiwan similarly to "NATO Plus" nations when approving foreign military sales and defense cooperation programs. For five years, the bill streamlines processes for exporting defense articles and providing military financing to Taiwan, with potential extensions based on national security interests.

The Supporting Healthy Moms and Babies Act mandates that essential health benefits under the ACA must comprehensively cover prenatal, childbirth, neonatal, perinatal, and postpartum care. This legislation explicitly bans all cost-sharing, such as deductibles or copayments, for these critical maternal and newborn health services. The coverage requirements are expanded to include screenings like ultrasounds and services related to pregnancy loss. Furthermore, non-birth parents are entitled to related behavioral health services for one year following the child's birth.

The PRECISE Act of 2025 aims to modernize agriculture by prioritizing precision agriculture technologies and practices across rural America. It expands federal assistance and incentives within existing conservation programs like EQIP and CSP to encourage the adoption of high-tech, data-driven farming methods. Furthermore, the bill clarifies definitions and enhances technical assistance delivery to support farmers in improving efficiency and environmental outcomes.

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to expand the definition of qualified education expenses for 529 savings plans. It now permits the use of these tax-advantaged funds for certain transportation and parking costs associated with higher education. Specifically, distributions can cover reasonable travel expenses up to the amount determined by the school's cost of attendance calculation, and similar provisions apply to apprenticeship programs.

The Joshua Tree National Park Expansion Act officially enlarges the park by approximately 20,149 acres, transferring management of the new land from the BLM to the National Park Service. The bill also authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire this new acreage through donation, purchase, or exchange. Finally, it renames the Cottonwood Visitor Center to the Dianne Feinstein Visitor Center and makes a minor technical correction to a previous conservation funding law.

The Save Our Forests Act of 2025 aims to strengthen the management and health of the National Forest System. This legislation mandates the immediate hiring of additional Forest Service personnel and the reinstatement of recently departed employees. Furthermore, it ensures the continuation of all previously authorized and funded Forest Service projects under various existing laws.

The LIP Enhancement Act of 2025 amends the Livestock Indemnity Program to provide additional payments to producers who suffer losses of unborn livestock above normal death rates. This new payment is calculated based on a set rate, not exceeding 85% of the rate for the lightest weight class of that livestock. These provisions apply to losses occurring on or after January 1, 2024.

The Veterans Administration Backlog Accountability Act of 2025 mandates that the VA Inspector General submit a comprehensive report to Congress within 180 days detailing the current status of the disability compensation claims backlog. This report must analyze the effectiveness of current efforts to clear these claims, including staffing impacts and preparedness for future claim surges. Ultimately, the Act seeks to identify necessary recommendations to speed up decision times for veterans awaiting benefits.

The Gunnison Outdoor Resources Protection Act of 2025 establishes numerous new protected zones—including Special Management Areas, Wildlife Conservation Areas, Protection Areas, and Recreation Management Areas—across Gunnison County, Colorado. The bill mandates specific management plans focused on conservation, while generally restricting off-highway vehicle and bicycle use to existing designated routes. Additionally, it formally designates several new Wilderness Areas and clarifies land use restrictions, including withdrawing certain lands from oil and gas leasing.

The TALENTS Act establishes and administers the Presidential Management Fellows Program to recruit high-potential individuals into federal leadership roles. The bill sets forth detailed definitions, outlines annual selection and appointment procedures, and mandates rigorous development, training, and mentorship for Fellows. Furthermore, it establishes rules for Fellows' movement between agencies, conversion to permanent positions, and the creation of Federal Executive Boards to support local government coordination.