Legislation

This bill establishes an independent Office of Inspector General (IG) for the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (FRTIB). It formally amends federal law to include the FRTIB among agencies subject to dedicated IG oversight. This action ensures enhanced accountability and integrity for the management of federal employee retirement savings.

This bill establishes a new "Cargo Circumvention Tax" aimed at deterring companies from bypassing U.S. import regulations by routing goods through Canada or Mexico. The tax, set at 0.125% of the cargo's value, will be levied on U.S.-bound shipments that stop in those countries before entering the United States. Importers are responsible for paying this tax upon the cargo's final entry into the U.S., with the provisions taking effect after December 31, 2025.

The Same Care, Lower Cost Act aims to reduce Medicare spending by establishing "site-neutral" payments for certain medical services starting in 2027. This means Medicare will pay the same rate for specific procedures regardless of whether they are performed in a hospital outpatient department or an ambulatory surgical center. The Secretary must identify at least 66 service categories subject to this standardized payment, though emergency and critical care visits are exempt. This legislation directs the Secretary to align payment rates based on the service provided rather than the facility location.

This bill requires U.S. financial regulators to notify Congress before implementing major new banking rules that align with non-governmental international recommendations and exceed a $10 billion economic impact. It also mandates that federal banking agencies report annually to Congress on their engagement with specific international bodies regarding climate-related financial risk. The legislation aims to increase Congressional oversight over the influence of international organizations on domestic banking regulations.

The Aaron Salter, Jr., Responsible Body Armor Possession Act prohibits civilians from purchasing, owning, or possessing "enhanced body armor," defined as gear meeting or exceeding NIJ RF1 protection standards. This ban includes exceptions for federal, state, and local government agencies, as well as covered law enforcement officers. Knowingly violating this new federal prohibition carries penalties including fines and up to five years in prison.

This bill, the Restoring Safeguards for Dangerous Abortion Drugs Act, mandates the immediate reinstatement of the 2011 Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) for the abortion drug mifepristone. It also establishes a new federal cause of action allowing individuals to sue entities that illegally import or transport the drug if they suffer harm from its use. Furthermore, the Act explicitly bans the importation of mifepristone into the United States.

The Service Member Residence Protection Act amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to explicitly prevent state squatters' rights laws from applying to property owned by active-duty military personnel. This ensures that service members cannot lose ownership or occupancy rights to their property due to unauthorized occupants while they are deployed or serving. The bill provides a direct federal protection for military residences against adverse possession claims during active service.

The Healthy Dog Importation Act establishes new federal requirements for bringing live dogs into the United States, mandating advance electronic health documentation, vaccinations, and permanent identification for most imports. This law defines key roles like "Importer" and sets specific age and permitting requirements for dogs intended for transfer or sale after arrival. The Secretary of Agriculture is tasked with creating detailed regulations within 18 months to enforce these health and documentation standards, while also outlining specific exceptions for returning pets and working dogs.

The SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act of 2025 extends and significantly enhances federal research and development programs designed to support small businesses. It increases mandatory agency spending on these innovation programs, streamlines the path for award winners to secure commercial contracts with the government, and improves outreach to diverse entrepreneurs. Overall, the bill aims to boost federal investment in small business technology while increasing transparency and oversight of the programs through 2030.

The EAGLE Act of 2025 establishes a new federal grant program to help small, local law enforcement agencies cover the costs associated with achieving or renewing official professional accreditation. This funding is specifically designated to pay for accreditation fees, on-site assessments, and related expenses from recognized organizations like CALEA. The program is funded with $10 million for Fiscal Year 2025 to support agencies with fewer than 350 employees.

The Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program Reauthorization Act of 2025 extends and updates the successful program through 2034. This legislation broadens the program's focus to include pathogens and mandates specific federal staffing support for local restoration collaboratives. It prioritizes projects that reduce catastrophic wildfire risk, enhance cross-ownership restoration, and improve watershed health, while also expanding funding mechanisms.

The MIL FMLA Act significantly expands existing family and medical leave protections for military families and veterans under the FMLA. It broadens the definition of "family" to include domestic partners and extended relatives for leave purposes related to service members. Crucially, the bill grants eligible employees up to 26 weeks of leave to care for an injured service member and grants covered service members up to 26 weeks of leave for their own service-related injuries. These expanded rights and definitions are also applied specifically to federal civilian employees.

The Lowering Broadband Costs for Consumers Act of 2025 aims to stabilize and lower consumer broadband costs by reforming the Universal Service Fund (USF). This bill mandates the FCC to require major content and service providers ("Edge providers") to contribute financially to the USF alongside traditional broadband companies. Additionally, it establishes a new, targeted funding mechanism to ensure support reaches carriers serving high-cost, rural areas.

The Enhancing the Transitioning Servicemembers Experience Act significantly overhauls the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) by increasing required counseling days, expanding eligibility windows, and mandating more detailed financial planning. The bill also extends transitional health care coverage from 180 to 270 days post-separation and directs studies on programs like Skillbridge. Furthermore, it requires the VA to create a searchable website for veteran resources and expands eligibility for job counseling services to all TAP-eligible members.

The Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act of 2025 aims to support physicians and other practitioners facing Medicare payment adjustments. This bill extends the period for existing payment support through 2025 and introduces a new 8.51% payment increase for services provided from June 1, 2025, through the end of that year. Ultimately, it seeks to stabilize provider practices by modifying Medicare payment schedules.

The PROTECT Firefighters Act mandates the U.S. Fire Administrator to develop a comprehensive national strategy to improve the equipment, training, and staffing standards for firefighter Rapid Intervention Teams (RITs). This strategy must analyze current nationwide capabilities, including specialized maritime teams, and review past firefighter fatality data related to RIT failures. Ultimately, the Act requires the Administrator to provide Congress with specific recommendations for legislative action to enhance RIT readiness and standardization across the country.

The HEADs UP Act of 2025 aims to expand access to primary and dental healthcare for individuals with developmental disabilities. It revises federal funding criteria to specifically recognize this population as medically underserved, allowing health centers to qualify for enhanced support. The bill authorizes dedicated federal grants for health centers to establish or expand comprehensive services tailored to this community through 2030. This legislation also updates designations for Health Professional Shortage Areas to include these individuals, incentivizing increased staffing.

The Care for Military Kids Act of 2025 standardizes how states determine Medicaid residency for active duty military families who relocate for service, beginning in 2028. This ensures that relocated service members and their dependents maintain their place on Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiting lists in their new state. The bill mandates that the new state must cover necessary Medicaid care for these families while they await service eligibility decisions. This legislation aims to eliminate gaps in essential long-term care coverage during military-directed moves.

The STOP Screwworms Act mandates the establishment of facilities to rear and release sterile New World screwworm flies in high-risk areas to combat infestations. The Secretary of Agriculture must build these modular facilities within 180 days of enactment and provide annual public reports on the threat and control efforts. The bill authorizes up to $300 million to fund these necessary actions.

The Pink Tax Repeal Act prohibits businesses from charging different prices for substantially similar consumer products or services based solely on the buyer's gender. This legislation empowers the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to enforce the ban as an unfair business practice. State Attorneys General are also authorized to file lawsuits to stop violations and seek restitution for affected residents.