Legislation

The AUSSOM Funding Restriction Act of 2025 places strict limitations on the use of U.S. assessed contributions to the United Nations for funding the African Union Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) under UN Resolution 2719. The bill mandates that the U.S. actively oppose such funding at the UN while simultaneously requiring annual assessments of the African Union's compliance with UN peacekeeping standards. Furthermore, the Secretary of State must report annually to Congress on U.S. peacekeeping contributions, AUSSOM performance, and efforts to secure alternative funding sources.

This joint resolution expresses the disapproval of Congress regarding a proposed foreign military sale of defense articles and services to the Government of Qatar. Specifically, this action blocks the planned sale which includes MQ9B drones, guided bombs, and associated support equipment. Congress is utilizing this resolution to formally halt the specified arms transaction.

The Clean Slate Act of 2025 establishes new federal procedures for automatically sealing certain criminal and arrest records one year after sentence completion, particularly for nonviolent marijuana offenses or cases resulting in acquittal. It also creates a judicial process allowing individuals convicted of other nonviolent offenses to petition the court to seal their records after meeting specific criteria. This legislation aims to protect sealed records from general disclosure while maintaining access for law enforcement and national security purposes.

The Universal Savings Account Act of 2025 establishes new tax-advantaged savings vehicles called Universal Savings Accounts (USAs). These accounts allow individuals to save money with tax-exempt growth, subject to annual contribution limits that begin at \$10,000 for 2025 and adjust for inflation. Generally, distributions from a USA are not taxed as income, though specific rules apply to rollovers and inherited accounts. The legislation sets forth detailed requirements for account trustees, investment restrictions, and penalties for excess contributions.

This bill mandates the creation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Secretaries of the Interior and Energy to address the financial impacts of the recent Glen Canyon Dam Record of Decision on the Upper Colorado River Basin Fund. The resulting plan must ensure the Fund can meet its obligations for maintenance and equipment replacement, account for any changes in hydropower production costs, and address impacts on listed threatened or endangered species. This action aims to safeguard the Fund's financial stability despite the new operational plan.

The Hotel Fees Transparency Act of 2025 mandates that hotels and short-term rental platforms must advertise the **total mandatory price** for lodging upfront, including all service fees. This federal law prohibits hidden fees in initial advertisements, requiring the full cost to be clearly displayed throughout the booking process. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is tasked with enforcement, and the new rules preempt stricter state or local laws regarding lodging price advertising.

The Protecting our Students in Schools Act of 2025 establishes a nationwide prohibition on corporal punishment in all federally funded educational programs. It creates strong enforcement mechanisms, allowing parents to sue and authorizing the Attorney General to intervene in cases of abuse. Furthermore, the Act establishes a grant program to incentivize states to adopt positive behavior support systems to reduce harsh disciplinary actions and improve school climate.

This resolution commemorates the 75th anniversary of the National Science Foundation (NSF), recognizing its vital role in advancing U.S. science, engineering, and education since 1950. Congress acknowledges the NSF's foundational support for groundbreaking innovations, including the internet and advancements in medical technology. The bill reaffirms Congress's commitment to ensuring the NSF continues to lead in scientific discovery for decades to come.

This resolution officially supports the designation of May 16, 2025, as "Endangered Species Day." It recognizes the inherent value of America's plants and wildlife and acknowledges the ongoing biodiversity crisis. Furthermore, the bill celebrates the success of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 in preventing extinctions and highlights the importance of continued conservation efforts.

This resolution formally honors law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, specifically recognizing the 345 officers whose service ended in 2024. It reaffirms support for all active officers and emphasizes the need to ensure they have the proper resources and training to perform their duties safely. The bill serves as a formal expression of gratitude and remembrance for their ultimate sacrifice.

This resolution formally asserts the United States' moral and legal obligation to provide comprehensive reparations to descendants of enslaved Africans for the enduring harm caused by chattel slavery and subsequent systemic discrimination. It details centuries of state-sanctioned injustice, including economic exclusion, violence, and wealth theft. Ultimately, the bill calls for the Federal Government to take concrete actions, including financial compensation, systemic legal reform, and a formal apology, to achieve holistic repair and reconciliation.

This resolution expresses support for designating May 2025 as National Physical Fitness and Sports Month to address the serious public health crisis of obesity in the United States. It highlights the high rates of obesity among adults and children, emphasizing the associated health risks. The bill ultimately encourages increased physical activity and healthy eating habits nationwide.

This resolution expresses strong support for the goals of National Hypertension Awareness Month, recognizing high blood pressure as a major public health crisis in the U.S. It emphasizes the critical need for early detection, effective management, and equitable access to affordable healthcare to combat the condition. Ultimately, the bill encourages public education efforts and thanks those working to reduce the impact of hypertension.

This resolution expresses the House's support for recognizing the month of May as "Excellence in Education: Merit Day Celebration." The celebration aims to honor students, educators, and institutions advancing merit-based educational systems. By highlighting these efforts, the resolution encourages nationwide recognition of practices that drive student achievement and excellence.

The Ride-Along Resolution mandates that every Member of the House of Representatives must complete at least one ride-along with local law enforcement during each term of Congress. This requirement aims to give representatives firsthand experience with the work of officers in their districts. Failure to comply will result in public notification by the Committee on Ethics.

This resolution expresses strong support for designating May 17, 2025, as "DIPG Awareness Day" to highlight the urgent need for action against diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG). It calls for increased federal funding and focused research into this devastating pediatric brain cancer, which has seen no significant treatment advances in over 40 years. Furthermore, the bill encourages research grant organizations to prioritize funding based on cancer lethality and potential life-years lost.

The Intergovernmental Critical Minerals Task Force Act establishes a new task force to address U.S. national security risks stemming from heavy reliance on foreign nations, particularly China, for critical minerals. This group will assess supply chain vulnerabilities and develop recommendations to boost domestic production, processing, and recycling capabilities. The Act mandates coordination across federal agencies, state and tribal governments, and industry to secure resilient mineral supplies.

The Railway Safety Act of 2025 establishes comprehensive new safety standards across the freight rail industry, focusing heavily on trains transporting hazardous materials. The bill mandates stricter rules for train operations, requires enhanced rail car inspections, and sets a phase-out date for older, less safe tank cars. Furthermore, it increases civil penalties for safety violations, institutes a minimum two-person crew requirement for most freight trains, and funds infrastructure improvements like advanced track monitoring.

The SERVE Act addresses the military's severe recruiting challenges by increasing recruiter access to high schools, formalizing JROTC partnership options, and establishing incentives for schools that promote military service. Key provisions mandate regular recruiter visits, allow students to join nearby JROTC programs, and create a pilot program to recognize "Military-Friendly schools." Furthermore, the bill grants priority consideration in service academy admissions to graduates from high schools with above-average enlistment rates.

The RESTORE Act establishes a Special Review Board to audit the Department of Defense's handling of COVID-19 religious exemption requests for service members. This Board is mandated to correct any career damage—such as lost promotions or pay—resulting from denied accommodations. Furthermore, the legislation requires the removal of all negative records related to vaccine refusal and mandates regular reporting to Congress on the implementation and accountability measures.