Legislation

The Special District Fairness and Accessibility Act ensures that specialized local government entities, known as special districts, are explicitly recognized as eligible recipients for federal financial assistance. This legislation mandates the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to issue clear guidance on recognizing these districts for grants and loans. The goal is to standardize how federal agencies distribute financial aid to these essential local service providers.

The Hands Off Medicaid and SNAP Act of 2025 prevents Congress from using the budget reconciliation process to cut funding or eligibility for Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This protection establishes a significant procedural roadblock against reducing benefits for these essential social programs. However, this restriction is temporary and is set to expire on January 20, 2029.

The Expanding Access to Family Planning Act establishes a dedicated Title X Clinic Fund managed by HHS to ensure stable, increased national funding for family planning services. This legislation allocates \$512 million annually for ten years toward services and an additional \$50 million yearly for facility improvements. Furthermore, the bill mandates that any clinic receiving this funding must provide neutral, non-directive counseling on all pregnancy options—prenatal care, infant care/adoption, and termination—if the patient requests information.

The Safeguarding Our Levees Act mandates a strict 180-day deadline for the government to begin emergency repairs on flood control projects following a natural disaster, upon request from local sponsors. This legislation also modifies the cost-sharing formula for these emergency restoration efforts between federal and local entities. The goal is to significantly speed up the restoration of vital flood defenses.

The Fair Accounting for Condominium Construction Act updates tax accounting rules by replacing the term "home construction contract" with "residential construction contract" within the Internal Revenue Code. This change modifies the requirements for using the percentage of completion accounting method for certain residential construction projects. The bill also updates related references in the Alternative Minimum Tax provisions. These new rules apply only to contracts entered into after the date of enactment.

The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program Improvement Act of 2025 updates the CREP to offer farmers more flexibility in how they receive annual contract payments. It establishes new payment formulas for agreements involving the retirement of water rights or dryland farming practices, potentially increasing payments for some existing contracts. Additionally, the bill mandates certain water conservation agreements and exempts CREP rental payments from federal payment limitations.

The Coastal Drone Surveillance and Interdiction Assessment Act mandates the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct a comprehensive review of utilizing drones to enhance border security and combat maritime and low-altitude drug smuggling along the U.S. coastline. This assessment must analyze the effectiveness and risks associated with drone deployment, focusing particularly on major trafficking routes and remote areas. The resulting report detailing these findings will be submitted to key Congressional committees.

The Safeguarding American Education From Foreign Control Act tightens reporting requirements for colleges and universities regarding gifts and contracts from foreign sources, especially those linked to "covered nations." This legislation lowers the reporting threshold significantly, mandating disclosure for even nominal amounts from certain foreign entities. Furthermore, the Secretary of Education must now rapidly share all received disclosure information with the FBI and the Director of National Intelligence.

The Setting the Table for Transition Act temporarily adjusts Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility rules for households that include recently separated veterans. For 100 days following the issuance of a veteran's Report of Separation, SNAP will only consider that veteran's income when determining household eligibility. This aims to provide quicker access to food assistance during the critical transition period out of military service.

The ENLIST Act mandates that secondary schools receiving federal funding must prominently display and ensure student access to military recruiting information during school hours. This ensures that information about military service and training opportunities is readily available to students.

The Abortion Funding Awareness Act of 2025 mandates that states receiving federal Medicaid funds must publicly report detailed information regarding payments made to abortion providers. This includes the amount paid, the purpose of the funds, and the number and type of abortions performed by those providers. The Secretary of Health and Human Services will then compile these state reports into a summary for Congress and public posting.

The TICKER Act aims to protect U.S. investors by increasing transparency regarding the risks associated with investing in certain foreign entities, particularly those structured as Variable Interest Entities (VIEs). The bill mandates that stock exchanges clearly flag securities from these "covered entities" with a visible designation next to their ticker symbol. Furthermore, brokers and dealers must provide explicit warnings to investors about the lack of traditional legal recourse when investing in these specific foreign structures.

The Tax Cut for Workers Act of 2025 significantly expands and makes permanent the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for workers without qualifying children by lowering the minimum age, substantially increasing the credit amount, and raising income thresholds. It also allows taxpayers to elect to use higher prior-year earned income to calculate their current EITC benefit. Furthermore, the bill permanently extends current EITC application rules for U.S. territories like Puerto Rico.

The Gas-Operated Semi-Automatic Firearms Exclusion (GOSAFE) Act restricts the manufacture, sale, and possession of certain gas-operated semi-automatic firearms and large-capacity ammunition feeding devices. The bill establishes a federal process for determining which specific firearms are banned and makes it illegal to possess magazines holding more than 10 rounds manufactured after the enactment date. Furthermore, it allows states to use federal Byrne grant funds to establish buy-back programs for these prohibited items. Violations of the new prohibitions carry significant fines and potential prison sentences.

The Tennessee Valley Authority Salary Transparency Act mandates that the TVA Board must report the names, salaries, and duties of management-level employees earning above the GS-15 top pay rate. However, this specific salary information is explicitly exempted from public disclosure under FOIA. The bill also modernizes outdated language regarding audits conducted by the Comptroller General.

The Banning Unlawful Machinegun Parts Act (BUMP Act) prohibits the manufacture, sale, and possession of devices or modifications that significantly increase the firing rate of semiautomatic firearms to mimic machinegun function. Existing owners of such modified firearms must register them within 120 days of enactment to maintain lawful possession. This legislation updates federal law by classifying these rate-of-fire-enhancing modifications as regulated items under the National Firearms Act.

The Fairness for Stay-at-Home Parents Act amends the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to clarify rules regarding intermittent leave for the birth of a child. It also establishes a new requirement for employers to notify employees taking birth-related FMLA leave that they may not be required to repay health insurance premiums if they choose not to return to work. This legislation aims to provide greater clarity and protection for parents utilizing FMLA after welcoming a new child.

This Act prohibits executive agencies from awarding contracts or grants to companies in which a "special Government employee" held a beneficial ownership stake of 5% or more on or after January 1, 2025. This restriction applies unless the individual immediately resigns from their government role and remains separated for one year following the law's enactment. Essentially, the bill aims to prevent federal funds from flowing to businesses recently or currently controlled by temporary government appointees.

The Every State Counts for Veterans Mental Health Act prioritizes states that have not yet received funding from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) suicide prevention grants. This legislation ensures that eligible organizations in unfunded states receive a scoring preference during the grant review process. The goal is to guarantee that every state eventually receives at least one VA suicide prevention grant.

The Ruby Mountains Protection Act withdraws approximately 349,000 acres of federal land within the Ruby Mountains subdistrict of the National Forest System and the Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge from mineral leasing. This action aims to protect these specific areas in Nevada from future mining operations. The withdrawal respects any valid mineral rights that legally exist prior to the Act's enactment.