Legislation

The Corrections Officer Blake Schwarz Suicide Prevention Act of 2025 aims to improve the mental health of corrections officers by establishing a grant program for state and local governments to implement mental health screenings and connect officers with mental health care. It also directs the Bureau of Prisons to develop and administer similar mental health programs. An Advisory Board will oversee the grant program and provide guidance, while the act allocates specific funding for these initiatives over five years.

The "No In-State Tuition for Illegal Immigrants Act" aims to restrict states from offering in-state tuition rates to individuals not lawfully present in the U.S. by amending the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996. States that violate this provision would lose federal financial aid under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965. The terms "Federal financial assistance," "institution of higher education," and "State" are defined by references to existing sections in the U.S. Code and the Higher Education Act of 1965.

The Train Noise and Vibrations Reduction Act of 2025 requires the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on ways to reduce train noise and vibrations near homes. The report will include recommendations, costs, and benefits for strategies such as train and track modifications, adjusted speed limits, noise mitigation techniques, and building insulation. The goal is to identify effective solutions for minimizing the impact of train operations on nearby communities.

The "No Hungry Kids in Schools Act" aims to eliminate student hunger by providing free meals to all students in participating states. Starting July 1, 2025, states that fund the program with non-federal funds will receive free reimbursement for all meals served at applicable schools. This will be achieved by applying a specific multiplier, setting a threshold of zero, and calculating identified students as a percentage across all applicable schools in the state.

The "Abortion Data and Outreach to Unlock and Leverage Abortion Support Act" or the "Abortion DOULAS Act" aims to improve access to abortion doula care by directing the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study the benefits of such care and its coverage. This includes assessing the impact on individuals' well-being and care quality, as well as the role of doulas in providing support. The Act also requires a report on state Medicaid approaches to abortion doula care, with recommendations for increasing access, particularly in underserved areas, and integrating doula care into Medicaid plans.

This bill makes permanent Executive Order 14224, which declares English as the official language of the United States. It ensures that the order and all associated measures remain in place indefinitely.

The Nationwide Injunction Abuse Prevention Act of 2025 limits the scope of injunctive relief issued by U.S. district courts. Under this act, a court order for injunctive relief can only apply to parties involved in the specific case or within the court's judicial district, restricting the use of nationwide injunctions.

The Worker Enfranchisement Act amends the National Labor Relations Act, changing the requirements for union representation. It mandates that a union can only be the exclusive representative if it wins a secret ballot election with a majority vote, provided at least two-thirds of employees participate. This new rule applies to elections held six months after the Act's enactment.

The Indigenous Diplomacy and Engagement Act directs the President to develop a 5-year international strategy to promote diplomacy and engagement with Indigenous peoples worldwide, and establishes an Office for Indigenous Affairs, headed by a Coordinator, to oversee and coordinate the federal government's related activities. It also establishes an Advisory Commission on Indigenous Peoples within the Department of State to recommend best practices for diplomacy with international Indigenous peoples. Furthermore, the Act mandates training for foreign service officers on engaging with Indigenous communities near their assigned posts.

The Radiation Oncology Case Rate Value Based Program Act of 2025 establishes a new Medicare payment system for radiation therapy, moving from fee-for-service to per-episode payments to encourage efficient and patient-centered care. This program aims to stabilize payments, reduce disparities, enhance quality, and promote the use of advanced technology while protecting Medicare resources. The act mandates participation for radiation therapy providers and includes adjustments for geographic location, health equity, and practice accreditation, as well as incentives for meeting quality standards. It also revises civil monetary penalties to allow transportation assistance for patients and exempts the program from budget neutrality adjustments to ensure its financial stability.

The EASE Act of 2025 requires hospitals to inform Medicare patients about hospice care options if they are likely eligible and being discharged. This includes providing a list of Medicare-participating hospice programs in the patient's area. These provisions will be effective for discharges on or after January 1, 2026.

The "End Dark Money Act" aims to increase transparency in political activities of nonprofit organizations. The bill removes a restriction that previously limited the IRS's ability to use its funds to bring transparency to the political activity of certain nonprofit organizations. This change would be effective for fiscal year 2025.

The AID Youth Employment Act amends the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to establish subsidized summer and year-round employment opportunities for eligible youth aged 14-24. It allocates significant funding through competitive grants to states, local governments, Indian tribes, and community organizations for program implementation. The act prioritizes coordination with local employers, emphasizes performance measurement, and mandates annual reviews for continuous program improvement, with the goal of enhancing education, training, and employment outcomes for young participants. It authorizes appropriations for both the summer and year-round programs from 2026 through 2030.

The "Freedom from Unfair Gun Taxes Act of 2025" prevents states and local governments from imposing excise taxes on firearms, ammunition, and firearm parts if the manufacturers or dealers are engaged in interstate or foreign commerce. This act does not affect the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act.

The Abandoned Vessel Prevention Act holds individuals who transfer ownership of commercial vessels for recreational use accountable for expenses if the vessel sinks in U.S. waterways, including damages, removal costs, pollution cleanup, and water intake repairs. This liability applies unless the vessel is smaller than 35 feet or less than 40 years old, or the recipient has sufficient insurance coverage.

The Remote Opioid Monitoring Act of 2025 requires the Comptroller General to study and report on the use of remote monitoring technologies for individuals prescribed opioids. The study will evaluate the effectiveness, outcomes, and cost savings associated with remote monitoring compared to traditional methods. It will also explore ways to improve access to and coverage of remote monitoring services, and identify which patients would benefit most from this technology.

The Nutritious SNAP Act of 2025 amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, modifying the definition of "food" to exclude certain non-nutritious beverages, snacks, and desserts. It allows state agencies to request the ability to further restrict SNAP benefits from being used on foods deemed unhealthy by the state nutrition agency.

The Free Speech Fairness Act aims to protect the free speech rights of 501(c)(3) organizations by allowing them to make statements about political campaigns without jeopardizing their tax-exempt status. This protection applies if the statements are made during the regular course of the organization's activities and incur only minimal additional expenses.

The "Mechanical Insulation Installation Incentive Act of 2025" introduces a tax credit for 10% of labor costs associated with installing mechanical insulation on existing systems, aiming to enhance energy efficiency. This credit applies to insulation meeting specific energy standards and reduces energy loss, with the incentive available until December 31, 2028. The act also includes provisions to prevent double benefits, disallowing deductions for costs equal to the credit amount. It is applicable for expenses after December 31, 2025.

The WATCH Act mandates quarterly inspections of foreign laboratories receiving federal funding for animal research to ensure compliance with animal welfare standards. It requires the creation of an inspection process and grants the authority to issue compliance certifications, which will be publicly accessible. Non-compliant labs will have the opportunity to correct issues, but failure to comply may result in the suspension or revocation of grants. This act aims to harmonize global animal testing standards and promote ethical research practices.