Legislation

This bill directs the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to conduct a feasibility study on integrating militarily relevant applications of emerging biotechnology into military wargaming exercises. The study must assess how new biotech could affect soldier capabilities, strategic materials, and potential adversary use. The resulting report, due within 180 days, will recommend necessary updates to ensure wargames reflect current and future technological realities.

The Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act aims to integrate Puerto Rico into the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) structure, aligning it with other territories like Guam. The bill mandates a transition period where Puerto Rico must submit a plan of operation to the Secretary of Agriculture for approval to join SNAP. During this transition, existing block grant funding may continue for up to five years while the territory moves toward full participation under federal SNAP rules.

The Retire through Ownership Act amends the definition of "adequate consideration" under ERISA, specifically benefiting Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs). This change allows ESOP fiduciaries to rely in good faith on valuations provided by independent appraisers, provided the appraisal uses the valuation methods specified in IRS Revenue Ruling 59-60. This clarification aims to streamline the process for determining fair asset value within retirement plans.

The Yes in God's Backyard Act aims to increase the supply of affordable rental housing by providing technical assistance and competitive challenge grants. These resources are specifically directed toward faith-based organizations, institutions of higher education, and local governments to help them overcome barriers to developing or preserving housing on their land. The bill defines affordable housing based on income limits and prioritizes assistance for projects serving extremely low-income or vulnerable populations.

This resolution establishes the House rules for swiftly considering and voting on two key bills: the fiscal year 2026 defense authorization bill (H.R. 3838) and a bill increasing penalties for illegal re-entry after removal (H.R. 3486). It streamlines debate by waiving procedural objections and setting strict time limits for amendments on both measures. The resolution dictates which versions of the bills will be used and severely limits the types of further changes allowed before final votes.

This bill modifies the required content for the annual report on the Navy Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program. Specifically, it mandates that the report must now include details on the incorporation of digital infrastructure and platforms alongside physical shipyard updates. This ensures the Navy reports on the integration of modern digital systems in its infrastructure modernization efforts.

The Facility for Runway Operations and Safe Transportation (FROST) Act modifies federal definitions for airport facilities under aviation programs. Specifically, it removes the explicit inclusion of storage facilities for deicing equipment and fluids from the definition of eligible airport facilities for federal funding. This change impacts how certain aviation grants are allocated by adjusting what infrastructure qualifies for support.

The Pacific Northwest Gray Wolves Relief Act of 2025 mandates the Secretary of the Interior to reissue the final rule removing the gray wolf from the endangered and threatened species list. This delisting specifically applies only to gray wolf populations located within the states of Oregon and Washington.

The Rural Health Clinic Location Modernization Act of 2025 updates the criteria for clinics to qualify as Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) under Medicare. This legislation revises the definition of an "urban area," setting a new population threshold of 50,000 people to determine eligibility. These changes to the location standards will take effect starting January 1, 2027.

The Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions Review Act mandates that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) conduct a comprehensive review of the Susquehanna, Delaware, and Potomac River Basin Commissions. This review will examine their operations, ethics, funding, and potential overlaps with federal responsibilities. Following the GAO's report, each commission must submit annual compliance plans to Congress detailing how they are implementing the suggested improvements.

This resolution recognizes suicide as a serious public health crisis in the United States and expresses strong support for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. It specifically designates September 8, 2025, as "988 Day" to promote awareness of this vital, life-saving resource. The bill celebrates the success of the 988 system in connecting individuals in crisis with immediate support.

The Treatment Court, Rehabilitation, and Recovery Act of 2025 revamps federal funding for specialized courts addressing addiction and mental health by establishing a new discretionary grant program. This funding supports various treatment courts, including juvenile, family, tribal, and adult drug courts, ensuring participants receive evidence-based treatment and fair financial requirements. The Act mandates strict eligibility criteria, prohibits participation for certain violent offenders, and requires recipients to adhere to national best practice standards while ensuring equitable access and retention for all participants.

This resolution urges Congress to protect Medicare from severe, automatic spending cuts triggered by recent legislation that significantly increased the national deficit. These mandated cuts threaten to slash hundreds of billions from the program, jeopardizing essential healthcare for millions of seniors and people with disabilities. The resolution emphasizes that Americans earned these benefits and they should not be subject to reckless, across-the-board reductions.

The Beautifying Federal Civic Architecture Act of 2025 establishes a national policy prioritizing traditional and classical architectural styles for new federal public buildings to uplift civic spaces and inspire the public. It mandates community input in design decisions and requires the GSA to implement specific procedures, including hiring experts in preferred styles, to ensure compliance. The Act also requires annual reporting to Congress on the implementation of these new architectural standards.

The Modernizing Rural Physician Assistant and Nurse Practitioner Utilization Act of 2025 updates Medicare payment requirements for facilities not directly directed by a physician. It mandates that these facilities must have formal arrangements with Physician Assistants (PAs) or Nurse Practitioners (NPs) whose practice adheres to state laws and regulations. These changes are set to take effect on January 1, 2027.

The Beautifying Federal Civic Architecture Act of 2025 establishes a national policy favoring traditional and classical architectural styles for new federal public buildings to ensure they are inspiring and command public respect. The Act mandates that the GSA prioritize these preferred styles, especially in Washington D.C., and requires significant community input in the design process. Furthermore, it sets up new GSA requirements, including specialized training and the creation of a Senior Advisor role, to enforce these architectural standards.

The BABIES Act aims to improve access to and quality of care provided by freestanding birth centers. It establishes a new grant program to help birth centers start up or expand, prioritizing underserved areas. Additionally, the bill creates a Medicaid demonstration program to test new payment models that better support birth center services for low-risk pregnancies. Overall, the legislation seeks to increase the availability of quality maternity care options outside of traditional hospital settings.

The TRANSPORT Jobs Act mandates the creation of a "Veteran to Supply Chain Employee Action Plan" to facilitate the transition of service members and veterans into jobs within the port, ocean, rail, and truck supply chain industries. This plan will identify barriers to employment and recommend concrete steps for federal agencies to better connect veterans' skills with industry needs. The goal is to increase the hiring and retention of veterans in critical supply chain roles.

The Enhancing First Response Act mandates the FCC to hold annual hearings and issue reports following major disaster communications outages to identify areas for improvement. It also requires the Office of Management and Budget to officially classify 911 dispatchers as a protective service occupation. Furthermore, the bill directs the FCC to report on the enforcement and effectiveness of existing laws regarding multi-line phone system compliance for emergency calls.

The LIFT Homebuyers Act of 2025 establishes the LIFT HOME wealth-building home loan program through the FHA and USDA to assist low-income, first-generation first-time homebuyers. The program creates a dedicated fund and structures new mortgage loans with specific fee caps, which the Treasury Department will purchase as securities. This legislation aims to expand homeownership opportunities by relying on borrower attestations for eligibility verification.