Legislation

The Susan Muffley Act of 2025 ensures that eligible participants and beneficiaries under specific pension plans, like the Delphi and PHI retirement programs, receive their full vested benefits. It directs the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) to recalculate benefits, provide lump-sum payments for past-due amounts with interest, and establishes a trust fund within the Treasury to cover these increased payments. The act also includes provisions for the tax treatment of lump-sum payments, allowing recipients to spread the income over three years unless they elect otherwise.

The Veterans Nutrition and Wellness Act of 2025 directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to establish a pilot "Food is Medicine" program. This program will provide eligible veterans with medically-tailored meals and groceries, nutrition education, and cooking classes. The goal is to improve health outcomes for veterans with chronic conditions or maternal health needs, while also evaluating cost savings and program effectiveness. The program is authorized for fiscal years 2025-2028 and will terminate three years after enactment.

The Space Infrastructure Act designates space systems, services, and technology as critical infrastructure, requiring the Department of Homeland Security to define its scope and identify coordinating bodies. This act amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to formally include space-related assets as critical infrastructure. It also mandates the Secretary of Homeland Security to report to Congress on the implementation of these changes.

This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to include Irish nationals in the E-3 visa program if reciprocity is determined by the Secretary of State. Employers hiring Irish nationals under this program must participate in E-Verify. The number of E-3 visas available to Irish nationals annually is capped at the difference between 10,500 and the number of visas issued to Australian nationals in the previous fiscal year.

The "Ensuring Outpatient Quality for Rural States Act" amends the Social Security Act to allow for cost-of-living adjustments to the non-labor portion of Medicare payments for hospital outpatient services in Alaska and Hawaii. Beginning in 2026, the Secretary will adjust payments to mirror adjustments made under section 1886(d)(5)(H). These adjustments aim to address the unique circumstances faced by hospitals in these states and will not be budget neutral.

The IRS MATH Act of 2025 amends the Internal Revenue Code to improve IRS notices regarding math or clerical errors by requiring more detailed explanations of errors, informing taxpayers of abatement options, and implementing a pilot program for certified mail delivery of notices. The Act mandates that the IRS provide clear, specific information about the error, including the relevant tax code section and line number, and establishes procedures for taxpayers to request abatements. Additionally, the Treasury Secretary must conduct a pilot program using certified mail for error notices and report the program's effectiveness to Congress.

The "Presidential and First Spouse Coin Act of 2025" directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue $1 coins honoring deceased U.S. Presidents, along with bullion coins and bronze medals emblematic of their spouses. These coins will feature designs and inscriptions as determined by the Secretary, with a new coin for each President and their spouse. If a President served without a spouse, the corresponding bullion coin is not required. All coins minted under this act are considered legal tender and numismatic items.

The "BEST Facilitation Act" establishes a pilot program within U.S. Customs and Border Protection to create image technician positions that will review images of cargo and conveyances entering and exiting the U.S. to identify potential contraband or illegal activity. These technicians, supervised by CBP officers, will undergo specialized training and annual assessments, and will be located in five regional command centers. The Act also mandates semiannual reports to Congress detailing the program's implementation, performance metrics, and impact on interdiction rates and CBP operations. The pilot program is set to sunset after five years, with provisions for transferring the image technician positions to other roles within CBP or DHS.

The "Tax Fairness for Survivors Act" exempts from federal income tax any monetary awards from settlements related to sexual assault or sexual harassment claims. This exemption also applies to social security, railroad retirement, unemployment taxes, and wage withholding. This change applies to taxable years starting after the enactment of this law.

The "SCRUB Act of 2025" aims to reduce the economic burden of federal regulations by requiring agencies to repeal existing rules when creating new ones, prioritizing cost savings. It mandates a review of existing regulations, targeting a 33% reduction in regulatory costs by 2026, and requires agencies to include review plans for new rules to ensure regular evaluation and potential repeal. The Act also allows for judicial review of agency compliance and takes effect immediately upon enactment.

The "Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act of 2025" prevents the Department of Veterans Affairs from sharing veterans' personal information with the national instant criminal background check system (NICS) based solely on the appointment of a fiduciary to manage their benefits. Information can only be shared if a judicial authority determines the veteran poses a danger to themselves or others.

The "Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2025" amends the Clean Air Act, modifying the process for ethanol waivers and Reid Vapor Pressure limitations, allowing for higher ethanol blends during high ozone season. It also permits small refineries to reclaim certain retired credits from 2016-2018 for future use, under specific conditions related to prior exemption petitions.

The "Protecting Patients from Deceptive Drug Ads Act" aims to regulate communications about prescription drugs, especially on social media, to prevent false or misleading information. It imposes penalties for deceptive endorsements by social media influencers and healthcare providers, mandates disclosure of payments for drug promotions, and requires the Department of Health and Human Services to provide guidance on what constitutes misleading communication. The act also establishes a task force to monitor drug advertising and authorizes funding for these activities, ensuring that patients receive accurate and complete information about prescription drugs.

The "Protecting Americas Agricultural Land from Foreign Harm Act of 2025" prohibits individuals and entities associated with the governments of Iran, North Korea, China, and Russia from purchasing or leasing agricultural land in the United States and from participating in certain Department of Agriculture programs. The bill also expands reporting requirements and increases penalties for violations of the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act of 1978. Finally, the Act mandates reports from the Secretary of Agriculture, the Director of National Intelligence, and the Government Accountability Office on foreign ownership of agricultural land.

The Korematsu-Takai Civil Liberties Protection Act of 2025 amends Title 18 of the United States Code, Section 4001, to prohibit the detention of individuals in the United States based solely on protected characteristics. Protected characteristics include race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, and any additional characteristic the Attorney General specifies. The Attorney General cannot remove any of the characteristics already listed (race through disability).

The "NIH Reform Act" divides the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases into three separate entities: The National Institute of Allergic Diseases, the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, and the National Institute of Immunologic Diseases. Each new institute will be led by a director appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate for a term of 5 years, and the act ensures a smooth transition of responsibilities and legal references to the new institutes.

The "Fatal Overdose Reduction Act of 2025" aims to increase access to treatment for opioid and substance use disorders by establishing a Health Engagement Hub Demonstration Program under Medicaid. This program will provide funding for states to create drop-in centers offering a range of medical and social services, including harm reduction, mental health care, and addiction treatment. The Act prioritizes serving Medicaid and uninsured individuals in communities heavily impacted by overdose, with a focus on evidence-based models and community involvement. It also requires comprehensive reporting and evaluation to assess the program's effectiveness.

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to classify health care sharing ministry memberships, including shared medical expenses and administrative fees, as medical expenses. It clarifies that these ministries are not considered health plans or insurance for tax purposes. This change applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

This resolution recognizes the importance of the Rangel, Pickering, Clarke, and Payne fellowship programs in promoting diversity within U.S. foreign affairs agencies like the State Department and USAID. It emphasizes that these programs strengthen national security by ensuring a workforce that reflects the diversity of the American people. The resolution also acknowledges that terminating these programs would be a waste of taxpayer dollars and would weaken national security.

The "Protecting Investors Personally Identifiable Information Act" prohibits the SEC from requiring the collection of personally identifiable information under consolidated audit trail reporting requirements, defining such information as data that can identify an individual. The SEC is only allowed to request this information if it is related to an investigation or enforcement action concerning violations of Federal securities laws, and this information must be destroyed after the conclusion of the investigation. This bill aims to protect investors' personal data while still allowing the SEC to investigate potential securities law violations.