Legislative Activity

The SPEED for BEAD Act amends the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to streamline broadband deployment grants. It renames the "Equity" program to "Expansion," allows funds for workforce development, and permits removal of high-cost locations from project areas. The act also prohibits certain conditions related to labor, climate change, and network management, and ensures consideration of all broadband technologies.

The Saving Gig Economy Taxpayers Act seeks to reinstate the previous, higher reporting thresholds for third-party payment processors issuing Form 1099-K. This means payment networks will only be required to report earnings to the IRS if a user exceeds both a \$20,000 total payment amount and 200 separate transactions in a calendar year. Furthermore, the bill applies this "de minimis" standard to backup withholding rules for these network payments starting in 2025.

The Access to Credit for our Rural Economy Act of 2025 (ACRE Act) creates a new federal tax incentive for qualified lenders. This incentive excludes income earned from interest on loans secured by rural or agricultural real property from taxation. The goal is to encourage lending for agricultural, forestry, and certain rural home improvement purposes while prohibiting loans to foreign adversary entities.

This bill aims to enhance security along the southern border by constructing roads, increasing access for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and allowing temporary placement of structures by border states. It also seeks to mitigate environmental damage on federal lands caused by illegal activities through initiatives focused on reducing trash, preventing wildfires, and remediating contamination. Additionally, the bill restricts housing options for non-citizens who have not been formally admitted into the country by preventing the use of federal funds to house these individuals on federally managed lands.

The "Federal Firearms Licensee Protection Act of 2025" increases penalties for stealing firearms from licensed dealers. It sets stricter punishments, including up to 20 years in prison, for violating laws related to firearm theft. The act also mandates minimum prison sentences of 3 years for burglaries and 5 years for robberies targeting licensed firearm businesses.

The Roberto Clemente Commemorative Coin Act directs the Department of Treasury to mint and issue gold, silver, and half-dollar coins in 2027 to commemorate the life and legacy of Roberto Clemente. The coins' designs will represent Clemente's life, including his baseball achievements and humanitarian work. Surcharges from the coin sales will benefit the Roberto Clemente Foundation, supporting their educational programs, youth sports initiatives, disaster relief efforts, and historic preservation projects. The Act ensures that the coin program will not incur any net cost to the United States government.

The SAFE Act of 2025 amends existing legislation to explicitly prohibit the slaughter of horses for human consumption, reinforcing protections for these animals. This bill seeks to prevent the inhumane treatment of American equines by closing loopholes that allow their slaughter and export for human consumption.

The "United States Commission on International Religious Freedom Reauthorization Act of 2025" reauthorizes funding for the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) through fiscal year 2028. This extension ensures the continuation of USCIRF's work in monitoring and advocating for religious freedom around the world.

This bill nullifies the Environmental Protection Agency's rule on greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. The rule targeted new, modified, and reconstructed fossil fuel-fired electric generating units. It also set emission guidelines and repealed the Affordable Clean Energy Rule.

This bill authorizes the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the 761st Tank Battalion, also known as the "Black Panthers," in recognition of their courageous service and crucial contributions during World War II. The medal will be given to the National Museum of African American History and Culture for display, honoring the 761st as the first Black soldiers to serve in an American armored unit and their significant role in the Allied victory in Europe. The bill also allows for the creation and sale of bronze duplicates of the medal to support the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.

This bill expresses support for the Iranian people's desire for a democratic, secular, and nonnuclear republic, while condemning the Iranian regime's human rights abuses, support for terrorism, and attempts to develop nuclear weapons. It affirms the right of the Iranian people to self-determination and supports continued sanctions against the current regime. The bill also calls for the protection of Iranian political refugees in Albania.

The "Finn Sawyer Access to Cancer Testing Act" expands healthcare coverage under Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP to include comprehensive cancer diagnostic and laboratory tests, such as genomic sequencing, starting in 2027. It ensures coverage upon diagnosis, recurrence, and as needed for treatment planning. Additionally, the Act directs the Department of Health and Human Services to establish an education program to raise awareness among healthcare providers and the public about genomic testing and its applications in cancer care.

This bill reaffirms the strong economic and security partnership between the United States and Canada, highlighting their significant trade relationship that supports millions of American jobs. It emphasizes the importance of strengthening this alliance through collaboration in areas like defense, border security, energy, and supply chains. The bill also supports joint efforts to address shared threats, promote democracy, and enhance economic competitiveness.

The "Medical Device Electronic Labeling Act" amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, permitting manufacturers to provide device labeling electronically, provided it is easily accessible. Paper copies must be available upon request without charge, and the device label itself must still comply with current regulations. The Secretary can implement additional requirements or exceptions for electronic labeling to ensure device safety and effectiveness.

The PREVENT DIABETES Act aims to expand access to the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP) by allowing entities to participate solely through online services from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2030. It requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to update regulations by January 1, 2026, to accommodate virtual suppliers, ensuring they meet MDPP enrollment conditions. This act also ensures that these entities will not be denied claim payments for online MDPP services solely because the beneficiary was in a different state when the services were provided and places no limit on the number of times an individual may enroll in the MDPP.

The Scientific EXPERT Act of 2025 aims to improve drug development for rare diseases by mandating science-focused meetings. These meetings, organized by the Reagan-Udall Foundation, will bring together experts to discuss challenges and opportunities in developing treatments for specific rare diseases. The FDA will participate in these meetings, and meeting outcomes will be published to inform future drug development efforts. The Act allocates funding for these meetings and requires reports to Congress on their impact.

The "Accelerating Kids Access to Care Act of 2025" streamlines the enrollment process for out-of-state healthcare providers in Medicaid and CHIP, ensuring children under 21 have access to care from eligible providers across state lines. By reducing administrative burdens and unnecessary screening requirements, the Act aims to improve healthcare access for children while maintaining necessary safeguards against fraud and abuse. Participating providers will be enrolled for a 5-year period, and the changes will take effect three years after the Act's enactment.

The Cardiac Arrest Survival Act of 2025 aims to establish a national standard of legal protection from civil liability for individuals using automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in emergencies, as well as for AED owners and property managers where AEDs are used. This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to encourage broader AED deployment by providing Good Samaritan protections for those who use or attempt to use an AED, premises owner/lessee/manager protections, and device owner-acquirer protections, with certain exceptions for misconduct or failure to maintain the device. The Act seeks to preempt inconsistent state laws and clarify that it does not mandate AED placement or create new causes of action. By creating consistent, nationwide legal protection, this bill intends to save lives from cardiac arrest.

The Supporting the Local Radio Freedom Act prevents Congress from imposing new performance fees on local radio stations for playing music. It emphasizes the mutually beneficial relationship between broadcasters and the recording industry, where radio provides free publicity that boosts music sales and supports artists. The act recognizes local radio's crucial role in communities by providing news, weather updates, and public service announcements. Ultimately, this bill aims to protect local radio stations and businesses from economic harm, ensuring they can continue serving their communities without additional financial burdens.

The "PSA Screening for HIM Act" aims to improve early detection of prostate cancer by requiring group health plans and health insurance issuers to cover prostate cancer screenings without cost-sharing for high-risk men aged 40 and over, including African-American men and those with a family history of the disease. This coverage mandate ensures that high-risk individuals have access to potentially life-saving screenings, aligning with the goal of reducing prostate cancer-related deaths and improving treatment outcomes. The Act defines "men with a family history of prostate cancer" as those with a first-degree relative with prostate cancer, associated cancers, or genetic alterations linked to increased risk. This provision is set to take effect for plan years starting on or after January 1, 2026.