Legislative Activity

The Rights for the Transportation Security Administration Workforce Act transitions TSA personnel to standard federal employment rules under Title 5 of the U.S. Code by a set date no later than December 31, 2025. This mandates the freezing of current personnel policies during the transition while protecting current employee pay and benefits. The bill also requires extensive reviews by the Comptroller General on hiring, diversity, and workplace safety, and mandates consultation with employee representatives regarding labor relations. Finally, it ensures that screening agents retain collective bargaining rights and addresses specific concerns for Federal Air Marshals.

The Resident Education Deferred Interest (REDI) Act amends federal student loan regulations to provide a specific deferment for medical and dental residents. This allows borrowers currently serving in an internship or residency program to pause principal payments and prevent interest accrual on their student loans during that training period.

The Access to Family Building Act aims to guarantee that patients can access Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) services and that healthcare providers can offer them without unreasonable interference. This legislation preempts state and local laws that impose burdens on ART services not required for similar medical procedures or that hinder access without improving safety. The Act establishes the right to access ART and provides robust legal avenues for individuals, providers, and the government to challenge and strike down restrictive regulations.

The HOME Investment Partnerships Reauthorization and Improvement Act of 2025 reauthorizes the HOME program for five years with increased funding levels and raises the cap on administrative expenses. It reforms affordability definitions, streamlines local eligibility requirements, and introduces a new federal loan guarantee program to finance local affordable housing projects. The bill also refines rules for Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs) and includes numerous technical corrections to modernize the underlying housing law.

The Providing Veterans Essential Medications Act allows State homes caring for veterans to choose how they receive reimbursement for very high-cost medications. State homes can opt to be reimbursed directly for the medication's cost or have the Secretary of the VA furnish the drug directly. This provision applies only when the cost of a specific medication exceeds a defined threshold relative to the standard monthly payment for that veteran's care.

The Producer and Agricultural Credit Enhancement Act of 2025 significantly increases the maximum loan amounts available through federal farm ownership and operating loan programs, effective in fiscal year 2025. The bill also updates the calculation method for inflation adjustments in rural development programs and raises the cap for agricultural microloans from $\$50,000$ to $\$100,000$. Finally, it establishes conditions under which distressed FSA guaranteed loans may be refinanced into direct loans, provided the operation has a reasonable chance of success.

The "Do No Harm Act" amends the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 to ensure religious freedom is not used to justify discrimination or harm. It clarifies that the Act does not override federal laws protecting against discrimination, ensuring equal opportunity, or safeguarding access to healthcare and other essential services. This amendment confirms that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act applies only when the government is a party in a judicial proceeding.

The Farewell to Foam Act of 2025 bans the sale and distribution of expanded polystyrene (Styrofoam) food service ware, loose fill packaging, and coolers starting January 1, 2028. The bill clearly defines these targeted foam products and the roles of manufacturers, distributors, and retailers involved in their supply chain. Enforcement begins with a written warning for first-time violations, followed by escalating fines for repeat offenses. The Administrator of the EPA is granted the authority to issue necessary regulations to implement the Act.

The "Keeping Our Field Offices Open Act" prevents the Social Security Administration (SSA) from closing or consolidating field offices, hearing offices, and resident stations, ensuring continued access to services. It requires the SSA Commissioner to justify any planned closures to Congress with detailed analysis and cost-benefit assessments, considering the impact on vulnerable populations. The bill mandates public notice, hearings, and a final report to Congress before any changes, allowing appeals and maintaining the number of offices at or above the January 20, 2025 level, excluding temporary emergency closures.

The Protecting Americans’ Social Security Data Act restricts political appointees and special government employees from accessing sensitive Social Security beneficiary data systems. It establishes a right for individuals to sue the government or responsible parties for unauthorized access or disclosure of their private Social Security information, including specified minimum damages. Furthermore, the bill mandates the Inspector General to investigate such violations and report findings to Congress within 30 days. Finally, it requires the GAO to conduct a comprehensive study on the impact of these new privacy and enforcement measures.

The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2025 amends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to address vote dilution, denial, and abridgment claims, and to update which states and political subdivisions are subject to federal oversight based on a history of voting rights violations. It broadens the types of violations that allow a court to retain jurisdiction over a case, clarifies the Attorney General's authority to assign observers, and ensures transparency in voting-related changes. The Act also authorizes the Attorney General to demand documents and information to enforce voting rights and provides grants to small jurisdictions to assist with notification requirements.

This bill, the Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2025, seeks to amend the National Labor Relations Act and other labor laws to strengthen protections for workers' rights to organize and collectively bargain. It aims to modernize labor regulations by clarifying definitions, addressing unfair labor practices, enhancing enforcement, and increasing transparency in labor-management relations. The bill introduces measures such as electronic voting in union elections, strengthens whistleblower protections, and mandates studies on collective bargaining practices. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure fair treatment of workers and promote equitable labor practices.

The Safe Schools Improvement Act aims to reduce bullying and harassment in schools by requiring states to establish policies prohibiting such conduct based on various characteristics, including race, sex, religion, and disability. It mandates annual notifications, data collection on incidents, biennial evaluations of programs, and regular reports to Congress to ensure accountability and effectiveness. This act does not infringe on existing nondiscrimination laws or freedom of speech but seeks to create a safer, more inclusive learning environment for all students.

The "EARLY Minds Act" amends the Public Health Service Act to emphasize early intervention for mental health by requiring states to outline prevention strategies in their plans. States can use up to 5% of their funding to support these programs. The Secretary must report to Congress biennially on state prevention and early intervention activities, including outcomes and demographics.

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 PAST Act of 2025 significantly strengthens the Horse Protection Act to combat the painful practice of soring in specific horse breeds. This bill increases penalties for violations, establishes stricter licensing and oversight for inspectors, and explicitly bans the use of "action devices" designed to cause unnatural gaits. The legislation aims to enhance enforcement, ensure fairer competition, and hold violators accountable through increased fines and disqualifications.

The Justice for ALS Veterans Act of 2025 provides increased dependency and indemnity compensation to surviving spouses of veterans who die from ALS, regardless of the duration of the illness. To be eligible, the surviving spouse must have been married to the veteran for at least eight years, and the veteran must have died on or after October 1, 2025. Additionally, the bill requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit a report to Congress identifying other service-connected disabilities that should receive similar treatment as ALS under existing compensation guidelines.

This bill officially redesignates the site currently known as the Robert E. Lee Memorial as the "Arlington House National Historic Site." It mandates that all official U.S. records, maps, and documents be updated to reflect this new name and repeals the previous joint resolutions that established the former designation.

The "Keep Americans Safe Act" aims to regulate large capacity ammunition feeding devices by making it illegal to import, sell, manufacture, transfer, or possess magazines holding more than 15 rounds, with exceptions for law enforcement, government entities, and devices lawfully possessed before the law's enactment. It also permits the use of Byrne grants for buy-back programs of these devices and mandates that newly manufactured devices be marked with identifying information. Violators of this Act will face penalties under existing provisions of Title 18 of the U.S. Code.

The "Acupuncture for Our Seniors Act of 2025" expands Medicare coverage to include services provided by qualified acupuncturists, as defined by state licensure or criteria set by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. This ensures seniors have access to acupuncture services, with payment rules established under the physician fee schedule and separate payment options for institutional providers. It defines qualified acupuncturist services as those legally allowed under state law, including related services and supplies. These changes will apply to services furnished 270 days after the Act's enactment.