Legislative Activity

The POST Act of 2025 establishes a new "85/15 rule" to govern the eligibility of for-profit colleges for federal student aid. This rule requires proprietary institutions to demonstrate that at least 15% of their total revenue comes from non-federal sources to maintain access to federal funding. Failure to meet this threshold will result in a two-year suspension from receiving federal student aid. The Act also mandates annual reporting to Congress detailing the revenue sources for these institutions.

The National Emergencies Reform Act of 2025 significantly overhauls the National Emergencies Act by imposing stricter Congressional checks and balances on presidential emergency declarations. This bill mandates immediate notification to Congress, limits the duration of emergencies, and requires specific approval for the use of emergency powers. Furthermore, it enhances transparency by requiring detailed reporting on emergency spending and the disclosure of presidential emergency action documents to relevant committees.

The "Don't Miss Your Flight Act" establishes a new grant program managed by the Secretary of Transportation to fund infrastructure improvements connecting to public airports. These grants aim to reduce traffic, increase capacity, and improve access roads, rail, or transit lines within five miles of an airport. Funding is specifically allocated to benefit large and medium hub airports, drawing $1 billion annually from the Highway Trust Fund between 2027 and 2031.

The Complete Streets Act of 2025 establishes a new federal program to ensure public roads are designed safely for all users, including pedestrians, cyclists, transit riders, and drivers of all ages and abilities. This requires states to create competitive programs offering technical assistance and construction grants to local entities that adopt formal Complete Streets policies. The law mandates the creation of federal design standards that must be incorporated into future federally funded road construction and reconstruction projects, with specific requirements for accessibility and safety improvements. Furthermore, states must commit a portion of their existing federal highway funds to support these new Complete Streets initiatives.

The Horse Transportation Safety Act of 2025 prohibits the interstate transport of horses using any truck or trailer with two or more stacked levels. This measure aims to enhance animal welfare during cross-state travel by banning multilevel transport configurations. Violators who knowingly break this rule face civil penalties ranging from $\$100$ to $\$500$ per violation.

This bill reauthorizes the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail program. It authorizes substantial funding of \$7.5 billion annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to support critical intercity passenger rail projects. The legislation also allocates a small percentage of these funds for necessary administrative oversight.

This resolution formally condemns recent actions by President Donald J. Trump that undermined the freedom of the press. It reaffirms the United States' fundamental commitment to a free and independent media as a cornerstone of democracy. The measure urges the Executive Branch to respect the role of journalism and calls for the safe release of U.S. Agency for Global Media journalists detained overseas.

This bill reauthorizes the Stop, Observe, Ask, and Respond to Health and Wellness Training Program under the Public Health Service Act. It extends the program's authorized funding period for fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

This bill prohibits the use of federal funds for military parades in Washington D.C. intended to celebrate the personal birthday or achievement of any single individual. Congress argues that such events risk significant taxpayer expense and infrastructure damage for personal glorification. Instead, the bill suggests the President celebrate with low-key activities like cake or golf.

The Fair Debt Collection Improvement Act prohibits debt collectors from attempting to collect or actually collecting any consumer debt for which the statute of limitations has expired. This amendment directly strengthens consumer protections under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act by preventing harassment over legally uncollectible, time-barred debts.

The REAL AMERICA Act introduces several significant tax changes, primarily effective starting in 2026. Key provisions include creating a new deduction for reported cash tips for lower- and middle-income earners and repealing the taxation of Social Security benefits. The bill also establishes new deductions for qualified overtime compensation and modifies the tax treatment of partnership interests received for services, particularly for investment management partners.

The Making Any Reimbursement Against the Law for Guarding Overnight Act (MARALAGO Act) prohibits the U.S. Secret Service from using federal funds to pay the sitting or former President, or any business they own, for expenses like lodging or office space incurred during protection details at a presidential residence. This means the government cannot reimburse the President for services related to their own security detail at their home. However, the Act explicitly allows the President or their businesses to provide these services to the Secret Service free of charge as a gift.

The Baseball Diplomacy Act removes specific government restrictions that currently hinder Cuban nationals coming to the U.S. to play professional baseball. This legislation exempts these athletes from certain financial and trade controls, ensuring they can earn and take their wages home. Furthermore, it streamlines the visa process by limiting the initial stay to the baseball season while allowing for easier re-entry for subsequent seasons with the same team.

The Mobility Means Freedom Tax Credit Act establishes a new federal tax credit equal to 50% of the cost of purchasing qualified mobility devices, such as wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, and braces. This credit is limited to a maximum of three devices per year. The purpose is to provide financial relief for individuals acquiring necessary equipment to enhance personal mobility.

The Cerebral Palsy Research Program Authorization Act of 2025 establishes a dedicated research program for cerebral palsy (CP) within the CDC. This program will focus on improving diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and understanding the public health impact of CP. The Act authorizes $5 million annually from 2026 through 2031 to fund these critical research efforts.

The America First Equipment and Information Act prohibits the United States from providing military equipment, financing, or intelligence to Russia due to national security concerns regarding Russian aggression. This legislation strictly bars the sale, loan, or trade of U.S. defense articles and technology to Russia. Furthermore, the Act mandates annual reporting to Congress detailing compliance with these new prohibitions.

The Nationally Enhancing the Well-being of Babies through Outreach and Research Now (NEWBORN) Act establishes new pilot programs to combat high infant mortality rates across the country. These programs will provide grants, prioritizing the 50 counties with the highest rates, to develop community-specific outreach and support services for at-risk mothers. Funds can be used for everything from prenatal care coordination and smoking cessation programs to public education campaigns. The Secretary will use annual reports from grant recipients to evaluate the effectiveness of these localized efforts.

The Tax Return Preparer Accountability Act of 2025 brings tax return preparers under federal regulation by establishing minimum competency standards, including exams and background checks, and expanding the Treasury Department's authority to sanction preparers. The bill also mandates the IRS to implement technology to identify and assist taxpayers facing economic hardship when they owe taxes. Furthermore, it requires the Treasury to establish and annually update information security standards for tax preparation software.

The School Bus Safety Act of 2025 mandates comprehensive safety upgrades for school buses, including 3-point safety belts, fire suppression systems, improved firewalls, and automatic emergency braking. It also requires enhanced training for school bus operators and studies on motion-activated detection systems and safety belt alerts. Finally, it establishes a grant program to help local educational agencies implement these safety measures.

The "National Statistics on Deadly Force Transparency Act of 2025" mandates the collection and reporting of comprehensive data on all instances of deadly force used by law enforcement officers. This includes details on involved individuals, circumstances of the incident, and justifications for the use of deadly force. The Bureau of Justice Statistics will then publish this data, excluding personal identifying information, and make it available to Congress and the public. States and local governments that fail to comply with reporting requirements will face a reduction in Byrne Justice Assistance Grant funding.