Legislative Activity

This resolution formally expresses the House of Representatives' grave concern over the severe humanitarian crisis and widespread suffering of civilians in Gaza, alongside the plight of hostages. It urgently calls on the Administration to use all diplomatic tools to secure the release of all hostages. Furthermore, the bill demands the immediate delivery and secure distribution of essential humanitarian aid to address the catastrophic hunger crisis in Gaza.

The Fair and Equal Housing Act of 2025 significantly updates existing fair housing laws to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. This legislation broadens protections to cover discrimination based on association or perceived association with protected groups. Furthermore, it strengthens anti-intimidation measures related to these newly defined protected characteristics in housing matters.

The Living Organ Donor Tax Credit Act establishes a new federal tax credit of up to \$5,000 for living donors who incur expenses related to donating a qualified life-saving organ. This credit is designed to reimburse costs such as travel, lodging, lost wages, and medical expenses associated with the donation process. The bill ensures this tax benefit coordinates with existing federal support programs and clarifies that it does not constitute illegal payment for organs.

The Magnus White Cyclist Safety Act of 2025 mandates the Department of Transportation to establish performance standards for automatic emergency braking systems in new passenger vehicles. These standards must ensure the systems can detect vulnerable road users, including cyclists, in various lighting conditions. The final rule must be issued within three years, with compliance required within two model years following the rule's issuance.

The TERRA Act establishes a framework allowing federally recognized Indian Tribes to consolidate funding from multiple eligible federal programs into a single, flexible plan for environmental resiliency and community needs. This grants Tribes significant self-determination by streamlining bureaucratic requirements, simplifying reporting, and providing strong authority to waive federal regulations that impede their plans. The legislation mandates federal agencies to coordinate their reviews and accelerate the transfer of funds to participating Tribes. Ultimately, the Act aims to increase efficiency and local control over federal resources while protecting sensitive Traditional Ecological Knowledge.

The Remove the Stain Act officially rescinds the 20 Medals of Honor awarded to U.S. soldiers for actions during the Wounded Knee Massacre of 1890. This legislation aims to preserve the integrity of the nation's highest military honor by voiding awards given for the killing of predominantly unarmed Native Americans. While the recognition is revoked and names will be removed from the official rolls, recipients will not be required to return the physical medal or forfeit any associated benefits.

The Reducing Waste in National Parks Act mandates the National Park Service (NPS) to establish a program to significantly reduce or eliminate the sale and distribution of disposable plastic products, including single-use water bottles, across all park units. Regional directors must implement these changes while considering operational costs, visitor safety regarding water access, and vendor contracts. The law also requires proactive visitor education and biennial reviews to assess the program's effectiveness and public impact.

The National ACERT Grant Program Authorization Act establishes a new federal grant program to help communities address the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Administered by the Attorney General and HHS, these grants will fund local teams to improve trauma response systems, coordinate services, and train professionals. The legislation authorizes $10 million annually for these efforts from fiscal years 2026 through 2029.

The Fit to Serve Act prohibits the U.S. Armed Forces from discriminating against service members based on their gender identity. This means military branches cannot set different standards, involuntarily discharge personnel, or deny medically necessary healthcare due to a service member's gender identity. The bill ensures equal opportunity for joining, serving, and receiving care regardless of one's internal sense of self.

The Protect our Parks Act of 2025 mandates the Secretary of the Interior to immediately ensure the National Park Service is fully staffed to protect resources and enhance visitor safety. This legislation requires filling all maintenance positions and reinstating any NPS employees terminated since January 20, 2025. Furthermore, the Act ensures the continuation of all previously authorized and funded National Park Service projects.

The Barriers to Suicide Act of 2025 establishes a new grant program through the Department of Transportation to fund the installation of suicide deterrents like nets and barriers at high-risk locations such as bridges and rail stations. The bill also amends existing law to explicitly allow National Highway System funds to be used for these safety barriers on bridges. Finally, it mandates a study on the effectiveness of suicide prevention measures for structures other than bridges.

The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2025 aims to streamline and modernize the prior authorization process within Medicare Advantage plans. This bill mandates the adoption of electronic prior authorization systems and significantly increases transparency regarding approval rates and decision times starting in 2027. Furthermore, it establishes new enrollee protections and grants the Secretary authority to enforce faster decision timeframes for medical services.

This bill amends the Small Business Act to eliminate the requirement that recipients of certain construction contracts must award subcontracts to businesses located within the county or state of performance. By repealing this outdated rule, the legislation removes a geographic restriction on subcontracting for small businesses awarded these contracts. This change aims to provide greater flexibility in awarding construction subcontracts.

The Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Physicist Pay Cap Relief Act officially integrates therapeutic and diagnostic medical physicists into the VA's professional staffing ranks. This legislation establishes specific qualification standards, including mandatory post-graduate training and board certification, for these roles. Furthermore, it creates dedicated pay grades for these physicists, ensuring they are properly compensated within the VA healthcare system structure. The VA must report to Congress one year after enactment on the impact of these changes.

The SNAP Administrator Retention Act of 2025 aims to improve staffing and retention for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by setting new minimum pay standards for state administrators based on comparable federal salaries. If states adopt these standards and have their pay structure approved, the federal government will cover 100% of their administrative personnel costs. This increased federal funding must supplement, not replace, existing state spending on SNAP administration.

The Empty Lots to Housing Act streamlines the process for transferring federally funded, unneeded real property to local entities or qualified private developers. This transfer is contingent upon the recipient agreeing to long-term affordability requirements for the resulting housing. Specifically, at least 40% of new units must be affordable for low-income families, with a portion reserved for extremely low-income households.

The AGRITOURISM Act establishes a new Office of Agritourism within the Department of Agriculture, led by a dedicated Director. This office is tasked with promoting and supporting farm-based tourism activities across the nation. The goal is to boost rural economies by helping agricultural businesses diversify through educational, recreational, and direct-sale opportunities.

The STOP Screwworms Act mandates the establishment of facilities to rear and release sterile New World screwworm flies in high-risk areas to combat infestations. The Secretary of Agriculture must build these modular facilities within 180 days of enactment and provide annual public reports on the threat and control efforts. The bill authorizes up to $300 million to fund these necessary actions.

The Historic Preservation Fund Reauthorization Act extends the life of the Historic Preservation Fund through the year 2035. This legislation also increases the maximum annual funding available for the program from \$150 million to \$250 million. Essentially, this bill ensures continued and increased financial support for preserving historic sites across the nation.

The Air Traffic Control Workforce Development Act of 2025 aims to strengthen the air traffic control pipeline by improving the Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) program and establishing new grants for participating colleges. The bill also funds new training equipment and creates financial incentives to both encourage trainees to complete their certification and retain experienced controllers. Finally, it mandates improvements to mental health support for controllers and requires a report on the future of airport radar safety systems.