Legislative Activity

The STEM Pathways for the Future Act establishes a new competitive grant program through the National Science Foundation (NSF) to create and improve STEM apprenticeship programs outside of traditional four-year colleges. This legislation prioritizes funding for community colleges and minority-serving institutions to develop these pathways. Additionally, it mandates the creation of a temporary interagency task force to review and report on existing federal STEM career development programs.

The Small Business Liberation Act exempts qualifying small businesses from special duties or fees imposed by the President following a national emergency declaration. This provision ensures that small businesses are not burdened by extra import costs triggered during times of national crisis.

The PHARA Act of 2025 mandates the immediate release of all existing National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant funding and prohibits the cancellation of active research agreements. Moving forward, all new NIH grant agreements must include specific termination clauses requiring a 90-day notice and good-faith negotiation before ending the funding. Furthermore, this Act explicitly prevents the NIH from terminating agreements solely because the research no longer aligns with current agency goals or priorities.

This bill establishes the Tariff Response And Damages to Exports (TRADE) Fund, managed by the Treasury Department and administered by the Secretary of Agriculture. The fund will be financed by specific tariffs collected on imported goods. Its purpose is to provide financial assistance to agricultural producers harmed by trade disruptions, such as retaliatory tariffs or decreased export markets. The authority to use this fund will expire on September 30, 2030.

The School Violence Prevention Act establishes a new, comprehensive grant program to fund evidence-based violence prevention initiatives in high-risk communities. These grants will support partnerships between schools and community organizations to implement trauma-informed programs focused on youth development, social skills, and connecting students with mental health resources. The bill mandates rigorous evaluation of these programs to measure their impact on student success and overall community safety.

The Domestic Workers Bill of Rights Act seeks to significantly expand labor protections for domestic employees by bringing them under standard federal laws, including eligibility for overtime pay and mandated paid sick leave. The bill establishes written employment agreements, sets clear privacy boundaries for workers in private homes, and creates a Standards Board to recommend ongoing improvements to wages and benefits. Furthermore, it establishes enforcement mechanisms and temporarily increases federal Medicaid funding for in-home care services to help offset compliance costs.

This bill directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and the Director of the Census Bureau to conduct a comprehensive study on how federal agencies currently identify and record various forms of housing loss in the United States. The resulting report must define different types of housing loss, identify current data collection methods, and recommend improvements for federal tracking. The goal is to enhance the government's ability to accurately count and understand involuntary displacement since 2022.

The Protecting Private Job Creators Act addresses the application of an SEC rule (Rule 15c2-11) originally designed for stock markets to the fixed-income (bond) markets. This bill formally creates an exception, ensuring that this specific SEC regulation does not apply to quotations for fixed-income securities. This action aims to protect the vital financing mechanisms used by businesses in the debt markets.

The CLASS Act of 2025 aims to protect students' rights in legal disputes with institutions of higher education. It prohibits mandatory arbitration clauses in student enrollment agreements and forbids colleges receiving federal aid from requiring students to waive their right to sue the institution. These provisions will take effect one year after the Act is officially enacted.

The Medical Research for Our Troops Act increases the budget for the Defense Health Agency's research, development, testing, and evaluation (RDT&E). This legislation specifically restores and increases funding for these critical defense health programs. The restored funds must be used to support all previously directed medical research programs and initiatives as outlined in prior appropriations acts.

The Roadless Area Conservation Act of 2025 aims to provide lasting protection for inventoried roadless areas within the National Forest System. This legislation codifies existing federal regulations, known as the "Roadless Rule," which generally prohibits the construction of new roads or the cutting of timber in these sensitive zones. The purpose is to safeguard critical ecological benefits, clean water sources, and wildlife habitats while maintaining the Forest Service's multiple-use management mission.

The Securities Research Modernization Act updates definitions within the Securities Act of 1933 to broaden the scope of applicable provisions. Specifically, it replaces references to "emerging growth company" with the more general term "issuer" in key sections. This change aims to modernize and streamline regulatory language concerning securities offerings.

The Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2025 aims to strengthen existing federal background check systems to prevent prohibited persons from acquiring firearms. This bill primarily mandates that most private firearm transfers must be facilitated through a licensed dealer who will conduct a background check. The legislation includes specific exceptions for family gifts, law enforcement, and temporary transfers under emergency circumstances.

The Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2025 reforms federal firearm background check procedures, establishing a formal petition process for buyers when the system delays a decision beyond 10 business days. This bill removes the previous 10-day time limit on background checks under the Brady Act while mandating extensive reporting from the GAO and FBI on the effectiveness and outcomes of these delayed transfers. Furthermore, the Attorney General must report on the law's impact on domestic violence victims within 150 days of enactment.

The Telemental Health Care Access Act of 2025 updates Medicare rules to ensure comprehensive coverage for mental and behavioral health services delivered via telehealth. This legislation clarifies and expands the scope of telehealth coverage under Medicare for these essential services. Furthermore, it removes previous restrictions, making the expanded coverage effective retroactively to the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021.

This Act mandates that the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) and the Small Business Administration (SBA) formally coordinate to ensure small businesses understand and comply with beneficial ownership reporting requirements. The agencies must establish a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) detailing joint outreach, educational efforts, and public dissemination of rules. Furthermore, they are required to submit regular joint reports to Congress detailing outreach progress and compliance rates among reporting companies.

The Farmers Feeding America Act of 2025 aims to strengthen the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) by updating funding rules based on 2030 data and mandating $500 million in annual funding from 2026 through 2030. The bill doubles funding for food storage and distribution costs to $200 million and extends infrastructure grant eligibility until 2030. Furthermore, it establishes new flexibility for geographically isolated states, allowing them alternative methods for receiving or purchasing necessary food commodities.

The American Neighborhoods Protection Act of 2025 establishes a federal excise tax on certain large-scale owners who hold more than 75 single-family residences. Revenue generated from this tax will fund a new Housing Trust Fund dedicated to providing down payment assistance grants to homebuyers through state agencies. The law aims to incentivize the sale of excess housing inventory while supporting first-time buyers.

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 Improving Mental Health Access for Students Act mandates that colleges and universities must prominently display essential mental health and suicide prevention contact information on student ID cards or official websites. This includes the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, the Crisis Text Line, and the campus mental health center. These requirements take effect one year after the Act is signed into law.