Legislative Activity

The Post Quantum Cybersecurity Standards Act directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to promote the voluntary adoption of new post-quantum cryptography standards resistant to quantum computer attacks. The bill also authorizes NIST to establish a grant program to help high-risk entities cover the costs of transitioning to these new standards. Furthermore, it updates the National Science Foundation's research priorities to explicitly include post-quantum cryptography.

The Mariner Exam Modernization Act updates the process for reviewing and updating merchant mariner credentialing exams. It establishes a "Working group," including recent exam passers, to focus on the relevance and content of current exams. This legislation mandates a comprehensive review of industry standards and technology, leading to a modernization plan for the exams within a set timeframe.

The Kids on the Go Act of 2025 mandates that every state must designate a Safe Routes to School Coordinator. States that comply with this requirement will receive an increased federal funding share of 95% for eligible Safe Routes to School projects. This aims to boost state efforts in improving safety for students traveling to and from school.

The Building Unity through Dual Sponsors (BUDS) Resolution amends House rules to allow public bills and resolutions to have two primary sponsors, provided one is from the majority party and the other from the minority party. This formalizes bipartisan introduction of legislation from the outset. The resolution also adjusts related rules concerning cosponsorship and required submission statements for these jointly sponsored measures.

The LIHEAP Staffing Support Act establishes minimum staffing requirements for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to ensure effective program administration. It mandates a baseline of at least 20 dedicated employees, with limits on contractor usage during normal operations. Furthermore, the bill requires an emergency staffing boost to at least 30 employees within 45 days of declaring an energy crisis.

The PARTNER with ASEAN Act of 2025 grants the President the authority to extend diplomatic privileges and immunities to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). This change amends the International Organizations Immunities Act to recognize ASEAN similarly to other international organizations. Such status would be granted contingent upon U.S. participation in ASEAN through treaty, law, or funding.

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 Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act of 2025 updates federal programs to better support and protect runaway, homeless, and trafficked youth. This legislation modernizes grant programs to ensure services are trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, and address critical needs like housing, education, and mental health. It also expands communication channels to include online outreach and strengthens coordination across federal agencies to combat youth homelessness and exploitation.

The Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2025 aims to increase the number of federally funded residency positions by 2,000 annually through 2032 to address physician shortages. It prioritizes distributing these new training slots to hospitals serving underserved populations and those already training above their limits. Additionally, the bill mandates a study on strategies to improve healthcare workforce diversity and establishes new grant programs to develop accredited medical residency programs specifically located in rural areas.

This resolution strongly condemns the recent rise in ideologically motivated attacks targeting Jewish individuals and institutions across the United States, including the violent assault in Boulder, Colorado. The House of Representatives reaffirms its commitment to combating antisemitism and politically motivated violence in all its forms. It calls for thorough investigation and prosecution of such incidents and urges all sectors of society to speak out against hate.

The Baby Changing on Board Act mandates that Amtrak install baby changing tables in at least one restroom on every car of newly acquired covered passenger rail trains. These tables must be placed in ADA-compliant restrooms when available and clearly marked with signage. This ensures essential amenities are available for passengers with infants on applicable Amtrak services.

The Healthcare Cybersecurity Act of 2025 aims to bolster the security of the nation's critical health infrastructure against rising cyber threats. It mandates increased coordination between CISA and HHS to implement a sector-specific risk management plan and provide necessary training to healthcare operators. The bill also establishes a process for identifying and prioritizing "high-risk" healthcare assets requiring focused federal resources.

The Retired Law Enforcement Officers Continuing Service Act establishes a grant program to allow law enforcement agencies to hire retired officers for specialized, non-arrest support roles, such as training and investigative assistance. This funding requires rigorous background checks for the retired personnel and mandates annual audits by the Department of Justice Inspector General to ensure accountability. Agencies with unresolved audit findings face exclusion from future funding, while the Attorney General must report on grant distribution and potential funding overlaps to Congress.

This resolution recognizes World Oceans Day and affirms the critical need to protect, conserve, and rebuild the ocean and its vital resources. It highlights the severe threats facing marine ecosystems, including pollution, acidification, and warming. The bill commits the U.S. to increasing investment in ocean science and monitoring to better manage these challenges. Ultimately, this recognizes our shared duty to safeguard the ocean for economic stability and future generations.

The ADINA Act mandates that prescription and over-the-counter drugs must clearly label if they contain ingredients derived from major food allergens or gluten-containing grains. This new requirement aims to protect consumers by ensuring transparency regarding potential allergens in medications. Drugs failing to include this specific warning will be considered misbranded under federal law.

The Plant Biostimulant Act of 2025 establishes clear federal definitions for "plant biostimulant" and "nutritional chemical," explicitly carving them out from existing regulations for "plant regulators." This legislation also mandates the EPA to update relevant regulations to reflect these new definitions within 120 days of enactment. Furthermore, the bill directs the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a comprehensive study on how biostimulants and farming practices impact soil health, carbon sequestration, and nutrient efficiency.

The MARITIME Act establishes the official U.S. policy that rising sea levels must not diminish a nation's sovereignty or shrink its established maritime zones, such as fishing and economic areas. The law commits the U.S. to supporting international efforts, particularly those by Pacific island nations, to officially map and secure their coastlines under existing international law. Furthermore, it mandates the Secretary of State to report on diplomatic efforts to encourage other nations to adopt this protective stance.

The PROTECT Act of 2025 enhances Tribal sovereignty by formally recognizing Tribal courts as competent jurisdictions under federal laws governing electronic data requests, such as the Stored Communications Act. It also expands the scope of offenses over which Tribal courts have jurisdiction, specifically including defined controlled substance and firearms offenses on Tribal lands. Furthermore, the bill ensures that offenders convicted under this expanded Tribal jurisdiction can participate in the Bureau of Prisons Tribal Prisoner Program.

The Minority Entrepreneurship Grant Program Act of 2025 establishes a new grant program administered by the SBA to fund Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). These grants, starting at a minimum of $250,000 per institution, are intended to create or expand programs that provide technical assistance and startup capital to minority student entrepreneurs. The Act also creates a specialized, exempt Advisory Board to recommend best practices for supporting minority business development through these educational institutions.

The Support for Quantum Supply Chains Act directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to enhance its role in strengthening the domestic quantum technology supply chain. This legislation mandates NIST to accelerate the development of critical quantum technologies within the U.S. through new public-private partnerships. The goal is to boost domestic production capabilities and reduce reliance on foreign sources for essential quantum components.