Legislative Activity

The "Truth in Tuition Act of 2025" mandates that colleges provide students with clear information about tuition costs, either through a multi-year tuition schedule or a single-year schedule accompanied by a multi-year cost estimate. Colleges opting for single-year schedules must also disclose the historical accuracy of their estimates. The Secretary of Education has the authority to waive these requirements under specific circumstances. This act aims to provide students with greater transparency and predictability regarding the cost of their education.

This bill establishes a commission to study the feasibility of creating a National Museum of Italian American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. The commission will develop recommendations for a plan of action, including a fundraising plan to support the museum's establishment, operation, and maintenance without federal funds. The commission will submit reports to the President and Congress, and will conclude 30 days after submitting its final reports. No federal funds will be used for the commission's work.

The Tax Administration Simplification Act aims to modernize and simplify tax processes by applying the "mailbox rule" to electronically submitted documents and payments, allowing more flexibility in S corporation elections, and adjusting the due dates for quarterly estimated income tax payments.

The New Markets Tax Credit Extension Act of 2025 permanently extends the New Markets Tax Credit, which incentivizes investment in low-income communities. It removes the credit's expiration date and adjusts the credit amount for inflation after 2025. The act also provides alternative minimum tax relief for qualified equity investments made after December 31, 2024.

The Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2025 requires the Department of Education to consider the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of antisemitism when evaluating discrimination complaints under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, concerning race, color, and national origin. This aims to address rising antisemitism in educational settings. The Act clarifies that it does not expand the Department of Education's authority, change existing discrimination standards, reduce existing rights, or infringe upon First Amendment rights.

The "Combating Rural Inflation Act" directs the Bureau of Labor Statistics to create a monthly Consumer Price Index for Rural Consumers, starting in January 2026. This index will track changes in typical spending for people living in rural communities in the United States.

The US-Kazakhstan Trade Modernization Act allows the President to extend nondiscriminatory trade treatment to products from Kazakhstan, which would formally remove Kazakhstan from Title IV of the Trade Act of 1974. This action acknowledges Kazakhstan's compliance with emigration requirements since 1997 and its membership in the World Trade Organization since 2015, further solidifying trade relations between the United States and Kazakhstan.

The "QUIET Act" aims to regulate robocalls using artificial intelligence by requiring disclosure when AI is used to mimic a real person in robocalls or text messages. It mandates that callers reveal the use of AI at the beginning of the communication. The Act also doubles the penalties for illegal robocalls or texts that use AI to impersonate individuals with the intent to defraud or cause harm.

The "Love Lives On Act of 2025" amends titles 10 and 38 of the United States Code to improve benefits and services for surviving spouses. This act modifies Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) rules, allowing surviving spouses who remarry to still receive benefits. Additionally, it ensures continued Survivor Benefit Plan annuity payments for certain remarried surviving spouses and expands TRICARE eligibility to include remarried widow/widowers whose subsequent marriage ended.

The "Spent Fuel Prioritization Act of 2025" amends the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, changing how the Energy Secretary prioritizes accepting high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel. Priority is given to waste from decommissioned reactors, reactors in densely populated areas, areas with high earthquake risk, and areas with national security risks due to continued on-site storage. This aims to address the most urgent risks associated with storing nuclear waste.

The 9/11 Memorial and Museum Act authorizes a one-time grant between $5,000,000 and $10,000,000 to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum for operations, security, and maintenance. To receive the grant, the museum must offer free admission to certain groups, provide free admission hours to the general public, and allow annual federal audits of its financial records. The museum must also submit annual reports to Congress detailing how the grant funds were used. No additional funds are authorized beyond the initial appropriation for this grant.

This resolution addresses concerns over Iran's nuclear program, support for terrorist groups, and threats to the United States, Israel, and their allies. It highlights Iran's non-compliance with international agreements, advancements in uranium enrichment, and destabilizing actions in the Middle East. The resolution affirms that all options should be considered to address Iran's nuclear threat, while clarifying that it does not authorize military force. It demands Iran cease all activities that threaten the United States, Israel and its allies.

The Railway Safety Act of 2025 establishes comprehensive new safety standards across the freight rail industry, focusing heavily on trains transporting hazardous materials. The bill mandates stricter rules for train operations, requires enhanced rail car inspections, and sets a phase-out date for older, less safe tank cars. Furthermore, it increases civil penalties for safety violations, institutes a minimum two-person crew requirement for most freight trains, and funds infrastructure improvements like advanced track monitoring.

The "Health Out-of-Pocket Expense Act of 2025" or the "HOPE Act of 2025" establishes tax-exempt "Hope Accounts" for eligible individuals to pay for qualified medical expenses. Contributions to these accounts are capped at \$4,000 annually for self-only or married individuals with family coverage, and \$8,000 for heads of household with family coverage, with employer and Medicaid contributions limited to 50% of the individual's limit. Distributions used for qualified medical expenses are tax-free, while non-qualified distributions are subject to income tax and a 30% penalty, with exceptions for distributions after death or due to disability. These provisions will take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

The "American CANS Act" amends the Tariff Act of 1930, mandating that country-of-origin labels for canned agricultural products be clearly displayed on the front label or top of the can. This aims to increase consumer awareness of the source of their canned goods. The updated labeling requirements will apply to imported agricultural products 18 months after the law is enacted.

The "Non-Recognition of Russian Annexation of Ukrainian Territory Act" prohibits the United States from recognizing Russia's claim of sovereignty over any portion of Ukraine. It also prevents any federal department or agency from taking actions that would imply recognition of such claims.

The "Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act" reauthorizes and expands programs aimed at supporting the mental health of healthcare providers. It requires annual reports on education and awareness initiatives, broadens eligibility for entities receiving funds, and extends funding for mental health support programs through 2030. The Act prioritizes reducing administrative burdens on healthcare workers to improve access to mental health services.

The "Stop the Wait Act of 2025" eliminates the waiting period for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, phasing it out completely by 2030. It also waives the 24-month waiting period for Medicare eligibility for certain SSDI recipients who lack minimum essential health coverage, allowing them to access Medicare retroactively to the start of their SSDI entitlement. The Act establishes special enrollment periods for Medicare Part B for these newly eligible individuals.

The "Protect Our Clothes from PFAS Act" modifies the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, specifically altering the requirements for a garment to be classified as water resistant by removing a sentence from the additional notes. This change may impact import duties and trade regulations related to water-resistant clothing.

This bill recognizes February 4, 2025, as National Cancer Prevention Day to raise awareness about cancer prevention and risk reduction. It supports the Cancer Moonshot's goal to reduce the cancer death rate and emphasizes the importance of early detection, knowledge expansion, and collaboration with experts to combat cancer.