Legislative Activity

The Grid Research and Development Act mandates the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to modernize and standardize how electric utilities report detailed data on transmission projects, costs, and operations. This law establishes a centralized, publicly accessible data repository, managed by FERC and the EIA, to make this information searchable and machine-readable. Furthermore, it directs the Secretary of Energy to conduct research and develop a public dashboard to analyze grid expansion costs, interconnection efficiency, and overall system performance for improved affordability and planning.

The Electricity Transmission Scorecard Act mandates that major electricity transmission entities annually report detailed performance data to FERC and the EIA. This data, covering interconnection queues, project development, and system performance, will be made publicly available via an online portal. The goal is to create standardized transparency to improve accountability, reliability, and affordability across the national transmission system. FERC is also required to periodically review and update these scorecard metrics with stakeholder input.

This bill, the Airport TIFIA Financing Certainty Act, expands eligibility for Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) credit assistance to a wider range of airport-related projects. It broadens the types of aviation facilities and equipment that can qualify for federal financing, regardless of revenue generation or public accessibility. Additionally, the legislation adjusts project selection criteria and raises the threshold for streamlined program administration.

The John Lewis Every Child Deserves a Family Act prohibits discrimination based on religion, sex, or marital status in federally funded child welfare services. This aims to increase the number of stable, family-like placements for children, especially for LGBTQ youth who are overrepresented in foster care. The bill mandates federal guidance, training, and data collection to improve safety and well-being outcomes for all children involved in the system.

The AIM Act primarily focuses on eliminating numerous existing statutory restrictions and prohibitions that currently limit the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in its operations. This includes removing limitations on the use and analysis of firearms trace data and allowing for the consolidation of dealer records. Furthermore, the bill removes requirements for the destruction of background check records and eases restrictions on the ATF's ability to inspect dealer inventories and deny or revoke Federal Firearms Licenses.

This Act authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue a series of commemorative gold, silver, and clad coins in 2029 to celebrate the centennial of the United States Foreign Service. The coins will feature designs representing the importance of American diplomacy and the contributions of the Foreign Service. All surcharges collected from the sale of these coins will be paid to the Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training to support its historical preservation work. The Treasury must ensure that the minting and issuance of these coins result in no net cost to the U.S. government.

The Restoring Food Security for American Families and Farmers Act of 2025 aims to strengthen domestic food security by repealing specific sections of a prior reconciliation act. This action effectively revives the original laws that were previously amended by the repealed provisions. The bill seeks to revert existing agricultural and food-related statutes to their pre-amendment status.

This resolution officially recognizes and supports the goals of National Rural Health Day to honor the vital role of rural communities and their healthcare providers. It acknowledges the unique challenges faced by rural residents, such as limited access to care and hospital closures. The bill expresses a commitment to advancing policies that improve the accessibility and affordability of healthcare in rural America.

The RIDER Safety Act authorizes federal grants for public transit systems to hire unarmed "Transit Support Specialists." These specialists are tasked with increasing rider security through their visible presence, engaging with the public, and handling minor conflicts. Their role is to deter disruptive behavior and connect riders with necessary services, allowing law enforcement to focus on critical incidents.

This bill, the International Human Rights Defense Act of 2025, establishes a permanent Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBTQI+ Peoples within the Department of State. It codifies U.S. policy to actively combat international criminalization, violence, and discrimination against LGBTQI+ individuals worldwide. The legislation also mandates enhanced reporting on these abuses in annual human rights reports and authorizes assistance to support related protection efforts abroad.

The Flood Insurance for Farmers Act of 2025 amends the National Flood Insurance Act to allow specific variances for elevating or floodproofing agricultural structures in special flood hazard zones under strict local conditions. This bill also directs FEMA to offer an optional umbrella insurance policy for property owners with multiple structures on the same property. These changes aim to provide flexibility for agricultural building standards while maintaining appropriate risk assessment for flood insurance premiums.

The Stop Excessive Force in Immigration Act of 2025 establishes strict new standards for the use of non-deadly force by federal immigration personnel, requiring proportionality and de-escalation efforts. The bill mandates identification requirements, restricts the use of certain crowd-control equipment, and imposes new body camera and detailed reporting mandates. Furthermore, it creates affirmative duties for officers to intervene against excessive force and requires annual training on these new policies.

The Integrated Resource Planning Modernization Act directs the Secretary of Energy to develop updated guidelines and best practices for electric utility planning, focusing on modern resource adequacy analysis and diverse energy solutions. The bill also establishes a grant program to help states align their planning requirements with these new federal standards. This effort aims to ensure the reliability and cost-effectiveness of the future electricity system through comprehensive, forward-looking planning.

The Keep SNAP and WIC Funded Act of 2025 ensures that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) continue to operate without interruption in fiscal year 2026 if standard appropriations are delayed. If funding lapses, the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to use funds from the Treasury to provide benefits and reimburse state agencies. This special funding remains in effect until full appropriations are enacted or until September 30, 2026.

This resolution expresses the sense of the House that the Department of Agriculture should utilize its existing contingency funds and interchange authority to ensure the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) remains fully funded. The bill specifically urges the administration to immediately use these resources to finance SNAP operations, particularly during potential government funding lapses. This action is deemed crucial to support millions of vulnerable Americans, including children, seniors, and veterans, who rely on these benefits.

This joint resolution commemorates October 2025 as Head Start Awareness Month to recognize the program's enduring positive impact. It honors Head Start's 60-year legacy of preparing over 40 million children and their families for success through comprehensive health, nutrition, and educational support. The resolution highlights the program's role in promoting long-term academic achievement and empowering parents.

This resolution designates October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month to highlight the widespread and devastating impact of intimate partner violence across all demographics. It recognizes the urgent need to eliminate domestic violence and supports increased funding for intervention and prevention programs. The resolution underscores the severe physical, emotional, and economic toll this abuse takes on individuals, families, and communities.

The RESTRAIN Act prohibits the United States from conducting any explosive testing of nuclear weapons or any other nuclear explosion, effective in fiscal year 2026 and beyond. This legislation specifically bans the use of authorized funds for such testing. However, the Act explicitly allows for the continuation of subcritical nuclear tests.

The American Energy Independence and Affordability Act is a comprehensive bill designed to lower energy costs by extending and adjusting key tax incentives across energy production, efficiency, and clean vehicle adoption. It stabilizes support for renewable energy manufacturing, extends deadlines for energy-efficient building credits, and ensures consumer incentives for electric vehicles remain available through 2032. Overall, the legislation aims to provide long-term certainty for energy investments and consumer adoption of cleaner technologies.

The Making Access To Cleanup Happen (MATCH) Act of 2025 streamlines the Emergency Watershed Protection Program by allowing local sponsors to begin critical cleanup work before final federal agreements are signed. This allows state-level processes to authorize early spending on emergency measures following a natural disaster. Any eligible costs incurred early will count toward the sponsor's required contribution, provided a final agreement is eventually reached. However, sponsors assume the financial risk if the Secretary ultimately declines to enter into an agreement.