Legislative Activity

This bill authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor to John W. Ripley for his extraordinary valor as a Marine during the Vietnam War on April 2, 1972. The legislation specifically waives existing time limitations to allow for this posthumous recognition. The award is based on the same heroic actions for which he previously received the Navy Cross.

The "New Source Review Permitting Improvement Act" amends the Clean Air Act to revise the definition of "modification" that triggers stricter pollution control requirements. It specifies that changes only increase pollution if the maximum hourly emission rate increases and excludes changes designed to improve efficiency, reliability, or safety. The Act also clarifies the definition of "construction" and "modifications" for areas not meeting air quality standards, focusing on changes that significantly increase annual emissions. Finally, it ensures that changes not previously considered modifications will not be under the new law.

This resolution establishes the specific House procedures for considering four distinct bills addressing healthcare access, restrictions on gender transition procedures for minors, protections against bodily mutilation of minors, and reforms to the National Environmental Policy Act review process. It sets strict debate limits and waives most procedural objections for each measure to expedite their consideration. The rules also include specific provisions related to the environmental review bill's effective date.

The Power Plant Reliability Act of 2025 grants the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) new authority to order utilities to maintain adequate interstate electric service, including requiring the continued operation of specific generating units if service is deemed insufficient. This legislation also mandates that owners must provide FERC and relevant state bodies with at least five years' advance notice before retiring any qualifying electric generating unit. Compliance with a FERC order to maintain service is protected from potential violations of environmental laws.

This resolution establishes the expedited House procedures for considering several bills concerning student athlete rights, restrictions on Chinese influence in schools, and reducing regulatory burdens for small businesses. It waives procedural objections and sets strict limits on debate and amendments for each measure. The rules ensure swift consideration and final votes on these diverse legislative items.

The Legislative Branch Agencies Clarification Act overhauls leadership appointment and removal processes for the Librarian of Congress and the Director of the Government Publishing Office, shifting authority away from Senate confirmation. This bill also establishes a Deputy Librarian and Deputy Director for both agencies, and separates the Copyright Office from the Library of Congress's oversight, placing the Register of Copyrights as its head. Finally, it integrates the Government Publishing Office under the Congressional Accountability Act and mandates a new human capital management system for the GPO.

The Penicillin Allergy Verification and Evaluation (PAVE) Act addresses the widespread issue of inaccurate penicillin allergy labels, which often lead to poorer patient outcomes. This bill mandates that Medicare cover and require physicians to perform a formal penicillin allergy verification and evaluation for seniors during their initial and annual wellness visits. The goal is to correctly identify patients who can safely take penicillin, improving care and promoting responsible antibiotic stewardship.

The Efficient Nuclear Licensing Hearings Act streamlines the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC) process for issuing certain nuclear facility permits and licenses. This legislation allows the NRC to issue permits without automatically holding a full hearing if no affected party requests one. It also updates procedures to favor informal hearings when they are held and modifies timing requirements for license issuance.

This resolution establishes the procedural framework for the House to swiftly consider the fiscal year 2026 Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill (H.R. 4553) under strict debate limitations. It also sets up a fast-track process for the House to vote on three joint resolutions disapproving specific Bureau of Land Management resource management plans. Finally, the measure addresses the adoption or setting aside of several other unrelated House resolutions.

The Contact Lens Prescription Verification Modernization Act updates existing law to ensure consumers can easily obtain and use their contact lens prescriptions. This bill specifically requires online sellers to provide a HIPAA-compliant method for electronically receiving prescriptions and mandates encryption for any protected health information sent via email. Additionally, it updates seller record-keeping requirements to include customer email addresses.

This bill initiates the retrocession of most of Washington, D.C. back to the State of Maryland, establishing a smaller, permanent Federal District for the seat of the U.S. Government. It transfers D.C.-owned property and legal successor responsibilities to Maryland while restructuring federal courts and eliminating the D.C. Delegate. The legislation also ensures the continuation of federal employee benefits and student aid programs during this transition.

This bill expresses the disapproval of Congress, under the Congressional Review Act, of a specific rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The rejected rule concerned the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for the rubber tire manufacturing industry. As a result of this disapproval, the EPA's proposed standards will not take effect.

The Federal Bird Safe Buildings Act of 2025 mandates that the General Services Administration (GSA) implement bird-safe features in new and substantially renovated federal public buildings to prevent bird collisions. The GSA must develop and regularly update a design guide detailing best practices for construction and lighting to reduce bird fatalities. While most federal buildings must comply, exemptions exist for sites on the National Register of Historic Places and specific high-profile locations like the White House. The GSA must annually report to Congress on compliance and provide data on bird collisions where possible.

This resolution establishes expedited procedures for the House of Representatives to consider and vote on several key items, including disapproving specific rules from the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection. It waives standard procedural hurdles to allow immediate debate and final votes on measures concerning overdraft lending, digital payment applications, limitations on injunctive relief, and mandatory proof of citizenship for federal voter registration. The resolution tightly controls debate time for each measure before moving directly to a final vote.

This bill officially renames the United States Postal Service facility located at 901 West Main Street in Radford, Virginia, as the "Richard H. Poff Post Office Building." The legislation ensures that all official records and documents are updated to reflect this new designation.

The Physician Led and Rural Access to Quality Care Act revises physician self-referral rules to improve healthcare access in underserved areas. Specifically, it creates a new exception allowing physician self-referrals to hospitals located in designated rural areas that meet specific distance requirements. Furthermore, the bill removes existing restrictions that previously limited the expansion of services at physician-owned hospitals.

The Risky Research Review Act establishes the Life Sciences Research Security Board to oversee and approve federal funding for "high-risk life sciences research," which includes Dual Use Research of Concern (DURC) involving dangerous pathogens. This new independent agency will review proposals to determine if the potential risks to public health or national security outweigh the anticipated benefits before any funding is awarded. The Act mandates strict attestation requirements for applicants and outlines penalties for non-compliance or misrepresentation regarding high-risk research activities.

The Royalty Transparency Act aims to increase transparency and prevent conflicts of interest by requiring more detailed financial disclosures from executive branch employees and contractors, specifically regarding royalty payments. It mandates the inclusion of royalty income sources in financial reports, requires agencies to publish these reports, and directs reviews of potential conflicts of interest related to royalty payments in federal acquisitions. The Act also ensures congressional oversight through required notifications and annual reports. A severability clause ensures that if any part of the Act is deemed unconstitutional, the remaining provisions will still be enforced.

The "HALT Fentanyl Act" permanently classifies fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs under the Controlled Substances Act, streamlining research registration processes while maintaining controls. It also updates penalties for trafficking, importing, and exporting fentanyl-related substances, treating them similarly to fentanyl analogues. Additionally, the Act addresses technical errors in previous legislation and mandates the Attorney General to issue rules for implementation.

This resolution establishes the procedures for the House of Representatives to debate and vote on H.R. 27, a bill addressing the scheduling of fentanyl-related substances under the Controlled Substances Act. It sets time limits for debate, approves a specific amendment, and allows for one additional amendment and a motion to reconsider the bill. The resolution streamlines the process for considering this legislation.