Legislative Activity

The Legislative Branch Agencies Clarification Act overhauls leadership selection and succession for the Librarian of Congress and the Director of the Government Publishing Office, shifting appointment power to a congressional commission. It also establishes the Copyright Office as an independent entity, appointing its Register with Senate confirmation and creating an internal Inspector General. Finally, the bill moves GPO employees under the protections of the Congressional Accountability Act and establishes a new human capital management system for the GPO.

The Right to Trial Act amends federal sentencing law to ensure judges consider whether a sentence punishes a defendant for exercising their right to a trial instead of accepting a plea deal. It explicitly grants courts the authority to sentence below statutory minimums when necessary to protect this constitutional right. The bill requires judges to weigh plea offers and sentences of similarly situated co-defendants when imposing a sentence.

This resolution establishes the House floor schedule for considering five specific legislative items. It sets the debate parameters and limits procedural motions for bills concerning cashless bail disclosure, bail fraud, court monitors, support for law enforcement, and the military construction/VA appropriations bill for FY 2027. The process streamlines consideration for all five measures by waiving most procedural objections.

This bill officially recognizes and congratulates the "Martinsville Missile" for setting a new land speed record for a stock car at 253 miles per hour. It designates the record-setting 1969 Dodge Daytona Charger as the official car for the Virginia American Revolution 250th Commission's motorsports celebration. The legislation honors the Virginia-based team behind this significant achievement.

This Act directs the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to conduct a comprehensive study on motor vehicle flammability hazards. The study will examine occupant safety risks, the materials used to meet current flammability standards, and potential health and environmental hazards associated with those materials. NHTSA must report its findings and recommendations for mitigation to Congress within 30 months of enactment.

This bill authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor to John W. Ripley for his extraordinary valor while serving in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. The legislation specifically waives existing time restrictions to allow for this posthumous recognition of his actions on April 2, 1972.

This resolution establishes the rules for the House to consider two energy-related bills. The first bill would require the Secretary of Energy to ensure new energy conservation standards are technologically feasible and economically justified. The second bill proposes to repeal certain taxpayer subsidies for home electrification.

This bill mandates the Architect of the Capitol to install at least one adult changing room in both the Library of Congress and the Capitol Visitor Center. These rooms are defined as fully accessible restrooms equipped with specialized features like an adult-sized changing bench, safety rails, and a hoist to accommodate individuals needing assistance.

The Hemp Enforcement, Modernization, and Protection Act establishes a comprehensive federal regulatory framework for cannabinoid hemp products under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. This bill defines various cannabinoid types and product categories (oral, inhalable, topical) while setting strict standards for manufacturing, labeling, and testing. It also prohibits certain products, mandates facility registration with the FDA, sets a minimum age of sale at 21, and grants the FDA enhanced enforcement and recall authority.

This bill aims to streamline the New Source Review (NSR) permitting process for industrial facilities under the Clean Air Act by setting strict deadlines and consolidating permit requirements. It revises the definition of a "modification" to focus on actual hourly emission rate increases and excludes certain efficiency, safety, or reliability projects from triggering new reviews. Furthermore, the legislation narrows the definition of "construction" to primarily mean the physical building of emissions units, limiting when preconstruction review requirements apply.

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 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.