Legislative Activity

The AI PLAN Act mandates the creation of a unified federal strategy to defend against financial crimes and threats posed by artificial intelligence. Key agencies must annually report to Congress on current defenses, available tools, and necessary resources to combat AI-driven risks like deepfakes and fraud. Following this report, the agencies must provide specific legislative recommendations and best practices for businesses and government entities.

The Safe Vehicle Access for Survivors Act mandates that providers of connected vehicle services must quickly terminate an abuser's remote access to a survivor's vehicle upon request, without imposing fees or requiring co-owner consent. This legislation requires providers to secure the survivor's information, offer clear instructions for regaining sole control, and establish specific notification procedures for all actions taken. The FCC is tasked with creating detailed regulations to ensure survivor safety and data confidentiality within two years of the bill's enactment.

The Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act creates an exception to income limits for certain federal agriculture disaster payments. This exception applies to individuals or businesses where at least 75% of their average adjusted gross income is derived from farming, ranching, or forestry. Consequently, these deeply involved agricultural producers will not be subject to standard payment caps on specific disaster assistance programs.

The Stop Comstock Act aims to modernize and streamline federal statutes concerning obscene materials. It revises several sections of federal law, including those related to crimes, transportation, and importation, by removing outdated or redundant language like "indecent" or "immoral." This legislative cleanup focuses the legal definitions to center specifically on "obscene materials."

The Caring for Survivors Act of 2025 aims to increase financial support for surviving spouses of veterans. This bill raises the monthly Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) payment rate for surviving spouses. Additionally, it lowers the required duration of total disability rating before death from ten years to five years for survivors to qualify for certain DIC benefits. If the disability period was between five and ten years, the benefit amount will be proportionally adjusted.

The Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act aims to improve support for individuals diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. This bill eliminates the standard waiting period for receiving Social Security disability insurance benefits and waives the 24-month waiting period for Medicare coverage. These changes ensure immediate access to crucial financial and healthcare support upon diagnosis.

The Rights for the Transportation Security Administration Workforce Act transitions TSA personnel to standard federal employment rules under Title 5 of the U.S. Code by a set date no later than December 31, 2025. This mandates the freezing of current personnel policies during the transition while protecting current employee pay and benefits. The bill also requires extensive reviews by the Comptroller General on hiring, diversity, and workplace safety, and mandates consultation with employee representatives regarding labor relations. Finally, it ensures that screening agents retain collective bargaining rights and addresses specific concerns for Federal Air Marshals.

The Resident Education Deferred Interest (REDI) Act amends federal student loan regulations to provide a specific deferment for medical and dental residents. This allows borrowers currently serving in an internship or residency program to pause principal payments and prevent interest accrual on their student loans during that training period.

The Military Spouse Hiring Act amends the Internal Revenue Code to expand eligibility for the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC). This change allows employers to claim the tax credit for hiring qualified military spouses. A qualified military spouse is defined as someone certified as being married to a member of the U.S. Armed Forces.

The Medicare Dental, Vision, and Hearing Benefit Act of 2025 significantly expands Medicare coverage to include comprehensive dental, vision, and hearing services starting in 2026. This legislation outlines specific payment schedules, frequency limits, and coverage percentages for routine exams, procedures, eyeglasses, contact lenses, and hearing aids. Furthermore, the bill mandates the inclusion of an oral health professional on the United States Preventive Services Task Force.

The Nationally Enhancing the Well-being of Babies through Outreach and Research Now (NEWBORN) Act establishes new pilot programs to combat high infant mortality rates across the country. These programs will provide grants, prioritizing the 50 counties with the highest rates, to develop community-specific outreach and support services for at-risk mothers. Funds can be used for everything from prenatal care coordination and smoking cessation programs to public education campaigns. The Secretary will use annual reports from grant recipients to evaluate the effectiveness of these localized efforts.

Tyler's Law mandates a comprehensive study by the Secretary of Health and Human Services on the frequency, cost, and impact of fentanyl testing in hospital emergency departments during overdose cases. Following the study, the Secretary must issue guidance on whether routine fentanyl testing should become standard practice for overdose patients. This guidance will also address staff training regarding existing drug test panels and the long-term health implications of such testing.

The Sarah Debbink Langenkamp Active Transportation Safety Act updates the Highway Safety Improvement Program to prioritize safety for pedestrians and cyclists. This bill allows federal funding to cover up to 100% of the cost for projects that connect existing bike/pedestrian infrastructure or reduce risks for vulnerable road users. It also provides flexibility for states to use existing safety funds as matching money for these specific upgrades.

This Act authorizes the creation and sale of special commemorative gold and silver coins to mark the 25th anniversary of the September 11th attacks. The coins will feature designs honoring the victims and first responders, with the phrase "Never Forget" required on at least one design. All surcharges collected from the sale of these coins will be donated to support the ongoing operations and maintenance of the National September 11 Memorial and Museum. The Treasury must ensure the entire coin program results in no net cost to the Federal Government.

The American Innovation and R&D Competitiveness Act of 2025 revises how businesses treat research and experimental (R&E) expenditures for tax purposes. Taxpayers can now choose between immediately deducting R&E costs or amortizing them over a period of at least 60 months. This legislation also makes technical adjustments to ensure consistency between immediate deductions and claiming the research tax credit.

The American Teacher Act aims to address critical teacher shortages by establishing federal grants to help states raise the minimum annual salary for full-time teachers to \$60,000, adjusted for inflation. States must submit sustainability plans to ensure these minimums continue after the initial four-year grant period ends. The bill also provides funds for cost-of-living adjustments and a national campaign to enhance the value and diversity of the teaching profession.

The James Earl Jones Congressional Gold Medal Act directs the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the posthumous presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to James Earl Jones, honoring his contributions to the United States and his work promoting inclusion in film and theatre. The Secretary of the Treasury will create the gold medal, and bronze duplicates will be made available for sale to the public.

The "Do No Harm Act" amends the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 to ensure religious freedom is not used to justify discrimination or harm. It clarifies that the Act does not override federal laws protecting against discrimination, ensuring equal opportunity, or safeguarding access to healthcare and other essential services. This amendment confirms that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act applies only when the government is a party in a judicial proceeding.

The "Mamas and Babies in Underserved Communities Act of 2025" aims to improve maternal health outcomes and reduce disparities in underserved communities by providing grants to healthcare providers. These grants will support the expansion and enhancement of maternal health services, including prenatal, postnatal care for infants, and postpartum care for mothers. Priority is given to entities serving minority, low-income, or medically underserved areas, particularly those led by community members. The act allocates necessary funds from 2026 to 2030 to facilitate these improvements.

The Preventing Deepfakes of Intimate Images Act establishes a federal civil right of action allowing victims to sue those who share non-consensual, intimate digital depictions (deepfakes) of them, providing for significant monetary damages and court orders. Additionally, the bill creates a new federal crime for sharing or threatening to share such images with intent to harass or cause harm, carrying penalties up to ten years in prison for serious offenses. The law strictly defines consent and intimate depictions, while offering limited liability protections to online service providers who cooperate in removing the content.