Legislative Activity

The Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2025 reforms federal firearm background check procedures, establishing a formal petition process for buyers when the system delays a decision beyond 10 business days. This bill removes the previous 10-day time limit on background checks under the Brady Act while mandating extensive reporting from the GAO and FBI on the effectiveness and outcomes of these delayed transfers. Furthermore, the Attorney General must report on the law's impact on domestic violence victims within 150 days of enactment.

The Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2025 aims to strengthen existing federal background check systems to prevent prohibited persons from acquiring firearms. This bill primarily mandates that most private firearm transfers must be facilitated through a licensed dealer who will conduct a background check. The legislation includes specific exceptions for family gifts, law enforcement, and temporary transfers under emergency circumstances.

The Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act of 2025 updates federal programs to better support and protect runaway, homeless, and trafficked youth. This legislation modernizes grant programs to ensure services are trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, and address critical needs like housing, education, and mental health. It also expands communication channels to include online outreach and strengthens coordination across federal agencies to combat youth homelessness and exploitation.

The Pride In Mental Health Act of 2025 establishes a new grant program to improve mental health and substance abuse outcomes for LGBTQ+ youth through culturally competent care and resource development. These grants strictly prohibit funding for conversion therapy practices. The bill also mandates federal data collection on LGBTQ+ youth mental health and requires a report on the needs of those in foster care.

This resolution formally expresses the House of Representatives' grave concern over the severe humanitarian crisis and widespread suffering of civilians in Gaza, alongside the plight of hostages. It urgently calls on the Administration to use all diplomatic tools to secure the release of all hostages. Furthermore, the bill demands the immediate delivery and secure distribution of essential humanitarian aid to address the catastrophic hunger crisis in Gaza.

The Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act of 2025 repeals key provisions of the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act. This legislation allows federal gun trace information to be discoverable and admissible as evidence in civil lawsuits and administrative hearings. The bill aims to provide victims of gun violence with greater access to relevant data in legal proceedings.

This resolution expresses the sense of the House that Congress should enact the Older Americans Bill of Rights to affirm the right of older Americans to live with dignity and independence. It highlights severe challenges facing seniors, including poverty, food insecurity, social isolation, and gaps in healthcare access. The proposed Bill of Rights calls for strengthening Social Security and Medicare, lowering prescription drug costs, and ensuring access to affordable housing and essential services. Ultimately, this measure urges Congress to establish comprehensive protections for the financial security, health, and community participation of older adults.

The VA Loan Informed Disclosure Act of 2025 (VALID Act) aims to increase awareness of VA loan options among homebuyers. It requires lenders to include comparative information about potential VA loan terms on standard FHA disclosure forms. Furthermore, the Act mandates that the Uniform Residential Loan Application include a prominent question regarding the applicant's military service.

The 911 Community Crisis Responders Act of 2025 establishes a federal grant program to fund unarmed mobile crisis response teams across the nation. These teams will respond to nonviolent emergencies involving mental health, homelessness, or substance use, diverting calls away from law enforcement. Grantees must use funds for training, system upgrades, and reporting on program impact, including demographic data on those served. The goal is to ensure trained professionals provide appropriate, de-escalated care for individuals in crisis.

This bill grants the Secretary of Agriculture the authority to waive the required matching funds for recipients of grants under the Specialty Crop Research Initiative. This change allows the Secretary discretion in awarding funds without requiring the recipient to contribute their own matching capital. The waiver applies to grants awarded on or after the date the law is enacted.

The VET PFAS Act expands healthcare and disability benefits for veterans and their families exposed to toxic PFAS chemicals, like PFOA, at contaminated military installations. It establishes a presumption of service connection for specific related illnesses, making it easier for veterans to receive disability compensation. Furthermore, the bill grants eligible family members access to VA medical care, contingent upon future appropriations. The VA is also required to report annually on the implementation and utilization of these new provisions for three years.

The Remove the Stain Act officially rescinds the 20 Medals of Honor awarded to U.S. soldiers for actions during the Wounded Knee Massacre of 1890. This legislation aims to preserve the integrity of the nation's highest military honor by voiding awards given for the killing of predominantly unarmed Native Americans. While the recognition is revoked and names will be removed from the official rolls, recipients will not be required to return the physical medal or forfeit any associated benefits.

The DEFIANCE Act of 2025 establishes a federal civil cause of action against the creation, possession with intent to share, or sharing of nonconsensual intimate digital forgeries, often known as deepfakes. This legislation updates existing law to specifically address image-based sexual abuse created through AI or digital manipulation, regardless of whether the image is labeled as fake. Victims can sue for significant statutory damages, attorney's fees, and injunctive relief to stop the spread of the harmful content. The Act ensures that this new federal standard does not preempt or limit stronger existing State or Tribal laws.

This bill imposes significant restrictions on the transfer of specific defense articles and services to Israel. Transfers of listed military equipment, such as certain bombs and ammunition, are prohibited unless Congress first passes a law detailing their specific authorized use. Furthermore, Israel must provide satisfactory written assurances that the items will only be used for those stated purposes and in compliance with international law.

The Close the Revolving Door Act of 2025 aims to significantly restrict influence peddling by implementing a lifetime lobbying ban for former Members of Congress and extending the cooling-off period for Congressional staff to six years. The bill also establishes a centralized, searchable public website for lobbying disclosures, mandates new annual reporting for large lobbying entities regarding former officials they employ, and increases the maximum fine for certain lobbying violations to $\$500,000$.

The Supreme Court Tenure Establishment and Retirement Modernization Act of 2025 establishes fixed, non-renewable 18-year terms for all future Supreme Court Justices, with appointments staggered every two years. This legislation also outlines a process for phasing out current Justices upon the confirmation of new appointees. Finally, it grants the Chief Justice the authority to temporarily fill sudden vacancies below the standard nine-justice level using a randomly selected retired Justice.

The College for All Act of 2025 establishes a Federal-State partnership to eliminate tuition and required fees at public and Tribal colleges for eligible students, while significantly increasing Federal Pell Grant maximum awards and expanding eligibility to include many "Dreamer students." The bill also creates new grant programs to cover tuition at private non-profit HBCUs and MSIs, and funds initiatives to improve student success and support for low-income and first-generation students. Finally, it increases overall appropriations for HBCUs, Tribal Colleges, and other Minority-Serving Institutions.

This Act mandates the inclusion of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) history across federally supported K-12 American history and civics education programs. It recognizes the vital, yet often omitted, contributions of AANHPI communities while addressing historical exclusion and systemic racism. The legislation directs educational programs to partner with the Smithsonian's Asian Pacific American Center to develop accurate and comprehensive curricula. This ensures AANHPI history is integrated into national assessments and teacher training.

This bill amends Medicare to require cognitive impairment screening during the Annual Wellness Visit and the Initial Preventive Physical Examination. It mandates the use of specific, approved screening tools to detect potential issues like Alzheimer's disease early. The goal is to ensure timely diagnosis, allowing patients and caregivers to access necessary planning and support services sooner.

The Stronger Communities through Better Transit Act establishes a new federal grant program to provide operating support for high-quality public transit services. This funding is specifically targeted to improve mobility and environmental outcomes, with a requirement that the majority of funds benefit underserved communities or areas of persistent poverty. The Act also increases the federal share for rural transit operating assistance up to 80%.