Legislative Activity

The Protect National Service Act affirms the significant societal return on investment provided by national service programs like AmeriCorps. This bill prohibits the use of federal funds to eliminate the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) or alter its status as a Government corporation. It ensures that any future reorganization must maintain the Trust's solvency and continue federal commitment to civic engagement. The CEO must annually certify compliance with these protections to Congress for five years.

The Accounting STEM Pursuit Act of 2025 officially recognizes accounting education as a vital component of a well-rounded K-12 curriculum. This legislation amends federal education law to ensure accounting is counted within core curriculum planning frameworks. The Act specifically directs states and districts to improve access to quality accounting programs, with a focus on increasing opportunities for underrepresented students.

This resolution expresses the sense of Congress that open water lifeguards should be formally recognized as first responders and emergency response providers. It highlights the critical, life-saving work they perform, often under dangerous conditions, aligning their duties with those of traditional emergency personnel. The bill advocates for federal recognition that matches the essential nature of their daily service.

The Resilient Coasts and Estuaries Act of 2025 overhauls federal coastal protection by establishing a new Coastal and Estuarine Resilience and Restoration Program focused on protecting high-value lands and restoring damaged areas, with priority given to vulnerable low-income communities. The bill also significantly expands the National Estuarine Research Reserve System, mandating the designation of at least five new sites and bolstering research efforts focused on climate change adaptation. Furthermore, it establishes new requirements for non-governmental partners and updates funding authorizations through fiscal year 2029.

The Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2025 updates federal housing tax credit allocations to reflect current economic realities and boosts minimum state allotments. It reforms tenant eligibility rules to stabilize tenancy and enhance protections for vulnerable residents, including victims of abuse. The bill also provides disaster relief for property owners, increases incentives for housing the extremely low-income, and directs greater resources toward Native American and rural housing needs. Finally, it streamlines administrative processes and signals a future focus on data transparency and discouraging restrictive local zoning.

The Protecting American Families and Servicemembers from Anthrax Act mandates the Secretaries of Health and Human Services and Defense to develop a modernized 10-year strategy to defend against the anthrax threat. This plan must ensure a sustainable supply of anthrax countermeasures for the Strategic National Stockpile and outline protections for civilians and military families. The Secretaries are required to submit an initial classified report detailing the threat and the full strategy to Congress within 180 days, followed by annual updates.

The Destruction of Hazardous Imports Act expands the authority of the Secretary of Health and Human Services to order the destruction of imported articles that pose a significant public health concern, even if they don't meet existing criteria. This legislation broadens the scope of regulated items beyond just drugs and devices and makes it illegal to move or sell any article slated for destruction under these new rules. These changes will take effect 180 days after the Act is signed into law.

This bill establishes the Innovative Therapies Centers of Excellence Act of 2025, directing the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to designate at least five medical facilities as specialized hubs for cutting-edge treatments. These Centers of Excellence must focus on research, training partnerships, and clinical evaluation of innovative therapies for covered conditions like PTSD and chronic pain. The legislation specifically names substances such as MDMA and Psilocybin as part of the therapies to be explored, supported by dedicated annual funding.

The Women in Agriculture Act establishes a dedicated Liaison within the USDA to advocate for and assist women farmers and ranchers in accessing USDA programs. The bill also prioritizes federal research funding for the development of ergonomically designed farm equipment for women. Finally, it grants priority consideration for rural development loans and grants to applicants focused on improving rural child care infrastructure.

The POWER Act of 2025 establishes a new, temporary tax credit of up to $500 for individuals who purchase an emergency generator for their primary residence. To qualify, homeowners must have experienced at least two major disasters in their area within the last five years and personally received federal assistance for one of those events. The credit amount is subject to phase-out based on the taxpayer's modified adjusted gross income.

The Freedom of Association in Higher Education Act of 2025 aims to protect students' rights to join single-sex social organizations at colleges receiving federal funding. This bill prevents institutions from taking adverse action against students or groups solely because of sex-based membership policies. It ensures these organizations are treated fairly compared to other campus groups regarding participation and privileges. Ultimately, the Act safeguards a student's freedom to choose their associations, including single-sex clubs.

The Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025 imposes sweeping economic penalties on the Russian Federation in response to its aggression against Ukraine. This legislation mandates severe, immediate sanctions against key Russian officials, financial institutions, and energy sector entities, including asset freezes and trade prohibitions. Furthermore, the Act dramatically increases import duties on Russian goods and requires the President to review and reimpose these measures until Russia negotiates a lasting peace with Ukraine.

The Iranian Terror Prevention Act mandates the swift designation of specific Iranian-linked groups as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) by the Secretary of State. It requires the President to impose existing sanctions on these designated groups and any affiliated entities within 60 days of enactment. Furthermore, the bill establishes ongoing reporting requirements to Congress regarding designations and the application of sanctions.

The Taiwan Allies Fund Act establishes a dedicated fund to support countries that maintain relationships with Taiwan despite pressure from the People's Republic of China (PRC). This fund authorizes up to $40 million annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2028 to help eligible nations counter PRC coercion. Aid will focus on strengthening democratic partnerships, supporting Taiwan's international participation, and offering alternatives to PRC economic influence. The Secretary of State will manage the fund, coordinating with Taiwan, and must report annually to Congress on the fund's activities and Taiwan's matching contributions.

The Early Detection of Vision Impairments for Children Act of 2025 establishes federal funding to help states and eligible groups create comprehensive programs for early vision screening and intervention in children. These grants will support activities such as improving data collection, reaching underserved populations, and building coordinated public health systems for eye care. The bill also authorizes technical assistance grants through the CDC to support states in developing and improving their screening and intervention strategies. Funding is authorized at $5 million annually from fiscal years 2026 through 2030 for the main grant program.

The Law Enforcement Training for Mental Health Crisis Response Act of 2025 establishes a grant program to fund specialized behavioral health crisis response training for state, local, and Tribal law enforcement and corrections officers. This initiative aims to improve officer and public safety by equipping personnel with the necessary skills to safely de-escalate encounters involving individuals experiencing mental health emergencies. Grants will be administered by the Attorney General to supplement existing agency funds dedicated to this critical training.

The ABC Act mandates a comprehensive review of Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, and Social Security programs to significantly simplify application processes, forms, and communications for family caregivers. This effort requires federal agencies to streamline requirements, improve customer service, and enhance accessibility across their systems. The goal is to reduce the administrative burden on caregivers while ensuring clear and timely access to essential benefits. Agencies must report their findings and planned actions to Congress within two years of enactment.

This bill directs the Secretary of Transportation to develop and implement a comprehensive 10-year Campus Modernization Plan for the United States Merchant Marine Academy. The plan must address critical infrastructure needs, including new training facilities, updated housing, and essential utility overhauls, to support modern maritime education and national security requirements. Congress authorizes up to \$1.02 billion from the Maritime Security Trust Fund between fiscal years 2026 and 2035 to execute this modernization effort.

The Mining Schools Act of 2025 establishes a competitive grant program, administered by the Secretary of Energy, to strengthen domestic mining education at specialized institutions. These grants aim to train the next generation of professionals needed for the nation's energy and mineral supply by focusing on modern extraction, critical minerals, and environmental responsibility. The Act also creates the Mining Professional Development Advisory Board to guide the grant selection process and repeals the older Mining and Mineral Resources Research Institute Act of 1984.

The Stop Antisemitism on College Campuses Act prohibits colleges and universities receiving federal funding from allowing, supporting, or paying for any event on campus that promotes antisemitism. This legislation mandates the adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism for enforcement. The goal is to ensure federally funded institutions do not host or endorse antisemitic activities.