Legislative Activity

The Building Unity through Dual Sponsors (BUDS) Resolution amends House rules to allow public bills and resolutions to have two primary sponsors, provided one is from the majority party and the other from the minority party. This formalizes bipartisan introduction of legislation from the outset. The resolution also adjusts related rules concerning cosponsorship and required submission statements for these jointly sponsored measures.

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 Bankruptcy Administration Improvement Act of 2025 addresses the funding and administration of the federal bankruptcy system. This bill primarily increases the compensation for Chapter 7 trustees to address decades of stagnant pay while adjusting various bankruptcy fees to ensure the U.S. Trustee System remains self-funded. Additionally, it extends the term limits for certain temporary bankruptcy judge offices.

The LIHEAP Staffing Support Act establishes minimum staffing requirements for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to ensure effective program administration. It mandates a baseline of at least 20 dedicated employees, with limits on contractor usage during normal operations. Furthermore, the bill requires an emergency staffing boost to at least 30 employees within 45 days of declaring an energy crisis.

The Financing Lead Out of Water Act of 2025 (Flow Act) modifies tax-exempt bond rules to encourage the replacement of privately-owned lead water pipes. This legislation clarifies that using these bonds for qualified lead service line replacement does not count as prohibited private business use. This change allows public water systems to finance necessary lead pipe removal to meet federal drinking water standards.

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.

This resolution strongly condemns the recent rise in ideologically motivated attacks targeting Jewish individuals and institutions across the United States, including the violent assault in Boulder, Colorado. The House of Representatives reaffirms its commitment to combating antisemitism and politically motivated violence in all its forms. It calls for thorough investigation and prosecution of such incidents and urges all sectors of society to speak out against hate.

The Baby Changing on Board Act mandates that Amtrak install baby changing tables in at least one restroom on every car of newly acquired covered passenger rail trains. These tables must be placed in ADA-compliant restrooms when available and clearly marked with signage. This ensures essential amenities are available for passengers with infants on applicable Amtrak services.

The Baseload Reliability Protection Act prohibits owners of certain dispatchable power plants in areas facing high or elevated risk of electricity shortages from retiring those units or switching their fuel source. Owners can seek an exemption from this ban from FERC, which must grant it if continued operation causes financial hardship or if retirement does not harm grid reliability. The Department of Energy may offer financial assistance to keep essential, money-losing plants operational.

The Veterans Appeals Efficiency Act of 2025 aims to significantly speed up the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) claims and appeals process through increased reporting and new procedural tools. This legislation mandates annual transparency on decision times and empowers the Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA) to group similar cases for faster resolution. Furthermore, it expands the jurisdiction of the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) and requires studies to explore issuing precedential BVA decisions to streamline common legal issues.

The ADINA Act mandates that prescription and over-the-counter drugs must clearly label if they contain ingredients derived from major food allergens or gluten-containing grains. This new requirement aims to protect consumers by ensuring transparency regarding potential allergens in medications. Drugs failing to include this specific warning will be considered misbranded under federal law.

The Expanding Access for Online Veteran Students Act aims to increase financial support for veterans pursuing education entirely online. This bill eliminates the current 50% cap on the monthly housing stipend for eligible Post-9/11 GI Bill recipients enrolled more than half-time in distance learning programs. If enacted, this change would allow these students to receive the full monthly housing allowance rate, effective for terms beginning on or after August 1, 2025.

The Freedom to Frack Act ties federal grant eligibility to a state's stance on hydraulic fracturing. This legislation stipulates that any state enacting or maintaining a ban on fracking will lose its eligibility to receive funding from a specific federal grant program. Essentially, the bill uses federal funding as an incentive to prevent states from banning hydraulic fracturing.

The Plant Biostimulant Act of 2025 establishes clear federal definitions for "plant biostimulant" and "nutritional chemical," explicitly carving them out from existing regulations for "plant regulators." This legislation also mandates the EPA to update relevant regulations to reflect these new definitions within 120 days of enactment. Furthermore, the bill directs the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a comprehensive study on how biostimulants and farming practices impact soil health, carbon sequestration, and nutrient efficiency.

This resolution formally condemns the Chinese Communist Party for the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre and its ongoing crackdown on human rights and freedoms in mainland China and Hong Kong. It demands that the PRC cease censorship regarding the massacre and uphold its commitments to Hong Kong's autonomy. Furthermore, the resolution expresses solidarity with victims and calls for accountability regarding abuses in Xinjiang and the suppression of democracy.

The Supporting Healthy Mothers and Infants Act of 2025 updates the WIC program by replacing outdated terminology with "substance use disorder." This legislation mandates the development of specialized, evidence-based nutrition education materials for WIC participants affected by substance use disorder. Furthermore, it requires the Secretary of Agriculture to actively reach out to and support these families through training and resource sharing. The Act authorizes $1 million for fiscal year 2026 to implement these new support activities.

This resolution expresses support for officially designating the month of July as "American Patriotism Month." It recognizes the historical significance of American patriotism and encourages citizens and groups to observe the month with appropriate ceremonies celebrating U.S. history and values. The bill further asks the President to issue a yearly proclamation supporting this designation.

The Heat Management Assistance Grant Act of 2025 establishes a new federal mechanism for providing immediate assistance to state and local governments facing extreme heat events. This bill amends the Stafford Act to allow the President to grant aid, such as supplies and personnel, for heat mitigation and management. To qualify for aid, local governments must submit assessments detailing potential fatalities, economic losses, and long-term infrastructure impacts. FEMA, in consultation with NOAA and the CDC, must define the specific criteria for an "extreme heat event" within 90 days of the Act's passage.

The FBI Animal Cruelty Taskforce Act of 2025 establishes a dedicated Animal Cruelty Crimes Taskforce within the FBI to investigate and enforce federal laws against severe animal cruelty, such as dogfighting and crush videos. This Taskforce is also responsible for developing training materials for local law enforcement. Furthermore, it must coordinate with other federal agencies and submit annual reports to Congress detailing enforcement statistics, including charges filed and convictions secured.

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.