Legislative Activity

The ACES Act mandates a National Academies study on cancer prevalence and mortality among veterans who served as active duty aircrew, identifying potential links between military exposures and cancer rates. Additionally, it extends certain limits on pension payments to December 31, 2031.

The Reduction in Force Review Act requires federal agencies to provide detailed justifications to Congress for any planned workforce reductions. These justifications must include the reasons for the reduction, its impact on employees and operations (including veterans), considered alternatives, and summaries of consultations with employees. The bill also broadens the definition of "rule" to include significant agency actions like workforce restructuring or office closures that affect employees.

This resolution urges the Secretary of Health and Human Services to withdraw a notice that reduces public input on rulemaking. It expresses the House of Representatives' desire to maintain existing public notice and comment procedures. The resolution aims to ensure continued public participation in the regulatory process of the Department of Health and Human Services.

The Equality Act amends existing civil rights laws to explicitly include protections against discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity in areas such as public accommodations, employment, housing, credit, and jury selection. It clarifies and expands the definition of sex to include sex stereotypes, pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics. The act ensures equal access to shared facilities and prohibits the use of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 to justify discrimination. Ultimately, the Equality Act seeks to provide consistent and comprehensive protections against discrimination for LGBTQ+ individuals and women across various sectors.

The Duty Drawback Clarification Act amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to align the duty treatment of whiskies under subheading 2208.30 with that of subheading 2208.50.00. It also directs the United States International Trade Commission to add statistical suffixes to subheading 2208.30.00.

The "You Earned It, You Keep It Act" repeals the inclusion of Social Security benefits in gross income for tax purposes, ensuring beneficiaries receive their full benefits without federal income tax implications. To offset this change, the bill modifies how Social Security taxes are calculated by applying them to wages and self-employment income above $250,000, affecting high-income earners. It also adjusts the Social Security benefit formula to include a portion of earnings above this threshold in benefit calculations. These changes aim to strengthen Social Security funding while ensuring current beneficiaries under other assistance programs are not negatively impacted.

The Ukraine Support Act aims to provide extensive support to Ukraine through diplomatic, financial, and strategic measures, while countering Russian aggression and disinformation. It authorizes financial support, expands war risk insurance, and establishes initiatives to aid Ukraine's reconstruction and integration with Europe. The act also extends lend-lease authority, authorizes direct loans for Ukraine and NATO allies, and supports Baltic countries' military capabilities. Finally, the legislation imposes sanctions and export controls on Russia and related entities, targeting key financial institutions, energy sectors, and individuals involved in actions against Ukraine.

The "Small Business Energy Loan Enhancement Act" increases the maximum loan amounts for certain energy-related projects from $5.5 million to $10 million. It requires the Small Business Administration to submit an annual report to Congress detailing the industries and geographic areas receiving these loans. This act aims to provide greater financial support for small businesses investing in energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.

The Early Childhood Nutrition Improvement Act aims to improve the Child and Adult Care Food Program by refining eligibility criteria, streamlining the serious deficiency process, and authorizing reimbursements for additional meals or snacks in certain childcare settings. It mandates a review of the serious deficiency process, emphasizing fairness and consistency, and requires the establishment of an advisory committee focused on reducing unnecessary paperwork for program participants. Additionally, the Act adjusts reimbursement calculations and promotes the use of technology to modernize and simplify program administration, ultimately supporting working families and enhancing the economic viability of childcare programs.

The Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act of 2025 aims to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and countering its support for terrorism by imposing sanctions on those involved in Iran's energy sector and those who provide financial support for its destabilizing activities. It mandates sanctions on foreign entities involved in processing, exporting, or selling Iranian oil, gas, and petrochemicals, while also establishing an interagency working group to coordinate and enforce these sanctions. The Act also amends existing legislation to require the identification of individuals involved in sanctionable activities or sanctions evasion related to Iranian oil and gas sales.

The American Family Act establishes a refundable child tax credit with monthly advance payments, providing up to $300 per month per child, and creates a $500 tax credit for other dependents. The amount of the credit is reduced based on the taxpayer's income, with initial reductions starting at $150,000 for joint returns. The IRS will make monthly advance payments and establish an online portal for taxpayers to manage their payments and provide necessary information. This act terminates the existing annual child tax credit after 2024 and aims to provide regular financial support to families.

The "VA Funding and Workforce Protection Act" aims to protect the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) funding by limiting the transfer or deferral of funds without explicit congressional approval. It also safeguards VA personnel by exempting the VA from hiring freezes, requiring reinstatement of certain removed veterans, and placing restrictions on the removal of probationary employees. Additionally, the Act mandates regular reporting to Congress on personnel actions and compliance with the Act's provisions.

The "Tax Fairness for Workers Act" permits employees to deduct union dues and other employee business expenses above-the-line, bypassing previous deduction limitations. This change is achieved by amending sections of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, specifically 62(a)(1) and 67(g). These amendments will be effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

The "Reentry Act of 2025" amends Title XIX of the Social Security Act to allow states to provide Medicaid coverage to inmates in the 30 days before their release. It also requires the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission to submit a report to Congress analyzing health and safety standards in correctional facilities, the impact of this change, and recommendations for further action.

The "Protect America's Workforce Act" nullifies a 2025 executive order that limited federal labor-management relations programs. It prevents the enforcement of the executive order and prohibits the use of federal funds for its implementation. Additionally, the bill ensures the validity of existing collective bargaining agreements between federal agencies and labor organizations until their original expiration dates.

This bill prohibits the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) from using federal funds to remove employees if the removals affect at least 3% of the total HHS workforce or 3% of a sub-agency/division's workforce within a 60-day period.

The "Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025" aims to impose significant sanctions on Russia if it refuses to negotiate peace with Ukraine, violates a peace agreement, or initiates further military action against Ukraine. The bill mandates the President to determine and impose sanctions on individuals, entities, and financial institutions affiliated with the Russian government, targeting key sectors of the Russian economy, and restricts trade and financial interactions with Russia. It also increases import duties on goods from Russia and countries purchasing Russian energy products, while providing limited exceptions for humanitarian aid and intelligence activities. The President has the authority to terminate and reimpose sanctions based on Russia's actions.

The "Law Enforcement Training for Mental Health Crisis Response Act of 2025" aims to improve law enforcement responses to mental health crises by providing grants to state, local, and tribal agencies for behavioral health crisis response training. These grants will help equip officers with the tools to de-escalate crisis situations, reduce injuries and fatalities, and better serve individuals experiencing mental health or substance abuse issues. The act requires the Attorney General to set training program standards and mandates annual reporting and auditing of grant fund usage. This program prioritizes training programs developed with healthcare professionals and individuals with lived experiences of mental illness.

The "Hunger-Free Future Act of 2025" aims to prevent increases in food insecurity when the thrifty food plan is re-evaluated or updated within the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). It ensures that adjustments to the diet's cost continue as outlined in existing guidelines.

The "Transgender Health Care Access Act" aims to improve access to gender-affirming care by expanding medical education and training programs, particularly within community health centers and rural areas. It directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants for developing model curricula, training medical professionals, and supporting community health centers in providing gender-affirming care. The Act prioritizes entities serving transgender populations and areas with limited access to care, and allocates specific funding for these initiatives from 2026 through 2030. Finally, the Act requires a report to Congress detailing the progress and impact of these programs on health equity for transgender individuals.