Legislative Activity

The "Common Cents Act" would halt the production of one-cent coins, except for numismatic purposes, and mandate that cash transactions be rounded to the nearest five cents. All United States coins and currencies, including one-cent coins, would continue to be legal tender. Rounding would not apply to payments made via checks, electronic transfers, gift cards, money orders, credit cards, or similar methods.

The "Accountability in Foreign Animal Research Act" prohibits the Department of Health and Human Services from funding biomedical research involving vertebrate animal testing in countries of concern, such as China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia. It also requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to notify Congress when a country is added to the list of foreign countries of concern. This prohibition extends to funding provided through grants, contracts, or other means to entities based in these countries.

The EBSA Investigations Transparency Act requires the Secretary of Labor to submit an annual report to Congress regarding the status of enforcement cases and investigations under ERISA Section 504(a). This report must include the office that opened the investigation, dates of key actions, and whether the investigation concluded within 36 months of the initial document request. The report will also detail reasons for delays and estimated completion dates for investigations exceeding the 36-month timeframe, without including identifying information of private parties.

The Great Lakes Mapping Act of 2025 mandates the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to complete a high-resolution survey and map of the Great Lakes lakebeds by 2030, coordinating with various stakeholders. The collected data will be made public and integrated into nautical charts. The Act allocates $50 million annually from 2025 to 2029 for this initiative.

The "WIPPES Act" requires "Do Not Flush" labeling on certain disposable wipes and similar products to prevent harm to wastewater infrastructure. It mandates a clearly visible symbol and written notice on product packaging, prohibiting any claims of flushability. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is responsible for enforcing these labeling requirements, and the Act preempts differing state laws.

This bill amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, transferring the powers and duties of registered national securities associations to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). After this change, any reference to a national securities association will be considered a reference to the SEC. The SEC must establish rules to implement these changes within two years of the bill's enactment.

The "Protecting Student Athletes’ Economic Freedom Act of 2025" clarifies that student-athletes are not considered employees of their institution, conference, or association. This classification applies under any Federal or State law or regulation, ensuring that their participation in varsity intercollegiate athletics does not create an employer-employee relationship. The bill also defines key terms such as "association," "conference," "institution," and "student-athlete" to provide clarity on the scope and application of the Act.

The Taiwan Conflict Deterrence Act of 2025 aims to deter potential aggression from China by requiring the Secretary of the Treasury to report on the assets held by Chinese government officials and their families, and restricts U.S. financial institutions from engaging in significant transactions with these individuals and their immediate families. The President may waive certain requirements or prohibitions if it is deemed necessary for national security or to resolve the threat from China. The Act defines key terms such as "financial institution" and "immediate family" to ensure clarity in its implementation. The act will terminate 30 days after the president reports to Congress that the threat is no longer present, or 25 years after the final report is submitted.

This bill formally elects the chairs of various standing committees in the House of Representatives. The chairs will lead committees focused on areas such as agriculture, appropriations, armed services, the budget, education and workforce, and energy and commerce. Additional committees include financial services, foreign affairs, homeland security, the judiciary, natural resources, oversight and government reform, science, space, and technology, small business, transportation and infrastructure, veterans affairs, and ways and means. These appointments formalize the leadership structure within the House for the current term.

This bill appoints individuals to key administrative and operational roles within the House of Representatives. It designates the Clerk, Sergeant-at-Arms, and Chief Administrative Officer, ensuring the House has the necessary leadership for its daily functions.