Legislative Activity

The "Middle Class Mortgage Insurance Premium Act of 2025" permanently increases the income cap for deducting mortgage insurance premiums. It raises the income limit to $200,000 (or $100,000 for those married filing separately), allowing more middle-class homeowners to benefit from this deduction. This change is effective for taxable years starting after December 31, 2025.

This bill mandates the President and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide the House of Representatives with documents and communications regarding the Department of Government Efficiency's (DOGE) requests to access sensitive taxpayer and child data stored in the National Directory of New Hires and the Federal Parent Locator Service. The inquiry focuses on the legality, scope, and security implications of DOGE's data requests, as well as any related staff departures or unauthorized access attempts. The requested documents must be delivered to the House within 14 days.

This bill mandates the President, Secretary of Treasury, and Secretary of Labor to deliver documents to the House of Representatives regarding the economic impact of the Department of Government Efficiency's actions, including workforce reductions and contract terminations. It also requires information on the effects of newly imposed tariffs on imported goods. The requested documents must be provided within 14 days of the resolution's adoption.

The "Raise the Wage Act of 2025" aims to increase the federal minimum wage to $17.00 per hour over five years, after which it will be annually adjusted based on the median hourly wage of all employees. The bill also gradually raises the minimum wage for tipped employees until it matches the standard minimum wage, while ensuring they retain all tips. Additionally, it increases and then eliminates the subminimum wage for newly hired employees under 20 and individuals with disabilities, promoting fair wages for all workers.

The Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act of 2025 establishes federal minimum standards for collective bargaining rights for public employees and supervisory employees. It requires the Federal Labor Relations Authority to determine if state laws substantially provide these rights; if not, the Authority will administer collective bargaining procedures in those states. The act outlines specific rights and procedures, including the right to organize, bargain collectively, and engage in concerted activities, while also addressing enforcement and exceptions. This law aims to ensure that public service workers have the ability to negotiate for fair wages, hours, and working conditions.

The Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2025 aims to increase affordable housing options by updating state housing credit formulas, refining tenant eligibility rules, and improving credit eligibility and determination. This includes adjusting income verification processes, modifying student occupancy rules, and protecting domestic abuse victims. The bill also focuses on Native American and rural assistance by addressing housing needs in Indian areas and streamlining income eligibility for rural projects. Additionally, it revises rules for exempt facility bonds and renames the "low-income housing tax credit" to the "affordable housing tax credit" while encouraging data sharing and discouraging discriminatory land use policies.

The "Building Child Care for a Better Future Act" aims to improve child care access and quality by increasing funding for the Child Care Entitlement to States and authorizing grants to address specific needs in underserved areas. It allocates significant funds for fiscal years 2026 and beyond, with dedicated portions for tribal organizations and territories. The act focuses on enhancing the child care workforce through training, wage support, and facility improvements, while also requiring detailed plans, collaboration, and reporting to ensure effective use of resources. These changes will take effect on October 1, 2025.

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.

The "Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act" directs the Secretary of Labor to establish an occupational safety and health standard requiring healthcare and social service employers to develop and implement comprehensive workplace violence prevention plans. This standard aims to protect workers from workplace violence through risk assessment, hazard prevention, incident reporting, employee training, and recordkeeping. The bill also extends these requirements to certain facilities receiving Medicare funds, ensuring broader coverage and compliance.

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.

This bill recognizes International Transgender Day of Visibility to honor the achievements and contributions of the transgender community and raise awareness of the discrimination and violence it faces. It acknowledges the disproportionate oppression suffered by transgender individuals, including discrimination and violence, and recognizes the record number of antitransgender bills introduced in recent years. The bill expresses support for International Transgender Day of Visibility, encourages its observance, and celebrates the accomplishments and leadership of transgender individuals.

The Heating and Cooling Relief Act aims to expand and update the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to better protect vulnerable households from high energy costs and utility shutoffs. It increases funding, broadens eligibility, and includes assistance for cooling during extreme heat events, alongside heating assistance. The act also prioritizes energy efficiency upgrades, weatherization, and a transition to renewable energy sources, while preventing utility companies from charging late fees or shutting off service to those receiving assistance. Furthermore, it seeks to improve data collection on energy arrears and encourages states to develop plans for retrofitting low-income housing to adapt to rising temperatures.

This bill designates specific federal lands within Utah's red rock canyons, the Colorado Plateau, and the Great Basin Deserts as wilderness areas, incorporating them into the National Wilderness Preservation System. It outlines detailed administrative and management protocols for these areas, including land management, water rights, and the continuation of livestock grazing. The bill seeks to balance conservation with existing rights, protecting tribal interests, and ensuring state authority over fish and wildlife management. This act withdraws these lands from uses like mining and mineral leasing, subject to valid existing rights, aiming to preserve these natural landscapes for future generations.

The "Abortion Data and Outreach to Unlock and Leverage Abortion Support Act" or the "Abortion DOULAS Act" aims to improve access to abortion doula care by directing the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study the benefits of such care and its coverage. This includes assessing the impact on individuals' well-being and care quality, as well as the role of doulas in providing support. The Act also requires a report on state Medicaid approaches to abortion doula care, with recommendations for increasing access, particularly in underserved areas, and integrating doula care into Medicaid plans.

The Support UNFPA Funding Act aims to reinstate U.S. financial support for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the UN's sexual and reproductive health agency. It authorizes appropriations of at least $50 million for fiscal year 2026 and $55 million for fiscal year 2027 to support UNFPA's work in reducing maternal deaths, preventing gender-based violence, and promoting voluntary family planning. The Act asserts that supporting UNFPA aligns with U.S. interests by improving global health, fostering development, and promoting stability.

The Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act of 2025 aims to preserve and restore the ecological integrity of the Northern Rockies region by designating wilderness areas, establishing biological connecting corridors, and designating wild and scenic rivers. The Act focuses on protecting biodiversity, facilitating wildlife movement, and safeguarding water resources. It also includes provisions for wildland restoration, implementation monitoring, and the protection of Native American tribal rights and water rights. This legislation seeks to balance conservation with existing rights and uses, ensuring the long-term health and resilience of this vital ecosystem.

The UNRWA Funding Emergency Restoration Act of 2025 aims to restore United States funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) to address humanitarian needs in Gaza and support Palestinian refugees. It repeals previous legislation that prohibited funding to UNRWA and directs the Secretary of State to resume contributions, contingent upon UNRWA's progress in implementing recommendations for accountability and transparency. The Act also requires regular reports to Congress on UNRWA's progress and encourages cooperation between the U.S. and Israel to aid UNRWA in implementing reforms.

The "Revitalizing Downtowns and Main Streets Act" introduces the Affordable Housing Conversion Credit, a tax incentive for converting non-residential buildings into affordable housing units. This credit covers 20% to 35% of qualified conversion costs, depending on the location and project type, with a national cap of $12 billion allocated to states based on population and economic need. To qualify, conversions must meet specific criteria, including affordability requirements and building age, aimed at boosting affordable housing options and revitalizing communities. The credit is transferable and applies to buildings placed in service after the Act's enactment.

The Raise the Age Act of 2025 prohibits licensed firearm dealers from selling certain semiautomatic rifles and shotguns to individuals under 21, with exceptions for active military members and law enforcement officers. It also requires purchasers of these firearms to certify they are at least 21 or a "qualified individual". Additionally, the Act mandates a report from the FBI Director on improving information-sharing protocols for the FBI's public access line.

The Survivor Justice Tax Prevention Act amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income any damages, other than punitive damages, received for sexual acts or sexual contact. The bill ensures that survivors of sexual abuse are not taxed on compensatory damages they receive. It also directs the Secretary of the Treasury to conduct a public awareness program about this exclusion.