Legislative Activity

The No Tax Breaks for Union Busting (NTBUB) Act aims to disallow businesses from deducting federal income taxes for expenses incurred while attempting to influence employees regarding union organization or activities. This change is intended to stop companies from subsidizing anti-union campaigns through tax write-offs. The bill also establishes new, significant reporting requirements and penalties for businesses and third-party consultants who engage in these influence expenditures.

The Expanding Access to School Meals Act of 2025 aims to simplify school meal programs by eliminating the "reduced-price" meal category for both breakfast and lunch. It significantly expands eligibility for free school meals by raising the federal poverty level threshold to 224% and allowing automatic certification for children receiving Medicaid benefits. Additionally, the bill enhances financial support for schools by allowing retroactive reimbursement claims and increasing the multiplier for the Community Eligibility Program.

The Ellie Helton, Lisa Colagrossi, Kristen Shafer Englert, Teresa Anne Lawrence, and Jennifer Sedney Focused Research Act, or "Ellies Law," addresses the high incidence and devastating impact of brain aneurysms in the U.S. The bill authorizes $20 million annually from Fiscal Year 2026 through 2030 for the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). This dedicated funding is specifically intended to supplement existing research efforts focused on unruptured intracranial aneurysms across diverse populations.

The Federal Firearm Licensee Act significantly overhauls federal regulation of gun dealers by mandating enhanced physical security, stricter inventory tracking, and increased record-keeping requirements. The bill repeals outdated restrictions on the ATF, increases licensing fees, and establishes new regulations for online firearm transfer facilitators. Furthermore, it strengthens enforcement by increasing penalties for compliance failures and mandating more frequent inspections for high-risk dealers.

Sammy's Law aims to empower parents by requiring large social media platforms to provide secure access for third-party safety software to monitor and manage their children's accounts. This legislation establishes a national standard for this specific data access, while granting enforcement authority to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The law mandates strict data handling and deletion requirements for the third-party safety providers who register with the FTC.

The IDEA Full Funding Act establishes mandatory, increasing funding levels for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) programs through fiscal year 2035. This legislation sets specific appropriation targets based on student counts and national average spending to ensure greater financial support for special education services. Furthermore, the bill requires that these new IDEA appropriations adhere to "cut-as-you-go" budget offset rules.

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 Reentry Act of 2025 allows incarcerated individuals to receive medical assistance through Medicaid during the 30 days immediately preceding their release. This legislation also mandates a comprehensive report from MACPAC analyzing current healthcare standards within correctional facilities. The report will examine the impact of this coverage change and offer recommendations for improving healthcare access for those transitioning back into the community.

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 Armenian Genocide Education Act establishes a program managed by the Librarian of Congress to develop and share educational resources combating denial of the 1915-1923 Armenian Genocide. This initiative will create online materials, train educators, and encourage the integration of accurate history into school curricula. The Act authorizes $2 million annually for five years to support these educational efforts aimed at promoting awareness and preventing future atrocities.

The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act significantly raises the resource limits for individuals and couples applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), starting in 2025. This legislation also mandates that these new resource limits will be automatically adjusted annually to keep pace with inflation. The goal is to allow SSI applicants to save more money without losing eligibility for benefits.

This Act mandates the Secretary of Labor to establish an interim and then a final standard requiring comprehensive workplace violence prevention plans for employers in the healthcare and social service sectors. These plans must be developed with employee input and detail risk assessments, hazard controls, reporting procedures, and annual training. Furthermore, the bill amends the Social Security Act to require Medicare-funded hospitals and skilled nursing facilities not covered by OSHA to comply with these new federal workplace violence prevention standards. The legislation also establishes clear definitions for workplace violence and includes strong anti-retaliation protections for employees who exercise their rights under the Act.

The American Tank Car Modernization Act of 2025 establishes grant programs to help freight rail owners install advanced telematics systems for near real-time tracking and health monitoring of railcars, prioritizing those carrying hazardous materials. It also creates a pilot program to fund the development of new onboard sensors for enhanced safety data collection. These measures aim to improve asset visibility, efficiency, and proactive maintenance across the freight rail fleet.

The Nutrition CARE Act of 2025 addresses the critical need for comprehensive eating disorder treatment under Medicare. This bill expands Medicare coverage to include essential medical nutrition therapy services for beneficiaries diagnosed with an eating disorder, starting January 1, 2026. It establishes initial and ongoing annual coverage limits for these crucial dietitian-led services, requiring a referral from a physician or psychologist. By covering this vital component of care, the Act aims to improve health outcomes and reduce the significant economic burden associated with these serious mental illnesses.

The Support UNFPA Funding Act authorizes specific funding levels for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. This legislation affirms that supporting UNFPA is in the U.S. strategic interest because it advances global health, reduces preventable maternal deaths, and combats gender-based violence. The bill emphasizes that UNFPA's work on voluntary family planning promotes stability and economic growth worldwide.

The America's Red Rock Wilderness Act focuses on designating numerous specific tracts of land across Utah as official Wilderness Areas, granting them the highest level of federal protection. This legislation aims to preserve the unique ecological, geological, and cultural values of these diverse landscapes from development. It also establishes administrative provisions for managing these new areas, including boundary definitions, water rights, and the continuation of existing uses like livestock grazing. Ultimately, the bill significantly expands protected wilderness in Utah while safeguarding critical natural and historical resources.

The **SCREENS for Cancer Act of 2025** seeks to reauthorize and update the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP). This legislation expands the program's focus to include cancer prevention and aims to reduce health disparities in screening access. The bill authorizes $235 million annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 and mandates a GAO study on program eligibility and service trends.

The Raise the Age Act of 2025 generally prohibits Federal Firearms Licensees from selling certain semiautomatic centerfire rifles or shotguns capable of holding magazines over five rounds to anyone under 21, with exceptions for qualified military or government personnel. The bill also maintains the existing minimum age of 18 for general firearm purchases, excluding the newly restricted categories. Finally, it mandates that the FBI Director report on the operational procedures of its public access line within 90 days of enactment.

This resolution formally recognizes the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States Marine Corps in 2025. Congress is honoring the Corps' long history, core values of honor, courage, and commitment, and its consistent readiness to defend the nation. The bill encourages the public to join in celebrating this significant milestone and acknowledging the service and sacrifice of all Marines.

This resolution formally recognizes the significant and persistent wage gap between men and women in the United States, highlighting statistics that show women earn substantially less. It serves as a strong public statement reaffirming Congress's commitment to achieving pay equity. The measure does not enact new laws but emphasizes the economic harm caused by unequal pay for women and their families.