Legislative Activity

The Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act limits how consumer reporting agencies can share a consumer's report when it is requested in connection with a residential mortgage loan. Reports can only be shared with entities directly involved in the consumer's current mortgage or those providing a firm offer of credit or insurance. The Act also mandates a study by the GAO regarding the use and impact of "trigger leads" derived from credit checks.

The Agriculture Skills Preparation for Industry Recruitment Efforts (ASPIRE) Act establishes a new grant program managed by the Secretary of Agriculture to fund specialized workforce training in agriculture. These grants will enable eligible schools to partner with industry to develop hands-on programs, internships, and technical workshops. The goal is to enhance the agricultural workforce by ensuring training directly meets industry needs and supports worker recruitment.

The Quiet Communities Act of 2025 addresses the growing public health crisis caused by noise pollution by reestablishing the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Noise Abatement and Control. This office will be tasked with researching noise impacts, supporting state and local noise control efforts through technical assistance and grants, and conducting a specific study on aircraft noise. The Act authorizes \$25 million annually through Fiscal Year 2030 to fund these critical national noise reduction initiatives.

The Restore Trust in Congress Act establishes strict new rules prohibiting Members of Congress and their immediate families from owning or trading specific financial assets, referred to as "covered investments," while in office. Covered individuals must divest existing prohibited holdings within a set timeframe or face significant financial penalties, including fines and forfeiture of profits. The legislation aims to eliminate conflicts of interest arising from personal financial trading while serving in federal office.

This bill seeks to amend federal law to provide hazard pay for federal employees carrying out prescribed burns and for smokejumpers. It officially recognizes that performing prescribed burns and parachute jumping for firefighting duties involve unusual physical hardship or hazard comparable to fighting active wildfires. The Office of Personnel Management is tasked with implementing the necessary regulations to ensure this hazard pay takes effect promptly.

The FEMA Critical Staffing Act aims to address increased disaster frequency by immediately reinstating involuntarily separated FEMA employees who wish to return to their positions. This legislation also mandates that the FEMA Administrator must continue all existing, authorized disaster preparedness and recovery programs without making them harder to access. Specifically, the bill requires the immediate restart of the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) and flood mitigation assistance programs.

The Next Generation of Farmers Act of 2025 significantly lowers the minimum experience requirement for farmers and ranchers seeking direct farm real estate loans from the government. This legislation reduces the required substantial management experience from previous multi-year standards down to a minimum of one year. The Secretary of Agriculture retains discretion to accept alternative education or experience in place of direct farm management.

This resolution terminates the President's August 11, 2025, declaration of a crime emergency in the District of Columbia. Congress asserts that the President lacks the legal authority under the D.C. Home Rule Act to take operational control of the Metropolitan Police Department. Furthermore, the bill notes that local violent crime rates have been declining significantly.

The Shielding Students from Wildfire Smoke Act directs the EPA to commission a comprehensive study on how K-12 schools and childcare facilities currently manage wildfire smoke exposure for children. This review will assess existing policies, identify gaps in protection, and recommend actionable strategies to Congress for improving safeguards, especially for resource-limited settings.

The Rural Housing Service Reform Act of 2025 aims to modernize and stabilize rural housing programs across the nation. It streamlines administrative processes, establishes permanent protections for existing affordable rental housing, and improves access to repair loans for low-income homeowners. Furthermore, the bill creates new grant opportunities for local development and mandates greater transparency and efficiency in the application review process.

The Counseling for Career Choice Act updates federal education funding to strengthen career guidance and counseling programs in schools. This legislation mandates that these programs align student options with current local workforce needs and requires counselors to provide personalized planning, financial literacy awareness, and exposure to real-world experiences like apprenticeships. Furthermore, the Act encourages strong partnerships between schools and local workforce development boards to ensure students have access to up-to-date career information and support.

The Growing Opportunities in Agriculture Act (GO Ag Act) establishes a new competitive grant program to fund the creation of innovative, high-quality agricultural education programs in high schools. These grants, limited to $100,000 per entity, are intended to develop new curricula, support work-based learning, and fund leadership training. Recipients must report annually on program performance, with a total authorization of $5 million through FY 2028.

The Time Off to Vote Act mandates that employers provide employees with at least two consecutive hours of paid leave to vote in federal elections. Employers retain control over when this paid leave is taken, which can include early voting periods if permitted by state law. This Act prohibits employers from penalizing employees for utilizing this required voting leave.

The Affordable Housing Resident Services Act establishes a new competitive grant program managed by the Department of Health and Human Services to fund supportive services in qualified affordable housing properties. These grants will finance activities like health coordination, education, and financial stability assistance for residents, with a requirement that services remain strictly voluntary. Grantees must dedicate at least 25% of the funds to service coordinator salaries and report annually on the impact of the services provided.

The Sustaining Our Democracy Act establishes a new federal program to provide annual grants to states for improving election administration, security, and accessibility, managed by a newly created Office of Democracy Advancement and Innovation. This funding is supported by a dedicated ten-year Trust Fund to ensure stable resources for election infrastructure upgrades. The bill imposes strict rules on how states can use the money, including prohibitions against purchasing insecure voting machines or restricting basic voter support. If states fail to comply, the federal Director can bypass state government to fund local election subdivisions directly.

The Ending Trading and Holdings in Congressional Stocks (ETHICS) Act mandates that Members of Congress and their immediate families divest from or place specific stock holdings into qualified blind trusts to prevent conflicts of interest. The bill also establishes new civil penalties for failing to comply with existing stock trading disclosure laws (the STOCK Act). Furthermore, it requires that congressional financial disclosure forms be made publicly available online in a searchable, machine-readable format.

The Saving the Forest Service's Workforce Act places an immediate moratorium on involuntary layoffs and reductions in force (RIFs) at the Forest Service. This freeze will remain in effect until Congress passes the full-year funding laws for fiscal year 2026. The only exceptions for separation during this period are for documented reasons such as misconduct or poor performance.

The Saving the Department of the Interior's Workforce Act places a moratorium on all involuntary workforce reductions across the Department of the Interior until Congress passes the full-year budget for Fiscal Year 2026. This freeze prevents widespread layoffs or separations during this period. The only exception allowing an employee to be let go is for documented cause, such as misconduct or poor performance.

This resolution officially recognizes and supports Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day on August 21st to honor victims of overdose and combat the ongoing opioid crisis. It encourages all Americans to promote education about the dangers of illegal fentanyl and commit to healthy, drug-free lives. The bill formally backs efforts to prevent fentanyl misuse and build drug-free communities.

The Local Farmers Feeding our Communities Act establishes a new program to support local food producers and strengthen regional food security. This initiative requires the Secretary of Agriculture to fund agreements that ensure nutritious, locally sourced food is purchased and distributed widely, prioritizing small and beginning farmers. Funds must be used to buy minimally processed local products and provide technical assistance to producers. The program is backed by mandatory funding starting in Fiscal Year 2026.