Legislative Activity

The New Producer Economic Security Act establishes a new federal program to fund community-led projects that help new and disadvantaged farmers, ranchers, and forest owners gain access to land, capital, and markets. Run by the USDA's Farm Service Agency, the initiative aims to ensure the long-term economic viability and security of these producers. Eligible entities will apply for grants to provide direct assistance, technical support, and financial tools to qualified beneficiaries. Priority will be given to projects that offer direct financial aid, support land affordability, and involve strong local partnerships.

The Secure Family Futures Act of 2025 modifies tax treatment for certain debt holdings of applicable insurance companies, excluding specific debt instruments from being treated as capital assets for tax purposes. Additionally, this Act extends the capital loss carryover period to 10 years for specified losses incurred by these insurance companies. These changes apply only to transactions occurring after December 31, 2025.

The No Iranian Energy Act aims to strengthen U.S. policy by explicitly targeting Iran's growing natural gas industry with sanctions. This bill amends existing law to ensure that sanctions apply to the sale, supply, or transfer of Iranian natural gas. The legislation reflects Congress's intent to restrict Iran's energy sector activities.

The Hot Foods Act of 2025 removes the general federal ban on using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to purchase hot, ready-to-eat foods. This legislation clarifies that hot foods are now eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits, while also setting a new rule that limits SNAP-participating retailers to deriving no more than 50% of their gross sales from these ready-to-eat hot items. The act updates existing statutes to reflect this expanded purchasing power for recipients.

This resolution officially designates March 27, 2025, as "National Women in Agriculture Day" to honor the significant contributions of women across all sectors of U.S. agriculture. It recognizes women as vital producers, leaders, and mentors who drive economic success and support the next generation in farming. The bill encourages the public to celebrate and support the essential role women play in ensuring the nation's food supply and global trade.

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 Strengthening Supply Chains Through Truck Driver Incentives Act of 2025 establishes a temporary federal tax credit for qualifying commercial truck drivers to support the supply chain. Eligible drivers who meet specific income and hour requirements can receive a credit of either \$7,500 or \$10,000, depending on their prior year's employment status. This incentive program is scheduled to expire after the 2026 tax year, though the credit amounts will be adjusted annually for inflation until then.

The Personal Health Investment Today Act of 2025 (PHIT Act) aims to improve public health by incentivizing healthier lifestyles, particularly to combat obesity. This bill allows taxpayers to treat certain qualified sports and fitness expenses, such as gym memberships and instruction fees, as deductible medical expenses. Deductions are capped annually at \$1,000 per individual or \$2,000 for joint filers.

The Uyghur Human Rights Protection Act establishes a special Priority 2 refugee processing pathway for individuals facing persecution by the Chinese government in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR). It eases certain immigration hurdles for these applicants and clarifies that actions taken by the PRC against those seeking U.S. benefits can be considered persecution based on political opinion. Furthermore, the Act encourages U.S. allies to create similar accommodations for those fleeing the situation in XUAR. This legislation is set to terminate ten years after its enactment.

The Unity through Service Act of 2025 establishes an Interagency Council on Service to advise the President on strengthening recruitment across military, national, and public service opportunities. The bill mandates joint market research between defense and national service agencies and improves transition assistance for separating service members into public sector jobs. Ultimately, the Act aims to foster civic duty by coordinating federal efforts to promote and measure the impact of all forms of national service.

The Puppy Protection Act of 2025 significantly increases humane treatment standards for dog dealers under the Animal Welfare Act. This legislation mandates specific minimum space requirements, daily exercise access, and mandatory socialization for housed dogs. Furthermore, it establishes strict limits on female dog breeding frequency and age, alongside enhanced veterinary care protocols.

The Comparison of Sustainable Transportation Act (COST Act) mandates two key studies comparing alternative fuel options for the federal fleet. First, it requires a cost analysis for replacing gasoline vehicles with either electric vehicles (EVs/PHEVs) or flex-fuel ethanol vehicles, including infrastructure costs. Second, it directs an analysis of the full lifecycle emissions for gasoline, flex-fuel, and electric vehicles. Both studies must be completed and made public within one year of enactment.

The Innovative FEED Act of 2025 establishes a new regulatory category for "zootechnical animal food substances" intended to modify animal digestive byproducts or reduce foodborne pathogens without treating disease. This bill mandates that these new substances must undergo the standard food additive approval process with the FDA, requiring petitioners to provide extensive data on their intended effects. Approval is contingent upon proving the substance achieves its claimed function under proposed use conditions, and all resulting animal food must carry a specific disclaimer stating it is not for disease treatment.

The Air America Act of 2025 recognizes the sacrifices of former Air America employees who served the U.S. Government between 1950 and 1976. This Act authorizes a one-time monetary award, up to $40,000 plus potential additional amounts, for qualifying service members or their survivors. The CIA Director is responsible for administering these payments, which are capped at a total of $60 million, and establishing the application procedures. Decisions made by the Director regarding these awards are final and not subject to judicial review.

This resolution expresses support for designating March 18, 2025, as "National Agriculture Day." It recognizes and celebrates the significant impact of agriculture as a leading industry in the United States.

This bill extends combat zone tax benefits to members of the Armed Forces serving in Kenya, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Chad. It treats these locations as "qualified hazardous duty areas" for tax purposes, applying the same favorable rules used for official combat zones. This change impacts filing deadlines, income exclusions, and tax liability for service members in these specific regions.

The HELPER Act of 2025 establishes a new FHA mortgage insurance program to assist first responders, educators, and law enforcement officers in purchasing homes. This program offers eligible first-time homebuyers 100% financing with no down payment required. Instead of monthly premiums, borrowers pay an upfront FHA insurance premium at closing.

The Expel Illegal Chinese Police Act of 2025 mandates the President to impose immediate sanctions, including asset freezes and visa bans, on specific Chinese police departments, their senior leaders, and individuals involved in establishing illegal Chinese police presences in the U.S. These sanctions also extend to the immediate family members of sanctioned aliens. The bill aims to block financial transactions and entry into the U.S. for those connected to the targeted PRC law enforcement bodies.

The Crop Insurance for Future Farmers Act expands eligibility for enhanced crop insurance support by increasing the definition of a "beginning farmer or rancher" from five to ten crop years. This legislation also extends the qualifying period for "veteran farmers and ranchers" under the same terms. Furthermore, it restructures the premium assistance structure for these groups, providing tiered, decreasing levels of extra financial help over their first ten years of participation.

The Social Security Overpayment Relief Act establishes a 10-year statute of limitations for the government to recover Social Security and SSI overpayments. This means the government cannot attempt to collect or offset future benefits for overpayments that occurred ten or more years before the mistake was officially discovered. This provides relief by limiting the recovery period for old benefit errors.