Legislative Activity

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 Romance Scam Prevention Act requires online dating services to send "fraud ban notifications" to users who have communicated with accounts suspended for suspected fraudulent activity, warning them about potential scams and providing resources to avoid fraud. These notifications must be sent within a specific timeframe, with exceptions for investigations, and the FTC will enforce the Act. The Act also shields dating services from liability for actions taken to comply with the notification requirements.

The "Tax Fairness for Workers Act" permits employees to deduct union dues and other employee business expenses above-the-line, bypassing previous deduction limitations. This change is achieved by amending sections of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, specifically 62(a)(1) and 67(g). These amendments will be effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

The IDEA Full Funding Act aims to increase federal funding for special education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) from fiscal year 2026 through 2035 and subsequent years. It authorizes and appropriates specific funding levels for IDEA, excluding section 619, with increasing amounts each year. The funding is determined by both a set dollar amount and a percentage based on the number of children with disabilities and average per-pupil expenditure, whichever is greater. The bill also mandates that the increased funding adhere to "cut-as-you-go" rules, ensuring fiscal responsibility.

The "Reentry Act of 2025" amends Title XIX of the Social Security Act to allow states to provide Medicaid coverage to inmates in the 30 days before their release. It also requires the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission to submit a report to Congress analyzing health and safety standards in correctional facilities, the impact of this change, and recommendations for further action.

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 CARE Act of 2025 mandates a Medicare program model that allows payment for ground ambulance services that respond to emergencies, even if transport to a hospital is not required. This model will run for five years and aims to improve access to emergency medical services by enabling on-scene treatment and telehealth options. The act requires a report analyzing the model's impact on patient outcomes, resource use, and regional variations in emergency service availability.

The "Hot Foods Act of 2025" amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, allowing SNAP benefits to be used for hot and ready-to-eat foods. It broadens the scope of eligible food items under SNAP and modifies retailer eligibility requirements, permitting more stores to accept SNAP if hot food sales do not exceed 50% of their gross sales. This change also updates the language regarding where SNAP-eligible food can be consumed to include "home or immediate consumption".

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 resolution requests the President to provide the House of Representatives with documents and communications regarding the Department of Government Efficiency's access to the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection's systems and data. It seeks detailed information on individuals involved, the extent of their access, any data breaches or misuse, and potential conflicts of interest. The resolution also requests data on the Bureau's staffing levels before and after specific dates in 2025.

The "Mining Schools Act of 2025" aims to bolster domestic mining education by establishing a grant program, managed by the Secretary of Energy, to support mining schools in recruiting and educating mining engineers and other professionals. This act awards up to 10 competitive grants each year to enhance programs related to mining, mineral extraction, critical mineral exploration, and reclamation technology. It also establishes a Mining Professional Development Advisory Board to evaluate grant applications and provide recommendations. Finally, the act repeals the Mining and Mineral Resources Research Institute Act of 1984 and states that the implementation of the act is subject to the availability of appropriations.

The Improving Disclosure for Investors Act of 2025 enables the SEC to establish rules allowing companies to send investment documents to investors electronically, with specific guidelines to protect investors, especially those who prefer paper copies. It mandates the SEC to review and update its rules to permit electronic delivery as an alternative to written documents and requires self-regulatory organizations to align their rules accordingly. The Act defines key terms like "electronic delivery" and "regulatory documents" to clarify the scope and implementation of electronic disclosures. If the SEC fails to finalize the rules in a timely manner, the bill provides guidelines for companies to follow for electronic delivery.

The Food Secure Strikers Act of 2025 amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to eliminate the restriction that prevents striking workers from being eligible for SNAP benefits. This bill ensures that striking workers are not automatically disqualified from receiving food assistance.

The VA Home Loan Awareness Act of 2025 requires that the Uniform Residential Loan Application include a disclaimer informing applicants that they may be eligible for a VA Home Loan if they have served in the military. It also requires the Comptroller General of the United States to study and report to Congress on lender compliance with the disclaimer requirement.

The Paycheck Fairness Act aims to strengthen and enhance enforcement of equal pay requirements by redefining "sex," modifying the "bona fide factor" defense for pay disparities, broadening the definition of "same establishment," strengthening non-retaliation protections, and enhancing penalties for employers who violate equal pay provisions. The Act also requires training programs, research, education, and outreach initiatives to eliminate pay disparities, and establishes a National Award for Pay Equity in the Workplace. Additionally, the Act directs the EEOC to collect compensation data, reinstates pay equity programs, prohibits the use of wage history in determining salary, and establishes a National Equal Pay Enforcement Task Force to improve compliance and enforcement of equal pay laws.

This resolution recognizes the significant gender pay gap, where women earn less than men for comparable work, and highlights the economic impact this disparity has on women, families, and the nation. It also acknowledges the disproportionate effect on women of color. The resolution reaffirms the commitment to achieving equal pay and reducing the gender wage gap.

The "National Weather Service Communications Improvement Act" mandates the National Weather Service to modernize its communication system by October 1, 2027, replacing NWSChat with a commercial instant messaging service hosted on a public cloud. This upgrade aims to enhance user experience, accommodate growth, and improve performance. The Act allocates up to $3,000,000 annually from 2026 to 2029, using existing National Weather Service funds for the project.

The National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Coin Act directs the U.S. Mint to produce gold, silver, and half-dollar coins in 2026 to commemorate the service and sacrifice of U.S. firefighters. The sale of these coins will include surcharges, which will be donated to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to support its programs. The Act ensures that the coin production does not create net costs for the government and that the Treasury recovers all costs before surcharges are distributed.

The "Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act" amends the Social Security Act to reinforce protections for patients with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) under the Medicare Secondary Payer Act. It prevents health plans from discriminating against ESRD patients or making Medicare the primary payer for their healthcare costs. The act clarifies that dialysis services should not be singled out for unfavorable treatment or coverage limits compared to other medical services, while allowing plans to manage their dialysis provider networks.

The "Access to Small Business Investor Capital Act" modifies reporting requirements for registered investment companies. It allows them to exclude certain indirect fees and expenses from their "Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses" calculations on registration statements. This exclusion applies specifically to fees and expenses resulting from investments in business development companies. The change affects fee disclosures on Forms N-1A, N-2, and N-3.