Legislative Activity

The Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2025 aims to strengthen existing federal background check systems to prevent prohibited persons from acquiring firearms. This bill primarily mandates that most private firearm transfers must be facilitated through a licensed dealer who will conduct a background check. The legislation includes specific exceptions for family gifts, law enforcement, and temporary transfers under emergency circumstances.

The Apprenticeship Infrastructure Tax Credit Act of 2025 establishes a new federal tax credit for employers who hire and train W-2 employees in registered apprenticeship programs focused on infrastructure-related occupations. Employers can claim a credit of \$3,000 or \$6,000 per eligible apprentice for up to two years, provided the program requires substantial on-the-job training hours. This incentive is subject to an overall spending cap of \$5 billion in claimed credits.

The Expanding Seniors Access to Mental Health Services Act aims to improve mental health care access for seniors under Medicare. This bill separates clinical social worker services from standard skilled nursing facility payments, ensuring they are billed distinctly. Furthermore, it expands Medicare coverage for clinical social workers to include health and behavior assessment and intervention services, effective January 1, 2026.

The Pride In Mental Health Act of 2025 establishes a new grant program to improve mental health and substance abuse outcomes for LGBTQ+ youth through culturally competent care and resource development. These grants strictly prohibit funding for conversion therapy practices. The bill also mandates federal data collection on LGBTQ+ youth mental health and requires a report on the needs of those in foster care.

The Restoring Integrity in Democracy Resolution prohibits current Members of the House of Representatives, Delegates, and the Resident Commissioner from serving on the board of directors for any for-profit entity. This measure aims to enhance ethical standards by preventing conflicts of interest arising from outside corporate board service while in Congress.

The Stop Millionaires Using Service for Kickbacks (Stop MUSK) Act aims to prevent conflicts of interest among high-level executive branch officials. It mandates that these officials must recuse themselves from decisions that could financially benefit organizations where they were employed or worked as a competitor within the four years prior to taking their current government role. This expands the look-back period to ensure greater impartiality in government decision-making.

The BARK Act of 2025 aims to encourage the donation of pet food and supplies during emergencies and for charitable purposes. It provides liability protection to donors and distributing organizations against lawsuits related to the condition of donated items, provided there is no gross negligence or intentional harm. This protection applies to items that appear fit for use, even if they don't meet all commercial sales standards, provided proper disclosure and reconditioning procedures are followed.

The No Corporate Crooks Act prohibits individuals convicted of specific financial and white-collar crimes (such as fraud, embezzlement, and tax evasion) while serving as a CEO from being appointed to positions within the executive branch. This legislation aims to prevent corporate executives convicted of serious offenses from holding government roles. Any individual found in violation of this restriction must be immediately removed from their executive branch service.

This resolution expresses the support of Congress for designating May 2025 as Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) Awareness Month. The designation aims to bring national attention to the serious, progressive brain disease that currently has no cure. By raising awareness, the bill seeks to support patients, improve diagnosis, and boost research efforts for better treatments.

The Foreign Adversary Investment Prohibition Act bans Members of Congress from engaging in any financial transaction that benefits a designated foreign adversary or their associated entities while in office. This prohibition covers investments, gifts, loans, and other transfers of value to or from these adversaries. The law specifically names countries like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea as foreign adversaries. Violators face escalating civil penalties enforced by the Attorney General.

The Close the Revolving Door Act of 2025 aims to significantly restrict influence peddling by implementing a lifetime lobbying ban for former Members of Congress and extending the cooling-off period for Congressional staff to six years. The bill also establishes a centralized, searchable public website for lobbying disclosures, mandates new annual reporting for large lobbying entities regarding former officials they employ, and increases the maximum fine for certain lobbying violations to $\$500,000$.

The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2025 aims to streamline and modernize the prior authorization process within Medicare Advantage plans. This bill mandates the adoption of electronic prior authorization systems and significantly increases transparency regarding approval rates and decision times starting in 2027. Furthermore, it establishes new enrollee protections and grants the Secretary authority to enforce faster decision timeframes for medical services.

The Healthy Food Financing Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2025 ensures continued federal support for projects that improve access to healthy food options. This bill reauthorizes the initiative by significantly increasing mandatory funding levels, starting at \$25 million in FY 2026 and rising to \$50 million annually by FY 2030. These funds are drawn from the Commodity Credit Corporation to support healthy food infrastructure development.

The Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act of 2025 establishes a mandatory, public code of conduct and a formal complaint process for Supreme Court Justices, modeled after procedures for lower federal judges. The bill also institutes stricter disclosure requirements for gifts and financial ties, and mandates judicial disqualification in cases involving recent lobbying contact or significant financial relationships with involved parties. Furthermore, it creates new review panels for disqualification motions and requires parties and *amici* to disclose financial supporters connected to the case.

The Children Don't Belong on Tobacco Farms Act amends child labor laws to prohibit individuals under 18 from having direct contact with tobacco plants or dried tobacco leaves. This change ensures that agricultural work involving direct handling of tobacco falls under federal child labor protections. The bill specifically updates exemptions to reflect this new restriction on youth employment in tobacco agriculture.

The Fiscal Commission Act establishes a bipartisan commission tasked with developing legislative recommendations to improve the nation's long-term fiscal health, aiming to reduce the national debt ratio to 100% of GDP by 2039. This Commission, composed of appointed members from both chambers of Congress and outside experts, must submit its final report and proposed legislation within a specific timeframe. The Act also creates an expedited, amendment-free process for Congress to consider and vote on any resulting "implementing bills."

The Air Traffic Control Workforce Development Act of 2025 aims to strengthen the air traffic control pipeline by improving the Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) program and establishing new grants for participating colleges. The bill also funds new training equipment and creates financial incentives to both encourage trainees to complete their certification and retain experienced controllers. Finally, it mandates improvements to mental health support for controllers and requires a report on the future of airport radar safety systems.

Violet's Law mandates that federal research facilities establish procedures to place retired research animals, including dogs, cats, and primates, into new homes. These facilities must adhere to the Animal Welfare Act standards and ensure animals are certified healthy by a veterinarian before adoption. Eligible placements include registered animal rescue organizations, sanctuaries, shelters, or private individuals.

The Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act of 2025 declares that practices attempting to change an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity for payment constitute an unfair and deceptive business practice. Citing professional consensus on the ineffectiveness and harm of such "conversion therapy," the bill prohibits its provision and advertising. Enforcement authority is granted to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and the law allows both the U.S. Attorney General and State Attorneys General to file civil actions against violators.

This bill reauthorizes the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail program. It authorizes substantial funding of \$7.5 billion annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to support critical intercity passenger rail projects. The legislation also allocates a small percentage of these funds for necessary administrative oversight.