Legislative Activity

The Fair Warning Act of 2025 significantly updates the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act to strengthen advance notice requirements for employers facing site closings or mass layoffs. It clarifies key definitions, establishes a mandatory 90-day notice period, and mandates the creation of a public database for all layoff notices. Furthermore, the bill clarifies enforcement mechanisms, increases potential penalties for violations, and ensures employees cannot easily waive their WARN Act rights.

The Better Care For Domestic Violence Survivors Act establishes a demonstration program to award competitive grants for specialized, trauma-informed training for healthcare providers who serve survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. These grants require collaboration between healthcare entities and victim service organizations to implement evidence-based practices. The program aims to improve victim identification, response, and coordination across community services, with mandatory evaluation and reporting to Congress.

The Fair Social Security for Domestic Violence Survivors Act amends Social Security rules to support survivors of domestic violence. This bill lowers the required marriage duration from 10 years to 5 years for divorced spouses seeking benefits based on an abuser's record. To qualify for this reduced requirement, applicants must provide a court finding confirming they were a victim of domestic violence during the marriage. These changes will take effect 18 months after the Act is enacted.

The Break Free From Domestic Violence Act prohibits landlords from charging early lease termination fees for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking who are living in housing receiving federal assistance covered under VAWA. This allows survivors to voluntarily and immediately end their lease without financial penalty if they need to flee a dangerous situation.

The Pay Our Military Act ensures that members of the Armed Forces continue to receive their pay and allowances if a full budget for fiscal year 2026 has not been enacted. This continuing appropriation provides necessary funds for active duty, reserves, and essential civilian support staff. This automatic funding remains in effect until a full appropriation is passed or until January 1, 2027.

The Water Preservation and Affordability Act of 2025 mandates the prioritization of "resource preservation techniques"—such as water reuse and rainwater management—in all federally funded water infrastructure projects. This legislation updates grant agreements and loan fund requirements to ensure these environmentally innovative methods are adopted for repairs, replacements, and expansions. Furthermore, the bill increases funding authorizations for both the Wastewater Efficiency Grant Pilot Program and the Infrastructure Resiliency and Sustainability Program through 2031.

This bill expresses the disapproval of Congress regarding a recent rule issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) concerning the integrity and affordability of the Affordable Care Act marketplaces. Utilizing the Congressional Review Act, this measure immediately cancels the specific CMS regulation. Consequently, the proposed changes to marketplace rules will not take effect.

The Food Farmacy Act of 2025 establishes a federal grant program to fund the creation and operation of "healthy food pharmacies." These pharmacies will provide free, nutritious food and professional nutritional counseling, primarily targeting low-income and food-insecure communities. The goal is to improve public health outcomes by integrating access to healthy food with medical care. The program authorizes $10 million annually from 2026 through 2030 to support these efforts.

The NASA Talent Exchange Program Act establishes a formal program allowing temporary talent swaps between NASA employees and private sector personnel. This allows NASA to gain private sector expertise while sending its employees out for temporary assignments. The bill sets strict rules regarding assignment duration, employee commitments upon return, and prohibits access to sensitive information for both parties.

The No Tax on Overtime for All Workers Act amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude certain overtime compensation from federal taxation. This change specifically covers overtime pay that meets the standard time-and-a-half rate or overtime agreed upon in advance with an employer, provided the standard work week is at least 40 hours. This provision takes effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.

The HOMES Act targets large-scale single-family rental property owners who own 50 or more such homes. This legislation disallows these "disqualified owners" from deducting interest expenses paid on loans related to these rental properties. Furthermore, the Act prohibits these large landlords from claiming depreciation deductions on their single-family rental properties. Exceptions to these penalties exist primarily if the property is sold to an individual owner-occupant or a qualified affordable housing nonprofit.

The Get Your Money Back Act mandates the continuation of the IRS's free direct e-file tax return system. Furthermore, it requires all 50 states and the District of Columbia to participate in this system starting with tax years after December 31, 2025. This legislation ensures a permanent, free federal filing option while expanding its use nationwide.

The Support for Quantum Supply Chains Act directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to enhance its role in strengthening the domestic quantum technology supply chain. This legislation mandates NIST to accelerate the development of critical quantum technologies within the U.S. through new public-private partnerships. The goal is to boost domestic production capabilities and reduce reliance on foreign sources for essential quantum components.

The Closing Bribery Loopholes Act clarifies the definition of an "official act" to ensure comprehensive coverage under bribery laws. This update broadens the definition to include any action or decision within a public official's regular duties, regardless of whether the intended outcome is achieved. The goal is to close loopholes by clearly establishing what constitutes a punishable act of bribery.

This resolution formally recognizes the life and historical actions of abolitionist John Brown, acknowledging his significant role in the fight against slavery. It specifically notes his involvement with the Underground Railroad and his armed resistance efforts in Kansas. The bill culminates by commemorating the 225th anniversary of his birth and recognizing his lasting impact on the abolitionist movement.

The Law Enforcement Scenario-Based Training for Safety and De-Escalation Act of 2025 mandates the creation of a new, realistic, scenario-based training curriculum focused on de-escalation, crisis intervention, and appropriate use of force. It establishes a grant program, funded by existing DOJ resources, to help law enforcement agencies implement this training nationwide. The Act also requires regular reporting to Congress on the reach and effectiveness of the new training programs.

The Mental Health Improvement Act extends the availability of federal grants dedicated to mental and behavioral health education and training. This legislation shifts the funding period for these crucial training grants from fiscal years 2023–2027 to 2026–2030. The bill ensures continued support for developing the mental health workforce for an additional three years.

The EITC Lookback Act allows taxpayers whose earned income has decreased from the previous year to elect to use their higher prior-year income when calculating their Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). This provision is designed to help those with recent income drops potentially receive a larger credit. This new option will be available for tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.

The Healthy Food Access for All Americans Act establishes new tax credits and grant programs to incentivize grocery stores, food banks, and mobile vendors to operate in designated "food deserts." These financial incentives are contingent upon certification proving the provider meets specific operational and location criteria within underserved areas. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Department of Agriculture update its Food Access Research Atlas annually to reflect new food retailers.

The INFANTS Act of 2025 significantly strengthens safety standards for food intended for infants and toddlers up to 24 months old. It mandates that manufacturers implement rigorous, written testing plans to screen for toxic elements like lead, arsenic, mercury, and cadmium in their products quarterly. Furthermore, the bill grants the Secretary mandatory recall authority for contaminated infant food and requires manufacturers of powdered infant formula to establish environmental monitoring programs to test for pathogens like *Cronobacter* and *Salmonella*.