Legislative Activity

The Federal Cyber Workforce Training Act of 2025 mandates the creation of a Federal Cyber Workforce Development Institute to centralize and standardize cybersecurity training for federal employees. Led by the National Cyber Director, this Institute will develop modular, hands-on training aligned with the NICE framework for current and incoming cyber staff, including HR personnel. The resulting plan must detail curriculum, delivery methods, and necessary resources, though the Act itself does not authorize new appropriations.

The Tax Relief for Victims of Crimes, Scams, and Disasters Act reinstates and removes limitations on the federal income tax deduction for personal casualty losses resulting from unexpected events like fires or floods. This legislation also extends the deadline for taxpayers to file claims for refunds related to these casualty loss deductions for past tax years. These changes apply to tax years beginning after December 31, 2017.

The AGRITOURISM Act establishes a new Office of Agritourism within the Department of Agriculture, led by a dedicated Director. This office is tasked with promoting and supporting farm-based tourism activities across the nation. The goal is to boost rural economies by helping agricultural businesses diversify through educational, recreational, and direct-sale opportunities.

This resolution expresses the sense of the House that President Trump must comply with the Foreign Emoluments Clause regarding a reported gift of a jumbo jet from Qatar. It calls on the President to immediately submit all plans for accepting this significant gift to Congress. The bill emphasizes that the Constitution requires Congressional consent before the President can accept valuable items from foreign governments.

The Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act of 2025 clarifies that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires all websites and applications used by covered entities to be accessible to people with disabilities. This legislation directs federal agencies to establish and regularly update specific digital accessibility standards for businesses, government entities, and employers. Ultimately, the Act aims to eliminate online discrimination by providing clear rules, technical assistance, and enforcement mechanisms, including the right for individuals to sue directly for non-compliance.

The Historic Preservation Fund Reauthorization Act extends the life of the Historic Preservation Fund through the year 2035. This legislation also increases the maximum annual funding available for the program from \$150 million to \$250 million. Essentially, this bill ensures continued and increased financial support for preserving historic sites across the nation.

The Racehorse Health and Safety Act of 2025 aims to standardize and nationalize racehorse health, medication control, and racetrack safety across state lines. It achieves this by establishing a new governing body, the Racehorse Health and Safety Organization (RHSO), tasked with creating science-based rules and maintaining a national safety database. The bill also mandates specialized scientific committees to develop breed-specific medication standards and establishes strict disciplinary processes for rule violations. Overall, this legislation centralizes oversight to improve industry-wide safety and integrity.

The STOP Screwworms Act mandates the establishment of facilities to rear and release sterile New World screwworm flies in high-risk areas to combat infestations. The Secretary of Agriculture must build these modular facilities within 180 days of enactment and provide annual public reports on the threat and control efforts. The bill authorizes up to $300 million to fund these necessary actions.

The Modernizing Access to Our Public Oceans Act aims to improve public access to ocean data within the Exclusive Economic Zone. It mandates the standardization and online publication of geospatial data regarding fishing restrictions and recreational activities. This effort requires the Secretary of Commerce to coordinate with various governmental and non-federal partners to ensure data accessibility while preserving existing agency authority and Tribal rights.

The Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati Stopping Prison Contraband Act focuses on strengthening penalties for introducing prohibited items, specifically phones, into prisons. It mandates the Director of the Bureau of Prisons to review and update policies concerning prohibited objects to enhance the safety of inmates and staff. This legislation aims to curb contraband flow within correctional facilities.

The HEALTH for MOM Act of 2025 allows states the option to establish "maternity health homes" to provide enhanced, coordinated care for pregnant and postpartum women enrolled in Medicaid. These health homes must offer comprehensive, patient-centered care planning that links medical services with crucial social and behavioral supports for one year after delivery. To encourage adoption, the bill provides temporary enhanced federal funding for states that choose to implement this coordinated care model.

The Healthy Dog Importation Act establishes new federal requirements for bringing live dogs into the United States, mandating advance electronic health documentation, vaccinations, and permanent identification for most imports. This law defines key roles like "Importer" and sets specific age and permitting requirements for dogs intended for transfer or sale after arrival. The Secretary of Agriculture is tasked with creating detailed regulations within 18 months to enforce these health and documentation standards, while also outlining specific exceptions for returning pets and working dogs.

The SERVICE Act of 2025 establishes a five-year pilot program to create specialized Veterans Response Teams within local law enforcement agencies through federal grants. These teams will focus on improving interactions between law enforcement and veterans in crisis by fostering collaboration with the VA and providing specialized training. The teams will also establish 24/7 volunteer response networks and track outcomes to better serve the veteran community.

The Student Loan Marriage Penalty Elimination Act of 2025 aims to adjust the student loan interest deduction for married couples filing separately. This bill caps the deductible student loan interest at \$2,500 per individual spouse. It ensures that taxpayers cannot claim the same interest amount under multiple deduction provisions.

The Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act mandates that group health plans and insurance policies provide comprehensive coverage for medically necessary treatment related to congenital anomalies or birth defects affecting the eyes, ears, teeth, mouth, or jaw. This coverage must include services needed to restore normal function and appearance, including necessary dental and orthodontic support. Plans must apply cost-sharing rules no more restrictive than those for other medical benefits, excluding purely cosmetic procedures.

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.

The Federal Bird Safe Buildings Act of 2025 mandates that the General Services Administration (GSA) implement bird-safe features in new and substantially renovated federal public buildings to prevent bird collisions. The GSA must develop and regularly update a design guide detailing best practices for construction and lighting to reduce bird fatalities. While most federal buildings must comply, exemptions exist for sites on the National Register of Historic Places and specific high-profile locations like the White House. The GSA must annually report to Congress on compliance and provide data on bird collisions where possible.

The Federal Animal Research Accountability Act of 2025 mandates that entities using animals in NIH-funded research must annually report detailed data on animal use, broken down by the level of pain or distress experienced. This comprehensive information, including the number of animals bred or housed but not yet used, will be made publicly available in a searchable database by the NIH. These new transparency requirements are set to begin two years after the bill's enactment.

The Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2025 aims to stabilize the agricultural labor force by creating a pathway to legal status for current undocumented farmworkers and modernizing the H-2A temporary worker program. The bill also mandates the implementation of a new, high-security electronic employment verification system across all industries, with specific deadlines for agricultural employers. Overall, it seeks to secure the existing workforce while establishing new compliance standards and protections for future agricultural labor.

The Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act expands the definition of "law enforcement officer" for federal retirement purposes under both the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). This change adds specific IRS, Postal Inspection Service, and VA police roles to those eligible for enhanced retirement benefits. The bill also establishes procedures for current officers to elect to have their prior service counted under these new definitions, which may require a payment from the employee and their employing agency.