Legislative Activity

The SHOWER Act revises the federal definition of a "showerhead" to align with the current industry standard, ASME A112.18.1/2024. This legislation specifically excludes safety shower showerheads from the federal definition. The Secretary of Energy is mandated to update federal regulations to reflect this change within 180 days of enactment.

The Flexibility for Workers Education Act amends the Fair Labor Standards Act to clarify which time is excluded from "hours worked" for minimum wage and overtime calculations. Specifically, it excludes time spent changing clothes or washing if covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. The bill also excludes time spent attending voluntary, non-work-related educational or training activities that occur outside of regular hours.

This resolution establishes the rules for considering five separate bills related to labor and retirement law in the House of Representatives. The measures address topics including fiduciary duties under ERISA, defining hours worked under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), overtime calculations, the definition of a "tipped employee," and clarifying joint employer status. The resolution waives procedural objections to allow for expedited debate and votes on these bills.

This bill extends special duty-free trade benefits for Haiti under the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act until December 31, 2028. It also restores preferential treatment for certain Caribbean goods that previously lost eligibility due to tariff schedule changes. Furthermore, the Act allows for the retroactive application of duty-free treatment for qualifying Haitian goods imported after September 30, 2025, pending importer requests.

This bill, the AGOA Extension Act, extends the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) trade preferences for eligible sub-Saharan African countries from September 30, 2025, to December 31, 2028. It also ensures retroactive duty-free treatment for certain imports that entered the U.S. during any gap period following the original expiration date. Finally, the legislation makes a minor extension to the expiration date for certain customs user fees.

The Remote Access Security Act amends the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 to establish new controls on the remote access of sensitive U.S. items by foreign persons. This legislation grants the Secretary of Commerce authority to regulate such access when it poses a serious risk to national security. Furthermore, the bill mandates that the Secretary consult with key congressional committees before issuing new regulations on remote access controls.

The Affordable HOMES Act establishes a new process for the Secretary of Energy to recommend revisions to national energy efficiency standards for manufactured homes to the Secretary of HUD. These recommendations must be cost-effective and consider the unique construction limitations of manufactured housing. Furthermore, the Act nullifies the Department of Energy's 2022 final rule regarding energy conservation standards for manufactured housing.

The Breaking the Gridlock Act extends the enhanced premium tax credits for Marketplace health insurance through 2028. This ensures that increased financial assistance remains available for individuals and families purchasing coverage. The extension specifically covers both the increased credit amounts and eligibility for higher-income households.

This resolution establishes expedited procedures for the immediate consideration and final vote on H.R. 1834, a bill intended to advance policy priorities and break legislative gridlock. It waives standard procedural objections and sets strict limits on debate time. The bill will automatically incorporate a specific substitute amendment if submitted by the ranking minority member of the Rules Committee.

The Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act amends existing law to establish new, favorable repayment terms for the Arkansas Valley Conduit in Colorado. This bill mandates that 35% of the conduit's total cost must be covered by non-Interior Department entities during construction. The remaining balance can be repaid over up to 75 years at a reduced interest rate, contingent upon a finding of financial hardship for the contracting parties. Additionally, the responsible parties must assume all future operation and maintenance duties.

This Act amends the Miccosukee Reserved Area Act to officially expand the Miccosukee Reserved Area by incorporating the Osceola Camp area within Everglades National Park. It mandates that the Secretary, in consultation with the Miccosukee Tribe, must take action within two years to protect structures in the newly added area from flooding.

This resolution establishes the rules for the House of Representatives to consider three separate bills concerning showerhead definitions, manufactured housing efficiency standards, and fiscal year 2026 appropriations. It sets strict limits on debate and waives procedural objections for each measure to expedite their consideration. The resolution also outlines specific voting procedures for the consolidated appropriations bill.

This bill reauthorizes the Congressional Award Program, extending its authorization through October 1, 2028. It also updates the requirements for the composition of Congressional Award medals. Finally, the Act makes a technical correction regarding the Secretary of the Treasury's authority to strike these medals.

The Do No Harm in Medicaid Act seeks to prohibit federal Medicaid matching funds for specified gender transition procedures and related medications administered to individuals under 18 years of age. This prohibition includes funding for surgeries and the administration of puberty blockers or supraphysiologic hormone doses. Exceptions are made for treatments related to verifiable genetic disorders of sex development or to correct for certain medical emergencies or prior prohibited procedures, provided parental consent is obtained.

The Pet and Livestock Protection Act officially removes the gray wolf from the federal list of endangered and threatened wildlife. This legislation mandates the reissuance of the November 3, 2020, final rule concerning the gray wolf's delisting within 60 days of enactment. Furthermore, the reissuance of this rule is explicitly barred from judicial review.

The Mining Regulatory Clarity Act amends federal law to allow hardrock mining operators to locate multiple mill sites on public land as reasonably necessary for their operations. It also establishes an Abandoned Hardrock Mine Fund, financed by mill site maintenance fees, to support the cleanup and reclamation of abandoned mine lands.

The SPEED Act aims to streamline and expedite federal project reviews by reforming the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). It clarifies NEPA as a procedural statute, narrows the scope of environmental effects agencies must consider, and establishes strict timelines for agency decisions. Furthermore, the bill imposes significant limitations on judicial review, requiring courts to defer to agency judgment and limiting remedies to remanding the action for correction rather than vacating permits.

The Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025 extends critical funding programs for counties containing federal lands through fiscal year 2026. This legislation ensures the continuation of secure payments and resource advisory committee authorities established under the original 2000 Act. It also streamlines payment elections for fiscal years 2024 and 2025 by carrying over the previous year's choice. Finally, the bill includes technical corrections to improve the administration of these rural support programs.

This comprehensive bill authorizes funding and sets policy across the entire Department of Defense for Fiscal Year 2026, covering everything from military procurement and research to personnel benefits and base construction. Key provisions include modernizing defense acquisition, reforming military healthcare, strengthening cybersecurity, and authorizing significant construction projects for all service branches. Additionally, the bill includes authorizations for the Department of Energy's national security programs, the Coast Guard, and the State Department, while also establishing new oversight for outbound U.S. investments in China.

The Protect Children’s Innocence Act establishes federal criminal penalties for performing genital or bodily mutilation or chemical castration on individuals under 18 years old. This law applies when the act involves interstate commerce or occurs in U.S. territories. It explicitly prohibits procedures intended to change a minor's body to correspond with a different sex, with narrow exceptions for specific medical necessities.