Legislative Activity

The Military Spouse Hiring Act amends the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) to include military spouses as eligible hires. This allows employers to claim the tax credit for hiring individuals certified as spouses of active-duty military personnel. The provision applies to wages paid for individuals hired after the Act's enactment date.

The Major Richard Star Act allows veterans with combat-related disabilities to receive both veteran's disability compensation and military retired pay concurrently, without reduction. This act amends Title 10 of the United States Code to ensure that disability retirees with combat-related disabilities are not subject to reductions in retired pay due to receiving veteran's disability compensation. These changes will take effect the first day of the month following the enactment of the Act.

The Safe Schools Improvement Act aims to combat bullying and harassment in schools by requiring states that accept federal funding to establish clear anti-bullying policies, define prohibited conduct based on protected characteristics, and implement systems for reporting and tracking incidents. This legislation mandates that local districts inform all stakeholders about prohibited conduct and establish formal complaint processes. Furthermore, the bill requires regular state and federal evaluations to assess the effectiveness of these measures in reducing harmful behavior while respecting existing non-discrimination laws and free speech rights.

The ROUTERS Act mandates a study by the Secretary of Commerce to assess the national security risks and cybersecurity vulnerabilities associated with consumer routers and modems supplied by companies linked to "covered countries." This report must detail the findings regarding equipment from these flagged nations and be submitted to relevant Congressional committees within one year of enactment.

The Tariff Transparency Act of 2025 directs the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) to investigate and report on the economic effects of proposed or announced tariffs on trade with Mexico and Canada. This comprehensive report must detail the impact of potential duties on consumer prices, the fallout from retaliatory measures, and the costs associated with ongoing trade uncertainty. The USITC is required to submit its findings to Congress within one year of the Act's enactment.

The Downpayment Toward Equity Act of 2025 establishes a \$100 billion federal grant program to provide downpayment and closing cost assistance to first-generation and first-time homebuyers who meet specific income limits. Funds will be distributed to states and eligible entities to help qualified buyers purchase primary residences using eligible mortgage loans. Recipients must complete mandatory housing counseling, and assistance generally must be repaid proportionally if the home is vacated within five years.

The HOME Investment Partnerships Reauthorization and Improvement Act of 2025 reauthorizes the HOME program for five years with increased funding and reforms to administrative rules and eligibility. The bill strengthens accountability through stricter property inspections and penalties while offering greater flexibility for local jurisdictions and homeowners facing hardship. It also establishes a new federal loan guarantee program to finance affordable housing construction and preservation.

The Helping More Families Save Act establishes a pilot program to help families receiving housing assistance save money as their income increases. This program creates interest-bearing escrow accounts where the amount of any rent increase due to higher earnings is deposited. Families can access these savings after a set period or upon achieving self-sufficiency goals, without jeopardizing their eligibility for other federal aid programs.

The Stop Comstock Act aims to modernize and streamline federal laws concerning obscene materials. This legislation removes outdated and overly broad language, such as "indecent" and "immoral," from various sections of the U.S. Code and the Tariff Act. The bill focuses on technical clean-up to clarify existing statutes regarding the distribution and importation of materials.

The Protecting Pharmacies in Medicaid Act aims to ensure pharmacies receive accurate payments under Medicaid by requiring government surveys to establish transparent national drug acquisition cost benchmarks. It also prohibits abusive "spread pricing" by requiring Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) to pass through ingredient costs plus dispensing fees directly to pharmacies. This legislation mandates greater transparency in PBM contracts and establishes penalties for non-compliant pharmacies refusing to participate in cost surveys.

The Chesapeake Bay Conservation Acceleration Act of 2025 aims to accelerate conservation efforts in the Chesapeake Bay watershed by establishing new partnership initiatives and streamlining existing programs like CREP. The bill creates a "turnkey" pilot program to make riparian buffer installation effortless for landowners and enhances workforce development for agricultural sciences. Additionally, it grants the NRCS special authority to quickly hire technical experts and transfers regulatory oversight for certain invasive Chesapeake Bay catfish from the USDA to the FDA.

The Protect Our Probationary Employees Act allows certain federal employees involuntarily separated during a specific timeframe to avoid restarting their probationary period upon rehire. If rehired into a similar role, their remaining probationary time will be calculated by subtracting previously served time from the new job's full requirement. This provision is designed to credit time already served before separation and will expire in 2029.

The Protect Veteran Jobs Act aims to provide reinstatement eligibility for federal employees who are veterans and were unfairly removed from their civil service jobs between January 20, 2025, and the date the Act is signed into law. This legislation also mandates that Executive agencies regularly report to Congress on the number and reasons for any veteran dismissals during the specified period.

Tyler's Law mandates a federal study to evaluate the current practices, costs, and patient impacts of fentanyl testing in hospital emergency departments during overdose cases. Following the study, the Department of Health and Human Services will issue guidance advising hospitals on whether to make fentanyl testing a routine procedure. This aims to improve overdose care by ensuring comprehensive substance identification.

The Patients Before Middlemen Act aims to increase transparency and fairness in Medicare Part D prescription drug plans by regulating Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) and improving pharmacy access. The bill requires PBMs to limit their compensation to bona fide service fees and mandates extensive annual reporting on drug costs and rebates. Additionally, it establishes standards to ensure all pharmacies have fair access to Medicare networks and protects independent pharmacies.

The Child Care Availability and Affordability Act aims to lower childcare costs for families and incentivize employers to offer benefits. It significantly expands the employer tax credit for providing childcare and increases the tax-free exclusion amount for employee Dependent Care Assistance Programs (DCAPs). Furthermore, the bill introduces a new, refundable tax credit for working families based on their household and dependent care expenses.

The "Critical Minerals Security Act of 2025" mandates the Secretary of the Interior to regularly report to Congress on the state of global critical mineral and rare earth element resources, including identifying resources controlled by foreign entities of concern. It also requires establishing a process for U.S. individuals to notify the government when divesting stock in foreign critical mineral operations, and directs the development of a strategy to collaborate with allied countries on advanced mining and processing technologies. The goal is to ensure the U.S. and its allies have secure access to these critical resources.

The Justice Thurgood Marshall National Historic Site Establishment Act of 2025 establishes the Justice Thurgood Marshall National Historic Site at Public School 103 in Baltimore, Maryland, where Marshall attended elementary school. The Beloved Community Services Corporation will continue to own and manage the School and serve as the management entity for the Historic Site, with the National Park Service providing technical and financial assistance. This act aims to preserve and interpret Justice Marshall's historic contributions as an affiliated area of the National Park System, without authorizing the Secretary of Interior to acquire the School or assume financial responsibility for its operation.

This resolution celebrates Black History Month, acknowledging the historical injustices and significant contributions of African Americans to the United States. It recognizes Black History Month as a time for reflection, commemoration, and learning from the past. The resolution encourages the celebration of Black History Month and emphasizes the importance of moving forward as a united nation with liberty and justice for all.

The "Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act" streamlines the Medicaid and CHIP enrollment process for out-of-state providers, allowing them to furnish services to individuals under 21 more efficiently. By reducing excessive screening and enrollment requirements, the bill aims to improve access to care for children. Enrolled providers will have a 5-year enrollment period, and the changes will take effect three years after enactment.