Legislative Activity

The Water Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2025 updates requirements for community water systems regarding risk and resilience assessments. It extends relevant deadlines to the 2026 through 2031 period. Furthermore, the bill mandates that water systems focus training and material purchases on cybersecurity defense, response, and related guidance.

The Tribal Water Infrastructure Grants Expansion Act increases dedicated funding and authorizes significant new appropriations to support water pollution control projects and related technical assistance for eligible Indian Tribes. This legislation reserves a minimum amount from existing federal water infrastructure funds specifically for tribal use and adds substantial new funding authorized through 2031. Crucially, it waives the requirement for tribes to contribute to the cost share of projects funded by this new assistance.

The Clean Water Affordability Act revises how states utilize their Water Pollution Control Revolving Loan Funds to ensure ratepayers maintain access to wastewater treatment services. It establishes new, flexible formulas for states to determine the maximum amount they can dedicate to providing extra financial assistance beyond standard low-interest loans. Furthermore, the bill mandates that states must dedicate a minimum percentage of their federal capitalization grants toward this subsidization if sufficient eligible applications exist.

The Critical Water Supplies for Resilient Communities Act updates federal grants for developing alternative water sources to address immediate or anticipated water shortages. It clarifies eligibility by requiring needs to be identified in publicly developed plans and extends the program's authorization through 2031. The bill also mandates annual reporting on funded projects to relevant Congressional committees.

The Government Shutdown Salary Suspension Act mandates that the salaries of Members of Congress, the President, and the Vice President be held in escrow during any government shutdown caused by a failure to fund the government. This withheld pay will not be released until the shutdown ends or the official's term concludes, whichever comes first. All standard tax withholdings and deductions will still be applied to the escrowed amounts.

This resolution expresses strong support for designating the week of September 15 through September 21, 2025, as "Rail Safety Week" in the United States. The goal is to focus national attention on reducing highway-rail grade crossing incidents, fatalities, and injuries. It encourages public participation and education to promote safety around railroad tracks throughout the year.

The Safe Temperature Act of 2025 empowers the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to establish mandatory temperature standards for federally assisted housing. This bill requires landlords and public housing agencies to maintain indoor temperatures between 71 and 81 degrees Fahrenheit in covered units. It also authorizes the use of specific federal funds to ensure compliance with these new comfort and safety requirements.

The Liberty City Rising Act aims to enhance safety in federally assisted housing located in designated high-crime areas. This legislation mandates new, specific security standards—such as cameras and improved lighting—for both public housing and privately owned assisted buildings in these zones. Furthermore, the Act prioritizes federal grant funding for safety and security upgrades in public housing projects situated within these high-crime neighborhoods.

This resolution encourages Members of Congress to conduct unannounced visits to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facilities within their states. Congress feels this direct oversight is necessary due to perceived failures in internal Department of Homeland Security (DHS) monitoring. The goal is for members to gain firsthand knowledge of detention conditions to inform necessary reforms.

The Strengthening Job Corps Act of 2025 significantly updates the Job Corps program by modernizing eligibility requirements, including expanding access for certain populations. It overhauls operator selection and evaluation by emphasizing measurable student success metrics post-program completion. Furthermore, the bill grants campus directors greater operational autonomy while mandating stricter behavioral standards and ensuring fair labor practices for instructional staff.

The Transportation Equity Act establishes a new Transportation Equity Advisory Committee to advise the Secretary of Transportation on ensuring fair and equitable transportation for all Americans. This committee will develop a national strategic plan with metrics to assess transportation equity's impact on jobs and access. The Act also mandates the appointment of a Designated Federal Officer to provide essential administrative and logistical support to the committee.

The American Teacher Act aims to address critical teacher shortages by establishing federal grants to help states raise the minimum annual salary for full-time teachers to \$60,000, adjusted for inflation. States must submit sustainability plans to ensure these minimums continue after the initial four-year grant period ends. The bill also provides funds for cost-of-living adjustments and a national campaign to enhance the value and diversity of the teaching profession.

This bill aims to ensure the availability and affordability of homeowners' insurance coverage for catastrophic events by establishing a National Catastrophe Risk Consortium, guaranteeing debt for state catastrophe insurance programs, offering federal reinsurance coverage, and creating a mitigation grant program. It seeks to stabilize insurance markets, support states in managing disaster-related financial risks, and protect vulnerable communities. The bill also emphasizes the importance of mitigation efforts and requires states to adopt resilient building codes.

The "Salad Bars in Schools Expansion Act" aims to increase fruit and vegetable consumption among students by expanding access to salad bars in schools participating in the National School Lunch Program. The Act directs the Secretary to create a marketing plan, offer training and grants to schools for salad bar implementation, prioritizing those with high percentages of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunches or located in food deserts. The Act requires the Secretary to submit reports and revise existing policies to promote and support salad bars in schools, utilizing existing funds.

The "Jobs Now Act of 2025" establishes a pilot program providing competitive grants to local governments and community-based organizations for public service employee retention, employment, and training. Priority is given to retaining current employees and supporting areas with high unemployment, foreclosure, and poverty rates, with an emphasis on aiding veterans, individuals with disabilities, and those receiving unemployment benefits. The act allocates $1 billion for both fiscal years 2026 and 2027 and requires a report to Congress on the program's outcomes and best practices.

The "One School, One Nurse Act of 2025" aims to ensure every school has at least one full-time registered nurse by establishing a grant program. This program will provide funding to recruit, hire, and retain school nurses, especially in high-need areas. The grants will also support converting part-time positions to full-time and maintaining recommended nurse-to-student ratios, with priority given to entities focused on hiring from underrepresented populations. The Department of Education will oversee the grant program and set nurse-to-student ratio guidelines.