United States · United States Congress · 4 February 2025
Rosa Parks Commemorative Coin Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue coins in recognition and celebration of Rosa Parks. All sales of coins issued under this bill must include a surcharge to be paid to the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 2025
Stop the Wait Act of 2025 This bill phases out the initial waiting period for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits and eliminates the waiting period for certain disabled individuals to become eligible for Medicare. Under current law, individuals generally must wait five months after the onset of disability to begin receiving SSDI benefits. The bill would gradually reduce this waiting period before eliminating it entirely in the year 2030. Further, the bill would eliminate the 24-month waiting period for certain disabled workers and other individuals to become eligible for Medicare. Under current law, individuals under the age of 65 may generally enroll in Medicare after they have been eligible for SSDI or Social Security child’s, widow’s, or widower’s benefits by reason of disability for 24 months. The bill would eliminate this waiting period for individuals for whom the annual cost of certain medical insurance would exceed a specified percentage of their household income (i.e., those who cannot afford minimum essential coverage). Medicare eligibility for these individuals must be available retroactively to the first month that an individual qualified for SSDI or Social Security child’s, widow’s, or widower’s benefits by reason of disability.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 2025
This resolution recognizes (1) the Greensboro Four for their contributions to the civil rights movement and the significant role they played as a catalyst for the formation of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee, (2) the value of ethnic and racial diversity in the United States, and (3) the continued importance of sit-ins as an effective form of nonviolent resistance. The resolution also encourages states to include information about the Greensboro Four in their educational curriculums.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 2025
National Origin-Based Antidiscrimination for Nonimmigrants Act or the NO BAN Act This bill imposes limitations on the President's authority to suspend or restrict aliens from entering the United States. It also prohibits religious discrimination in various immigration-related decisions, such as whether to issue an immigrant or nonimmigrant visa, unless there is a statutory basis for such discrimination. The President may temporarily restrict the entry of any aliens or class of aliens after the Department of State determines that the restriction would address specific and credible facts that threaten U.S. interests such as public safety. The bill also imposes limitations on such restrictions, such as requiring the President, State Department, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to (1) only issue a restriction when required to address a compelling government interest, and (2) narrowly tailor the suspension to use the least restrictive means to achieve such an interest. Before imposing a restriction, the State Department and DHS shall consult with Congress. The State Department and DHS shall report to Congress about the restriction within 48 hours of the restriction's imposition. If such a report is not made, the restriction shall immediately terminate. Individuals or entities present in the United States and unlawfully harmed by such a restriction may sue in federal court. The bill transfers the authority to suspend the entry of aliens traveling to the United States on a commercial airline that failed to comply with regulations related to detecting fraudulent travel documents from the Department of Justice to DHS.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 2025
This bill provides for the presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to the Freedom Riders, in recognition of their contribution to civil rights by fighting for equality in interstate travel.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 2025
Access to Counsel Act This bill provides various protections for covered individuals subject to secondary or deferred inspections when seeking admission into the United States. Covered individuals include U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents, non-U.S. nationals ( aliens under federal law) in possession of a visa, returning asylees, and refugees. The Department of Homeland Security must ensure that a covered individual subject to secondary or deferred inspection has a meaningful opportunity to consult with counsel and certain related parties, such as a relative, within an hour of the start of the secondary inspection and as necessary during the inspection process. The counsel and related party must be allowed to advocate on behalf of the covered individual, including by providing evidence and information to the examining immigration officer. A lawful permanent resident subject to secondary or deferred inspection may not abandon lawful permanent resident status until the individual has had a meaningful opportunity to seek advice from counsel, unless the individual voluntarily and knowingly waives in writing this opportunity to seek counsel's advice.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 2025
Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act This bill allows, beginning in 2028, for Medicare coverage and payment for multi-cancer early detection screening tests that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration and that are used to screen for cancer across many cancer types, if the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services determines such coverage is appropriate. Coverage is limited to those under a certain age (age 68 in 2028, increased by one year every year thereafter) and to one test every 11 months.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 2025
Stop Antiabortion Disinformation Act or the SAD Act This bill prohibits deceptive advertising for reproductive health services. Specifically, the bill makes it unlawful for a person (i.e., individual, partnership, corporation, association, or organization) to deceptively advertise the reproductive health services they offer, including by misrepresenting that the person (1) offers or provides contraception or abortion services (or referrals for such contraception or abortion services), or (2) employs or offers access to licensed medical personnel. The bill provides for enforcement by the Federal Trade Commission. In addition to any other penalty, violations are subject to a civil penalty that may not exceed the greater of $100,000 (adjusted annually for inflation) or 50% of the revenue earned during the preceding 12-month period by the ultimate parent entity of the person who violated the bill.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 2025
Keep Our Promise to America's Children and Teachers Act or the Keep Our PACT Act This bill provides funding through FY2035 for grant programs operated by local educational agencies to provide supplementary educational and related services to low-achieving students and other students who attend elementary and secondary schools with relatively high concentrations of students from low-income families. Additionally, the bill permanently reauthorizes the grant program to assist states and outlying areas in providing special education and related services to children with disabilities. The amounts provided by the bill are designated as an emergency requirement for the purposes of Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO) rules and other budget enforcement procedures.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 2025
This joint resolution honors the contributions of school counselors to the success of students in elementary and secondary schools. The joint resolution encourages the observation of National School Counseling Week with ceremonies and activities that promote awareness of the crucial role school counselors play in preparing students for fulfilling lives as contributing members of society.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 2025
Black History is American History Act This bill requires entities (e.g., institutions of higher education, libraries, and museums), in order to be eligible for certain grants administered by the Department of Education (ED), to include Black history in their teaching of American history. It also requires Black history to be included in tests administered by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Specifically, the bill mandates the inclusion of Black history as a required component of American history for such entities to be eligible for American History and Civics Academies' competitive grants. These grants support the establishment of (1) Presidential Academies for Teachers of American History and Civics, which offer workshops to teachers of American history and civics to strengthen their knowledge and prepare them to teach in these subjects; and (2) Congressional Academies for Students of American History and Civics, which support high school students in developing an understanding of these subjects. (Currently, Black history is not a required component of American history for either academy.) In addition, ED must give priority to grant applicants that align their activities with programs and resources of the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of African American History and Culture. The bill also requires the inclusion of Black history in tests administered by the NAEP, which measures student academic achievement in various subjects.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 2025
This resolution expresses support for the designation of Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day. The resolution also calls for increasing awareness of (1) the earned income tax credit, which is refundable; (2) other refundable federal tax credits; and (3) free tax filing assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 2025
This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that Congress should ensure that the U.S. Postal Service is not privatized and remains an independent establishment of the federal government.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 2025
Global Health, Empowerment and Rights Act This bill establishes that a foreign nongovernmental organization shall not be disqualified from receiving certain U.S. international development assistance solely because the organization provides medical services (including counseling and referral services) using non-U.S. government funds if the medical services do not violate the laws of the country in which they are being provided. Such foreign organizations shall not be subject to requirements relating to their use of non-U.S. funds for advocacy or lobbying activities other than those that apply to U.S. nongovernmental organizations receiving such assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 2025
Mentoring to Succeed Act of 2025 This bill establishes grants to support mentoring programs for eligible youth (e.g., in-school youth, out-of-school youth, or youth who are failing academically or who meet specified criteria). Specifically, the bill directs the Department of Labor to award competitive grants for certain community-based organizations or partnerships involving community-based organizations to (1) establish, expand, or support mentoring programs; (2) assist eligible youth enrolled in secondary schools in developing cognitive and social-emotional skills; and (3) prepare eligible youth for success in high school, postsecondary education, and the workforce. Additionally, Labor must work with the Department of Justice's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention and the Department of Education to (1) refer grant recipients to the National Mentoring Resource Center to obtain mentoring resources, and (2) provide grant recipients with information regarding transitional services for eligible youth returning from correctional facilities and transition services for students with disabilities. The bill also requires Labor's Chief Evaluation Office to study and report on mentoring programs.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 2025
This concurrent resolution expresses the sense of Congress that tax-exempt fraternal benefit societies serve as a private economic and social support system, providing benefits to their members is necessary to support the charitable and fraternal activities of the volunteer chapters, and their work should continue to be promoted.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 2025
Charitable Act This bill allows an individual taxpayer who does not itemize their tax deductions to claim a tax deduction for charitable contributions and eliminates the tax penalty for overstating charitable contributions. (Some limitations apply). Under the bill, for tax years beginning in 2026 or 2027, an individual taxpayer who does not itemize their tax deductions may deduct charitable contributions of up to one-third of the standard deduction allowed to such individual. (Under current law, an individual taxpayer generally must itemize their tax deductions to deduct charitable contributions.) The bill also eliminates the tax penalty for an underpayment of taxes attributable to overstated charitable contributions by taxpayers who do not itemize deductions. (Under current law, taxpayers who claim a deduction under this bill may be assessed a tax penalty in the amount of 50% of the portion of an understatement of tax liability attributable to overstated charitable contributions.)
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 2025
Closing the College Hunger Gap Act This bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to send information regarding potential eligibility for assistance under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to certain college students. Specifically, ED must send this information, in both written and electronic form, to a student who submits the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and has a negative or zero student aid index for the year. ED must also provide the student with contact information for the state agency that administers SNAP in the state in which the student resides. ED must consult with the Department of Agriculture and other applicable federal or state agencies to design the written and electronic communications regarding potential SNAP eligibility and the SNAP application process.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2025
Performing Artist Tax Parity Act of 2025 This bill increases the income limit and makes other modifications to the above-the-line tax deduction for business expenses of qualified performing artists. (Above-the-line deductions are subtracted from gross income to calculate adjusted gross income.) Under current law, a qualified performing artist (who may deduct certain business expenses from gross income) is defined as an individual who (1) performs services in the performing arts as an employee for at least two employers during the tax year and receives at least $200 from each employer (minimum payment), (2) has business deductions attributable to such services exceeding 10% of the gross income received from such services, and (3) has adjusted gross income of $16,000 or less. The bill modifies the definition of a qualified performing artist (for purposes of the business expense deduction) to eliminate the $16,000 adjusted gross income limitation and increase the minimum payment amount to $500 (adjusted for inflation beginning in 2026). However, under the bill, the tax deduction for business expenses of qualified performing artists phases out for individuals with gross income exceeding $100,000 (or $200,000 for joint filers) such that the tax deduction completely phases out for individuals with gross income exceeding $120,000 (or $240,000 for joint filers). (The phase-out threshold is adjusted for inflation beginning in 2026.) Finally, the bill provides that commissions paid to a manager or agent by a qualified performing artist are deductible business expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2025
Assuring Medicare’s Promise Act of 2025 This bill increases the net investment tax for certain taxpayers and appropriates revenue from the net investment tax to the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund (which finances Medicare Part A). The bill also requires the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to issue additional guidance on the net investment tax. The bill requires individuals with a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) exceeding $400,000 ($500,000 for joint filers and $250,000 for married individuals filing separately), estates, and trusts to pay a tax of 3.8% on the greater of their specified net income or net investment income, subject to limitations. (Under current law, individuals with a MAGI exceeding $200,000 [or $250,000 for joint filers], estates, and trusts pay a 3.8% tax on net investment income.) The bill defines specified net income by expanding the definition of net investment income to include gross income from any trade or business (unless subject to employment taxes), including interest, dividends, annuities, royalties, and rents; include net gain from the disposition of business property; eliminate the exclusion of income from the investment of working capital; and eliminate the exception related to certain active partnership or S corporation interests. The bill also expands the net investment tax definition of a trade or business , disallows net operating losses in calculating net investment income, includes certain foreign-sourced income in net investment income, and requires the IRS to issue guidance on the treatment of certain corporate distributions for purposes of the net investment tax.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2025
Neighbors Not Enemies Act This bill repeals provisions authorizing the President to apprehend and remove from the United States the citizens of a particular nation, if the United States has declared war against that nation or that nation has threatened an invasion against the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 2025
This bill provides statutory authority for Executive Order 14096, which was issued on April 26, 2023, to advance a government-wide approach to environmental justice, including by directing each federal agency to (1) make achieving environmental justice part of its mission, (2) issue an Environmental Justice Strategic Plan every four years, and (3) provide public notice of certain toxic chemical releases. The Executive Order also established the White House Office of Environmental Justice as well as an Environmental Justice Subcommittee of the National Science and Technology Council.
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2025
Food Deserts Act This bill establishes a grant program within the Department of Agriculture to reduce food deserts. Under the program, grants are provided to states for revolving funds that support the establishment and operation of grocery stores in underserved communities. Underserved communities are communities that have (1) limited access to affordable, healthy foods, including fresh fruits and vegetables, in grocery retail stores or farmer-to-consumer direct markets; and (2) a high rate of hunger, a high rate of food insecurity, or a high poverty rate. The bill requires states to use such funds for loans that support grocery stores in underserved communities, including for opening a store (excluding new construction), or supporting an existing store. In order to qualify for loans, grocery stores must meet criteria enumerated in the bill. For example, grocery stores must (1) emphasize unprocessed, healthful foods; (2) provide staple foods and a variety of raw fruits and vegetables; and (3) charge affordable prices at or below market values. Further, states must prioritize loan applications from entities that meet criteria related to hiring workers from the underserved community, providing classes or educational information about a healthful diet, sourcing food from local urban farms and gardens, and demonstrating existing supply chain relationships in the grocery industry.
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2025
This bill increases the annual limit on the tax credit for qualified railroad track maintenance expenses (also referred to as the short line railroad tax credit) and expands eligibility for claiming the credit. Under current law, the tax credit is limited each tax year to $3,500 multiplied by the sum of the number of miles of railroad track owned or leased by the taxpayer (miles owned or leased) and the number of railroad track miles assigned to the taxpayer by a Class II or III railroad (miles assigned). This bill increases the annual limit to $6,100 multiplied by the sum of miles owned or leased and miles assigned. The $6,100 amount used in the calculation of the tax credit limit is adjusted for inflation for tax years beginning after 2025. The bill also expands eligibility for the tax credit to include gross expenses for maintaining railroad tracks owned or leased as of January 1, 2024. Under current law, the tax credit is limited to gross expenses for maintaining railroad tracks owned or leased as of January 1, 2015.
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2025
Equal COLA Act This bill applies a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for annuities paid under the Federal Employees Retirement System that is equal to the increase in inflation, regardless of the amount of the increase. Specifically, for any year in which the Consumer Price Index (CPI) has increased over the previous year, the COLA amount shall be increased by the change in the CPI from the previous year. Current law applies an adjustment equal to the change in CPI only if the change is 2% or less. If the change is between 2% and 3%, the adjustment is limited to 2%. If the change is more than 3%, the adjustment is limited to 1% less than the change.
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2025
Muhammad Ali Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill provides for the posthumous award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Muhammad Ali. There is authorized to be charged against the U.S. Mint Public Enterprise Fund such amounts as may be necessary to pay for the costs of the medals struck under this bill. Sums received from the sale of duplicate bronze medals authorized by this bill shall be deposited into that fund.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 2025
Prevent Tariff Abuse Act This bill prohibits the President from exercising authorities under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose duties, tariff-rate quotas, or other quotas on imports entering the United States. (IEEPA provides the President with broad authority to regulate various economic transactions following a declaration of a national emergency.)
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 2025
Rosie the Riveter Commemorative Coin Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue coins in recognition and celebration of the women who contributed to the U.S. home front during World War II. All sales of coins issued under this bill must include a surcharge to be paid to the Rosie the Riveter Trust to support the National Park Service in maintaining and repairing the Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 2025
Private Student Loan Bankruptcy Fairness Act of 2025 This bill modifies the treatment of certain student loans in bankruptcy. Specifically, it allows private student loans to be discharged in bankruptcy regardless of whether a debtor demonstrates undue hardship. Under current law, student loans may be discharged in bankruptcy only if the loans impose an undue hardship on the debtor.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 2025
Department of Education Protection Act This bill prohibits the use of appropriated funds made available to the Department of Education (ED) to decentralize, reduce the staffing level of, or alter the responsibilities or functionality of ED compared to its organization or operation on January 1, 2025.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 2025
Securing Access to Lower Taxes by ensuring Deductibility Act or the SALT Deductibility Act This bill repeals the limitation on the federal tax deduction for state and local taxes (commonly known as the SALT deduction cap). Under current law, a SALT deduction cap of $10,000 ($5,000 for married individuals filing separate federal income tax returns) applies for tax years 2018 through 2025 and expires beginning in 2026.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 2025
Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill provides for the award of Congressional Gold Medals to the members of the 1980 U.S. Olympic men's ice hockey team in recognition of the team's achievement at the 1980 Winter Olympic Games.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 2025
This resolution recognizes that Tamil Americans enhance the rich diversity of the United States and supports the designation of Tamil Language and Heritage Month.
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2025
Proxy Voting for New Parents Resolution This resolution authorizes proxy voting in the House of Representatives for a Member who has given birth or whose spouse has given birth and pregnant Members who are unable to travel safely or have a serious medical condition. Under the resolution, a qualifying Member may designate a proxy to cast a vote in a committee, the Committee of the Whole, or on the House floor; however, proxies will not be counted for purposes of establishing a quorum. The proxy designation is valid for up to 12 weeks. To designate a proxy for House and Committee of the Whole votes, the Member must submit a signed and dated letter to the Clerk stating the Member’s qualifying circumstances and the name and state of the Member who has agreed to be designated as proxy. A Member who has designated a proxy according to these requirements may also designate a proxy for committee votes. To designate a proxy for committee votes, the Member must provide the committee chair and ranking minority member with a signed and dated letter specifying another member of the committee to cast a proxy vote. The resolution further provides that a Member may revoke the proxy authorization by (1) casting the Member’s own vote; (2) recording the Member’s own presence in the House or in the Committee of the Whole; or (3) in a committee, by submitting a signed letter to the chair and ranking minority member.
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2025
Amputation Reduction and Compassion Act of 2025 or the ARC Act of 2025 This bill provides for coverage of peripheral artery disease screening tests without cost-sharing under Medicare and Medicaid for certain at-risk individuals. It also requires the development of certain educational programs, a payment model, and Medicare quality measures to reduce amputations relating to such disease.
United States · United States Congress · 7 January 2025
Clergy Act This bill establishes a two-year window for certain members of the clergy and Christian Science practitioners to revoke their exemption from Social Security and Medicare taxes on ministerial earnings. Under current law, such individuals who object to participation in public insurance programs on religious or conscientious grounds may apply to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for an irrevocable exemption and will not receive Social Security or Medicare benefits in retirement unless they have qualifying credits from other employment. The IRS must develop a plan to inform members of the clergy and Christian Science practitioners of their eligibility to revoke prior exemptions, pursuant to the bill's changes.
United States · United States Congress · 7 January 2025
Veterans Infertility Treatment Act of 2025 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to furnish infertility treatments, standard fertility preservation services, or both to a covered veteran or partner of a covered veteran. A covered veteran is a veteran who is enrolled in the VA health care system and has infertility or is at risk of having infertility, as determined by a licensed physician. The VA may furnish up to three completed in vitro fertilization cycles that result in live birth, or 10 attempted cycles, whichever occurs first. Additionally, the VA may furnish in vitro fertilization treatment using donated gametes or embryos. The VA must receive consent to furnish an in vitro fertilization cycle from the covered veteran, the partner of a covered veteran, and the third-party donor (if applicable). For purposes of paying travel expenses for treatment or services to the partner of a covered veteran, the VA must deem the partner to be a veteran receiving treatment or care. The VA must prescribe regulations related to the provision of infertility treatments and standard fertility preservation services as required by this bill. Prior to the enactment of such regulations, the VA must ensure that (1) counseling and treatment furnished under existing authority is available to a veteran and the veteran's partner, regardless of whether they are married; and (2) treatment under existing authority may be furnished using donated gametes or embryos.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 2025
Dental Care for Veterans Act This bill expands eligibility for veterans for dental care provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Specifically, the bill makes all veterans who are enrolled in the VA health care system eligible for VA-provided dental services. Currently, only veterans who have a service-connected dental issue or meet other narrow criteria are eligible for certain dental services. The bill phases in eligibility over four years based upon existing eligibility, degree of service-connected disability or other disability, prisoner of war status, award of a Purple Heart, financial need, or VA health care eligibility.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2025
Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act This bill establishes the Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans. The commission must (1) compile documentary evidence of slavery in the United States; (2) study the role of the federal and state governments in supporting the institution of slavery; (3) analyze discriminatory laws and policies against freed African slaves and their descendants; and (4) recommend ways the United States may recognize and remedy the effects of slavery and discrimination on African Americans, including through a formal apology and compensation (i.e., reparations). The commission consists of individuals from civil society and reparations organizations and individuals appointed by the President and congressional leadership; Members of Congress and governmental employees may not serve on the commission. The commission may hold hearings, subpoena witnesses and records, and contract with other entities to conduct its work. The commission must submit its final report within 18 months of its first meeting.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2025
Washington, D.C. Admission Act This bill provides for the establishment of the State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth, and its admission into the United States. The state is composed of most of the territory of the District of Columbia (DC), excluding a specified area that encompasses the U.S. Capitol, the White House, the U.S. Supreme Court building, federal monuments, and federal office buildings adjacent to the National Mall and the U.S. Capitol. The excluded territory shall be known as the Capital and serve as the seat of the government of the United States, as provided for in Article I of the Constitution. The state may not impose taxes on federal property except as Congress permits. The bill provides for the DC Mayor to issue a proclamation for the first elections to Congress of two Senators and one Representative of the state. The bill eliminates the office of Delegate to the House of Representatives. The bill applies current DC laws to the state. DC judicial proceedings and contractual obligations shall continue under the state’s authority. The bill also provides for specified federal obligations to transfer to the state upon its certification that it has funds and laws in place to assume the obligations. These include maintaining a retirement fund for judges and operating public defender services. The bill establishes a commission that is generally comprised of members who are appointed by DC and federal government officials to advise on an orderly transition to statehood.