United States · United States Congress · 8 August 2025
Highway Funding Transferability Improvement Act This bill increases the amount of federal highway program funds that a state may reallocate annually between designated programs. Specifically, for the following programs, the bill allows a state to reallocate up to 75% (currently, 50%) of the annual funding for each program to any of the other programs: National Highway Performance Program; Surface Transportation Block Grant Program; Highway Safety Improvement Program; Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program; National Highway Freight Program; Carbon Reduction Program; and Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation Formula Program (also known as the PROTECT Formula Program).
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 2025
Pedestrian Hazard, Awareness, and Safety Expansion Act of 2025 or the PHASE Act of 2025 This bill directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) to conduct studies and award grants to improve road safety for pedestrians and vulnerable road users. Specifically, the bill directs NIST to transmit to DOT potential solutions to improve and enhance traffic control devices using innovative technologies in order to better equip vehicle operators (including bicycles) and protect pedestrians and vulnerable road users. In addition, DOT must establish a program to provide grants to cities, Indian tribes, and municipalities to implement infrastructure that improves pedestrian safety (e.g., innovative technology for crosswalks, expanded buffer zones, and upgraded highway traffic signals). DOT must also carry out a study on developing physical alternatives to better protect pedestrians and vulnerable road users from traffic incidents.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2025
Protecting Health Care and Lowering Costs Act 2025 This bill makes permanent temporary provisions that generally expand eligibility for and increase the amount of the premium tax credit. This bill also repeals multiple Medicaid, Medicare, and health-related tax provisions enacted by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). Currently, eligible taxpayers may claim the premium tax credit, which applies toward the cost of obtaining health insurance through health insurance exchanges. To qualify, a taxpayer’s household income must meet or exceed 100% of the federal poverty level (FPL) and, after 2025, may not exceed 400% of the FPL (maximum income limit). For 2021-2025, the maximum income limit is eliminated, which generally expands eligibility for the premium tax credit. Further, under current law, the amount of the premium tax credit is partially based on the taxpayer’s household income multiplied by the applicable percentage. The applicable percentage varies depending on which of six income ranges (adjusted for inflation after 2025) the taxpayer’s household income falls within. For 2021-2025, the applicable percentages are lowered and the adjustment of the applicable percentages for inflation is eliminated, which generally increases the amount of the premium tax credit. The bill permanently eliminates the 400% maximum income limit, lowers the applicable percentages, and eliminates the inflation adjustment for the applicable percentages. Finally, the bill repeals multiple Medicaid, Medicare, and health-related tax provisions enacted by the OBBBA, including certain Medicare and Medicare eligibility and verification requirements, the reduced window for retroactive Medicaid coverage, and premium tax credit verification requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2025
Wildfire Emergency Preparedness Act of 2025 This bill establishes grants, training, and interagency coordination for responding to wildfires and fires in the wildland-urban interface (WUI) (i.e., where undeveloped land or vegetation meets human infrastructure). It also requires measures for protecting the health of firefighters and emergency responders. The bill establishes an Under Secretary of Agriculture for Fire Coordination to manage coordination of government preparation and response to wildfires and WUI fires. Such office may award grants to fire departments and emergency medical services organizations for training firefighting personnel or obtaining personal protective equipment for responding to such fires. Also, the Forest Service must establish a national plan with guidelines for training structural (i.e., urban) firefighters to respond to wildfires and WUI fires. The Forest Service may provide grants to certain nonprofit organizations to carry out training programs pursuant to the plan. Upon request from agencies, the Department of Defense (DOD) may allow its firefighters to conduct operations or assist in responding to wildfires and WUI fires. Agencies must reimburse DOD for such services. Additionally, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health must perform research and development and report to Congress on protecting the respiratory health of firefighters and identifying certain hazardous substances in areas affected by wildfires and WUI fires. Also, task forces within the National Urban Search and Rescue Response System of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) must train each member in peer mental health support and include members who are mental health practitioners.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2025
Enhance Access To SNAP Act of 2025 or the EATS Act of 2025 This bill expands eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for certain students. Specifically, the bill removes the restriction on SNAP eligibility for students to allow otherwise eligible students who are attending institutions of higher education (IHEs) at least half time to participate in SNAP. Under current law, students 18-49 years old are restricted from participating in SNAP, with exceptions (e.g., caring for a child under the age of 6 or employed for at least 20 hours a week). The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 temporarily exempted some students from certain SNAP eligibility requirements; these temporary student exemptions expired after the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency on May 11, 2023. Further, the bill provides that students enrolled at least half time in a recognized school, training program, or IHE constitute individual households (not residents of institutions ) and may be eligible for SNAP benefits. (Participation in SNAP is limited to households.)
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2025
Unleashing AI Innovation in Financial Services Act This bill allows regulated financial entities to test artificial intelligence (AI) projects under waived or modified regulations upon the approval of an application by the appropriate federal financial regulatory agency. These agencies must establish AI innovation labs to enable such projects. Under the bill, regulated entities may engage in AI test projects associated with financial products, services, or activities. Regulated entities must apply to the appropriate agency with a description and proposed duration of the AI test project, propose an alternative compliance strategy, and explain how the AI test project serves the public interest and does not present certain risks. The alternative compliance strategy must include several elements, such as (1) identifying a regulation issued by an agency that the regulated entity requests to be waived or modified and (2) proposing an alternative method of compliance with the regulation's underlying statute. Upon approval, the agency may only enforce such a regulation according to the agreement. The bill also provides for agency review of such applications, establishes procedures for entities that are subject to regulation by multiple agencies, and allows agencies to file for injunctive relief if an AI test project presents certain risks or dangers.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2025
Reducing Hereditary Cancer Act This bill provides for Medicare coverage of germline mutation testing for individuals with a personal or family history of a hereditary cancer gene mutation or suspected history of hereditary cancer, as well as for associated coverage of risk-reducing surgeries and screenings.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2025
Spotted Lanternfly Research and Development Act This bill includes combatting the spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) as a Department of Agriculture (USDA) high-priority research and extension area and reauthorizes other USDA research and extension initiatives. The bill specifically allows grants for developing and disseminating research-based tools and treatments to combat the spotted lanternfly, which is an invasive species native to Asia that feeds on a wide range of crops and plants (e.g., grapes, apples, hops, walnuts, and hardwood trees). Further, the bill reauthorizes USDA grants to support competitive specialized research and extension activities, including high-priority areas, through FY2030. The bill also specifically reauthorizes through FY2030 the Pulse Crop Health Initiative; the Comprehensive Food Safety Training Network; pollinator protection research and extension grants; increased USDA capacity and infrastructure to address and conduct research on colony collapse disorder and other pollinator issues; and a USDA-conducted nationwide honey bee pest, pathogen, health, and population status surveillance program.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2025
Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2025 This bill increases the number of residency positions eligible for graduate medical education payments under Medicare for qualifying hospitals, including hospitals in rural areas and health professional shortage areas. The bill provides for an additional increase of 2,000 positions per fiscal year from FY2026-FY2032; during this period, each hospital may receive up to 75 additional positions in total under the bill and current law. Additionally, one-third of the positions that are made available under the bill must be allocated to hospitals that are already operating above applicable resident limits. The bill also requires the Government Accountability Office to report on strategies to increase the diversity of the health professional workforce, including with respect to representation from rural, low-income, and minority communities.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2025
Countering Threats and Attacks on Our Judges Act This bill allows funds awarded by the State Justice Institute to be used to establish, implement, and operate a judicial threat and intelligence resource center. The State Justice Institute is a private, nonprofit corporation established by federal law to support and improve the administration of justice in state courts.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2025
This bill reauthorizes and revises programs of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that support services and education addressing breast and cervical cancer. The bill reauthorizes through FY2030 and makes changes to the CDC’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. This program provides grants to states for breast and cervical cancer screening, diagnostic, and treatment services for individuals who have low incomes, are uninsured, or otherwise lack access to such services. The bill increases flexibility in how states may spend grant funds under the program. The Government Accountability Office must report to Congress on the work of the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, including the number of individuals served and barriers to accessing screenings. Also, the bill reauthorizes through FY2031 CDC programs relating to young women’s awareness of breast health and breast cancer. These programs include campaigns to educate young women and health care professionals, research on preventing breast cancer in younger women, and grants for resources and services to young women diagnosed with breast cancer and precancerous conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 2025
Farmers First Act of 2025 This bill extends through FY2030 and revises the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN). This Department of Agriculture program provides competitive grants to states, Indian tribes, and qualified nonprofit organizations to provide stress assistance programs (i.e., professional agricultural behavioral health counseling, helplines, and resources) to individuals engaged in farming, ranching, and agriculture-related occupations. The bill specifies that the grant funding for farm telephone helplines and websites may also be used for crisis lines. Further, FRSAN grant recipients may establish referral relationships with providers, including Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, health centers, rural health clinics, and critical access hospitals.