Congress
School Lunch Debt Cancellation Act of 2024
School Lunch Debt Cancellation Act of 2024
This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to cancel and eliminate all household school meal debts (as of the date of the bill's enactment) under the school breakfast and lunch programs. USDA must also pay the amount of the cancelled debt to each local educational authority using Commodity Credit Corporation funds.
Update Date: 2025-07-30 00:00:00
Repealing Outdated and Unilateral Tariff Authorities Act
Repealing Outdated and Unilateral Tariff Authorities Act
This bill repeals the statute that directs the President to impose new or additional tariffs on articles produced by, or imported on the vessels of, foreign countries that discriminate against U.S. commerce.
Update Date: 2025-07-28 00:00:00
Stop Russian Market Manipulation Act
Stop Russian Market Manipulation Act
This bill prohibits the importation of specified minerals from Russia.
Specifically, the bill prohibits the importation of platinum, palladium, braggite, rhodium, ruthenium, nickel, cooper, or zinc if the mineral is (1) produced in Russia or by a Russian entity; or (2) determined to have been exchanged with, swapped for, or otherwise obtained in lieu of such a mineral in a manner designed to evade or circumvent this prohibition. The President may not waive this prohibition.
The prohibition shall continue to apply until one year after the President certifies to Congress that the Russian government has ended all hostilities against Ukraine. If the Russian government resumes hostilities against Ukraine within three years of a certification, then the prohibition shall resume effect.
Update Date: 2025-07-29 00:00:00
Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program Improvement Act of 2024
Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program Improvement Act of 2024
This bill revises the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), which is a component of the Farm Service Agency's (FSA's) Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). CREP is a public-private partnership program which allows states, tribal governments, and nonprofit and private entities to partner with FSA to implement CRP practices. CRP is a land conservation program that provides an annual rental payment to farmers in exchange for removing environmentally sensitive land from agricultural production and planting species that will improve environmental health and quality.
The bill specifies that dryland agricultural uses and grazing are included as appropriate practices under CREP.
The bill also allows a land owner or operator to elect to determine the annual payment amount allocated for each year of a CREP agreement, instead of a fixed payment per year for the contract period.
For drought and water conservation agreements that include the permanent retirement of water rights, annual payment rates must be equal to the irrigated acre payment rates determined by the Department of Agriculture (USDA). In the case of an agreement that permits dryland agricultural uses, the annual payment rates must be equal to the difference between the irrigated acre payment rates and the dryland acre payment rates determined by USDA. The payment formula is retroactive for certain existing drought and water conservation agreements.
Further, the bill exempts CREP payments from the $50,000 annual payment limitation under CRP.
Update Date: 2025-07-30 00:00:00
Stop Russian Market Manipulation Act
Stop Russian Market Manipulation Act
This bill prohibits the importation of specified minerals from Russia.
Specifically, the bill prohibits the importation of platinum, palladium, braggite, rhodium, ruthenium, nickel, cooper, or zinc if the mineral is (1) produced in Russia or by a Russian entity; or (2) determined to have been exchanged with, swapped for, or otherwise obtained in lieu of such a mineral in a manner designed to evade or circumvent this prohibition. The President may not waive this prohibition.
The prohibition shall continue to apply until one year after the President certifies to Congress that the Russian government has ended all hostilities against Ukraine. If the Russian government resumes hostilities against Ukraine within three years of a certification, then the prohibition shall resume effect.
Update Date: 2025-07-29 00:00:00
Broadcast Freedom and Independence Act of 2025
Broadcast Freedom and Independence Act of 2025
This bill prohibits the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from taking action against or imposing certain conditions on individuals on the basis of viewpoints broadcast or disseminated by the individuals or their affiliates.
Specifically, the FCC may not revoke a license or authorization of, or otherwise take action against, an individual or entity on the basis of viewpoints broadcast or otherwise disseminated by the individual or entity or an affiliate thereof. Further, the FCC may not impose conditions on its approval of certain transactions on the basis of viewpoints broadcast or otherwise disseminated by the individual or entity seeking approval of the transaction, or an affiliate thereof.
Under the bill, the FCC retains its authority to take action or impose conditions on the basis of (1) violations of certain existing laws regarding lottery information, fraud, and obscene language; or (2) the broadcast or other dissemination of content that constitutes incitement under the First Amendment.
Update Date: 2025-07-29 00:00:00
BEACH Act of 2025
Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act of 2025 or the BEACH Act of 2025
This bill reauthorizes through FY2029 and expands an existing program of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that awards grants to states and local governments to (1) monitor the water quality of coastal recreational waters adjacent to beaches or similar points of access that are used by the public; and (2) notify the public, local governments, and the EPA when the water is not safe for recreational activities.
Specifically, the bill expands the program to allow the EPA to award grants for identifying sources of contamination (i.e., pathogens) for coastal recreation waters. It also allows grants to be used for monitoring and notification of contamination in (1) shallow waters upstream from recreational waters, and (2) recreational waters on beaches.
Update Date: 2025-07-30 00:00:00
To remove the lesser prairie-chicken from the lists of threatened species and endangered species published pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973 and to amend that Act to exclude the lesser prairie-chicken from the authority of that Act.
This bill removes the lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus), including each of its distinct population segments, from the threatened and endangered species lists that are published under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Further, the bill prohibits the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from designating such species as threatened or endangered, and thus, protecting such species under such act.
Update Date: 2025-07-28 00:00:00
POST IT Act of 2025
Providing Opportunities to Show Transparency via Information Technology Act of 2025 or the POST IT Act of 2025
This bill requires the Small Business Administration's Office of the National Ombudsman to include hyperlinks on its website to any guidance that sets forth policy related to a rule covered by a small entity compliance guide.
Generally, agencies must prepare a small entity compliance guide for rules that are expected to have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
Update Date: 2025-07-28 00:00:00
Rescissions Act of 2025
Rescissions Act of 2025
This bill rescinds specified unobligated funds that were provided to the Department of State, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), various independent and related agencies, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
The rescissions were proposed by the President under procedures included in the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974. Under current law, the President may propose rescissions to Congress using specified procedures, and the rescissions must be enacted into law to take effect.
Specifically, the bill rescinds funds that were provided to the State Department or the President for
- Contributions to International Organizations;
- Contributions for International Peacekeeping Activities;
- Global Health Programs;
- Migration and Refugee Assistance;
- the Complex Crises Fund;
- the Democracy Fund;
- the Economic Support Fund;
- Contributions to the Clean Technology Fund;
- International Organization and Programs;
- Development Assistance;
- Assistance for Europe, Eurasia, and Central Asia;
- International Disaster Assistance; and
- Transition Initiatives.
The bill also rescinds funds that were provided for
- USAID Operating Expenses,
- the Inter-American Foundation,
- the U.S. African Development Foundation,
- the U.S. Institute of Peace, and
- the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Update Date: 2025-07-28 00:00:00
Second Chance for Moms Act
Second Chance for Moms Act of 2025
This bill requires labeling of the drug mifepristone to include certain information about the hormone progesterone and establishes a related telephone hotline. (Mifepristone is a drug that is approved to end pregnancies through 10 weeks gestation when used in conjunction with the drug misoprostol. The procedure is often referred to as medication abortion or the abortion pill.)
Update Date: 2025-07-28 00:00:00
Expressing support for blockchain technology and digital assets.
This resolution expresses the sense that the United States should strive to be a global leader in the development and adoption of digital assets and blockchain technology.
Update Date: 2025-07-28 00:00:00
VOTE Act
Voting Only Through English Act or the VOTE Act
This bill requires states to use English-only ballots to qualify for certain federal election funds. It also repeals a prohibition on English-only federal elections and eliminates language assistance provisions under the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA). (The VRA requires some jurisdictions to provide materials such as ballots and registration information in English and in other covered languages for voters whose English proficiency is limited. The bill removes these requirements.)
Specifically, the bill prohibits a state from receiving federal election administration funds if the state provides ballots for a federal election that include text in any language other than English.
Update Date: 2025-07-28 00:00:00
Federal Register Modernization Act of 2024
Federal Register Modernization Act of 2024
This act revises provisions regarding the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations, including to replace requirements that the documents be printed with requirements that the documents be published.
The act also
eliminates the requirement for federal agencies to provide duplicate originals or certified copies of agency documents submitted for publication in the Federal Register;
specifies that a designee of the President may fulfill certain functions, such as approving regulations related to the publication of the Federal Register prescribed by the Administrative Committee of the Federal Register; and
provides that in a continuity of operations event in which the Government Publishing Office (GPO) does not fulfill its publication requirements, the Office of the Federal Register may establish an alternative method to publish the Federal Register until such time that GPO resumes publication.
Update Date: 2025-07-28 00:00:00
House Office of Legislative Counsel Modernization Act
House Office of Legislative Counsel Modernization Act
This act authorizes the designation of more than one attorney in the Office of the Legislative Counsel of the House of Representatives as Deputy Legislative Counsel. (Previously, the law authorized only one deputy.)
A Deputy Legislative Counsel must perform the functions of the Legislative Counsel during the Legislative Counsel's disability or absence (including a vacancy in the office).
Update Date: 2025-07-28 00:00:00
Jackie Robinson Ballpark National Commemorative Site Act
Jackie Robinson Ballpark National Commemorative Site Act
This act designates the Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach, Florida, as the Jackie Robinson Ballpark National Commemorative Site. It also makes the site a part of the African American Civil Rights Network established under the African American Civil Rights Network Act of 2017.
In addition, the act directs the Department of the Interior to conduct a special resource study of the site to evaluate its national significance and determine the suitability and feasibility of designating the site as a national historic landmark.
Update Date: 2025-07-28 00:00:00
Holcombe Rucker Park National Commemorative Site Act
Holcombe Rucker Park National Commemorative Site Act
This act designates Holcombe Rucker Park, in Harlem, New York, as the Holcombe Rucker Park National Commemorative Site. The act also allows the Department of the Interior to enter into cooperative agreements with appropriate entities (e.g., New York City) for interpretive and educational purposes related to the site.
Update Date: 2025-07-28 00:00:00
AACE Act
Accelerating Appraisals and Conservation Efforts Act or AACE Act
This act relaxes requirements for the Department of the Interior in appraising and valuing real property for transactions over which Interior has jurisdiction.
Specifically, a private real property appraiser needs only to be licensed or certified in one state to perform appraisal or valuation services for real property over which Interior has jurisdiction. Currently, if a private assessor is used for a real property transaction within Interior's jurisdiction, that assessor must be licensed or certified in the state where that transaction occurs.
When using private appraisers, Interior shall, to the maximum extent practicable, use private appraisers who are certified general real property appraisers licensed in the state where the transaction occurs.
Additionally, Interior may use a private appraiser who is licensed outside the state in which the transaction occurs only if private appraisers licensed in that state are unavailable, not assignment qualified, or not cost competitive. Interior must make the text of all policies related to such appraisals public.
Update Date: 2025-07-28 00:00:00
Clock Hour Program Student Protection Act
Clock Hour Program Student Protection Act
This bill provides statutory authority for the 150% rule, which allows an educational program that prepares students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation to maintain eligibility for federal student aid funding if the program operates within 150% of the state's minimum hours requirement for licensure.
The Department of Education (ED) previously enforced the 150% rule through regulations. ED proposed a new regulation to rescind the 150% rule and instead limit the length of these programs to 100% of the state's minimum required hours. This revised regulation was set to take effect on July 1, 2024; however, a court imposed a temporary injunction to halt the regulation from taking effect.
Update Date: 2025-07-28 00:00:00
Strengthening Rural Cooperatives and Communities Act
Strengthening Rural Cooperatives and Communities Act
This bill reauthorizes through FY2029 and modifies the Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG) Program. This Department of Agriculture (USDA) program provides grants to nonprofit institutions to help individuals and businesses start, expand, or improve rural cooperatives and other mutually-owned businesses through Rural Cooperative Development Centers.
USDA must give preference to grants that commit to providing technical assistance and other services to socially vulnerable, underserved, or distressed communities. Under current law, USDA must give preference to underserved and economically distressed areas in rural areas.
In addition, USDA may give an additional preference to applications that commit to providing a 25% matching contribution for the center with private funds and in-kind contributions. Specifically, USDA may award the maximum points in application scoring criteria to applicants that satisfy this requirement.
Under the bill, cooperative development includes activities (e.g., outreach, education, training, and technical assistance) to support the startup, expansion, or ongoing sustainability of new and existing cooperatives. Current law does not define cooperative development.
The bill directs the RCDG interagency working group to submit an annual report to Congress on its activities.
Finally, the program currently includes cooperative research program requirements to collect data on the effects of all types of cooperatives on the national economy. Under the bill, USDA must analyze the data resulting from the research and include the data and analysis in the annual report to Congress.
Update Date: 2025-07-28 00:00:00