This bill extends the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) through September 30, 2025, by amending two key sections of the 1968 law. It directly affects homeowners and businesses in flood-prone areas who rely on NFIP policies for coverage, as well as communities using NFIP data for flood mapping and planning. The key provision changes the program's expiration date from 2023 to 2025, preventing a lapse in federal flood insurance availability. A retroactive clause ensures the extension applies as if enacted on March 14, 2025, if passed later that year. This is a procedural renewal of existing program funding, not a change to flood insurance rules or rates.
This bill amends Section 60123(b) of Title 49, U.S. Code, to expand criminal penalties for interfering with energy infrastructure. It broadens the prohibited actions from "damaging or destroying" to include vandalizing, tampering with, disrupting operations or construction, or preventing operations of energy facilities like pipelines. The change directly affects individuals who interfere with energy transportation infrastructure, increasing legal consequences for a wider range of disruptive acts. The bill focuses on strengthening existing penalties without creating new programs or funding.
This bill expands the Work Opportunity Tax Credit to include military spouses. It adds "qualified military spouse" as a new category eligible for the credit, meaning employers who hire spouses of active-duty service members can claim the tax benefit. To qualify, a spouse must be certified by a local agency as married to an Armed Forces member at the time of hire. The change applies to hires occurring after the law's effective date, directly affecting military spouses seeking employment and employers who hire them.
S 1035 bans the export of U.S.-produced natural gas to Mexico for re-export through Mexican terminals. The bill directly affects U.S. natural gas exporters and companies planning to ship gas to Mexico, prohibiting such exports under any law. It targets gas intended for Mexican terminals (as defined in the Natural Gas Act) due to U.S. concerns about Mexico's corruption, judicial reforms, and violations of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. The bill does not address domestic U.S. gas use or exports to other countries.
Radiation Oncology Case Rate Value Based Program Act of 2025 or the ROCR Value Based Program Act This bill establishes a specialized payment program under Medicare for providers and suppliers of radiation oncology services. Specifically, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) must establish a program under which radiation therapy providers (i.e., hospital outpatient departments) and suppliers (i.e., physician group practices and freestanding radiation therapy centers) receive payments for each episode of care provided to individuals with specified types of cancer. An episode of care means the period beginning on the day radiation therapy planning is furnished to the individual and ending (1) for individuals with bone or brain metastases, 30 days later; and (2) for individuals with other cancer types, 90 days later. Participation in the program is mandatory for providers and suppliers that participate in Medicare, unless the provider or supplier is part of a state-based Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation model or qualifies for a significant hardship exemption. The CMS must set payment rates for the program based on national payment rates with specified adjustments (e.g., geographic adjustments). Providers and suppliers who provide certain transportation services for individuals under their care may receive an additional payment. Providers and suppliers must be accredited in accordance with certain standards, subject to payment reductions. The Government Accountability Office must report on (1) implementation of the program, and (2) underserved areas that are in need of more or newer radiation therapy resources.
This bill, the Major Richard Star Act (S 1032), allows veterans with combat-related disabilities to receive both their military retired pay and Veterans Affairs disability compensation simultaneously. It amends U.S. Code sections to remove the automatic reduction in retired pay that previously forced these veterans to choose between the two payments. The key change ensures veterans with combat-related disabilities qualify for full retired pay without offset against their VA disability benefits, effective for payments starting after the bill's enactment date. This directly affects veterans receiving military retired pay under Chapter 61 who also qualify for VA disability compensation for combat-related injuries.
S 1052 extends funding for the National Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring System through 2033 at $75 million annually (up from $55 million), replacing the previous authorization ending in 2023. It modernizes the system by requiring new technologies like advanced digital telemetry networks, infrared cameras, and satellite systems for real-time monitoring. The bill also establishes a committee with state agencies, universities, and volcano observatories to oversee implementation and updates the management plan requirements to occur every 5 years. This reauthorization directly affects federal volcano monitoring agencies and state emergency management partners responsible for eruption preparedness.
The FIGHT China Act of 2025 restricts U.S. investments in Chinese companies with ties to China's military or surveillance sectors. It prohibits U.S. persons from engaging in transactions involving "prohibited technologies" such as advanced semiconductors (with specific technical specifications), AI systems, quantum computing, and hypersonic weapons, while requiring notification for certain "notifiable technology" investments. The bill mandates that U.S. investors divest from companies on the Non-SDN Chinese Military-Industrial Complex Companies List within one year of enactment. It establishes a process for identifying Chinese entities subject to these restrictions, with annual reports to Congress required for seven years.
The HELPER Act of 2025 creates a new FHA mortgage insurance program specifically for first responders and teachers, allowing them to purchase homes with no down payment. It defines "first responders" as full-time law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics, EMTs, and K-12 teachers employed by government or accredited schools. The program requires applicants to be first-time homebuyers with 4 years of recent employment in their field, complete housing counseling, and intend to remain in their role for at least one year after closing. Mortgages under this program must be used for a primary residence, cover 100% of the home's appraised value, and exclude monthly insurance premiums.
This bill establishes a pilot program to provide grants to spaceport operators for improving transportation infrastructure at or near launch/reentry sites. Operators receive grants based on their licensed launch activity ($250,000 per licensed launch, $100,000 per permit), with a maximum $2.5 million annual grant per operator. Supplemental grants (up to 50% of the primary grant) are available if states or private entities match funds. The program runs until 2030 and requires infrastructure projects to directly support transportation safety and be generally accessible, with total annual funding capped at $20 million.
S 990, the Freedom to Haul Act of 2025, prohibits the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from implementing or enforcing Phase 3 greenhouse gas emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles (finalized in April 2024). It amends the Clean Air Act to require that future emissions rules for vehicles cannot mandate specific technologies or limit the availability of new trucks based on engine type. This directly affects EPA regulatory authority and vehicle manufacturers, ensuring a broader range of new truck options remains available. The bill focuses on preventing regulatory restrictions on vehicle choice, not on emissions outcomes.
S 991 repeals a specific requirement in the Small Business Act that previously mandated federal contractors to award construction subcontracts within the county or state where the work is performed. This change directly affects small businesses participating in the federal 8(a) contracting program, which helps them compete for government construction projects. The bill eliminates paragraph (11) of section 8(a) (15 U.S.C. 637(a)), removing the geographic restriction on subcontracting. This simplifies the contracting process for small businesses by allowing them greater flexibility in selecting subcontractors nationwide. The bill makes a concrete policy change to administrative rules without altering program eligibility or funding.
