The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2025 would establish a National Police Misconduct Registry to track officer complaints, disciplinary actions, and misconduct records across all law enforcement agencies. It would require law enforcement agencies to implement body-worn camera programs with specific recording and retention policies, ban chokeholds and no-knock warrants in drug cases, and reform qualified immunity to make it easier to hold officers accountable for misconduct. The bill mandates comprehensive data collection on use of force incidents, requiring agencies to report detailed information about stops, searches, and force used, disaggregated by race, ethnicity, gender, and other demographics. These provisions would directly affect all Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies that receive federal grant funding, with requirements for policy changes, training, and data reporting.
The FAIR Act of 2025 would prohibit companies from requiring pre-dispute arbitration agreements or waivers that prevent individuals from joining class or collective lawsuits in employment, consumer, antitrust, or civil rights cases. This directly affects workers, consumers, and small businesses who currently face forced arbitration for issues like workplace discrimination, product defects, or unfair business practices. The bill makes such agreements unenforceable while allowing voluntary arbitration after disputes arise and leaving collective bargaining agreements unaffected. It applies to all disputes occurring after the law takes effect, without changing how voluntary arbitration works post-dispute.
HJRES 121 proposes a constitutional amendment to allow Congress and states to set reasonable limits on money raised or spent to influence elections. It would permit regulations distinguishing between natural persons (individuals) and corporations or other artificial entities, potentially restricting corporate spending in elections. The amendment explicitly states that such regulations cannot abridge press freedom. This is a proposed constitutional change requiring ratification by three-fourths of state legislatures, not yet law.
SRES 385 is a Senate resolution recognizing suicide as a serious public health issue in the U.S. and supporting the designation of September as "National Suicide Prevention Month." It does not create new laws or funding but formally acknowledges suicide statistics (e.g., 49,000 annual deaths, 1 death every 11 minutes) and emphasizes suicide prevention as a priority. The resolution promotes awareness that suicide has no single cause and encourages access to mental health services, without specifying policy changes or requiring government action. It is a symbolic gesture by the Senate, not a binding legislative measure.
HRES 701 is a House resolution requesting the President to provide documents about the Department of Government Efficiency's (DOGE) access to Social Security Administration data. It specifically seeks records related to a cloud system hosting the Social Security Numerical Identification System (NUMIDENT), including security plans, the purpose of the cloud copy (e.g., audits, benefits decisions, AI training), and access by named individuals. The resolution requires the President to submit these materials within 14 days of adoption. This is an inquiry, not a policy change, focused solely on transparency about government data access.
The Measuring the Cost of Disasters Act of 2025 requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to create and maintain a public database and webpage tracking U.S. billion-dollar disasters. The database will include each disaster’s estimated total cost, type (e.g., hurricane, wildfire), location, dates, and visual maps showing trends over time - similar to a previously available NOAA tool. NOAA must update this resource twice yearly as new data becomes available, using existing federal and non-federal partnerships. This policy change makes historical disaster cost data publicly accessible for research and transparency, without altering disaster response or funding mechanisms.
S 2784, the Congressional Tribute to Constance Baker Motley Act of 2025, is a commemorative resolution honoring civil rights pioneer Constance Baker Motley. It authorizes the posthumous presentation of a Congressional gold medal to her son, Joel Motley III, and niece, Constance Royster, recognizing her historic role as the first African-American woman on the LDF legal team for *Brown v. Board of Education*, her service as a federal judge, and her civil rights advocacy. The bill directs the Treasury Secretary to design and strike the medal, with proceeds from bronze duplicates covering costs. It does not create new laws or affect any policies, as it solely serves to commemorate Motley's legacy.
This bill would exclude certain union-provided payments to workers during strikes from taxable income. Specifically, it adds a new tax code section (139M) to exempt "qualified strike benefits" - payments from tax-exempt labor organizations (like unions) that replace lost wages during strikes, lockouts, or work stoppages arising from labor disputes - from gross income calculations. The change applies to compensation received after December 31, 2025, and also updates the Earned Income Tax Credit rules to include these excluded benefits. It directly affects union members who lose wages due to labor disputes and rely on union financial support during work stoppages.
This bill establishes a federal 36% maximum interest rate for most consumer credit products, directly affecting borrowers using high-cost loans like payday, car title, and overdraft services. It closes loopholes by requiring all fees (including late fees, insurance, and ancillary charges) to be included in the rate calculation, replacing the current patchwork of state laws. The cap applies broadly, with limited exceptions for small application fees under specific conditions. This would prevent lenders from charging rates like 400% for payday loans or 17,000% for overdrafts, while requiring clear disclosure of the total fee-and-interest rate.
The FASTER Act repeals a requirement that aviation security fees be deposited into a general Treasury account subject to standard spending rules. Instead, it creates a dedicated account for these fees, allowing Transportation Security Administration (TSA) funds to be spent immediately - without waiting for annual appropriations or being blocked by anti-deficiency laws - to cover security screening costs. This directly affects TSA operations by streamlining funding for screeners and security equipment. The bill makes no new policy changes but removes bureaucratic delays in using aviation security fees as intended.
S 2777, the Small Business RELIEF Act, exempts small businesses from import duties imposed under Executive Order 14257 (related to national emergencies) for goods they import. It requires the President to refund all duties paid under that order within 90 days of the bill's enactment. The bill directly affects small business concerns as defined by the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632), which typically covers businesses with fewer than 500 employees. This policy change removes a financial burden on qualifying small importers and provides retroactive refunds for past payments.
HR 5309, the Congressional Tribute to Constance Baker Motley Act of 2025, authorizes a posthumous Congressional gold medal for Constance Baker Motley, a pioneering civil rights attorney and judge. The bill directs the Treasury Secretary to strike the medal with her image and name, to be presented to her son, Joel W. Motley III, and her niece, Constance Royster. It also permits the sale of bronze duplicates at cost to cover expenses, with proceeds going to the U.S. Mint fund. This is a commemorative measure with no substantive policy changes, honoring Motley’s legacy as the first African-American woman appointed to a federal judgeship.
