HR 2832, the Defend American Manufacturing Act, mandates that the U.S. Department of Commerce continue funding the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (HMEP) program in all 50 states and Puerto Rico through fiscal year 2025 and beyond. It requires the Commerce Secretary to competitively renew and award HMEP centers annually, changing the current language from "may" to "shall" to make this funding requirement mandatory. The bill directly affects small and mid-sized manufacturers by ensuring ongoing access to technical assistance, training, and resources through state-based centers. This policy change solidifies the program’s structure without introducing new taxes, regulations, or eligibility criteria.
This bill prohibits the federal government from issuing new oil and gas leases for exploration, development, or production in the Mid-Atlantic region of the Outer Continental Shelf. It specifically blocks leasing in the area defined by the 2023 federal leasing plan (2024-2029 National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Proposed Final Program). The law directly affects energy companies seeking to drill in this coastal zone and requires the Secretary of the Interior to halt such lease sales. It does not impact existing leases or operations already authorized.
HR 2831, the Small Business Energy Loan Enhancement Act, doubles the maximum loan amounts for certain small business energy projects under the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, raising the cap from $5.5 million to $10 million for two specific loan categories. This directly affects small businesses seeking financing for energy-related investments, such as efficiency upgrades or renewable energy installations. The bill requires the Small Business Administration (SBA) to annually report to Congress on which industries and geographic areas receive these loans. These changes aim to increase access to capital for qualifying energy projects without altering eligibility criteria.
HR 2881, the COAST Anti-Drilling Act of 2025, prohibits the federal government from issuing new oil and gas leases in four specific coastal planning areas: the North Atlantic, Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic, and Straits of Florida. This directly affects the Department of the Interior (specifically the Secretary) and oil and gas companies seeking to explore or develop resources in these regions. The bill amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to ban all new leasing authorizations in these areas, as defined by the 2024-2029 leasing program notice. It does not affect existing leases or operations but prevents future development in these designated coastal zones.
HR 2868, the SAVE Our Poultry Act, directs federal funding toward research on highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) to protect the poultry industry. It authorizes grants to land-grant universities for two key purposes: developing more effective poultry vaccines (including cross-species testing, improved formulations, and delivery methods) and enhancing biosecurity practices for producers (such as evaluating farm-level interventions and new disinfection methods). The bill directly affects poultry producers by aiming to reduce disease risks and market disruptions, and land-grant universities as recipients of the research grants. It does not create new regulations but focuses on scientific research to address HPAI threats.
H.J. Res. 91 terminates the national emergency declared by the President on April 2, 2025, under Executive Order 14257. The resolution ends this emergency status by invoking Section 202 of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622). This action would halt the use of emergency powers associated with the declaration, such as special authorities or funding mechanisms. The bill directly affects federal agencies and the executive branch by removing the legal basis for operating under the emergency framework.
The NO FAKES Act of 2025 establishes legal rights for individuals to control how their voice and visual likeness is used in AI-generated digital replicas. It defines "digital replicas" as highly realistic computer-generated representations that are readily identifiable as an individual's voice or appearance, granting individuals (and their heirs) the right to authorize or prohibit such uses. The law creates liability for unauthorized use of digital replicas or distribution of products designed to create them without authorization, while providing safe harbors for online services that follow specific procedures for handling claims. It preempts state laws regarding voice and visual likeness rights in digital replicas (with limited exceptions) and establishes a 10-year post-mortem right that can be renewed for additional 5-year periods if there's active public use.
The GOSAFE Act prohibits the import, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession of gas-operated semi-automatic firearms and large capacity ammunition feeding devices (those holding more than 10 rounds). It defines gas-operated firearms as those using gas pressure to cycle the action and requires the Attorney General to publish a list of prohibited firearms within 180 days. The bill includes exemptions for single-shot weapons, muzzle-loaders, firearms with permanently fixed magazines under 10 rounds, and certain other specific types. Manufacturers must now seek approval for new semi-automatic firearms through a process requiring detailed documentation, and the bill establishes a Firearm Safety Trust Fund to cover administrative costs. Violations of these provisions can result in fines up to $5,000 or up to 12 months in prison.
The BUMP Act (S 1374) bans devices that increase the firing rate of semiautomatic firearms to mimic machineguns, directly affecting owners of modified firearms. It prohibits importing, selling, or possessing devices (like "bump stocks") that speed up firing or eliminate the need for separate trigger pulls, and requires registration of existing modified semiautomatics within 120 days. The law exempts government agencies and pre-enactment modifications that are registered. This targets specific firearm modifications, not all semiautomatic weapons.
This bill, the Tax Cut for Workers Act of 2025, expands the Earned Income Credit (EIC) to make it more accessible and generous for low-income workers without children. It lowers the minimum age for the credit from 25 to 19 (with exceptions for students, former foster youth, and homeless youth), removes the maximum age limit, and increases the credit amount and income thresholds. The bill also adjusts these amounts for inflation and allows taxpayers to use their prior year’s earned income if it was higher, applying to taxable years starting after 2025. These changes extend the credit to U.S. territories like Puerto Rico and American Samoa without prior time limits.
The American Family Act creates a new monthly child tax credit that would provide $300 per month for each child under age 6 and $300 per month for each child age 6 and older, with income-based eligibility limits. The credit would be refundable, meaning it could be paid even if a family owes no income tax, and would replace the current annual child tax credit. The bill establishes income thresholds ($150,000 for joint filers) above which the credit begins to phase out, with full phase-out at $400,000 for joint filers. It also includes provisions for "presumptive eligibility" to allow for advance payments based on previous tax returns or government program data. The bill would terminate the existing annual child tax credit after 2024, replacing it with this monthly payment system.
The NO TIME TO Waste Act (S 1395) establishes a new Office of Food Loss and Waste within the Department of Agriculture to coordinate federal efforts to reduce food waste. The bill creates grant programs for states, local governments, and nonprofits to collect data on food waste policies and develop model approaches for reducing waste, with a goal of cutting food loss and waste by 50% by 2030. It requires federal contractors to report on their food waste prevention efforts and funds public-private partnerships to help communities reduce food loss and waste. The legislation also creates a national education campaign to teach consumers about food safety, preservation, and upcycled food products. The bill mandates annual reports tracking progress toward the 2030 goal and sets funding levels for these programs through 2030.
