The Insurrection Act of 2025 would clarify and limit when the President can deploy military forces domestically to address insurrections, rebellions, or widespread violence. It requires state and local authorities to be unable to handle the situation, with specific circumstances including obstruction of voting rights or Federal law, and mandates the state governor's request for assistance. The bill requires the President to consult Congress, issue a proclamation ordering lawbreakers to disperse, and submit a detailed report before deployment, with military action limited to 7 days unless Congress passes a joint resolution approving it for up to 14 days. The bill explicitly prohibits using National Guard members on training duty for these purposes and provides for judicial review of deployments.
The Downpayment Toward Equity Act of 2025 creates a federal program to provide financial assistance to first-generation homebuyers for down payments, closing costs, and other home purchase expenses. It authorizes $100 billion in funding to be distributed through states and eligible entities, with grants that can cover up to $20,000 or 10% of a home's purchase price (whichever is greater). To qualify, homebuyers must meet income limits (up to 120-140% of median area income), be first-time homebuyers with no prior home ownership by their parents, and complete homebuyer counseling. The program requires recipients to occupy homes as primary residences for at least five years, with repayment required if they sell sooner, and states must report on program demographics to ensure equitable outcomes.
This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to develop a threat assessment and reference aid focused on foreign white supremacist extremist organizations that use violence to promote white racial superiority. The assessment will be shared with state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies (including fusion centers) and, upon request, with online platforms to help identify violating content. It defines such organizations as foreign-based groups using unlawful force to advance white supremacy and mandates that the assessment include symbols they use. DHS must ensure the tool does not include names of individuals engaging in lawful political speech protected by the Constitution.
HRES 523 is a symbolic resolution designating June 21, 2025, as National ASK (Asking Saves Kids) Day. It does not create new laws but encourages parents and guardians to ask two specific questions before children visit other homes: "Is there a gun in your house?" and "Is it locked and unloaded?" The resolution directly supports families and aims to promote secure gun storage practices, referencing the ASK Campaign administered by the Brady Campaign since 2000. It cites statistics about child firearm injuries to highlight the campaign's focus on preventing accidental harm through simple, proactive conversations.
The Protecting Gun Owners in Bankruptcy Act would amend federal bankruptcy law to allow individuals filing for bankruptcy to keep firearms they own, up to a total value of $3,000. It adds a specific exemption for firearms in bankruptcy property protections, covering either a single firearm or multiple firearms collectively valued at $3,000 or less. This means creditors cannot force the sale of qualifying firearms during bankruptcy proceedings. The change would only apply to bankruptcy cases filed after the law takes effect.
HR 4067, the Protect the First Amendment Act, blocks federal funding for two specific organizations: NewsGuard Technologies and Global Disinformation Index. The bill prohibits the government from using funds to contract with or grant money to these entities, or to nonprofit groups engaging in "covered behavior." Covered behavior is defined as rating the credibility of news outlets or information sources based on their lawful speech, such as labeling content as misinformation or disinformation. This directly affects how these companies operate by cutting off potential federal financial support for their credibility-rating services. The law focuses on restricting government funding for this specific activity, not on regulating the content or speech of news outlets themselves.
The FIRM Act (HR 2702) prohibits federal banking agencies from considering "reputational risk" in supervising banks and credit unions. It requires agencies to remove all references to reputational risk - defined as concerns about negative publicity affecting an institution's reputation - from regulations, examinations, and enforcement actions. The bill directly affects depository institutions (banks and credit unions) and federal regulators like the FDIC and CFPB, banning them from using reputational risk as a basis for supervision or enforcement. This policy change aims to limit regulatory actions based on subjective public opinion rather than financial safety and soundness.
SRES 227 is a non-binding Senate resolution strongly condemning Hamas for its October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel and demanding the immediate release of all 58 remaining hostages held in Gaza. It specifically calls for Hamas to provide medical care, release hostages including four U.S. citizens (Itay Chen, Omer Neutra, Judi Weinstein, and Gad Haggai), and return them safely. The resolution cites Hamas's actions as violations of international law, including the Geneva Conventions, and expresses sympathy for victims and their families. It does not create new laws or funding but formally expresses the Senate's position and urges the White House to continue efforts for hostage releases.
S 2131, the Dads Matter Act of 2025, requires the Health and Human Services Secretary to launch a public awareness campaign within two years and issue state guidance within one year to improve father involvement in prenatal and postpartum care. The campaign will promote father engagement through public messaging, while the guidance will direct states to train healthcare providers (like OB-GYNs and hospitals) on supporting fathers’ roles during pregnancy and early childcare. Key provisions focus on increasing prenatal care attendance, reducing maternal health risks, improving breastfeeding success, and promoting father-infant bonding. This policy directly affects healthcare systems nationwide by changing provider practices to better include fathers in maternal and infant health support.
S 2117, the Preventing Deep Fake Scams Act, establishes a federal Task Force to study deep fake threats in financial services. The Task Force, made up of key financial regulators (Treasury, Federal Reserve, FDIC, CFPB, and others), will report to Congress within one year on how banks and credit unions protect consumers from AI-driven fraud, define AI terms, identify risks, and recommend best practices and regulations. It does not create new laws but requires a detailed study of deep fake scams targeting voice banking and consumer data. The bill directly affects financial institutions, consumers, and regulators by mandating a formal review of AI security risks and solutions.
The SECURE Act creates a new pathway for certain foreign nationals to adjust to lawful permanent resident status without leaving the United States. It primarily affects individuals who have been continuously present in the U.S. for at least three years and qualify under Temporary Protected Status (TPS), including those who previously had TPS or were granted deferred enforced departure. The bill allows eligible applicants to apply for permanent residency, provides work authorization while applications are pending, and protects the confidentiality of application information. It also includes provisions for spouses and children of qualifying applicants to adjust their status, and requires new reporting for countries whose TPS designation is terminated. The law includes specific eligibility requirements related to criminal background checks and continuous physical presence.
The Countering Wrongful Detention Act of 2025 creates a new "State Sponsor of Unlawful or Wrongful Detention" designation for foreign countries that fail to release U.S. citizens within 30 days of notification or support such detentions. It requires air carriers to obtain passenger certification that they've reviewed State Department travel advisories for countries with "D" (wrongful detention risk) or "K" (criminal/terrorist threat) indicators before booking travel. The bill also establishes an Advisory Council composed of former detainees, family members, and experts to advise on hostage and wrongful detention policies. Additionally, it mandates regular congressional reports on potential designations, responses to detentions, and improvements to existing hostage response components.
