The PAST Act of 2025 amends the Horse Protection Act to ban harmful practices known as "soring," which deliberately cause pain to horses to exaggerate their gait for shows. It specifically prohibits devices like action devices (e.g., boots causing friction) and weighted shoes on Tennessee Walking Horses, Racking Horses, and Spotted Saddle Horses at events. The bill increases penalties, including escalating disqualifications for repeat offenses (180 days → 1 year → 3 years) and raises fines for violations to $5,000 per offense. It also requires stricter licensing for inspectors and mandates public posting of violation records to help event organizers enforce rules.
The Hospice Recertification Flexibility Act extends the ability for hospice providers to use telehealth for patient recertifications (verifying ongoing eligibility for hospice care) until December 31, 2027, instead of ending in March 2025. It specifies that telehealth recertifications will not apply in certain cases starting January 1, 2026, such as when patients are in areas with a hospice enrollment moratorium or when providers are under enhanced oversight. The bill also requires hospice claims for telehealth recertifications on or after January 1, 2026, to include a specific modifier or code indicating the telehealth encounter. This change directly affects hospice providers and their patients by modifying how remote eligibility checks are processed under Medicare.
The American Dream and Promise Act of 2025 would create pathways to permanent residency for certain immigrant youth who entered the U.S. as children (Dream Act component) and for individuals from countries with Temporary Protected Status or Deferred Enforced Departure (American Promise Act component). To qualify, applicants must meet continuous physical presence requirements (since January 1, 2021 for Dream Act applicants, and for 3+ years for American Promise applicants), pass background checks, and satisfy educational or employment criteria. Conditional permanent resident status would be granted initially, with the option to convert to full permanent residency after meeting additional requirements like earning a degree, serving in the military for two years, or demonstrating three years of earned income. The bill includes fee exemptions for low-income applicants, establishes a grant program to assist applicants with legal help, and creates specific procedures for background checks and appeals.
This resolution recognizes Black History Month as an opportunity to reflect on U.S. history and to commemorate the contributions of African Americans. It calls for the United States to (1) honor the contribution of pioneers who helped to ensure its legacy; and (2) move forward as a nation "indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
This resolution expresses the Senate's disapproval of the U.S. delegation's February 24, 2025, vote at the United Nations General Assembly against a Ukraine peace resolution (A/ES-11/L.10). It condemns the vote as the first U.S. alignment with Russia on Ukraine since 2014, criticizing the refusal to identify Russia as an aggressor or demand its withdrawal from Ukraine. The resolution has no binding effect but formally urges future UN cooperation with Ukraine and allies while reaffirming support for Ukraine's sovereignty.
HRES 166 is a non-binding House resolution expressing U.S. support for the Iranian people's desire for a democratic, secular, and nonnuclear republic. It condemns the Iranian regime's terrorism, regional proxy wars, internal suppression of ethnic and religious minorities, and human rights abuses - including executions and repression of women-led protests. The resolution calls for holding the regime accountable through sanctions, supports the Ten-Point Plan for Iran’s democratic transition, and urges protection for Iranian political refugees in Albania. It does not create new laws but affirms U.S. policy alignment with Iranian protesters' demands.
The Affordable College Textbook Act (S 740) establishes a federal grant program to help colleges and universities adopt open educational resources (OER), primarily open textbooks, to reduce student costs. It authorizes the Secretary of Education to award competitive grants to institutions or consortia for creating, adapting, or promoting OER, requiring projects to include faculty input, accessibility standards, and plans for tracking savings and educational impact. The bill also amends the Higher Education Act to mandate that colleges disclose textbook prices and OER availability on course schedules, and requires publishers to share data collection practices for digital materials. These provisions directly affect students (by lowering textbook costs), faculty (through OER adoption requirements), and institutions (via reporting obligations). The law focuses on creating sustainable, accessible alternatives to traditional textbooks rather than direct price controls.
S 751, the CROWN Act of 2025, prohibits discrimination based on hair texture or style commonly associated with race or national origin. It directly protects people - particularly those of African descent - who wear natural or protective hairstyles like braids, locs, cornrows, twists, or Afros from discrimination in federally funded schools, workplaces, housing, and public accommodations. The law expands existing civil rights protections under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Fair Housing Act to explicitly cover hair-based discrimination, requiring that policies prohibiting such hairstyles be reviewed for discriminatory impact. Enforcement follows the same procedures as current civil rights laws, ensuring consistent application.
This bill creates a streamlined process for out-of-state healthcare providers to enroll in Medicaid or CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program) in a state. It directly affects children under 21 enrolled in these programs and healthcare providers located in other states who already meet low fraud risk standards. The key provision requires states to adopt a simplified enrollment process using only basic provider information (like name and National Provider Identifier), granting eligible providers a 5-year enrollment period without repeated screening. This reduces administrative barriers for providers serving out-of-state children under 21 who qualify for Medicaid or CHIP coverage.
This bill amends the tax code to allow 529 college savings accounts to cover certain postsecondary credentialing costs, such as certifications, licenses, and apprenticeship fees, in addition to traditional tuition. It directly affects individuals using 529 accounts who pursue industry-recognized credentials (like IT certifications, nursing licenses, or registered apprenticeships) instead of degree programs. The key provision expands "qualified higher education expenses" under Section 529(e)(3) to include tuition, testing fees, and required continuing education for recognized credentials listed in state directories or federal systems (like the COOL directory). It defines "recognized" credentials based on industry standards, federal programs, or state approval. This change enables 529 account holders to use tax-advantaged savings for workforce training beyond traditional degree paths.
This bill adjusts the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program to expand access to mental health evaluations and correct funding mechanisms. It allows licensed mental health providers (not just physicians) to certify mental health conditions for WTC responders and survivors, and extends the timeframe to add new health conditions from 90 to 180 days. The bill also modifies how annual funding is calculated - using a 7% annual increase plus a population-based adjustment - to ensure long-term program sustainability through 2090. Additionally, it removes deceased individuals from enrollment counts to improve program accuracy and clarifies provider credentialing rules for the nationwide health network. These changes directly affect WTC responders and survivors seeking health coverage under the program.
This bill awards a Congressional Gold Medal to the 761st Tank Battalion (known as the "Black Panthers"), the first predominantly Black armored unit in World War II's European Theater. It recognizes their combat service from 1944-1946, including key roles in the Battle of the Bulge and breaking the Siegfried Line, despite facing racial prejudice during and after the war. The medal will be displayed at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, with bronze duplicates available for sale to cover costs. The bill commemorates the battalion's 130,000 enemy casualties inflicted, 50% casualty rate, and their 1978 Presidential Unit Citation. It does not create new laws or affect current policies.
