HR 5731, the School Food Modernization Act, provides funding to help schools upgrade facilities and equipment for healthier meal programs. It authorizes $300 million in loan guarantees (covering up to 80% of costs) and $35 million annually for grants to support kitchen renovations, equipment purchases, and food safety improvements for local schools and tribal organizations. The bill also allocates $10 million yearly to fund training programs for school food service staff, developed by third-party organizations, to meet nutrition standards. These provisions directly affect public school districts, tribal schools, and their food service operations by enabling infrastructure upgrades and staff training.
This bill authorizes U.S. sanctions against foreign entities and individuals engaging in activities that worsen climate change or harm the environment. It targets specific actions including: building inefficient fossil fuel infrastructure that undermines climate goals, illegal deforestation (especially in the Amazon), misleading environmental claims, and violence against environmental defenders. Sanctions would include visa bans, asset freezes in U.S. accounts, and other penalties under existing Global Magnitsky frameworks. The law applies only to foreign actors, not U.S. citizens or companies, and requires evidence of intentional or reckless conduct.
HR 6334, the Deepfake Liability Act, requires online platforms to implement specific processes to address non-consensual intimate content and cyberstalking. It amends Section 230 of the Communications Act to create a "duty of care" for platforms, mandating they prevent and remove intimate privacy violations (like non-consensual deepfakes or intimate images) within 48 hours of a valid request. The law directly affects victims of non-consensual intimate content and platforms classified as "covered platforms" (social media, apps, and websites), while excluding email, messaging services, and data storage. Key provisions include minimum data logging for legal proceedings, clear removal processes, and a 48-hour removal timeline for verified violations.
HR 6335, the "Education Not Endless Scrolling Act," imposes a 50% tax on large digital advertising companies (those with over $2.5 billion in annual U.S. digital ad revenue) starting in 2026. The tax revenue funds three new trust funds: one for local journalism support, one for individual tutoring programs in schools, and one for career and technical education initiatives. These trust funds will distribute one-third of the collected tax revenue to directly support journalism entities, school tutoring programs, and career education programs without requiring new annual appropriations. The bill’s key mechanism is redirecting tax revenue from major digital ad platforms to specific education and journalism programs, effective for taxes paid after December 31, 2025.
This bill ensures FEMA can continue disaster relief operations during government funding gaps by authorizing the agency to use existing Disaster Relief Fund balances. It allows FEMA to process claims and payments for both current and future disasters (including individual and public assistance) without interruption, while maintaining necessary staff and contracts. The bill prohibits diverting Disaster Relief Fund money during shutdowns (except for mandatory legal requirements) and explicitly designates FEMA operations as "essential" under the Anti-Deficiency Act to protect life and property. It directly affects disaster victims by preventing aid delays during budget disputes.
HR 5697, the Passenger Rail Liability Adjustment Act of 2025, sets the effective date for adjustments to the liability cap for passenger rail operators. Specifically, any adjustment to the liability cap under federal law that occurs during 2026 must take effect 90 days after a required notice is issued. This procedural bill does not change the liability cap amount itself but establishes a clear timeline for when such adjustments become effective. It directly affects passenger rail operators subject to the liability cap under 49 U.S.C. § 28103.
The RIDE FAST Act extends the deadline for using federal grants supporting intercity passenger rail projects from 2026 to 2032. This change directly affects states and rail operators eligible for these grants, giving them six additional years to plan and implement rail improvements. The bill amends Section 22106(a) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to adjust the authorization period without creating new funding. It focuses solely on extending existing grant availability for rail projects.
HR 5652, the Wildfire Recovery Act, increases federal reimbursement for wildfire response by setting a minimum 75% federal cost share under Section 420 of the Stafford Act, directly benefiting states, local governments, and Tribal governments that deploy firefighting resources. It requires FEMA to develop rules within three years to determine when the federal share could exceed 75% based on a state's financial impact from wildfires. The bill also updates FEMA policy to allow reimbursement for predeployment of fire assets (like crews or equipment) before a fire occurs. These changes aim to provide more predictable and timely federal support for wildfire recovery efforts.
The FRESHER Act of 2025 requires the Secretary of the Interior to study stormwater runoff impacts from oil, gas, and mining operations on groundwater and aquifers. It mandates a specific analysis of measurable contamination, groundwater resources, and aquifer susceptibility to contamination in affected areas. The study must be completed within one year of the bill's enactment, with results reported to Congress. This bill directly affects oil, gas, and mining operations by establishing new federal study requirements for their stormwater runoff.
HR 6318, the No GOUGE Act, prohibits large businesses from excessively raising prices on goods affected by tariffs or planned tariffs (e.g., imports subject to new tariffs) for five years after the tariff takes effect. It specifically targets companies with over $100 million in U.S. revenue, banning price hikes that exceed the actual cost of the tariff plus legitimate operational expenses (excluding executive pay or stock buybacks). The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) enforces this by presuming violations if large firms (over $1 billion revenue) raise prices beyond pre-tariff averages during "tariff shock" periods, though companies can rebut this by proving costs were genuinely tied to the tariff. The law aims to prevent price gouging by ensuring tariff costs - not profit motives - drive price changes for consumers.
HRES 912 is a ceremonial resolution recognizing the 75th anniversary of the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir (November 27-December 13, 1950) during the Korean War. It commemorates the military campaign involving U.S. and UN forces, highlighting their resilience against Chinese forces amid extreme cold, the evacuation of over 105,000 troops, and the valor of units like the 1st Marine Division. The resolution urges the House to honor the sacrifices of service members who suffered over 10,500 battle casualties and 7,310 nonbattle casualties (primarily from frostbite). As a non-binding commemorative measure, it does not create new policies or affect any individuals or entities.
HR 6249, the "Addressing Addiction After Disasters Act," updates federal disaster relief guidelines to explicitly include substance use and alcohol use disorders in crisis counseling services. It amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief Act to allow FEMA-funded programs to address these issues alongside mental health needs for disaster survivors. The bill requires FEMA to revise application forms and guidance within 180 days to reflect these changes and mandates a GAO report on program duration and compliance with using funds only for disaster-related substance/alcohol issues. This directly affects disaster survivors facing substance use or alcohol challenges by expanding access to covered support services.
