This bill would allow workers to deduct union dues directly from their taxable income (an "above-the-line" deduction) and restore deductions for other work-related expenses like uniforms or tools that were disallowed after 2017. It affects employees who pay union dues or incur job-specific costs, particularly those in unionized workplaces or professions requiring specialized equipment. The key mechanism creates a new deduction for union dues under existing tax code sections and revives the ability to itemize other work expenses, excluding them from the 2% floor on miscellaneous deductions. These changes would apply to tax returns filed for years beginning after December 31, 2024.
The Fair Day in Court for Kids Act of 2025 requires the government to provide free legal counsel at no cost to unaccompanied children in immigration court proceedings, starting as soon as possible after a notice to appear is issued. It mandates that children receive their complete immigration file within 7 days and have at least 10 days to review it before court proceedings continue, unless they waive this time. The bill also requires annual reports to Congress on the number of children represented, their nationalities and ages, and the effectiveness of legal representation programs.
S 1303, the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum Act, establishes a new Smithsonian museum dedicated to American women's history on the National Mall. The bill authorizes the museum to be located within the National Mall's Reserve area (overriding prior restrictions) and requires the Smithsonian to coordinate with other federal agencies if land under their jurisdiction is selected, including transferring administrative control. It mandates that exhibits and programs must accurately represent diverse women's experiences by seeking input from a broad range of sources reflecting varied political viewpoints, cultures, and lived experiences. The Smithsonian must submit annual reports to Congress detailing compliance with these requirements, including updates on exhibit revisions and planning.
This bill authorizes the establishment of the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino within the National Mall's Reserve area, directly affecting the Smithsonian Institution and Latino communities whose history the museum will showcase. It modifies existing law to allow the museum's location in the Reserve (overriding prior restrictions) and requires the Smithsonian Board to transfer land from other federal agencies if needed, with specific notification procedures. The bill mandates that exhibits and programs accurately represent the diverse cultures, histories, and viewpoints within Hispanic and Latino communities, seeking input from a broad range of community experts. It also requires annual reports to Congress on compliance with these representation standards, beginning 120 days after enactment.
This bill requires all new passenger vehicles sold in the U.S. (including domestically manufactured, imported, or shipped vehicles) to include AM radio as standard equipment, meaning it must be built into the vehicle at no extra cost to buyers. It mandates that manufacturers install AM radio receivers that can access both traditional and digital AM broadcast stations, with compliance deadlines set 2-4 years after the rule is issued. During a transition period before the rule takes effect, manufacturers must clearly label vehicles without AM radio but cannot charge extra for AM access. The bill also prohibits states from creating their own requirements about AM radio access in vehicles, aiming to ensure consistent emergency alert capabilities through AM radio in cars.
HR 2649, the STOP Violence Act of 2025, allocates $20 million in federal grants to help public venues prepare for mass violence. The funds will go to states, local governments, and nonprofits serving crime victims to provide training and safety improvements at places like schools, malls, and event centers. The bill specifically defines "mass violence" to include active shooter incidents and targeted attacks where an assailant identifies specific people or locations beforehand. This funding aims to strengthen safety measures at facilities where large groups gather, without changing existing laws or creating new mandates.
HR 2622, the Russia-North Korea Cooperation Sanctions Act, imposes U.S. sanctions on foreign entities facilitating North Korea's transfer of arms or military equipment to Russia for use in Ukraine. It targets individuals, companies, and financial institutions involved in such transactions, blocking their U.S. assets, banning visas, and prohibiting financial dealings with the U.S. The bill also amends existing North Korea sanctions law to explicitly require halting material support for Russia's war in Ukraine and mandates quarterly reports to Congress on North Korea's military assistance to Russia. These provisions directly affect foreign arms dealers, financial institutions, and North Korean entities engaging in military cooperation with Russia.
Federal Firearm Licensee Act This bill establishes new security requirements and expands recordkeeping and reporting requirements for federally licensed dealers, importers, and manufacturers of firearms (i.e., federal firearms licensees, or FFLs). The bill also broadens the authority of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to administer federal firearms laws and enforce violations. Specifically, bill requires FFLs to implement and comply with a plan to secure their business premises, conduct quarterly physical checks of their business inventories, maintain video surveillance of the area where firearms are sold or transferred, and initiate firearms-related background checks for employees. Additionally, the bill requires FFLs to report to the ATF any inventory firearm that is lost, stolen, or unaccounted for and to notify the ATF about default-proceed transactions (i.e., allowable firearm transfers to an unlicensed person prior to the completion of a background check when the submitted background check remains incomplete after three business days). Finally, the bill removes limits on the ATF's authority to conduct activities related to the administration of federal firearms laws. It enhances the ATF's inspection authority, including by removing the limit on the number of annual compliance inspections (currently, one), requiring inspections of high-risk FFLs, and authorizing an additional 650 investigators. Finally, the bill directs the ATF to deny an application for a federal firearms license if it would endanger public safety or if the applicant is unlikely to comply with the law.
The Manifest Modernization Act of 2025 updates requirements for cargo manifests on vessels, vehicles, and aircraft entering the United States. It mandates that public disclosures include the standard tariff code for cargo, the country of origin, and the last country the cargo was transported through. This affects carriers like shipping companies, airlines, and trucking firms transporting goods into the U.S. The bill also clarifies that "aircraft" includes military and public aircraft, with changes taking effect 30 days after enactment.
The Rural Housing Service Reform Act of 2025 establishes a permanent housing preservation and revitalization program to maintain affordable multifamily housing projects financed under sections 514, 515, and 516 of the Housing Act of 1949, authorizing $200 million annually for fiscal years 2026-2030 to support loan restructuring, rental assistance renewal, and technical assistance for owners. The bill creates a $50 million annual set-aside for Native community development financial institutions to increase homeownership opportunities for Indian Tribes, Alaska Native communities, and Native Hawaiian communities. Additionally, it modifies Section 504 loans to reserve 60% for very low-income applicants and increases the loan cap from $7,500 to $15,000, while adjusting rural housing voucher processes to allow more frequent recalculation based on changing household circumstances.
The CONNECT for Health Act of 2025 expands Medicare coverage for telehealth services by removing geographic restrictions that previously limited where patients could receive telehealth care. It allows more healthcare providers to offer telehealth services, including expanding eligibility for practitioners and removing the six-month in-person visit requirement for telemental health. The bill also includes specific provisions for Federally Qualified Health Centers, rural health clinics, and Native American health facilities to better integrate telehealth into their services. Additionally, it establishes program integrity measures to address billing patterns and requires the posting of telehealth service data to improve transparency and quality measurement. These changes aim to make telehealth more accessible for Medicare beneficiaries, particularly in rural areas and for underserved populations.
The IDEA Full Funding Act (HR 2598) mandates specific annual federal funding levels for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), directly affecting schools and students with disabilities nationwide. It requires the federal government to appropriate either a fixed dollar amount or a specified percentage (increasing annually from 4.5% to 40%) of a calculated total - based on the number of eligible students and average per-pupil costs - starting in fiscal year 2026 through 2035. The bill sets clear, escalating funding targets, with the higher of two calculated amounts (dollar figure or percentage) becoming available for obligation each fiscal year. This establishes a binding financial commitment to address long-standing underfunding of special education services under IDEA.
