The Migrant Due Process Protection Act (HR 6349) would require immigration judges to allow non-citizens in removal proceedings (who are not held in government custody) to request virtual hearings via video or phone. Judges must approve such requests and ensure virtual formats do not disadvantage the individual. This directly affects people facing deportation who are not currently detained by immigration authorities. The bill adds a new procedural option for remote hearings without changing legal standards or outcomes.
HR 6366, the Boosting the Rural STEM Pipeline Act, repeals a requirement that states contribute funds to the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. This change eliminates the state cost-sharing obligation, making it easier for states to participate in the program. The bill directly affects states and school districts that use the Noyce scholarships to recruit and train STEM teachers, particularly in rural and high-need areas. The key provision removes the financial barrier for states, allowing more resources to support STEM educator development without requiring state matching funds.
HR 6367, the Social Security Data Transparency Act, requires the Social Security Administration (SSA) to publish specific operational data monthly on a public website. It mandates detailed reporting on key metrics including first-contact resolution rates, customer satisfaction across service channels (like phone calls), 800-number performance (call wait times, success rates), processing times for old age/survivors benefits and disability claims, and system outage information. The bill also requires a live tracker for the 800-number showing real-time call wait times and caller volume. This directly affects the SSA’s reporting obligations and provides the public with transparent access to SSA service performance data. The law focuses on making SSA operations more visible through concrete, regularly updated metrics.
HR 6358, the Veteran Education Empowerment Act, creates a federal grant program to help colleges establish or improve dedicated Student Veteran Centers. These centers provide veterans, active-duty service members, and their families with lounge space, benefits counseling, academic support, and mental health services. Institutions must serve significant numbers of veterans and have sustainability plans to qualify for grants, with funding capped at $500,000 per institution over four years. The bill directly affects colleges serving veterans and aims to address challenges like isolation and transition difficulties through centralized campus support.
This bill establishes comprehensive name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights for college athletes, prohibiting institutions from restricting athletes' ability to earn compensation for their personal branding or taking adverse action against them for doing so. It requires transparent NIL agreements for compensation over $600, including specific details about services, compensation amounts, and termination terms. The bill also amends immigration laws to better accommodate international student athletes participating in college sports and updates regulations governing sports agents. Additionally, it establishes a Commission to study college athletics governance, focusing on collective bargaining, revenue sharing, and Title IX compliance, while expanding disclosure requirements for colleges regarding athletics revenue and expenses.
HR 5541, the Every Kid Outdoors Reauthorization Act, expands eligibility for the program to include fifth graders (ages 10-11) and home-schooled learners in that age range, replacing the previous requirement for 10-year-olds. The bill authorizes $25 million annually for the National Park Service to support program operations, promote the initiative to schools and families, provide transportation assistance to financially needy schools and organizations, and conduct targeted outreach to underserved communities and children with disabilities. This reauthorization directly affects fifth-grade students and home-schooled learners aged 10-11, as well as schools and youth organizations participating in the program. The key change is broadening the age group served while maintaining the program's funding structure for operational support and equitable access.
Give Kids a Chance Act of 2025 This bill expands the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) authority with respect to research on rare pediatric diseases, including by permitting the FDA to take enforcement action against drug sponsors that fail to satisfy pediatric study requirements and by reauthorizing programs that support pediatric research. Specifically, the bill modifies requirements relating to molecularly targeted pediatric cancer investigations to permit research on new drugs in combination with active ingredients that have already been approved, provided certain conditions are met; permits the FDA to take enforcement action against drug sponsors that fail to comply with pediatric study requirements, if such sponsors demonstrated a lack of due diligence in satisfying the requirement; renews the FDA’s authority to award priority review vouchers to sponsors of new products intended to treat rare pediatric diseases through September 30, 2029; and reauthorizes through FY2027 certain funding for the National Institutes of Health to support priority pediatric research. The bill also provides statutory authority for the FDA’s interpretation of the orphan drug exclusivity period. The bill specifies, consistent with FDA regulations, that the seven-year market exclusivity period for drugs for rare diseases or conditions (i.e., orphan drugs) prohibits the approval of the same drug for the same approved use or indication with respect to the disease or condition. (In Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. v. Becerra , a court rejected the FDA’s interpretation and held that orphan drug exclusivity extends to all uses or indications for the disease or condition.)
The Crime Gun Tracing Modernization Act of 2025 requires the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to create electronic, searchable databases for firearm records that licensed dealers already must maintain, including details on import, production, shipment, sale, and disposition. It mandates that dealers provide electronic access to these records and allows them to turn over non-electronic records after 10 years without active transactions. The databases must be searchable by firearm details (like model, serial number, and caliber) but not by personal information, and access is restricted to law enforcement investigations, foreign intelligence purposes, or compliance inspections. The bill also requires annual audits by the Comptroller General and congressional reporting to ensure ATF compliance.
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.
This bill establishes a federal program to help low-income households pay for drinking water and wastewater services. It provides $500 million annually (2026-2030) in grants to states and tribes that already administer energy assistance programs, allowing them to cover past-due bills or other costs for households meeting specific income criteria (e.g., receiving certain federal benefits or earning ≤150% of the poverty level). The program prohibits using these funds to replace existing assistance and requires technical help to streamline eligibility. It directly affects low-income households in participating states and tribes, particularly those facing water affordability challenges.
Student Compensation and Opportunity through Rights and Endorsements Act or the SCORE Act This bill provides a framework for the compensation of student athletes for the use of their name, image, or likeness (NIL). This includes addressing certain elements of the court approved agreement to settle the In re College Athlete NIL Litigation (i.e., House settlement ). Specifically, the bill statutorily prohibits institutions, conferences, or interstate intercollegiate athletic associations (e.g., the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)) from restricting the ability of a student athlete to enter an NIL agreement. The bill also requires institutions of higher education that generate $20 million or more in annual revenue from the institution's intercollegiate athletics activities to (1) provide counseling and medical benefits to student athletes, and (2) establish and maintain at least 16 varsity sports teams. Further, the bill authorizes interstate intercollegiate athletic associations to establish rules with respect to athletic eligibility, transfers, recruitment, and the disclosure of NIL agreements. Under the bill, student athletes may not be considered employees of an institution, conference, or interstate intercollegiate athletic association. The bill also preempts state laws with respect to compensation, payments, benefits, employment status, eligibility, and academic standards applicable to student athletes. Compliance with the provisions of this bill is considered lawful under federal and state antitrust laws.
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.
