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Rhode Island Congressional Bills

Browse federal bills sponsored by your state's delegation.

State Legislature US Congress
All 4,718 Active 4,092 In committee 4,073 Passed 541 Signed 75 Failed 10

Bill results

in committee · Rhode Island · House Mar 18, 2025

HR 2208: Saving NSF’s Workforce Act

This bill prohibits the National Science Foundation (NSF) from implementing layoffs or involuntary employee separations until after full-year funding for fiscal year 2026 is secured. It directly affects NSF employees in competitive service, excepted service, and the Senior Executive Service by blocking workforce reductions. The key provision creates a temporary moratorium on layoffs, with exceptions only for separations due to misconduct, inefficiency, or delinquency. This applies until Congress enacts the full FY2026 budget, adding a specific timeline to existing federal personnel rules.
Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentPrevents NSF layoffs for employees, protecting job security during funding uncertainty - directly aligns with worker protection indicators.95% confidence
Zoe Lofgren (D) · 18 co-sponsors
in committee · Rhode Island · House Mar 18, 2025

HR 2210: Saving NASA’s Workforce Act

HR 2210, the Saving NASA’s Workforce Act, prohibits NASA from initiating or implementing reductions in force or involuntary separations of most employees until after full-year funding for fiscal year 2026 is enacted. It specifically protects employees in competitive service, excepted service, and the Senior Executive Service from being laid off, except for cause related to misconduct, inefficiency, or delinquency. The bill applies to all standard personnel actions under federal law and does not affect existing authority for disciplinary separations. This moratorium directly affects NASA’s workforce by preventing layoffs during the current funding cycle.
Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentPrevents NASA layoffs for most employees, protecting job security and employment standards under federal law.95% confidence
Zoe Lofgren (D) · 18 co-sponsors
in committee · Rhode Island · House Mar 18, 2025

HR 2209: Saving NIST’s Workforce Act

HR 2209, the Saving NIST’s Workforce Act, prohibits the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) from implementing layoffs or involuntary employee separations (except for misconduct, inefficiency, or delinquency) until after full-year funding for NIST’s fiscal year 2026 budget is enacted. The bill directly affects all NIST employees in the competitive service, excepted service, and senior executive roles by blocking workforce reductions during this period. Key provisions require NIST to maintain current staffing levels through the end of FY2026, unless Congress passes a full-year appropriations bill for that year. This is a procedural measure focused on preserving NIST’s current workforce structure, not creating new programs or altering funding levels.
Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesPrevents layoffs by requiring full FY2026 funding for NIST, protecting workforce and ensuring fiscal responsibility in government spending.92% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentPrevents NIST layoffs for all employees, protecting job security during funding uncertainty. Directly aligns with protecting workers' rights under Labor & Employment policies.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyPrevents NIST workforce reductions, ensuring continuity in developing cybersecurity standards and technology policies critical to digital infrastructure and data security.92% confidence
Zoe Lofgren (D) · 18 co-sponsors
in committee · Rhode Island · House Mar 18, 2025

HR 2173: Tools Tax Deduction Act

This bill allows employees in trades requiring specialized tools (like construction) to deduct work-related expenses directly from their gross income, rather than as itemized deductions. Specifically, it creates an above-the-line deduction for construction tools, personal protective gear, and other necessary work expenses. This change exempts these costs from the usual 2% floor on miscellaneous itemized deductions. The policy affects blue-collar workers who must purchase or maintain essential equipment to perform their jobs, making these costs fully deductible starting in 2026.
Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates above-the-line tax deduction for trade workers' tool expenses, reducing taxable income for blue-collar workers - direct tax relief for middle-income earners.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates above-the-line deduction for work expenses (tools, safety gear), reducing taxable income for blue-collar workers and easing financial burden related to employment.85% confidence
Nikki Budzinski (D) · 6 co-sponsors
in committee · Rhode Island · House Mar 18, 2025

HR 2211: Saving NOAA’s Workforce Act

The Saving NOAA’s Workforce Act (HR 2211) prohibits the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) from initiating layoffs or involuntary separations of most employees until after full-year funding for fiscal year 2026 is approved. It specifically blocks reductions in force or involuntary separations for competitive service, excepted service career employees, and Senior Executive Service members, except for cause (like misconduct or inefficiency). This bill directly affects NOAA’s workforce by preserving current employment status through the 2026 budget cycle.
Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill prevents NOAA workforce reductions, ensuring continuity of environmental monitoring, climate science, and resource management critical to environmental protection.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentPrevents involuntary layoffs for NOAA employees, directly protecting job security and workers' rights under Labor & Employment policies.95% confidence
Zoe Lofgren (D) · 19 co-sponsors
passed · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 14, 2025

SRES 129: A resolution recognizing and honoring teachers who have earned or maintained National Board Certification.

SRES 129 is a symbolic Senate resolution honoring teachers who have earned or maintained National Board Certification (NBC), a voluntary credential demonstrating advanced teaching expertise. It recognizes these educators for improving student learning, as research shows students of NBC teachers achieve better outcomes. The resolution encourages schools and states to promote NBC certification and provide incentives for teachers pursuing it, though it does not create new funding or requirements. This resolution directly affects approximately 141,464 National Board Certified teachers nationwide (as of March 2025) and serves as a non-binding acknowledgment of their contributions. It has no legislative effect beyond formal recognition.
Martin Heinrich (D) · 9 co-sponsors
in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 14, 2025

S 1076: Preventing Illegal Weapons Trafficking Act of 2025

This bill requires federal agencies to develop a strategy within 120 days to prevent the trafficking of machinegun conversion devices - parts that convert regular firearms into machineguns. The strategy must improve detection, coordination between federal and local law enforcement, tracing of devices used in crimes, and address emerging threats like 3D-printed devices. It mandates annual reports to Congress on implementation progress and requires the Attorney General to include specific data on these devices in annual firearms trafficking reports. The bill directly affects federal agencies (ATF, FBI, Homeland Security), state/local law enforcement, and aims to disrupt trafficking networks.
Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates federal strategy to prevent illegal weapons trafficking, enhancing law enforcement capabilities and crime prevention within criminal justice framework.90% confidence
Amy Klobuchar (D) · 12 co-sponsors
in committee · Rhode Island · House Mar 14, 2025

HR 2105: Preventing Illegal Weapons Trafficking Act of 2025

HR 2105, the Preventing Illegal Weapons Trafficking Act of 2025, requires federal agencies (Attorney General, Homeland Security, and Treasury) to develop a strategy within 120 days to stop the illegal trafficking of machinegun conversion devices - parts that turn standard firearms into automatic weapons. The strategy must improve detection at ports, coordinate federal and local law enforcement (including ATF and FBI), trace devices used in crimes, train officers, and address 3D-printed devices. It also amends tax law to forfeit profits from illegal machinegun trafficking and mandates annual reports tracking crimes involving these devices and their origins (U.S. or foreign). The bill directly affects federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies responsible for weapons enforcement.
Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens law enforcement coordination to prevent illegal weapons trafficking, directly addressing criminal justice through enhanced detection and interagency strategy for public safety.85% confidence
Sean Casten (D) · 31 co-sponsors
in committee · Rhode Island · House Mar 14, 2025

HR 2142: Social Security Overpayment Relief Act

HR 2142, the Social Security Overpayment Relief Act, prevents the U.S. government from seeking repayment of Social Security overpayments that occurred more than 10 years before the Commissioner determines the overpayment. It applies to both retirement/disability benefits (Title II) and Supplemental Security Income (Title XVI) programs. The bill directly affects beneficiaries who received incorrect payments years ago, as the government can no longer pursue recovery for overpayments older than a decade. This creates a clear 10-year limit on the government's ability to adjust payments or recover funds from individuals. The change modifies existing Social Security Act provisions to establish this time limit for overpayment adjustments.
Kristen McDonald Rivet (D) · 4 co-sponsors
in committee · Rhode Island · House Mar 14, 2025

HR 2094: HELPER Act of 2025

Homes for Every Local Protector, Educator, and Responder Act of 2025 or the HELPER Act of 2025 This bill establishes a program administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide mortgage assistance to law enforcement officers, elementary and secondary school teachers, firefighters, or other first responders. Specifically, these individuals may be eligible for a first-time mortgage on a primary family residence with no down payment. Instead, the mortgage is subject to a one-time, up-front mortgage insurance premium.
Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly provides mortgage assistance to elementary/secondary school teachers, supporting educators as a key beneficiary group.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides mortgage assistance with no down payment for teachers, first responders, and law enforcement, directly advancing affordable housing access for specific professions.95% confidence
John H. Rutherford (R) · 153 co-sponsors
in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 13, 2025

S 1026: Tar Sands Tax Loophole Elimination Act

This bill amends the tax code to close a loophole that previously allowed certain tar sands oil to be taxed differently than conventional crude oil. It expands the definition of "crude oil" under federal excise tax rules to explicitly include oil derived from tar sands, bitumen, and oil shale. This change directly affects oil producers and refiners handling these specific unconventional oil sources, requiring them to pay the standard crude oil excise tax. The key mechanism is the updated tax code definition, which also grants the Secretary regulatory authority to include other pipeline-transported petroleum products meeting specific environmental risk criteria.
Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCloses tax loophole for tar sands oil, requiring standard excise tax payment, aligning with fiscal responsibility and closing revenue gaps.95% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyCloses tax loophole for tar sands, requiring standard tax on unconventional oil, removing financial incentive for fossil fuel production.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCloses tax loophole favoring tar sands (high-emission resource), requiring standard crude oil tax. This discourages environmentally harmful extraction and alignates with pollution reduction goals.95% confidence
Edward J. Markey (D) · 6 co-sponsors
in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 13, 2025

S 1032: Major Richard Star Act

This bill, the Major Richard Star Act (S 1032), allows veterans with combat-related disabilities to receive both their military retired pay and Veterans Affairs disability compensation simultaneously. It amends U.S. Code sections to remove the automatic reduction in retired pay that previously forced these veterans to choose between the two payments. The key change ensures veterans with combat-related disabilities qualify for full retired pay without offset against their VA disability benefits, effective for payments starting after the bill's enactment date. This directly affects veterans receiving military retired pay under Chapter 61 who also qualify for VA disability compensation for combat-related injuries.
Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill removes offset requiring veterans to choose between retired pay and VA benefits, allowing full simultaneous receipt of both payments, expanding financial support.95% confidence
Richard Blumenthal (D) · 80 co-sponsors
Showing 1,249 to 1,260 of 4,718 bills
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