Washington, D.C. Admission Act This bill provides for the establishment of the State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth, and its admission into the United States. The state is composed of most of the territory of the District of Columbia (DC), excluding a specified area that encompasses the U.S. Capitol, the White House, the U.S. Supreme Court building, federal monuments, and federal office buildings adjacent to the National Mall and the U.S. Capitol. The excluded territory shall be known as the Capital and serve as the seat of the government of the United States, as provided for in Article I of the Constitution. The state may not impose taxes on federal property except as Congress permits. The bill provides for the DC Mayor to issue a proclamation for the first elections to Congress of two Senators and one Representative of the state. The bill eliminates the office of Delegate to the House of Representatives. The bill applies current DC laws to the state. DC judicial proceedings and contractual obligations shall continue under the state’s authority. The bill also provides for specified federal obligations to transfer to the state upon its certification that it has funds and laws in place to assume the obligations. These include maintaining a retirement fund for judges and operating public defender services. The bill establishes a commission that is generally comprised of members who are appointed by DC and federal government officials to advise on an orderly transition to statehood.
This bill amends federal law to establish "Election Day" as an official federal holiday, adding it to the list of recognized holidays for federal employees. It directly affects federal workers by designating Election Day (the Tuesday following the first Monday in November) as a day when federal offices close. The key mechanism is a simple insertion into the existing list of federal holidays under Title 5 of the U.S. Code. This change does not alter voting procedures or create new voting requirements.
HR 137, the TCJA Permanency Act, makes permanent many tax provisions from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. It permanently increases the standard deduction for individual taxpayers, modifies income tax brackets, and makes permanent the child tax credit increase. The bill also permanently limits deductions for state and local taxes, mortgage interest, and miscellaneous itemized deductions. These changes affect most individual taxpayers who file federal income tax returns.
HR 163, the "Finish the Wall Act," mandates the immediate resumption of border wall construction along the U.S.-Mexico border within 24 hours of enactment. It requires the Department of Homeland Security to use all existing funds appropriated since 2016 for this purpose, prohibits canceling pre-January 2021 contracts, and sets a deadline of September 30, 2026, to complete the wall system. The bill directly affects the Department of Homeland Security, contractors with prior wall contracts, and border facilities, which must also comply with DNA collection requirements under federal law. It focuses on concrete policy actions - resuming construction, using existing funds, and meeting a specific timeline - without addressing broader policy impacts.
HR 45 (FIND Act) requires federal government contractors to certify they do not discriminate against firearm businesses (including manufacturers, dealers, and trade associations) in their policies or practices. The bill mandates that contractors and subcontractors (for contracts over 10% of the prime contract value) certify they have no discriminatory policies and will not adopt them during the contract term. Violations could lead to contract termination and potential debarment. This applies to all federal procurement contracts awarded after the bill's enactment, excluding sole-source contracts. The law aims to ensure firearm businesses are treated equally in government contracting without restricting legitimate business criteria like creditworthiness or legal compliance.
This bill establishes a "Secure the Southern Border Fund" to finance border wall construction and related security measures along the U.S.-Mexico border. It creates a 5% fee on remittance transfers to foreign countries and increases Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record) fees, with portions of these fees directed to the fund. The bill requires annual reporting on illegal border crossings and sets a deadline of December 31, 2025, for completing border barriers. The fund will finance physical barriers, roads, technology, and equipment for U.S. Border Patrol agents, while also including provisions to increase overtime pay for Border Patrol agents.
This bill requires Congress to approve major federal regulations before they take effect. It would mandate that agencies submit detailed reports including cost-benefit analyses, economic impact assessments, and other information to Congress before implementing significant regulations. Major rules - defined as those with at least $100 million annual economic impact or significant effects on costs, competition, or employment - would need a joint resolution of approval from Congress within 70 session days. Nonmajor rules would follow a less stringent disapproval process. The bill aims to increase legislative oversight of the regulatory process, requiring Congress to formally review and approve rules that significantly impact the economy or public regulations.
HR 58, titled the "Voter Integrity Protection Act," amends U.S. immigration law to make certain voting violations by undocumented immigrants a basis for deportation. It adds "knowingly committing a violation of 18 U.S.C. §611" (which prohibits voting fraud by non-citizens) to the list of deportable offenses under the Immigration and Nationality Act. Specifically, it targets non-citizens unlawfully present in the U.S. who commit voting fraud, making such acts grounds for removal. The bill directly affects undocumented immigrants who commit voting violations, linking immigration enforcement to federal voting fraud statutes. It does not alter voting eligibility or election procedures for citizens.
The Education and Workforce Freedom Act would expand the use of 529 college savings accounts to cover more education and training costs. It allows these accounts to pay for K-12 tuition at public, private, or religious schools, homeschooling, and related expenses like curriculum materials, tutoring, and educational therapies. The bill also adds coverage for recognized job training programs and professional certifications, including test fees and course costs for credentials listed by states or the Department of Veterans Affairs. These changes would directly affect families using 529 accounts for K-12 education and individuals pursuing career-focused training through approved programs.
HR 7979, the "End China’s De Minimis Abuse Act," amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to restrict small-value import exemptions. It prohibits splitting shipments into multiple small lots to avoid tariffs and blocks the de minimis exemption (for goods under $800) for articles originating in countries subject to U.S. trade restrictions, specifically targeting China under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. Importers must now provide the full 10-digit Harmonized Tariff code for covered goods during entry filings, and violations carry civil penalties of $5,000 for the first offense and $10,000 for subsequent violations. The changes apply to goods entered or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption 30 days after enactment.
S 5643, the Countering Turkish Aggression Act of 2024, imposes U.S. sanctions on Turkish government officials and entities supporting Turkey’s military operations in Syria. It blocks assets and denies visas to Turkish officials (including the president, defense minister, and intelligence chief), prohibits U.S. persons from doing business with sanctioned Turkish military-linked financial institutions, and bans U.S. military aid to the Turkish Armed Forces. The bill also restricts purchases of Turkish sovereign debt and targets entities facilitating energy production in Syria for Turkish forces or allies. These measures directly affect Turkish government leaders, military contractors, and financial institutions engaged with Turkey’s armed forces. The sanctions aim to pressure Turkey over its military actions against Kurdish-led forces in Syria, as noted in the bill’s congressional findings.
This bill provides funding to pay military personnel, civilian Defense Department staff, and supporting contractors during gaps in regular budget approval for fiscal year 2025. It appropriates necessary funds for active-duty service members (including reserves), Defense civilians, and contractors supporting military operations if Congress hasn't passed a full budget by the end of FY2025. The funding is temporary, ending on January 1, 2026, or when Congress passes a regular budget for the relevant purpose. It directly affects all active-duty military members, Defense Department civilians, and contractors providing military support during the funding gap.
