HR 2490, the "No In-State Tuition for Illegal Immigrants Act," would require states to charge non-citizens not lawfully present in the U.S. the same out-of-state tuition rate at public colleges as other non-residents, or risk losing federal education funding. Specifically, states that offer in-state tuition rates to undocumented immigrants would become ineligible for Title IV federal student aid funds under the Higher Education Act starting the year after the violation is identified. This provision directly affects public universities in states that currently provide in-state tuition to undocumented immigrants, as they would lose access to federal financial aid programs. The bill does not change state tuition laws directly but ties federal funding eligibility to compliance with the new requirement.
Save America's Forgotten Equines Act of 2025 or the SAFE Act of 2025 This bill permanently prohibits the slaughter of equines (e.g., horses and mules) for human consumption. (Current law prohibits the slaughter of dogs and cats for human consumption. This bill extends the prohibition to equines.) Specifically, this bill prohibits a person from knowingly (1) slaughtering an equine for human consumption; or (2) shipping, transporting, possessing, purchasing, selling, or donating an equine to be slaughtered for human consumption or equine parts for human consumption. The bill subjects a violator to a fine. The bill applies to conduct in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce or within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States. However, it does not apply to an activity carried out by an Indian for a religious ceremony. As background, in recent years, the appropriations acts have prohibited the Department of Agriculture (USDA) from using federal funds to inspect horses before they are slaughtered for human consumption. Therefore, there are currently no USDA-inspected horse slaughter facilities in the United States.
This bill amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to change work requirements for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) recipients. It adds new exemptions for individuals under 18, over 65, medically certified as unfit for work, parents with children under 7, or pregnant women. It also allows states to request waivers from work requirements in counties with unemployment rates exceeding 10%. These changes directly affect SNAP participants who may qualify for exemptions or live in high-unemployment areas.
S 1169, the "Freedom from Unfair Gun Taxes Act," prohibits states and local governments from imposing excise taxes on the sale of firearms, ammunition, or firearm parts during interstate or foreign commerce. This directly affects firearm manufacturers and dealers who sell across state lines, preventing them from facing state-level taxes on those transactions. The bill explicitly states it does not change the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act, which allows separate federal excise taxes on firearms for conservation funding. The key provision is a blanket ban on state taxes for interstate firearm sales, aiming to standardize tax treatment across state lines.
The Stop Antisemitism on College Campuses Act requires colleges and universities receiving federal funding to prohibit events promoting antisemitism on their campuses. It defines antisemitism using the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's 2016 working definition, including specific contemporary examples like conflating Zionism with racism. The law explicitly bans institutions from authorizing, funding, or supporting such events, applying to all higher education institutions covered under the Higher Education Act of 1965. This policy change directly affects campus event policies at federally funded colleges and universities.
The SHORT Act redefines firearm classifications under federal law to remove certain restrictions on short-barreled rifles and shotguns. It eliminates special prohibitions for these weapons when used lawfully, preempts state taxes or registration requirements for them, and requires federal destruction of historical records related to these firearms. The bill directly affects owners of short-barreled rifles and shotguns, as well as state governments that previously imposed separate regulations. Key provisions include revising IRS definitions to exclude shotgun shells from "destructive devices," mandating record destruction within one year of enactment, and blocking state laws targeting these weapons in interstate commerce. These changes aim to standardize federal treatment while removing duplicative state-level barriers.
The SHORT Act (HR 2395) redefines federal firearm definitions to exclude antique and collector firearms from being classified as firearms, and removes distinctions between short-barreled rifles and shotguns in federal regulations. It prevents state laws from imposing taxes or registration requirements on short-barreled rifles and shotguns, requiring state rules to align with federal compliance instead. The bill also mandates the federal government to destroy specific records related to these firearms within one year of enactment.
The Freedom from Unfair Gun Taxes Act of 2025 would prohibit states and local governments from imposing taxes on the sale of firearms, ammunition, or firearm parts during interstate or foreign commerce. This bill directly affects state tax policies and manufacturers or dealers selling these items across state lines. It explicitly states that the bill does not change the existing federal tax on firearms and ammunition that funds wildlife conservation programs. The key provision bans state-level taxes for these sales in interstate transactions while preserving current federal funding mechanisms.
HR 2443, the NPR and PBS Act, would ban all federal funding for National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), including funds used indirectly by public broadcast stations. This bill directly affects NPR, PBS, and any future organizations replacing them, as it prohibits government money from supporting them through any channel - like station dues or programming purchases. The key provision blocks all federal funds, both direct and indirect, from flowing to these entities after the bill's enactment. This would require NPR and PBS to find new funding sources, as they currently rely on federal support. The bill does not change how public broadcasting operates but eliminates its primary government funding stream.
This bill amends Title IX to prohibit individuals assigned male at birth (based on reproductive biology and genetics at birth) from using locker rooms designated for females during active use in school programs. It directly affects transgender girls and schools implementing gender-segregated facilities. The key provision makes it unlawful under federal law to use such facilities when they are actively used by individuals of a different sex. The policy change takes effect 30 days after enactment.
This bill requires colleges receiving federal financial aid to prohibit events promoting antisemitism, using the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's 2016 working definition (including contemporary examples). It bans institutions from authorizing, funding, or otherwise supporting such events on campus. The policy change applies directly to all higher education institutions covered by the Higher Education Act of 1965. This amendment modifies existing federal funding requirements for colleges.
Strengthening Agency Management and Oversight of Software Assets Act This bill requires federal agencies and Intelligence Community (IC) elements to assess their software inventory and develop software management plans. The bill requires each agency and each IC element to complete a comprehensive assessment of the software paid for by, in use at, or deployed throughout the agency or element. The assessment must include information such as (1) the current inventory of software; (2) contracts and other arrangements used to acquire, build, deploy, or use the software; (3) costs and fees not included in the initial contract or agreement; and (4) the interoperability of the software and restrictions on its use. Each agency and IC element must use their assessment to develop a plan to consolidate software entitlements, develop procedures for cost-effective acquisition strategies, and restrict subordinate entities from using any software entitlement without approval. (A software entitlement is software that has been purchased, leased, or licensed by or billed to an agency and that is subject to use limitations.) Such plans must be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and Congress. Within two years of enactment, OMB must submit recommendations to Congress regarding government software procurement policies and practices to • increase the interoperability of software licenses; • consolidate licenses when appropriate; • reduce costs; • improve performance; and • modernize the management and oversight of agency software. The GAO must report on certain related topics, including governmentwide trends in agency software asset management practices and comparisons of such practices among agencies.
