Labor & Employment

in committee · United States · Senate Sep 11, 2025

S 2786: Pipeline to Service Act

This bill creates new pathways for students to enter federal service through expanded recruitment and development programs. It requires the Office of Personnel Management to partner with colleges to recruit students, especially from underrepresented communities, and provides training on job applications and resumes. The bill establishes a minimum $15/hour internship pay rate (adjusted annually for inflation) and mandates demographic reporting on interns and Pathways Program participants. It also expands the Presidential Management Fellows Program by increasing positions by 200% from 2026-2031 and sets clearer pathways for conversion to permanent federal positions. The legislation aims to improve diversity and development opportunities for future federal employees.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentSets $15/hour minimum internship pay (inflation-adjusted) and mandates demographic reporting, advancing fair compensation standards for federal interns.92% confidence

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passed · United States · Senate Mar 24, 2026

S 688: Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvests Act of 2025

The FISH Act of 2025 establishes a U.S. government "blacklist" of foreign fishing vessels, fleets, and their beneficial owners engaged in illegal, unreported, or unregulated (IUU) fishing or fishing involving forced labor. The bill prohibits listed vessels from accessing U.S. ports, receiving supplies within U.S. waters, and having their seafood imported into the United States. It creates procedures for adding vessels to the list based on evidence from international organizations, U.S. authorities, or civil society, with mechanisms for removal after corrective actions are taken. The act also authorizes sanctions against entities supporting IUU fishing and requires reports on enforcement efforts and technological solutions to combat IUU fishing.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentTargets IUU fishing to protect marine ecosystems and conserve fish stocks, directly advancing environmental conservation goals by preventing overfishing and illegal harvesting.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly targets forced labor in fishing industry, directly protecting workers' rights by prohibiting vessels using forced labor from U.S. trade95% confidence

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in committee · United States · House Nov 20, 2025

HR 6039: Commonsense Legislating Act

The Commonsense Legislating Act (HR 6039) makes several significant changes to federal programs. It extends the FAST Program through 2030, requires enhanced outreach to minority and Hispanic-serving institutions for small business grants, and expands the work opportunity tax credit to include military spouses. The bill establishes a Working Families Task Force to address challenges like affordability and childcare, and mandates annual mental health consultations for veterans with service-connected mental health disabilities. Additionally, it creates Native American tourism grant programs with $35 million in funding for 2026-2030 and establishes a Fentanyl Disruption Steering Group within the National Security Council.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands work opportunity tax credit (tax relief) and funds small business grants via outreach programs, aligning with support indicators.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates annual mental health consultations for veterans with service-connected disabilities, directly advancing mental health services under healthcare topic.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands work opportunity tax credit for military spouses and creates Working Families Task Force to address childcare/affordability challenges, directly advancing employment support.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationExtends FAST Program (transportation infrastructure funding) through 2030, directly advancing highway/road infrastructure projects as per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands tax credit for military spouses and mandates annual mental health consultations for veterans with service-connected disabilities95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Mental Health Military Families Veteran Mental Health Tags Small Business Tribal Nations

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passed · United States · House Sep 16, 2025

HR 3579: Veterans Readiness and Employment Program Integrity Act

HR 3579 requires veterans to submit an application before the VA can begin an initial evaluation for vocational rehabilitation services. It limits employment assistance under the program to a maximum of 365 days per veteran. The bill also mandates the VA to annually report veterans' regional office assignments, pre- and post-program wages, and average wait times for counselor meetings to Congress and the public. Additionally, it requires an independent review of VA rehabilitation programs within one year of enactment to recommend improvements.

Topics ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentLimits employment assistance duration to 365 days per veteran, restricting benefits available under the program.85% confidence ✗ VeteransOpposes VeteransLimits VA vocational rehab assistance to 365 days per veteran and requires pre-application, restricting service access and duration.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Workforce Development Veteran Education Veteran Employment Veteran Healthcare

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in committee · United States · House Mar 24, 2025

HR 2305: Corrections Officer Blake Schwarz Suicide Prevention Act of 2025

HR 2305 establishes a federal grant program to fund mental health screenings for corrections officers in all federal, state, and local detention facilities. The bill requires participating facilities to administer anonymous, confidential surveys (5-10 questions) to identify severe mental health conditions like depression or bipolar disorder, followed by referrals to mental health providers through designated outreach teams. It directly affects corrections officers - defined as those working in prisons, jails, or detention centers - and mandates that grant funds cover survey development, staff training, outreach teams, and technology. The program, funded with $50-$70 million annually through 2030, aims to improve access to care by connecting officers with local mental health services while maintaining confidentiality.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds mental health screenings for corrections officers in detention facilities, directly addressing staff well-being within the corrections system (a core criminal justice component). This advances system functionality and staff care.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes federal grants for mental health screenings and referrals for corrections officers, directly funding mental health services under healthcare policies.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill provides mental health screenings and referrals for corrections officers, directly addressing workplace safety concerns and worker well-being within Labor & Employment policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Mental Health

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in committee · United States · Senate Oct 29, 2025

S 3070: Shutdown Student Loans for Feds Act

This bill provides temporary student loan relief for federal employees and their supporting contractors during government shutdowns. If a shutdown lasts 14+ days in 2026 or later, the Secretary of Education must suspend all federal student loan payments for these "covered individuals," halt interest accrual, and count the suspended months toward loan forgiveness eligibility. It also requires credit reporting agencies to treat suspended payments as if made on time and allows refunds for payments made during qualifying shutdowns. The relief applies retroactively from September 2025.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides financial relief to federal employees during shutdowns, protecting their stability and expanding benefits during employment disruptions95% confidence

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in committee · United States · House Jul 18, 2025

HR 4500: HELP Act

HR 4500, the HELP Act, exempts certain commercial vehicles transporting livestock, insects, or aquatic animals from federal hours-of-service rules and electronic logging device (ELD) requirements. This directly affects livestock haulers who operate covered vehicles, including when driving empty to pick up or return from deliveries. The bill removes two specific regulatory burdens: the mandatory rest periods under 49 U.S.C. § 311 and ELD tracking under 49 U.S.C. § 31137. It applies only to vehicles defined as "covered livestock hauling vehicles" under the law, which includes all commercial livestock transport for commercial purposes. The exemption aims to provide operational flexibility for this specific segment of the transportation industry.

Topics ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentExempts livestock haulers from mandatory rest periods and ELDs, weakening workplace safety regulations for drivers by removing federal safety requirements.92% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationRemoves safety-related hours-of-service and ELD rules for livestock haulers, weakening transportation safety standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Freight

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in committee · United States · Senate Apr 28, 2025

S 1499: New Start Act of 2025

The New Start Act of 2025 creates a federal grant program to fund entrepreneurship training and support for formerly incarcerated individuals and currently incarcerated individuals in federal prisons. Organizations receiving grants must provide business planning, financial literacy, and mentorship services, while connecting participants to small business loan resources like Community Advantage Lending Companies. Grants of $100,000 to $500,000 annually will support these programs for five years, with requirements for geographic diversity and partnerships with groups like small business development centers. The program mandates annual reports tracking participant demographics, program participation, and outcomes like recidivism rates and business success.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds entrepreneurship training for formerly incarcerated individuals to reduce recidivism and support reentry, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds entrepreneurship training for formerly incarcerated individuals, advancing employment opportunities and workforce reentry through business development resources.90% confidence

Tags Small Business

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in committee · United States · House Jan 7, 2025

HR 228: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase and adjust for inflation the above-the-line deduction for teachers.

HR 228 increases the tax deduction for elementary and secondary school teachers from $250 to $1,000 annually for out-of-pocket classroom expenses. This change directly affects teachers who pay for supplies, materials, or other work-related costs using their own money. The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to raise the deduction amount and adjusts related provisions for inflation, effective for tax years starting after December 31, 2024. It provides a concrete tax benefit to qualifying teachers without altering other tax rules.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases teacher tax deduction from $250 to $1,000, providing direct tax relief for educators and aligning with middle-income tax relief indicators.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases teacher tax deduction for classroom expenses, directly supporting educators financially per bill's explicit purpose.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases tax deduction for teachers' classroom expenses, providing direct financial support for work-related costs, strengthening employment benefits for educators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax K-12 Education Teachers

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in committee · United States · House Jan 13, 2025

HR 357: Back to Work Act

HR 357, the Back to Work Act, sets a 40% telework limit for federal employees, restricting remote work to no more than 40% of workdays per pay period. It requires agency heads to annually approve telework policies, monitor remote workers, and consider specific exceptions (e.g., for military spouses, specialized roles, or severe weather). Agencies must also submit annual reports to Congress on telework metrics, enforcement barriers, and impacts like productivity or security. The bill takes effect 180 days after enactment, aiming to standardize and regulate federal telework practices.

Topics ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentBill restricts federal telework to 40% of workdays, limiting workplace flexibility and arrangement options under employment standards, directly restricting a worker benefit.90% confidence

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