This bill prohibits federal funds from being used for abortions or health plans covering abortion. It amends the Affordable Care Act to block premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions for health plans that include abortion coverage (except for rape/incest cases or life-threatening conditions), and requires clear disclosure of abortion coverage and related surcharges in plan materials. The law explicitly exempts abortions performed due to rape, incest, or to preserve a mother's life, and allows separate abortion coverage using non-federal funds. It applies to all federal health programs and ACA marketplace plans, effective for plan years beginning after 2025.
S 187, the ALIGN Act, permanently allows businesses to immediately deduct the full cost of qualified property (like machinery or equipment) instead of depreciating it over time. This directly affects businesses that purchase qualifying property after September 27, 2017, by eliminating the previous requirement to spread deductions across multiple years. The key provision changes the tax code to set the "applicable percentage" for such property at 100% permanently. This simplifies tax treatment for eligible investments without altering other tax rules. The bill does not change tax rates or affect individual taxpayers.
S 188, the Free Speech Protection Act, prohibits U.S. government employees from pressuring social media platforms or media organizations to censor constitutionally protected speech. The bill directly affects federal employees and covered platforms (including social media companies and media organizations), banning actions like directing platforms to remove content, label speech as "misinformation," or restrict user access. Key mechanisms include requiring detailed reports on government-platform communications, terminating the DHS Disinformation Governance Board, and banning federal grants related to misinformation/disinformation. The bill aims to prevent government influence over content moderation while preserving First Amendment protections.
This bill amends the legal definition of "firearm silencer" and "firearm muffler" under federal law. It clarifies that these terms include any device designed to reduce firearm noise, as well as the outer tube or primary housing component that serves as the main structure for noise-reduction parts. The definition specifically covers devices intended to attach to a firearm (directly or via mounts) and excludes other firearms. This change affects how silencers are legally categorized under federal regulations, not who can own them. It does not create new restrictions but refines the scope of existing definitions.
HR 7 prohibits federal funds from being used for abortions or health insurance plans covering abortion, with exceptions for pregnancies resulting from rape, incest, or when a woman's life is endangered. It blocks federal premium tax credits under the Affordable Care Act for health plans covering abortion (except in specified cases) and requires clear disclosure of abortion coverage and related surcharges in plan materials. The bill allows individuals or employers to purchase separate abortion coverage using non-federal funds, such as out-of-pocket payments, without affecting federal subsidies. It directly affects federal health programs, ACA marketplace plans, and health insurance issuers offering coverage that includes abortion services.
Birthright Citizenship Act of 2025 This bill limits birthright citizenship by redefining what it means to be subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. Currently, a person born in the United States and subject to U.S. jurisdiction is entitled to citizenship. Under the bill, a person is subject to U.S. jurisdiction if he or she is born to a parent who is (1) a U.S. citizen or national, (2) a lawful permanent resident residing in the United States, or (3) a non-U.S. national ( alien under federal law) with a lawful immigration status who is performing active service in the Armed Forces. The bill does not affect the citizenship or nationality status of any person born before the bill's enactment date.
This bill clarifies the definition of "numismatic material" to explicitly include coins, tokens, paper money, medals, and related objects under U.S. import rules. It requires importers to provide sworn declarations confirming such items were lawfully acquired, are of a known type (as documented in published numismatic references), and are not linked to illicit excavations. Customs officers must accept this documentation alone unless they have probable cause to suspect fraud, preventing unnecessary additional requirements. The changes primarily affect collectors, dealers, and importers of numismatic items by streamlining lawful import procedures.
The ALIGN Act (HR 574) allows businesses to immediately deduct the full cost of certain qualifying equipment and property (like machinery or tools) instead of spreading the deduction over several years. This permanent tax change directly affects businesses that invest in eligible property placed in service after September 2017. The key provision eliminates the previous depreciation rules for these assets, providing an immediate tax benefit to encourage capital investment. It does not change tax rates or apply to all business expenses, only specific types of equipment meeting the defined criteria.
This bill requires the Treasury Secretary to regularly report to Congress about foreign countries that impose taxes on U.S. businesses or individuals considered unfair (extraterritorial or discriminatory taxes). For countries identified in these reports, it authorizes the U.S. to increase tax rates on income and withholdings from those countries, starting at 5% and increasing up to 20% over time. The bill also allows the U.S. to prohibit federal government purchases from entities in those countries and to consider these tax policies when negotiating tax treaties or trade agreements. It would directly affect U.S. businesses and individuals doing business with countries that have these tax policies, as well as those countries' businesses operating in the U.S.
HR 578, "Sarah’s Law," requires mandatory detention for certain non-citizens (aliens) charged with crimes resulting in death or serious bodily injury. It directly affects non-citizens facing such charges and their victims' families. Key provisions mandate that the Department of Homeland Security detain these individuals immediately and notify victims or their closest living relatives (like parents or spouses) about the alien’s identity, immigration status, custody details, and removal efforts. The bill adds specific categories of non-citizens to the mandatory detention list, including those whose visas were revoked or who are deportable for prior immigration violations. This creates a formal process for victim notification while expanding detention requirements under immigration law.
The Student Empowerment Act (S 152) expands the use of 529 education savings accounts to cover more K-12 school expenses for students in public, private, religious, or homeschool settings. It allows funds to pay for tuition, curriculum materials, books, online resources, licensed tutoring (with teacher credentials), standardized tests, dual enrollment fees, and licensed educational therapies for students with disabilities. The bill directly affects families using 529 accounts who educate children in elementary or secondary school, including homeschoolers. It changes existing tax rules to include these specific K-12 expenses under 529 account distributions, effective after the bill's enactment. The policy change aims to provide greater flexibility for families managing educational costs at the K-12 level.
S 117 (AMERICANS Act) prevents the military from discharging or taking adverse action against service members who refuse the COVID-19 vaccine. It revises discharge rules to allow adjustments to honorable status for those separated solely over vaccine refusal, reinstates members to prior ranks, and expunges related records from service files. The bill also requires the military to retain unvaccinated members equally, creates exemption processes for natural immunity, health conditions, or religious beliefs, and cancels bonus repayment obligations for those separated over vaccine refusal. It directly affects active-duty service members and veterans separated under prior vaccine mandates.
