This bill establishes comprehensive name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights for college athletes, prohibiting institutions from restricting athletes' ability to earn compensation for their personal branding or taking adverse action against them for doing so. It requires transparent NIL agreements for compensation over $600, including specific details about services, compensation amounts, and termination terms. The bill also amends immigration laws to better accommodate international student athletes participating in college sports and updates regulations governing sports agents. Additionally, it establishes a Commission to study college athletics governance, focusing on collective bargaining, revenue sharing, and Title IX compliance, while expanding disclosure requirements for colleges regarding athletics revenue and expenses.
Give Kids a Chance Act of 2025 This bill expands the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) authority with respect to research on rare pediatric diseases, including by permitting the FDA to take enforcement action against drug sponsors that fail to satisfy pediatric study requirements and by reauthorizing programs that support pediatric research. Specifically, the bill modifies requirements relating to molecularly targeted pediatric cancer investigations to permit research on new drugs in combination with active ingredients that have already been approved, provided certain conditions are met; permits the FDA to take enforcement action against drug sponsors that fail to comply with pediatric study requirements, if such sponsors demonstrated a lack of due diligence in satisfying the requirement; renews the FDA’s authority to award priority review vouchers to sponsors of new products intended to treat rare pediatric diseases through September 30, 2029; and reauthorizes through FY2027 certain funding for the National Institutes of Health to support priority pediatric research. The bill also provides statutory authority for the FDA’s interpretation of the orphan drug exclusivity period. The bill specifies, consistent with FDA regulations, that the seven-year market exclusivity period for drugs for rare diseases or conditions (i.e., orphan drugs) prohibits the approval of the same drug for the same approved use or indication with respect to the disease or condition. (In Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. v. Becerra , a court rejected the FDA’s interpretation and held that orphan drug exclusivity extends to all uses or indications for the disease or condition.)
HR 5697, the Passenger Rail Liability Adjustment Act of 2025, sets the effective date for adjustments to the liability cap for passenger rail operators. Specifically, any adjustment to the liability cap under federal law that occurs during 2026 must take effect 90 days after a required notice is issued. This procedural bill does not change the liability cap amount itself but establishes a clear timeline for when such adjustments become effective. It directly affects passenger rail operators subject to the liability cap under 49 U.S.C. § 28103.
HR 5652, the Wildfire Recovery Act, increases federal reimbursement for wildfire response by setting a minimum 75% federal cost share under Section 420 of the Stafford Act, directly benefiting states, local governments, and Tribal governments that deploy firefighting resources. It requires FEMA to develop rules within three years to determine when the federal share could exceed 75% based on a state's financial impact from wildfires. The bill also updates FEMA policy to allow reimbursement for predeployment of fire assets (like crews or equipment) before a fire occurs. These changes aim to provide more predictable and timely federal support for wildfire recovery efforts.
This bill updates securities laws to expand exemptions for retirement plans used by charities and educational institutions. It specifically modifies definitions in the Investment Company Act, Securities Act, and Securities Exchange Act to include 403(b) plans meeting certain conditions - such as being subject to ERISA, having employer fiduciary oversight, or being governmental plans. These changes reduce regulatory hurdles for organizations offering these plans, making it easier to administer retirement benefits for their employees. The bill directly affects charities, schools, and other non-profits that sponsor 403(b) retirement plans.
This bill increases disability compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children of deceased veterans, effective December 1, 2025. The increases will match the percentage rise in Social Security benefits for that year, as determined under the Social Security Act. It directly affects veterans receiving disability payments and surviving family members eligible for survivor benefits under current law. The adjustment ensures these benefits keep pace with inflation, as required by the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment formula.
HRES 909 is a House resolution affirming that immigrant justice and reproductive justice are interconnected and must be addressed together. It calls on the Department of Homeland Security to reinstate protections for pregnant individuals in detention, eliminate the 5-year bar restricting immigrants’ access to federal health programs like Medicaid, and implement transparent oversight of reproductive health care in detention facilities. The resolution also urges Congress to remove barriers to health care access for immigrants and requires federal agencies to report on policies affecting reproductive health care for detained individuals. This resolution directly affects policies toward immigrants in detention, particularly regarding access to abortion, prenatal care, and mental health services, but does not create new laws.
This bill creates a new loan forgiveness program for public service workers with federal student loans taken out after its enactment. It provides 15% forgiveness after 24 months of qualifying public service employment, with additional 15% increments at 48, 72, and 96 months, totaling 100% forgiveness after 120 months (10 years) of service. Only borrowers with new federal Direct Loans made after the bill passes qualify, and the bill simplifies employment certification through self-certification forms or automatic verification. Interest accrued during the application process is also canceled.
HR 6268, the LEAD Act of 2025, requires the use of non-lead ammunition on all lands and waters managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), effective one year after enactment. It directly affects hunters and recreational shooters using USFWS lands, with exceptions for law enforcement, military personnel, and government officials performing official duties. The bill mandates the USFWS to establish a list of certified non-lead ammunition (defined as containing ≤1% lead by weight) and imposes civil penalties of up to $500 for first violations and $1,000-$5,000 for repeat offenses. This policy aims to protect wildlife, human health, and food safety by reducing lead exposure from spent ammunition, which the bill cites as a documented risk to ecosystems and consumers.
This bill modifies the Higher Education Act to allow foreign institutions of higher education to offer distance learning courses that qualify for federal student aid. It sets three key requirements: distance education must not exceed 12.5% of a program, the institution must be evaluated by an outside accreditor, and students must physically attend instruction in the foreign country. The changes apply to foreign institutions seeking to provide hybrid programs where students receive aid under the Higher Education Act. The rules take effect after enactment, with a 3-month implementation period for the first qualifying semester.
HR 6286, the Indo-Pacific Partner and Ally Tariff Repeal Act, repeals tariffs imposed on 39 specific Indo-Pacific countries and territories through two executive orders. The bill directly affects these nations, including Australia, Japan, India, South Korea, and others, by eliminating tariffs that were applied under Executive Orders 14257 and 14326. Its key provision requires the immediate termination of these tariffs upon the bill's enactment. The legislation targets only the listed countries and does not alter tariffs on other nations.
HR 6255, the Affordable Insulin Now Act, requires health insurance plans (including employer-sponsored and individual plans) to cover specific insulin products starting in 2026. It caps out-of-pocket costs for these insulin products at $35 per 30-day supply or 25% of the negotiated price, whichever is lower, with no deductibles applied. The bill defines "selected insulin products" to include at least one of each dosage form (like vials or pumps) and type (such as rapid-acting or long-acting) available from the plan. This directly affects people with diabetes who rely on insulin, ensuring more predictable and affordable access to essential medications under their health coverage.
