S 923, the Harriet Tubman Tribute Act of 2025, requires that all new $20 Federal Reserve notes printed after December 31, 2030, feature Harriet Tubman's likeness on the front. This bill directly affects U.S. currency design, mandating the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to include her image on future $20 bills. The law includes a provision allowing the Treasury Secretary to delay the change by up to two years if they determine it poses counterfeiting risks or threatens economic security, after consulting relevant agencies. The bill focuses solely on updating currency design, with no other policy changes.
This bill adjusts probationary periods for certain federal employees who were involuntarily separated between January 20, 2025, and January 20, 2029. It allows eligible employees (those separated while on probation in an Executive agency) to count their prior service time toward a new probationary period when rehired into a similar position with their former agency. Specifically, the new probation period equals the original required duration minus the time already served in their previous federal role. The law expires on January 20, 2029, and applies only to appointments matching the employee’s prior position.
HR 1990, the American Innovation and R&D Competitiveness Act of 2025, amends tax rules for businesses to make research and development (R&D) costs more flexible. It allows companies to deduct R&D expenses immediately as business costs (instead of capitalizing them) or to spread these costs over a minimum 60-month period. The bill clarifies which R&D expenses qualify, excludes land improvements and mineral exploration costs, and ensures companies can claim R&D tax credits without conflict with expense treatment. This directly affects businesses that conduct R&D, changing how they account for these costs on tax returns starting for 2022 taxable years.
American Teacher Act This bill establishes grants to increase the minimum salary of public elementary and secondary school teachers. It also authorizes a national campaign regarding the value of the teaching profession. First, the bill directs the Department of Education (ED) to award four-year grants to state educational agencies (SEAs) and, through them, subgrants to local educational agencies to establish a minimum annual salary of $60,000 (to be adjusted annually for inflation) for these teachers. Second, the bill directs ED to award grants to eligible SEAs to provide cost-of-living adjustments to the annual base salary of teachers. Finally, the bill authorizes ED to carry out a national campaign to (1) increase awareness about the importance of teachers and the value of the teaching profession, (2) encourage secondary school and college students to consider teaching as a professional career, and (3) diversify the pool of individuals who enter the teaching profession.
HR 1973, the "No Pay for Congress During Default or Shutdown Act," would withhold pay from members of Congress during periods when the U.S. government reaches the public debt limit or experiences a shutdown. Specifically, for each 24-hour period the debt limit is reached or a shutdown occurs during the 119th Congress (2025-2027), members' pay would be reduced daily and placed into an escrow account. The withheld funds would be released to members on the last day of the 119th Congress, with no effect after the November 2026 general election. This bill directly affects current House and Senate members serving in the 119th Congress during these fiscal crises.
The Feed Our Families Act of 2025 ensures SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits continue for 90 days during the first government funding lapse in a fiscal year. It appropriates emergency funds from the Treasury to cover SNAP operations for the initial 90 days of a lapse in discretionary appropriations for the program. These funds are held in reserve and can only be used to maintain SNAP program services during that period. The bill directly affects millions of low-income households relying on SNAP benefits by preventing immediate disruptions during early government shutdowns.
This resolution (SRES 116) honors women business owners in the U.S. for their economic contributions, citing that women-owned businesses:
- Employ over 12.9 million people,
- Generate $3.3 trillion in annual revenue,
- Represent 39.2% of all U.S. businesses (up from 4.6% since 1972).
The Senate formally recognizes these businesses as vital to the U.S. economy, commends women entrepreneurs’ spirit, and celebrates their achievements. It is a symbolic resolution with no policy changes or funding impacts.
The Patients Before Middlemen Act (S 882) improves pharmacy access for Medicare beneficiaries by requiring prescription drug plans to allow any pharmacy meeting standard contract terms to join their networks. It establishes "essential retail pharmacies" in medically underserved areas or regions with limited pharmacy access (such as rural areas with no other pharmacies within 10 miles), and creates standards for reasonable and relevant contract terms between drug plans and pharmacies. The bill also increases transparency requirements for pharmacy benefit managers, mandating detailed annual reports on drug costs, rebates, and pricing practices, with many provisions taking effect for plan years beginning January 1, 2028.
S 885 establishes a permanent program to preserve rural affordable housing by protecting low-income residents in properties financed under USDA rural housing loans (sections 514, 515, or 516). It requires annual notices to owners about maturing loans and to tenants about housing security options, including rental assistance renewal for up to 20 years. Key mechanisms include adjusting loan terms (reducing interest or deferring payments), requiring binding agreements to maintain affordability, and providing technical assistance to prevent loss of housing. The bill directly affects rural low-income tenants, farm laborers, and property owners, with $200 million annually authorized for 2026-2030 to support these efforts.
This bill amends the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) to clarify that RFRA does not block enforcement of key federal laws protecting civil rights and safety. Specifically, it adds an exception preventing RFRA claims from overriding laws that prohibit discrimination (like the Civil Rights Act of 1964), ensure workplace protections (such as the Family and Medical Leave Act), prevent child exploitation, or guarantee healthcare access. The amendment ensures religious freedom arguments cannot be used to challenge these existing legal requirements. It also clarifies that RFRA does not apply to lawsuits against government entities seeking relief for violations of these protections.
S 906 establishes a federal pilot program to fund peer-led mental health support in secondary schools (grades 6-12). States and tribes can apply for competitive grants to implement evidence-based programs where trained student peers help classmates navigate mental health challenges, with oversight by school counselors. The program requires measuring participation rates, mental health outcomes, and connections to professional care, and mandates an evaluation report to Congress. The pilot will run until September 30, 2029, with funds limited to existing mental health programs.
The Audio-Only Telehealth Access Act of 2025 would require Medicare to cover and pay for telehealth visits conducted over the phone (audio-only), not requiring video, during the emergency period defined in the Social Security Act. This change would directly affect Medicare beneficiaries - particularly older adults or those in rural areas with limited internet access - and healthcare providers who offer telehealth services. The bill amends Section 1834(m)(9) of the Social Security Act to include audio-only visits under existing Medicare coverage rules, ensuring providers receive reimbursement at the same rate as video telehealth. It expands access to care by removing the need for video technology during the specified emergency period.
