This bill expands eligibility for workers' compensation medical care under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act by adding nurse practitioners and physician assistants as covered providers. It directly affects injured federal workers who can now receive care from these professionals within their state-authorized scope of practice. Key provisions redefine "other eligible provider" in the law and update related sections to replace "physician" with "physician or other eligible provider" throughout the statute. The bill requires the Secretary of Labor to issue final regulations within six months of enactment to implement these changes.
HRES 925 is a non-binding resolution condemning the Iranian government's ongoing persecution of the Baha'i religious minority. It directly affects Baha'is in Iran, who face systemic discrimination, imprisonment, denial of education and employment, and violence due to their faith. The resolution calls on Iran to immediately release Baha'i prisoners, end hate propaganda targeting them, and reverse policies banning their access to education and jobs. It also urges the U.S. President and Secretary of State to demand Iran's compliance and use existing sanctions authorities against officials responsible for human rights abuses against Baha'is.
This bill increases the tax exclusion for capital gains when selling a primary residence. It doubles the exclusion amount from $250,000 (for single filers) to $500,000 and from $500,000 (for married couples) to $1,000,000. The bill also adds an inflation adjustment for amounts after 2025, tying future increases to the cost-of-living adjustment. It directly affects homeowners who sell their primary residence and would otherwise owe tax on profits exceeding the previous limits. The changes apply to sales after the bill's enactment date.
This bill reestablishes the National Coal Council under the Department of Energy, as specified in a charter filed with Congress on June 16, 2025. It requires the Secretary of Energy to operate the council under the governing rules of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (excluding section 1013 of that law). The council would serve as an advisory body to the Secretary on coal-related issues, though the bill itself does not change policy or directly affect specific groups. This is a procedural measure to create a formal advisory structure, not a policy change.
This bill would strengthen U.S. sanctions against entities involved in fentanyl trafficking, with specific focus on those connected to China. It requires the President to prioritize identifying Chinese individuals and entities involved in shipping fentanyl, fentanyl analogues, and related materials to Mexico or other countries for trafficking into the U.S. The bill authorizes sanctions including blocking property and prohibiting financial transactions against foreign persons who engage in activities contributing to the international proliferation of illicit synthetic narcotics. It maintains existing sanctions on major drug cartels like the Sinaloa Cartel and establishes a 6-year sunset for new sanctions, with potential for renewal if deemed vital to national security.
HR 6383, the Brandon Act Training and Protocol Act, requires the Department of Defense to create a strategic plan addressing mental health and suicide prevention among military members. The plan mandates uniform protocols for members seeking mental health help on their own and standardized training for commanders, medical staff, and enlisted leaders on recognizing distress, supporting referrals, and responding appropriately. It also establishes a certification process to confirm personnel complete required training. This bill directly affects all members of the Armed Forces through improved mental health access and support, while requiring commanders and medical personnel to implement new protocols. The focus is on concrete policy changes to standardize mental health services within the military.
The Digital Skills for Today's Workforce Act establishes a new grant program to expand digital workplace skills training for workers, particularly those with barriers to employment such as low educational attainment, low earnings, or limited English proficiency. The program provides funding to states to award subgrants to eligible entities like community colleges and workforce organizations for training through classroom instruction, apprenticeships, and work-based learning. States must prioritize serving individuals with employment barriers and report on outcomes related to digital skills development. The bill aims to create "digitally resilient" systems and individuals who can adapt to changing technology demands in the workforce. This program is funded through appropriations for fiscal years 2026 through 2030.
This bill increases the annual contribution limit for certain retirement savings accounts from $2,500 to $5,000. It directly affects workers participating in defined contribution retirement plans (like 401(k)s) who meet basic eligibility requirements. The key change raises the maximum amount individuals can contribute annually to these accounts, with the new limit applying to taxable years starting after December 31, 2026. The bill also updates related definitions in retirement law to align with this increased limit.
The "No Robot Bosses Act" (HR 6371) prevents employers from making final employment decisions (like hiring, firing, or promotions) using automated systems without human oversight. It requires companies with 11+ employees to test these systems for bias against protected groups, explain how they work in plain language to workers, and provide opportunities for workers to dispute automated decisions through human review. The bill creates a new Technology and Worker Protection Division within the Department of Labor to enforce these rules and requires annual public reports on bias testing. It also includes strong whistleblower protections for workers who report violations. The law applies to most employers but excludes certain government entities and labor organizations acting in their representative capacity.
The Rx ACCESS Act improves prescription drug access for TRICARE beneficiaries, including military service members, retirees, and their families, by establishing fair reimbursement standards for pharmacies and expanding medication choice. It requires pharmacies to be reimbursed at actual drug costs (or the national average drug cost for certain medications) plus a standard dispensing fee, while banning hidden fees like point-of-sale charges. Starting October 1, 2026, beneficiaries can choose how they receive non-generic medications for ongoing health conditions. The law also mandates annual audits to verify reimbursement fairness and ensure pharmacy networks provide accessible care, especially in rural and underserved areas.
The Independence Investment Fund Act (HR 6412) establishes a Treasury Department fund to invest in U.S. companies developing critical and emerging technologies, prioritizing biotechnology. The fund makes seed-to-mid-stage equity investments (typically $1 million to $10 million per company) to strengthen national security and economic security while aiming for financial self-sustainability through returns. It requires an advisory board to set investment strategy and a supervisory board to approve investments, with annual reporting to Congress on progress toward goals. The bill authorizes $975.5 million for fiscal year 2025 (including $300 million for biotech), directing investments away from foreign entities of concern and toward companies vulnerable to adversarial foreign capital.
This bill creates federal grants to support STEM education programs for girls and underrepresented minorities in K-12 schools. It directs $250,000 annually per grant to school districts serving high-poverty communities (with at least 40% students eligible for free/reduced lunch) to fund specific activities like after-school STEM programs, teacher training on reducing bias, mentorship, parental engagement, and summer camps. The grants require schools to track student participation and academic progress in STEM through annual evaluations. The program aims to increase opportunities for these students to develop skills and pursue STEM careers, while ensuring funds supplement - rather than replace - existing resources.
