HR 5334, the SEED Act of 2025, expands the existing educator expense deduction under federal tax law to explicitly include early childhood educators. It revises the Internal Revenue Code to cover expenses for "early childhood educators" and broadens the educational levels affected to include "pre-kindergarten through grade 12." This change allows early childhood educators (such as preschool teachers) to deduct work-related expenses like classroom supplies and professional development costs, which they previously could not claim under the existing deduction for "kindergarten through grade 12" teachers. The amendment applies to expenses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.
HR 2616, the PROTECT Kids Act, requires public elementary and middle schools receiving federal education funding to obtain parental consent before changing a student's gender markers, pronouns, or preferred name on school forms, or before assigning them to sex-based accommodations like locker rooms or bathrooms. The bill directly affects minor students in elementary school or middle grades (ages typically 5-14). Schools must secure this consent as a condition for maintaining federal funding under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The law focuses on specific administrative changes to student records and facility assignments, not broader educational content or curriculum.
This resolution provides for the consideration of the bill (H.R. 7567) to provide for the reform and continuation of agricultural and other programs of the Department of Agriculture through fiscal year 2031, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2616) to require public elementary and middle schools that receive funds under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to obtain parental consent before changing a minor's gender markers, pronouns, or preferred name on any school form or sex-based accommodations, including locker rooms or bathrooms; providing for consideration of the concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 33) setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2026 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2027 through 2035; providing for consideration of the bill (S. 1318) to direct the American Battle Monuments Commission to establish a program to identify American-Jewish servicemembers buried in United States military cemeteries overseas under markers that incorrectly represent their religion and heritage, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1346) to amend the Clean Air Act with respect to the ethanol waiver for Reid Vapor Pressure under that Act, and for other purposes; and for other purposes.
Territorial Student Access to Higher Education Act This bill requires public institutions of higher education that participate in federal student aid programs to charge no more than in-state tuition and fee rates to students who are residents of Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, or the U.S. Virgin Islands, provided they are also U.S. nationals.
HR 1642, the Connecting Small Businesses with Career and Technical Education Graduates Act of 2025, requires Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) and Women’s Business Centers (WBCs) to help small businesses connect with career and technical education (CTE) programs. Specifically, SBDCs must provide small businesses with information on hiring CTE graduates and relevant programs, while WBCs must do the same for women-owned businesses. The bill also directs these centers to connect businesses with CTE programs to help students and graduates find jobs. This directly affects small businesses (and women-owned businesses for WBCs), CTE programs, and their graduates by creating formal pathways for hiring. The policy change mandates new duties for existing centers under the Small Business Act, without altering funding or creating new programs.
HR 881, the DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act, restricts Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding for colleges and universities that maintain relationships with China-funded Confucius Institutes or specific Chinese entities deemed "of concern." It prohibits DHS funding for institutions with ties to Confucius Institutes, the Thousand Talents Program, or Chinese universities involved in military-civil fusion, defense work, Uyghur persecution, election interference, or other activities listed in the bill. Institutions must terminate such relationships within one year of enactment to regain eligibility for DHS funds. The bill requires the DHS Secretary to report to Congress on any institutions violating this funding restriction. (3 sentences)
