Legislation

Foreign Service Modernization Act

The bill would update how the U.S. Foreign Service operates, likely making changes to how diplomats are hired, trained, paid, or assigned to work abroad. The changes would affect career diplomats, embassy staff, and potentially how the State Department conducts international relations and trade negotiations. Congress is still reviewing the specific details to determine which committees should handle different parts of the proposal.

To prohibit Federal research agencies and recipients of Federal research grants from using a prohibited diversity, equity, or inclusion practice with respect to Federal research grants, and for other purposes.

The bill would prevent federal research agencies and organizations that receive federal research funding from using certain diversity, equity, and inclusion practices when awarding grants or conducting research. This would affect universities, laboratories, and other institutions that depend on federal funding for scientific work, potentially changing how they evaluate grant applications and hire researchers. The measure is currently under review by the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

To direct the Secretary of State to take actions with respect to certain foreign affairs matters.

The bill would give the Secretary of State authority to take specific actions related to foreign policy matters, though the exact details of those actions are not specified in the available information. This legislation would affect how the U.S. government conducts diplomatic relations and international affairs. The bill is currently under review by the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

To require the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment to submit a report and implement a plan for advanced manufacturing for certain critical readiness items of supply, and for other purposes.

The Department of Defense would be required to study and create a plan for using advanced manufacturing techniques to produce critical military supplies and equipment that are essential for keeping the armed forces ready and operational. This would involve analyzing which items are most important to military readiness and determining how newer manufacturing methods could improve production of those items. The plan would help ensure the military has reliable access to necessary supplies without depending too heavily on any single supplier or manufacturing location.

To authorize the President to award the Medal of Honor to Robert Lodge for acts of valor as a member of the Air Force during the Vietnam War.

The President would be authorized to award the Medal of Honor, the military's highest decoration for bravery, to Robert Lodge for his courageous actions as an Air Force member during the Vietnam War. The Medal of Honor recognizes extraordinary acts of valor in combat that go above and beyond the call of duty. This special authorization allows Congress to formally recognize Lodge's heroic service decades after his actions occurred.

To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to revoke the citizenship of any naturalized United States citizen convicted of a terrorism-related crime.

The proposal would allow the government to strip citizenship from people who became U.S. citizens through naturalization if they are convicted of terrorism-related crimes. This would affect immigrants who went through the naturalization process and were later found guilty of terrorism offenses, potentially making them stateless or subject to deportation. The measure is currently being reviewed by the House Judiciary Committee.

To take certain land in the State of California into trust for the benefit of the Pechanga Band of Indians, and for other purposes.

This bill takes approximately 860 acres of land in Riverside County, California, into trust for the benefit of the Pechanga Band of Indians. The land is currently administered by the Bureau of Land Management. The land taken into trust shall be (1) part of the tribe's reservation; (2) maintained as an open space; and (3) used only for purposes consistent with the maintenance of the land as open space and for the protection, preservation, and maintenance of the archaeological, cultural, and wildlife resources on the land. Further, the bill prohibits gaming on the land.

Florida Safe Seas Act of 2025

Florida Safe Seas Act of 2025 This bill prohibits shark feeding in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) seaward of Florida for any purpose other than to harvest sharks, subject to limited exceptions. (Florida state waters generally extend 3 miles from the shore in the Atlantic Ocean and 9 miles from the shore in the Gulf of America. The EEZ is seaward of and adjacent to state waters and generally extends to 200 miles from the U.S. coastline.) Specifically, the bill makes it unlawful to introduce, or attempt to introduce, food or any other substance into these waters to attract sharks for any purpose other than to harvest sharks. Exceptions allow shark feeding (1) for research programs funded by federal appropriations, or (2) to the extent that the feeding presents no public health hazard or safety risk (as determined by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or under state law).

Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2025

Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2025 This bill revises and reauthorizes for seven years the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative and its Northwest Straits Advisory Commission. The initiative and the commission work to protect and restore marine waters, habitats, and species of the Northwest Straits region (i.e., the waters of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and of Puget Sound from the Canadian border to the south end of Snohomish County in Washington state). Among other duties, the commission must provide resources and technical support for marine resources committees, develop scientifically sound restoration and protection recommendations, and serve as a public forum for informal policy discussions about the marine ecosystem of the Northwest Straits region.

American Battlefield Protection Program Amendments Act of 2026

American Battlefield Protection Program Amendments Act of 2026 This bill extends through FY2036 three National Park Service (NPS) grant programs that preserve U.S. battlefields and requires the NPS to study additional sites for potential preservation. Specifically, the bill extends through FY2036 grant programs for the acquisition, interpretation modernization, and restoration of certain U.S. battlefields. (Under current law, the grants are authorized through FY2028.) The bill also requires the NPS to prepare or certify studies of locations tied to significant events during the French and Indian War (1754-1763) and the Mexican-American War (1846-1848) for potential preservation.

Crystal Reservoir Conveyance Act

Crystal Reservoir Conveyance Act This bill directs the Forest Service to convey specified property and water rights in Ouray County, Colorado, to the City of Ouray, Colorado, for use as open space for recreational activities (such as fishing) at no cost to the public. The property and water rights include the site known as Crystal Reservoir and the associated lake and infrastructure, Full Moon Dam and the associated facilities, and the approximately 45-acre parcel of land underlying and surrounding Crystal Reservoir. The conveyance must (1) convey fee simple title to the land; (2) be subject to existing valid rights and easements; and (3) be completed at no cost to the city, except for costs related to necessary surveys. The conveyance must also be subject to a reversionary interest whereby if the land is used in a manner that violates the conveyance, the land shall revert to the United States, subject to the discretion of the Forest Service. In addition to holding the land open to the public for recreational purposes, the city must assume responsibly for Full Moon Dam and must not conduct unneeded development or commercial operations, nor alter Crystal Reservoir in a manner that would harm wetlands located upstream, subject to certain conditions. After the completion of this conveyance, the Forest Service must recognize a perpetual easement for the site known as Red Mountain Ditch for use by the city for specified activities related to Crystal Reservoir.

To redesignate Rock Creek Park in the District of Columbia as Rock Creek National Park.

The proposal would change Rock Creek Park's official designation from a national park to a national park, giving it a new name and potentially adjusting its management structure. This change would primarily affect how the park in Washington, D.C. is administered and could impact visitors, local residents, and park management agencies. The bill is currently under review by the House Committee on Natural Resources.

To require a report regarding the scope of efforts by the People's Republic of China and Chinese Communist Party to utilize the Belt and Road Initiative to undermine the United States-led international world order and a detailed strategy regarding how the United States Government intends to counter such Initiative, and for other purposes.

The government would be required to study and report on how China's Belt and Road Initiative (a major infrastructure and investment program) might be used to weaken American influence around the world, and then develop a detailed plan for how the U.S. can respond to counter these efforts. This affects policymakers, diplomats, and international relations specialists who work on U.S. foreign policy and competition with China.

To increase transparency relating to the Department of Energy's authorizations of certain nuclear facilities.

The Department of Energy would be required to publicly disclose more information about how it authorizes nuclear facilities, making the approval process more transparent to Congress and the public. This affects nuclear power plants, research reactors, and other nuclear operations that need DOE approval, as well as anyone interested in understanding how the government oversees nuclear safety and security decisions.

ARTIST Act

Alaska’s Right To Ivory Sales and Tradition Act or the ARTIST Act This bill prohibits states from imposing bans on marine mammal products produced by Alaska Natives. Specifically, states may not prohibit the importation, sale, transfer, trade, barter, or possession of marine mammal ivory, marine mammal bone, or baleen legally produced by an Alaska Native as an authentic Alaska Native article of handicrafts and clothing.

CLEAN Act

Committing Leases for Energy Access Now Act or the CLEAN Act This bill directs the Department of the Interior to increase the frequency of lease sales for developing and utilizing geothermal energy on federal land. Specifically, Interior must hold lease sales at least once a year (rather than two years) in states with pending nominations of federal land to be leased for geothermal energy development. In conducting such lease sales, Interior must offer all of the pending nominated parcels eligible for geothermal development and utilization under the resource management plan in effect for the state. If a lease sale is canceled or delayed, Interior must conduct a replacement sale during the same year. Finally, the bill establishes deadlines for Interior to respond to applications for geothermal drilling permits.

Unrecognized Southeast Alaska Native Communities Recognition and Compensation Act

Unrecognized Southeast Alaska Native Communities Recognition and Compensation Act This bill allows five Alaska Native communities in Southeast Alaska to form urban corporations and receive land entitlements. Specifically, the bill allows the Alaska Native residents of each of the Alaska Native villages of Haines, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Tenakee, and Wrangell, Alaska, to organize as Alaska Native urban corporations and to receive certain settlement land. The bill directs the Department of the Interior to convey specified land to each urban corporation. Further, Interior must convey the subsurface estate for that land to the regional corporation for Southeast Alaska. The land conveyed to each urban corporation must include any U.S. interest in all roads, trails, log transfer facilities, leases, and appurtenances on or related to the land conveyed to the urban corporation. The bill also allows each urban corporation to establish a settlement trust to (1) promote the health, education, and welfare of the trust beneficiaries; and (2) preserve the Alaska Native heritage and culture of their communities.

To reauthorize the Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System Act of 2000.

This bill reauthorizes through FY2028 the planning, design, and construction of the Assiniboine and Sioux Rural Water System and the Dry Prairie Rural Water System, both located in Montana.

Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act

Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act This bill prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from transmitting certain information to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) utilized by licensed importers or dealers of firearms. Specifically, the bill prohibits the VA from transmitting personally identifying information of a veteran or a beneficiary to the NICS solely on the basis that such veteran or beneficiary has an appointed fiduciary to manage their benefits, unless there is an order or finding of a judicial authority that such veteran or beneficiary is a danger to themselves or others.

Fiscal Year 2025 Veterans Affairs Major Medical Facility Authorization Act

Fiscal Year 2025 Veterans Affairs Major Medical Facility Authorization Act This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to carry out a major medical facility project in St. Louis, Missouri, during FY2026. The bill specifies the maximum amount that may be spent on the project and details that the project consists of the construction of a new bed tower, clinical building expansion, consolidated administrative building and warehouse, utility plant, and parking garages.

Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran.

This concurrent resolution directs the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities against Iran unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or a congressional authorization for use of military force against Iran. Elements of the U.S. Armed Forces needed to defend the United States, an ally, or a partner from imminent attack are not covered by this requirement provided the President complies with a specified provision of the War Powers Resolution. (The provision generally requires the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities no more than 60 days after the President notifies or is required to notify Congress of such involvement, unless Congress authorizes such use. For more information on the War Powers Resolution, see CRS In Focus 13134 .)

To amend the Catawba Indian Tribe of South Carolina Land Claims Settlement Act of 1993.

This bill revises tribal membership requirements for the Catawba Indian Nation (a tribe in South Carolina). The Catawba Indian Tribe of South Carolina Land Claims Settlement Act of 1993 explicitly restricted the tribe’s future membership to lineal descendants of people on the final base membership roll who maintained continuous political relations with the tribe. This bill removes these membership criteria and allows the tribe to determine its membership. (The tribe uses three base membership rolls and anyone who wants to be enrolled must prove lineal descent from someone listed on one of these base membership rolls.)

Cross-Boundary Wildfire Solutions Act

Cross-Boundary Wildfire Solutions Act This bill directs the Government Accountability Office to study wildfire mitigation across land ownership boundaries and make recommendations to simplify cross-boundary wildfire mitigation between federal land management agencies and state, local, and Indian tribal governments.

Equitable Access to School Facilities Act

This bill would require schools to provide equal access to their facilities for all student groups and organizations, regardless of the group's beliefs or viewpoints. It aims to prevent schools from denying use of buildings, athletic fields, or other resources to students based on discrimination, ensuring that clubs and organizations have fair opportunities to meet and use school spaces on the same terms as other groups.

Rural Grants Transparency Act

The legislation would require federal agencies to publicly disclose detailed information about grants they award to rural communities, including who receives the money, how much they get, and what the funds are used for. This transparency would help rural residents, local officials, and taxpayers track how federal grant money is being spent in their areas. The bill has been sent to the House Agriculture Committee for review.

Advancing Menopause Care and Mid-Life Women’s Health Act

The legislation would improve healthcare services and research focused on menopause and health issues affecting middle-aged women, potentially including better training for doctors, more funding for studies, and increased awareness of symptoms and treatments. The bill would affect women going through menopause, healthcare providers who treat them, and medical researchers studying this life stage. By addressing gaps in current medical knowledge and care, the bill aims to help millions of women manage menopause-related health challenges more effectively.

License to Drill Act

License to Drill Act This bill extends through FY2037 the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM’s) authority to collect oil and gas permit processing fees. For each new permit application, BLM collects a fee that is transferred to the BLM Permit Processing Improvement Fund. (Under current law, the fees are authorized through FY2026.)

Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2026

Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2026 This bill requires the Department of Agriculture to study the feasibility of designating the Benton MacKaye Trail (located in Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina) as a national scenic trail.

21st Century ROAD to Housing Act

Housing for the 21st Century Act This bill revises federal housing programs, including by expanding available financing for affordable housing and providing grants for planning and community development activities. For example, the bill increases the statutory maximum loan limits for mortgage insurance programs administered by the Federal Housing Administration for multifamily homes and requires the use of a more specific inflation index for such loans. The bill also increases the maximum eligible income for the Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD's) HOME Investment Partnerships Program (grants to states and localities to support housing for low-income households) and establishes a grant program to assist regional, state, and local entities with strategies to support affordable housing. In addition, the bill exempts certain housing-related activities from the environmental review process, including certain construction, improvement, or rehabilitation of residential buildings; excludes veterans' disability benefits from being considered as income for purposes of determining eligibility for the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) program; establishes a pilot program to provide grants to public housing agencies (PHAs) and other owners of federally assisted housing to test the efficacy of temperature sensors to support compliance with temperature requirements; eliminates the requirement that manufactured homes must be constructed with a permanent chassis; and authorizes HUD to conduct performance reviews of organizations that provide housing counseling services. The bill also expands oversight of HUD and PHAs, such as by requiring PHAs to post information about contracts on their websites. For more information about this bill, see CRS Report R48849 .

Modernizing Agricultural and Manufacturing Bonds Act

The legislation would update the rules for special bonds that help finance agricultural and manufacturing projects, making it easier for farmers and factory owners to access cheaper financing for equipment, facilities, and other business investments. By modernizing these bond programs, the bill aims to reduce borrowing costs for businesses in these industries while potentially spurring economic growth in rural and industrial communities. The changes would affect agricultural operations, manufacturing companies, and the financial institutions that help fund their expansion and modernization efforts.