Congressional
Bills
Every bill in Congress, explained in plain language. Browse by topic, status, chamber, or sponsoring member. Non-partisan summaries updated daily from the Congress.gov API.
Signed Into Law
Laken Riley Act
The Laken Riley Act requires Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain undocumented immigrants who have been arrested or charged with theft, burglary, or certain other crimes. Named after a nursing student who was killed in Georgia, the law mandates that state and local governments can sue the federal government if immigration enforcement failures lead to harm. It also expands the crimes that make immigrants deportable to include assault on law enforcement and crimes causing death or serious injury.
Social Security Fairness Act
The Social Security Fairness Act repeals two long-standing provisions that reduced Social Security benefits for certain workers. The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) reduced benefits for workers who also received a pension from non-Social Security-covered employment, such as some state and local government jobs. The Government Pension Offset (GPO) reduced spousal or survivor benefits. By repealing both provisions, the law restores full Social Security benefits to approximately 2.8 million affected retirees, including many teachers, police officers, and firefighters.
Recent Activity
American Energy Independence Act
The American Energy Independence Act aims to boost domestic energy production by expanding oil and gas leasing on federal lands and in offshore areas, streamlining permitting for energy projects, and reversing several Biden-era energy restrictions. It would require the Interior Department to hold quarterly lease sales, approve pending LNG export terminals, and complete the Keystone XL pipeline permit. The bill also includes provisions to reduce regulatory barriers for nuclear energy development and modernize the electric grid.
FARM Act
The Farm, Agriculture, and Rural Modernization (FARM) Act is a comprehensive five-year reauthorization of farm programs covering crop insurance, commodity programs, conservation, nutrition assistance (SNAP), rural development, and agricultural research. Key provisions include increased reference prices for major commodities, expanded crop insurance options for specialty crops, mandatory funding for conservation programs, and updates to SNAP benefit calculations. The bill also includes rural broadband investment and new programs supporting beginning farmers.
Secure the Border Act
The Secure the Border Act is a comprehensive immigration enforcement bill that would resume construction of the southern border wall, increase Border Patrol staffing, and end the practice of catch-and-release. It would reinstate the Remain in Mexico policy, raise the credible fear standard for asylum claims, and restrict parole authority. The bill also includes provisions for mandatory E-Verify for employers, increased penalties for illegal entry, and defunding sanctuary cities.
PRESS Act
The Protect Reporters from Exploitative State Spying (PRESS) Act establishes a federal shield law to protect journalists from being forced to reveal confidential sources. It would prevent federal agencies from compelling reporters to disclose the identity of sources in most circumstances, with exceptions for imminent threats to national security. The bill also restricts the government's ability to obtain journalists' communications records, including phone and email data, through warrants or subpoenas.
Parents Bill of Rights Act
The Parents Bill of Rights Act requires schools receiving federal funding to give parents access to their children's school curricula, reading materials, and budget information. Parents would have the right to be heard at school board meetings, to inspect school budgets, and to know about violent incidents at their children's schools. The bill also requires schools to obtain parental consent before administering certain surveys and to notify parents about changes in their child's services or monitoring. Schools that fail to comply could lose federal funding.
Protecting Americans' Data from Foreign Adversaries Act
This bill would restrict foreign adversary-controlled applications from accessing Americans' personal data. It targets apps owned or significantly influenced by companies based in China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. The legislation requires these apps to either divest from foreign adversary control or face restrictions in U.S. app stores. It also establishes data security standards for all social media platforms and gives the FTC enforcement authority over violations.
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All Bills
American Energy Independence Act
The American Energy Independence Act aims to boost domestic energy production by expanding oil and gas leasing on federal lands and in offshore areas, streamlining permitting for energy projects, and reversing several Biden-era energy restrictions. It would require the Interior Department to hold quarterly lease sales, approve pending LNG export terminals, and complete the Keystone XL pipeline permit. The bill also includes provisions to reduce regulatory barriers for nuclear energy development and modernize the electric grid.
FARM Act
The Farm, Agriculture, and Rural Modernization (FARM) Act is a comprehensive five-year reauthorization of farm programs covering crop insurance, commodity programs, conservation, nutrition assistance (SNAP), rural development, and agricultural research. Key provisions include increased reference prices for major commodities, expanded crop insurance options for specialty crops, mandatory funding for conservation programs, and updates to SNAP benefit calculations. The bill also includes rural broadband investment and new programs supporting beginning farmers.
Secure the Border Act
The Secure the Border Act is a comprehensive immigration enforcement bill that would resume construction of the southern border wall, increase Border Patrol staffing, and end the practice of catch-and-release. It would reinstate the Remain in Mexico policy, raise the credible fear standard for asylum claims, and restrict parole authority. The bill also includes provisions for mandatory E-Verify for employers, increased penalties for illegal entry, and defunding sanctuary cities.
PRESS Act
The Protect Reporters from Exploitative State Spying (PRESS) Act establishes a federal shield law to protect journalists from being forced to reveal confidential sources. It would prevent federal agencies from compelling reporters to disclose the identity of sources in most circumstances, with exceptions for imminent threats to national security. The bill also restricts the government's ability to obtain journalists' communications records, including phone and email data, through warrants or subpoenas.
Parents Bill of Rights Act
The Parents Bill of Rights Act requires schools receiving federal funding to give parents access to their children's school curricula, reading materials, and budget information. Parents would have the right to be heard at school board meetings, to inspect school budgets, and to know about violent incidents at their children's schools. The bill also requires schools to obtain parental consent before administering certain surveys and to notify parents about changes in their child's services or monitoring. Schools that fail to comply could lose federal funding.
Protecting Americans' Data from Foreign Adversaries Act
This bill would restrict foreign adversary-controlled applications from accessing Americans' personal data. It targets apps owned or significantly influenced by companies based in China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. The legislation requires these apps to either divest from foreign adversary control or face restrictions in U.S. app stores. It also establishes data security standards for all social media platforms and gives the FTC enforcement authority over violations.
REINS Act
The Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act would require Congress to approve any new federal regulation that has an annual economic impact of $100 million or more before it can take effect. Currently, agencies can issue major rules without congressional approval unless Congress actively blocks them. This bill reverses that, requiring affirmative votes in both chambers. Supporters say it restores legislative authority over costly regulations, while critics argue it would slow down critical rulemaking on health, safety, and environmental protections.
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Extension
This bill would make permanent the individual income tax cuts from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which are set to expire at the end of 2025. It includes provisions to maintain the higher standard deduction, expanded child tax credit, and lower individual tax rates. The bill also proposes new deductions for tip income and overtime pay. If passed, the bill would affect virtually every American taxpayer, with the largest benefits going to middle-income families.
SAVE Act
The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act would require individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. States would be required to verify citizenship using government databases, and non-citizens found on voter rolls would be removed. The bill provides a process for voters who cannot immediately prove citizenship to cast provisional ballots. Critics argue it could disenfranchise eligible voters who lack documentation, while supporters say it strengthens election integrity.
Laken Riley Act
The Laken Riley Act requires Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain undocumented immigrants who have been arrested or charged with theft, burglary, or certain other crimes. Named after a nursing student who was killed in Georgia, the law mandates that state and local governments can sue the federal government if immigration enforcement failures lead to harm. It also expands the crimes that make immigrants deportable to include assault on law enforcement and crimes causing death or serious injury.
Social Security Fairness Act
The Social Security Fairness Act repeals two long-standing provisions that reduced Social Security benefits for certain workers. The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) reduced benefits for workers who also received a pension from non-Social Security-covered employment, such as some state and local government jobs. The Government Pension Offset (GPO) reduced spousal or survivor benefits. By repealing both provisions, the law restores full Social Security benefits to approximately 2.8 million affected retirees, including many teachers, police officers, and firefighters.
No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act
This bill would permanently codify the Hyde Amendment, which has been renewed annually since 1976 to prohibit federal funds from paying for abortions except in cases of rape, incest, or when the life of the mother is in danger. It would also prohibit federal subsidies for health insurance plans that include abortion coverage through the Affordable Care Act marketplace. The bill establishes tax provisions that prevent the use of tax credits or deductions for abortion expenses.