U.S. unemployment rate

The bill would expand the State Department’s Regional Technology Officer Program to recruit biotechnology experts and require current and new officers to receive specialized training in biotechnology and emerging biotechnologies. It would require a fiscal year 2026 expansion strategy, an implementation plan to Congress within 180 days of enactment, and annual reports on training, assignments, and biotechnology-related diplomatic efforts. The Secretary of State could hire additional personnel for these purposes notwithstanding hiring freezes or personnel limits, with priority for officers specializing in biotechnology, biosecurity, and emerging life science technologies.

Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

The bill would amend six federal laws to define or treat individuals who work for an employer under an independent contract as employees for specified purposes. The affected laws are Title VII, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act’s equal-pay provision, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act, and the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act.

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E775)

The bill would expand workplace protections and enforcement for legislative-branch employees under the Congressional Accountability Act. It would give the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights enhanced occupational-safety enforcement and recordkeeping authority, prohibit related retaliation, and extend protections for whistleblowing, garnishment, bankruptcy, parental bereavement leave, juror service, and employment discrimination records. It would also authorize temporary relief in unfair-labor-practice cases, open certain hearings and deliberations to the public, and require mediation when a covered employee requests it. Several provisions would take effect after implementing regulations, with interim rules applying in some cases.

Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Workforce, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

The bill would amend the Fair Labor Standards Act to prohibit employers from paying different wages or providing different employment terms based on sex, race, or national origin for equivalent jobs, subject to specified exceptions such as seniority, merit, production, education, training, or experience. It would prohibit retaliation for discussing wages or exercising rights under the new provision, increase available damages, allow expert fees and class actions, and require certain employers to report wage information to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The amendments would take effect one year after enactment.

Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

The bill would amend the Fair Labor Standards Act to require employers to disclose the wage or wage range for employment opportunities in public or internal postings. If no posting is available, employers would have to disclose the wage or wage range before discussing compensation and upon an applicant’s request, and disclose it to employees upon hire, at least annually, and upon request. The bill would prohibit retaliation for exercising these rights and establish civil penalties, statutory or actual damages, attorneys’ fees, and injunctive relief.

Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

This bill establishes community engagement requirements (i.e., work requirements) for certain adults under Medicaid. Specifically, the bill requires individuals ages 18 through 65 to work, engage in community service, or participate in a work program (or a combination of these) for at least 80 hours per month. The bill prohibits federal payments for, and allows state Medicaid programs to disenroll, individuals who do not meet these requirements for three or more months in a year. The requirements do not apply to individuals who are (1) physically or mentally unfit to work, (2) pregnant, (3) parents or caretakers of children or incapacitated individuals, (4) complying with work requirements for other federal programs, (5) participating in a drug or alcohol treatment and rehabilitation program, or (6) enrolled at least half-time in school.

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Consolidating Veteran Employment Services for Improved Performance Act This bill transfers specified programs from the jurisdiction of the Department of Labor to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and establishes the Office of the Deputy Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition to implement such programs. Specifically, the bill transfers to the VA (1) job counseling, training, and placement services for veterans, (2) federal government employment services for veterans, (3) administration of employment and reemployment rights of members of the uniformed services, and (4) homeless veterans reintegration programs. The VA must include funding requests for such programs in its budget request for FY2028 and each subsequent year. The transfer of such programs does not affect any suits, proceedings or applications for benefits, services, licenses, permits, certificates, or financial assistance that are pending on the date of the enactment of this bill. The Office of Management and Budget is authorized to determine the functions (e.g., duties) that are transferred under this bill, and may make additional incidental dispositions of personnel, assets, liabilities, grants, contracts, property, records, and unexpended balances as may be necessary to implement this bill. The bill also (1) modifies state responsibilities regarding the employment of full or part-time veterans’ employment specialists (currently known as veteran employment representatives), and (2) expands the purpose and responsibilities of such specialists. The VA and Labor must jointly conduct a study and report on the implementation of the transfer of programs and functions and amendments made by this bill.

Committee Hearings Held

Health Professionals Scholarship Program Improvement Act of 2025 or the HPSP Improvement Act of 2025 This bill requires, through FY2027, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to ensure a participant in the Health Professionals Scholarship program receives a contract for employment within 90 days of the completion of their courses. The program provides financial assistance to students in a direct or indirect health care services discipline in exchange for service in the Veterans Health Administration. The contract must offer employment in the full-time clinical practice of the participant’s profession at a VA facility with the highest need.

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

The bill would authorize the Secretary of Labor to make grants to eligible applicants for stipends to individuals enrolled in qualifying pre-apprenticeship programs. Grantees would collect performance and stipend data, prioritize individuals with barriers to employment, and limit stipends to transportation, lost hourly wages caused by reduced work hours, and industry-based certification costs. The bill would require annual reporting and authorize such sums as necessary for implementation.

Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Right to Read Act of 2025 This bill expands access to school libraries and literacy skills support for elementary and secondary school students. It also outlines certain constitutional rights and liability protections related to school libraries. Specifically, the bill reauthorizes through FY2030 (1) the Comprehensive Literacy State Development Program, which provides grants to ensure high-quality instruction and effective strategies in reading and writing for children through 12th grade; and (2) the Innovative Approaches to Literacy Program, which provides grants to support the development of literacy skills in low-income communities. Additionally, the bill allows Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants to be used to assist local educational agencies (LEAs) and schools in recruiting, hiring, and retaining state-certified school librarians. Further, the bill authorizes states and LEAs to use Student Support and Academic Enrichment grants for programs and activities that promote the development of digital literacy and information literacy skills. The Department of Education (ED) must direct the National Center for Education Statistics to biennially collect data on school libraries. ED must require an assurance from each state and LEA receiving certain funds confirming that it will (1) protect the First Amendment rights of students in school libraries, and (2) provide equal protection in the conduct of school libraries in compliance with the requirements of the Fourteenth Amendment and nondiscrimination laws. The bill also provides liability protection to teachers, school librarians, school leaders, paraprofessionals, and other staff for actions that conform with state or local policies regarding the right to read.

Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.