Federal Legislative Update, Week of April 7, 2025
House and Senate Action
The House and Senate both gaveled into session on Monday afternoon.
In the House, lawmakers will begin the week by considering a series of bipartisan veterans-related bills on the suspension calendar, including legislation (H.R. 1039) that would require the Department of Veterans Affairs to improve the clarity and readability of all written communications related to veterans’ benefits claims, including decisions, denials, and appeals.
Later in the week, attention will shift to more contentious items, including a partisan budget resolution (H. Con. Res. 14) and a bill (H.R. 22) that would strengthen federal voter ID requirements (more on these two issues below). The full House agenda can be accessed here.
Across Capitol Hill, the Senate will consider a slate of presidential nominees. The Senate’s daily schedule is available here.
At the conclusion of the week, both chambers are scheduled to recess for a two-week district work period.
House GOP Leaders Seek to Advance Updated Budget Resolution
This week, the House is expected to vote on a revised budget resolution that will serve as a key procedural step in advancing President Trump’s domestic policy agenda. The resolution - which was narrowly approved by the Senate over the weekend - is designed to unlock the budget reconciliation process, allowing the Republican majority to bypass the traditional Senate filibuster and pass major tax and budget legislation with a simple majority vote.
Notably, the Senate version of the budget resolution would make room for $1.5 trillion in tax cuts, compared to the $4.5 trillion cap established in the House framework. However, the Senate version uses the so-called “current policy baseline,” which assumes that the extension of the 2017 Trump tax cuts would have no cost. This would allow an additional $3.8 trillion in tax cuts, the cost of which would be excluded from official scoring.
The Senate framework also diverges significantly from the earlier House-passed resolution, which called for at least $1.5 trillion in mandatory spending cuts. That contrast has drawn criticism from fiscal conservatives, who argue the Senate plan lacks sufficient deficit reduction. GOP leaders, however, are defending the Senate version as a more flexible approach that avoids procedural roadblocks and preserves negotiating leverage.
While the Senate version has support from Republican leaders and the Trump administration, its fate in the House is uncertain. For his part, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is working to build consensus and could bring the resolution to the floor as early as Wednesday. With a razor-thin majority, House Republicans can only afford a handful of defections. Several members have already signaled their opposition to the Senate’s framework, posing a potential challenge to final passage before Congress adjourns later this week.
Bloc of GOP Lawmakers Break with President on Tariffs
Last week, a group of Senate Republicans broke with President Trump, voting in favor of a joint resolution (S.J.Res.37) that would block his newly imposed tariffs on Canadian imports. The measure, led by Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), passed 51–48 with support from all Democrats and four Republicans, including Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Rand Paul (R-KY), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Mitch McConnell (R-KY). While the resolution will not be considered in the House, it represents a notable rebuke of the administration’s tariff strategy.
The vote comes amid growing domestic and international criticism of President Trump’s escalating trade war, which has rattled financial markets and strained relations with key allies. While some foreign leaders have expressed a willingness to negotiate, the president continues to demand the removal of retaliatory tariffs and has threated swift countermeasures against any country imposing new duties on U.S. goods.
On Capitol Hill, legislative efforts to reassert congressional control over tariff policy continue to gain traction. On Monday, Representative Don Bacon (R-NE) introduced a bill in the House to limit the president’s authority to impose tariffs. The measure aligns with a bipartisan Senate initiative – the Trade Review Act of 2025 (S. 1272) – led by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA). The measure, cosponsored by seven Senate Republicans, would require the president to notify Congress of the imposition of (or increase in) tariffs within 48 hours, include a detailed explanation and economic impact analysis, and obtain congressional approval within 60 days – or else the tariffs would automatically expire.
Separately, Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) is developing a proposal aimed at further curbing executive power over trade decisions, while Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) is expanding procedural holds on more than 300 of the administration’s nominees in protest of the trade agenda. President Trump has pledged to veto any measure that aims to restrict his authority to impose duties.
House to Consider Bill Requiring Proof of Citizenship to Vote
In addition to the budget resolution, the lower chamber will consider legislation – the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act (H.R. 22) – that would require individuals to provide proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections. Specifically, the legislation would amend the National Voter Registration Act to require applicants to submit documents such as a U.S. passport, REAL ID, military ID with U.S. birthplace, or a government-issued photo ID plus secondary proof like a birth certificate.
In addition, voters registering by mail would be required to present proof of citizenship in person by their state’s deadline or on Election Day (if permitted). An alternative process would allow those without documentation to submit an affidavit and supporting evidence for review. Additionally, the bill includes enforcement provisions, allowing private lawsuits against officials who register ineligible voters and imposing potential criminal penalties for any violation.
Notably, the GOP-backed bill passed the House during the 118th Congress but stalled in the then Democrat-controlled Senate. It is expected to clear the House again, but it faces major hurdles in the Senate, including the threat of a filibuster.
Meanwhile, Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) has introduced a countermeasure – the Defending America’s Future Elections Act (S. 1240) – which would nullify a recent executive order by President Trump requiring proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections. The executive order, issued on March 25, also prohibits counting mail-in ballots received after Election Day and threatens to withhold federal funds from noncompliant states. It further directs the Department of Homeland Security and the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to review state voter registration systems.
Senator Padilla and congressional Democrats argue the SAVE Act and the executive order could suppress voter participation by creating unnecessary barriers to registration. S. 1240 would reverse Trump’s directive and prevent DOGE from accessing state voter registration data.
Stakeholders Urge Continued Funding for Cybersecurity Grant Program at House Hearing
Last week, the House Homeland Security Committee’s Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection held a hearing entitled “Cybersecurity is Local, Too: Assessing the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program.” The hearing focused on the future of federal support for state and local cybersecurity initiatives, including the need to reauthorize the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP), which provides federal funding to help local governments enhance their cybersecurity protections for critical infrastructure. The grant program, which expires in less than six months, was established by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and provided approximately $1 billion in federal funding over four years.
At the hearing, experts – including state chief information officers and cybersecurity professionals – emphasized the critical importance of the SLCGP. The witnesses advocated for a “whole-of-state” approach to cybersecurity, encouraged collaboration across government levels to strengthen cyber defenses, and urged Congress to extend the program. As part of a forthcoming reauthorization package, the experts recommended a longer renewal period, consistent funding, and continued local government assessment requirements.
Bipartisan Legislation Introduced to Streamline Vegetation Clearance Near Power Lines on Forest Service Lands
Last week, Representatives David Valadao (R-CA) and Salud Carbajal (D-CA) reintroduced bipartisan legislation – the Fire Safe Electrical Corridors Act (H.R. 2492) – aimed at reducing wildfire risk by streamlining vegetation management near power lines on federal forest lands. Specifically, H.R. 2492 would authorize the U.S. Forest Service to approve the removal of hazardous trees near utility infrastructure without requiring a timber sale. It should be noted that utilities are currently responsible for maintaining vegetation clearances around power lines on federal land but cannot remove downed or dead trees without initiating a timber sale. In addition, if marketable forest products are removed and sold as part of this work, the bill would require utilities to return those proceeds to the Forest Service to support ongoing forest management activities. In addition, if a utility removes marketable forest products as part of hazardous tree clearing and sells the material, the proceeds would be returned to the Forest Service to support further forest management activities. The bill language is also included in the Fix Our Forests Act, which passed the House earlier this year and is now awaiting action in the Senate.
Valadao, Torres Reintroduce Legislation to Remove Nitrate and Arsenic from Groundwater Sources
Representatives David Valadao (R-CA) and Norma Torres (D-CA) recently reintroduced a bill (H.R. 2656) to support rural and underserved communities facing water quality challenges. Specifically, the bill would amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to provide targeted grant funding for nitrate and arsenic reduction, prioritizing small systems that rely on groundwater. H.R. 2656 authorizes $15 million annually and directs the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to review existing drinking water programs to better meet the needs of underserved populations. The measure has been referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
Relevant Hearings & Markups
Tuesday, April 8 | 10 a.m. House Agriculture Committee hearing on “The Power of Work: Expanding Opportunity through SNAP”
Tuesday, April 8 | 10 a.m. House Financial Services Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee hearing on “Decades of Dysfunction: Restoring Accountability at HUD.”
Tuesday, April 8 | 10 a.m. House Small Business Committee and Senate Small Business Committee joint hearing on “Prosperity on Main Street: Keeping Taxes Low for Small Businesses.”
Tuesday, April 8 | 10 a.m. Senate Finance Committee hearing on “The President’s 2025 Trade Policy Agenda” with USTR Jamieson Greer.
Tuesday, April 8 | 2 p.m. House Homeland Security Oversight, Investigations and Accountability Subcommittee hearing on “Case-by-Case: Returning Parole to its Proper Purpose.”
Tuesday, April 8 | 2 p.m. House Ways and Means Work and Welfare Subcommittee hearing on “Government Watchdog Findings: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program in Need of Reform, Better State Accountability and Fraud Protection.”
Wednesday, April 9 | 10 a.m. House Judiciary Immigration Integrity, Security and Enforcement Subcommittee hearing on “Sanctuary Jurisdictions: Magnet for Migrants, Cover for Criminals.”
Wednesday, April 9 | 10 a.m. House Ways and Means Committee hearing on “The Trump Administration's 2025 Trade Policy Agenda” with USTR Jamieson Greer.