Rob Menendez

This bill amends the Atomic Energy Act to give the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Chairman authority to set pay for career appointees at up to 110 percent of the maximum Senior Executive Service salary level within the NRC. Career appointees are long-term government employees in senior positions, and this change allows the agency more flexibility in compensating them competitively regardless of when they were hired. The bill clarifies that using this compensation authority will not affect the NRC's performance appraisal system certification and requires reporting on how many career appointees receive compensation under this new authority. This measure aims to help the NRC retain experienced staff by allowing it to offer higher salaries for critical positions within existing federal pay structure limitations.

The CARES Hotline Act would establish a new national hotline to support caregivers of individuals with developmental disabilities. The hotline would operate 24/7 as a toll-free service offering voice and text support, staffed by trained professionals and peer counselors who can provide emotional support, crisis intervention, and referrals to local and federal resources. The legislation requires the hotline to offer culturally and linguistically appropriate services and directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to maintain it either directly or through a grant or contract with a qualified nonprofit organization. The bill authorizes $10 million annually in funding for fiscal years 2027 through 2032 and requires annual reports to Congress on the hotline's effectiveness. The initiative targets family members and household members who provide care for people with developmental disabilities, aiming to connect them with mental health support and available services in their communities.

This bill creates a new advisory council within the Federal Communications Commission called the Communications Equity and Diversity Council to focus on improving access to communication services for underserved communities. The council, which will have between 30 and 35 members appointed by the FCC Chair, will make recommendations on eliminating barriers to broadband and phone service access, helping small businesses enter the communications industry, and promoting diverse ownership and viewpoints in the sector. Members will represent consumers, civil rights organizations, industry stakeholders, and historically underserved groups including people of color, women, rural residents, veterans, people with disabilities, and those facing poverty. The council must meet at least three times per year in open public meetings where all recommendations, summaries, and materials will be published online, and the bill authorizes $450,000 in funding for fiscal year 2027 to support its operations.

The Toll Evasion Prevention and Plate Visibility Act of 2026 aims to combat toll evasion and fraud by prohibiting the sale of products designed to obscure license plates and banning the sale of fraudulent, counterfeit, or altered license plates. The bill tasks the Federal Trade Commission with enforcing these prohibitions as violations of unfair or deceptive trade practices, with penalties applying to sellers, brokers, and anyone facilitating such sales. Within 90 days of enactment, the Federal Highway Administration must publish advisory guidance on license plate readability standards to support digital imaging technology and establish a grant program to help states, local governments, law enforcement, and toll facility operators develop systems to identify repeat toll evaders and coordinate enforcement efforts. The legislation authorizes $10 million annually from 2027 through 2030 for the grant program, while explicitly preserving states' authority to enforce their own license plate regulations independently.

AI for Secure Networks ActThis bill requires the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to study and report to Congress on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) technology on the security of telecommunications networks.The report must include an analysis of (1) how AI may be used to improve and increase the security of telecommunications networks, including in connection with Open Radio Access Network or virtualized security technologies; and (2) risks to telecommunications network security posed by AI. The NTIA must seek public comment on the report before finalizing it and submitting it to Congress.

This bill requires the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to establish safety standards ensuring that all new motorcoaches (large buses) sold in the United States have a minimally obstructed forward-facing view from the driver's seat. The new standards must be completed within one year of the bill's enactment. Motorcoaches can meet these requirements either through direct visibility or by using cameras or other technology that expands the driver's forward-facing view and complies with existing Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 101. The bill aims to improve safety at intersections by reducing blind spots that could prevent drivers from seeing pedestrians and other road users. The legislation affects manufacturers of new motorcoaches and ultimately benefits bus riders and pedestrians who share roadways with these large vehicles.

The PRICE Act requires all U.S. data centers that consume at least 50 megawatts of electricity daily to generate 100 percent of the electricity they use each year. Starting in 2035, at least 75 percent of that self-generated electricity must come from clean energy sources (solar, wind, battery, green hydrogen, hydropower, or geothermal), with this requirement increasing to 100 percent by 2040. Data centers that fail to comply face civil penalties of up to $100,000 per day until they meet the requirement, and the Secretary of Energy must establish an enforcement process within 30 days of the law's enactment. The bill directly impacts large data center operators, which power cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and internet services, by shifting their energy production responsibilities and accelerating their transition to renewable energy sources.

H.R. 6984 requires federal agencies to regularly report on the environmental and energy impacts of data centers across the United States. The EPA must submit reports every three months detailing data centers' water consumption, water reuse practices, effects on local water supplies, greenhouse gas emissions, and impacts on communities. Meanwhile, the Energy Information Administration must collect data and publish reports every six months on total energy consumption by data centers by state, changes in consumption, new facilities coming online, and how these energy demands may be affecting household electricity bills. The bill affects major tech companies and other organizations that operate large data centers, as well as communities near these facilities that may experience water depletion or increased utility costs. There is no specific funding amount authorized in the bill, and reporting must begin within six months of the law's enactment.

The Noise Oversight and Information for Safe Environments Act amends the Noise Control Act of 1972 to require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator to regularly review and update noise safety standards. Specifically, the bill mandates that the EPA conduct a comprehensive review of its noise criteria within two years of the law's enactment, and then repeat this review at least once every 10 years going forward. If the EPA determines that updates are necessary based on these reviews, it must revise or supplement the noise criteria accordingly. The legislation affects the EPA and ultimately any industries or activities subject to federal noise regulations, as updated standards could change noise exposure limits in workplaces, transportation, and other environments. No specific funding amount is allocated in the bill text provided.

The Parental Workforce Training Act would create a federal grant program to help parents afford childcare while they participate in job training and employment programs. The Department of Labor would award competitive grants to local workforce boards, which would then provide funds directly to eligible parents to pay for childcare services with providers of their choice, as long as those providers meet state and local quality standards. The bill targets individuals with dependent children who are enrolled in employment and training activities through the existing workforce system. Congress would authorize $10 million in funding for the program, with the Department of Labor required to award grants within one year of the law's enactment and to report back to Congress within another year on how the assistance affected program enrollment, completion rates, and outcomes for participating parents.

The Communities Before Air Tourism Act amends federal aviation law to require that voluntary agreements governing commercial air tour operations over national parks must consider the impact on communities living below these flight paths. Currently, such agreements only need to address concerns related to park resources and air traffic control systems; this bill expands that scope to explicitly include the well-being of residents in overflown areas. The legislation also ensures that communities—particularly Indian tribes whose lands may be affected—are given consideration in these agreements. While the bill does not specify direct funding or implementation timelines, it aims to give local communities greater voice in decisions about air tour operations affecting their quality of life, noise levels, and environment.

H.R. 5967 directs the Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice to establish an interagency task force dedicated to combating scams across the United States. The task force will bring together representatives from ten federal agencies—including the FBI, Secret Service, FCC, SEC, and Social Security Administration—along with input from consumer advocates, technology companies, state officials, and local law enforcement. The group will develop and execute a national anti-scam strategy focusing on public education, industry coordination, law enforcement actions, international cooperation, and victim recovery resources. The task force must submit a progress report to Congress within one year of the law's enactment and will operate for ten years before automatically dissolving. This legislation affects scam victims, technology platforms, financial institutions, and various state and local authorities involved in fraud prevention.

Providing Robust Organics and Diets for Urban Communities Everywhere Act or the PRODUCE ActThis bill extends through FY2030 the Department of Agriculture (USDA) Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production, which coordinates across USDA agencies to update programs and engage with stakeholders to serve the needs of urban and innovative producers. The office also provides competitive grants to initiate or expand efforts of farmers, gardeners, citizens, government officials, schools, and other stakeholders in urban areas and suburbs.

H.Res. 761 is a symbolic resolution expressing the House of Representatives' support for designating September 23, 2025, as national "Bruce Springsteen Day" to honor the legendary musician on his birthday. The resolution celebrates Springsteen's five-decade career, including his massive commercial success with over 150 million records sold worldwide, 20 Grammy Awards, and iconic albums like "Born to Run" and "Born in the U.S.A." that shaped American music and culture. It acknowledges his humanitarian contributions, including founding two organizations to help low-income families, and notes his previous recognition with the Presidential Medal of Freedom and National Medal of Arts for capturing working-class American experiences and themes of social equality. The resolution, introduced by several New Jersey congressional representatives, contains no funding requirements or implementation timeline since it is non-binding and simply expresses congressional support for the recognition. This type of resolution does not create law or require the president's signature; it is primarily a ceremonial gesture honoring Springsteen's cultural impact and New Jersey heritage.

H.R. 5440 creates a new tax credit to encourage small businesses to install diaper changing stations and dispensers in their restrooms. Businesses with annual gross receipts under $5 million or fewer than 100 employees can claim a tax credit equal to 70 percent of their qualified expenses, up to a maximum of $10,000 per location per year (with a four-year cap of $40,000 total per location). Eligible expenses include the cost of purchasing and installing diaper changing stations, diaper dispensers, and creating or renovating restrooms that meet the requirement of having at least one publicly accessible restroom equipped with both a free diaper changing station and a diaper dispenser available to both men and women. The tax credit takes effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, and applies to businesses that install these amenities as part of their effort to support families with young children in commercial spaces.

H.Res. 715 is a symbolic congressional resolution expressing support for designating the week of September 15, 2025, as "National Latino Gastronomic Cuisine Week." The resolution celebrates Latino culinary traditions and their significant contributions to American culture and the economy, recognizing how Latino restaurants, food businesses, and agricultural producers provide millions of jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities. The bill acknowledges that Latino cuisine blends centuries of Indigenous, European, African, and other culinary influences, and argues that celebrating this heritage promotes cultural understanding and inclusivity across the country. While the resolution does not authorize direct federal funding, it encourages federal agencies, local governments, and community organizations to support Latino culinary initiatives, including educational programs, food festivals, and cultural exchange efforts. As a House resolution, this measure is not binding law but serves as a formal statement of Congress's support for recognizing and promoting Latino gastronomic traditions.

This bill directs the Federal Aviation Administration to study helicopter operations within a 20-mile radius of the Statue of Liberty National Monument in New York to address community concerns about noise pollution. The study must examine helicopter traffic volume and patterns, noise levels, safety and health impacts, whether operators are following voluntary agreements, and the overall quality of life for residents in affected areas. The FAA must also evaluate potential solutions such as rerouting helicopters, creating new flight paths, imposing altitude limits, and potentially banning non-essential helicopter flights in the region. Additionally, the study should assess how future electric aircraft and advanced air mobility technologies may affect airspace congestion and noise. The FAA must submit its findings and recommendations to Congress within 180 days of the bill's enactment, with no specific funding amount specified in the legislation.

The Community Parks Revitalization Act authorizes the Department of Housing and Urban Development to establish a competitive grant and loan program helping local governments invest in park improvements, recreation programs for veterans and at-risk youth, and long-term park planning. Eligible applicants are primarily local governments in metropolitan areas (with limited rural participation), and most must provide matching funds of at least 43% from state, private, or in-kind sources, though this requirement can be waived for disadvantaged communities. The bill prioritizes projects serving low-income areas with health and environmental benefits, requires recipients to develop five-year maintenance and recovery plans, and establishes a separate loan program for revenue-generating park infrastructure projects of $20 million or more. The legislation authorizes $50 million annually from 2026 through 2030, with allocations capped at 10% for innovation programs, 3% for planning grants, and 2% for projects in U.S. territories, while loans can cover up to 49% of project costs at Treasury-equivalent interest rates with repayment periods up to 35 years. The Secretary must report to Congress biennially on job creation, project outcomes, and overall program effectiveness.

The Working Families Task Force Act of 2025 establishes a federal task force led by the Secretary of Labor to study economic challenges facing American working families and recommend solutions to improve their standard of living. The task force will bring together representatives from nine federal agencies—including Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Housing and Urban Development, Commerce, Treasury, Transportation, Agriculture, and the Small Business Administration—to examine issues like child care affordability, housing costs, wages, healthcare access, educational opportunities, and other factors affecting quality of life. The task force must meet at least quarterly and will consult with outside experts and stakeholders to develop policy recommendations addressing how inflation, unemployment, and other economic conditions impact working families. Within 180 days of the bill's enactment, the task force must submit a public report to Congress detailing its findings, recommendations, and a list of all stakeholders consulted. No specific funding amount is specified in the legislation.

Sarah Katz Caffeine Safety ActThis bill establishes labeling and disclosure requirements for caffeinated food, beverages, and supplements.Specifically, the bill requires foods and dietary supplements that contain more than 10 milligrams of caffeine to be labeled with (1) their total caffeine content, (2) a statement of whether the caffeine is naturally occurring or is an additive, and (3) an advisory statement indicating that the recommended daily limit of caffeine for healthy adults is 400 milligrams.Further, in restaurant chains with 20 or more locations, menus must indicate that an item contains high caffeine where the item contains added caffeine and has a total caffeine content of at least 150 milligrams. Restaurants must place the statement “high caffeine” or a similar indication adjacent to the name of a covered item on the menu. This requirement applies to both standard and temporary menu items.For standard menu items, the bill also expands the nutritional information that restaurants must make available to consumers in written form to include the number of milligrams of caffeine in an item.The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must review the safety of caffeine and other stimulants in food, beverages, and dietary supplements and determine whether caffeine should be generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for healthy adults. (Currently, the FDA considers caffeine as GRAS for cola beverages up to a level of 0.02%.) Finally, the Government Accountability Office must study and report to Congress on the marketing of caffeinated beverages in restaurants, stores, and online.

Communications Security ActThis bill provides statutory authority for a council established by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to provide advice regarding the security, reliability, and interoperability of communications networks. (This advice is currently provided by the FCC’s Communications Security, Reliability, and Interoperability Council.)The bill specifies that the FCC may designate an existing advisory committee to fulfill this role, provided the committee’s membership is modified, as necessary, to comply with membership requirements set forth in the bill. Specifically, the bill requires the council to include, to the extent practicable, representatives of companies in the communications industry; public interest organizations or academic institutions; and federal, state, tribal, and local governments (with at least one member representing each level of government). Members are to be selected by the FCC's chair and generally may not include representatives of entities owned or controlled by, or subject to the influence of, a foreign adversary, or otherwise deemed to pose a threat to U.S. national security. Under current law, federal advisory committees must generally terminate after two years unless they are renewed or a statute specifies a different termination date. However, the bill exempts the council from this requirement.