Chris Pappas

Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2025

This bill establishes new background check requirements for firearm transfers between private parties (i.e., unlicensed individuals).

Specifically, it prohibits a firearm transfer between private parties unless a licensed gun dealer, manufacturer, or importer first takes possession of the firearm to conduct a background check.

The prohibition does not apply to certain firearm transfers or exchanges, such as a gift between spouses.

Shared Property Agency Collaboration and Engagement Act of 2025 or the SPACE Act of 2025

This bill directs the General Services Administration (GSA) to collaborate with federal agencies regarding the use of shared-space arrangements in federally leased buildings.

The GSA must (1) collaborate with tenants of federally leased space to better identify concerns around shared-space arrangements; (2) develop criteria that would facilitate the expanded use of space sharing; (3) identify how special-use space can be used to improve space sharing; and (4) establish measurable objectives, in consultation with tenants, to quantify the success of shared-space arrangements among federal agencies.

GSA must brief Congress on implementation of the bill within six months after the bill's enactment.

This resolution supports the designation of National Trailer Safety Week and expresses strong support for efforts to increase awareness of the importance of being committed to trailer safety.

Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act

This bill creates and expands federal grant programs within the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to increase capacity to provide emergency obstetric health services in rural areas or areas without practitioners or facilities specializing in obstetric services.

Specifically, HRSA must establish a program for providing grants to certain hospitals or consortiums that include hospitals in rural areas or areas with maternal health care professional shortages for training, developing a workforce, and purchasing equipment relating to obstetric emergencies. In addition, the bill requires HRSA’s Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health Capacity program to provide grants for training on emergency obstetric services for practitioners in rural health care facilities without dedicated obstetric units. HRSA must also establish a pilot program to provide grants to government entities for developing or improving telehealth access programs to support urgent maternal health care in rural facilities without a dedicated obstetric unit.

This resolution expresses support for police officers and other law enforcement personnel.

The resolution further recognizes

• law enforcement officers across the United States in the pursuit of preserving safe and secure communities;

• the need to ensure that such officers have the equipment, training, and resources necessary to protect their health and safety while they are protecting the public; and

• the law enforcement community for acts of sacrifice and heroism.

The resolution expresses condolences and appreciation to the loved ones of each law enforcement officer who has made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

This resolution encourages local communities throughout the United States to support nonprofit organizations that provide resources to Gold Shield Families during their time of need. Gold Shield Families consist of the families of fallen police officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, correction officers, emergency dispatch officers, and emergency service providers.

Homes for Every Local Protector, Educator, and Responder Act of 2025 or the HELPER Act of 2025

This bill establishes a program administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide mortgage assistance to law enforcement officers, elementary and secondary school teachers, firefighters, or other first responders. Specifically, these individuals may be eligible for a first-time mortgage on a primary family residence with no down payment. Instead, the mortgage is subject to a one-time, up-front mortgage insurance premium.

Love Lives On Act of 2025

This bill extends entitlement for various benefit programs and services for surviving spouses of deceased members of the Armed Forces or veterans.

The bill provides that the remarriage of a surviving spouse must not bar the furnishing of dependency and indemnity compensation or special pension benefits to such spouse.

Additionally, the Department of Defense may not terminate the payment of an annuity for a surviving spouse under the Survivor Benefit Plan solely because the surviving spouse remarries.

The bill also expands the definition of a dependent under TRICARE to include a remarried widow or widower whose subsequent marriage has ended due to death, divorce, or annulment.

Air Traffic Control Workforce Development Act of 2025

This bill expands and modifies Air Traffic Control (ATC) workforce training and programs.

The bill provides statutory authority for the Enhanced Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) program. As background, standard AT-CTI institutions of higher education offer nonengineering aviation degrees that teach basic courses in ATC and aviation administration, and graduates complete training at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Academy. Students at Enhanced AT-CTI schools are provided with equivalent FAA Academy ATC training and may be placed directly into an ATC facility.

The bill establishes a grant program for schools participating in the Enhanced AT-CTI program and provides for a faculty annuity supplement for ATC instructors at participating institution of higher education.

The FAA must convene an aviation rulemaking committee to review and provide recommendations on the (1) curricula of the FAA Academy, AT-CTI program, and Enhanced AT-CTI program; and (2) Air Traffic Skills Assessment exam. Based on the committee's recommendations, the FAA must initiate a rulemaking or make policy and guidance updates, with an exception.

The bill authorizes funding through FY2031 for the procurement and placement at ATC facilities of Tower Simulator Systems, which are used to train air traffic controllers on airport tower operations.

The bill also requires

• DOT to establish ATC recruitment and retention incentive programs,

• the FAA to support the development of mental health services training related to conditions for ATCs, and

• the FAA to submit a report to Congress on the status of the Airspace Non-cooperative Surveillance Radar program.

PFAS–Free Procurement Act of 2025

This bill prohibits an executive agency from renewing or entering into a contract for the procurement of covered items that contain perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) or perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). Under the bill, covered items means (1) nonstick cookware and cooking utensils; and (2) furniture, carpet, and any rug treated with stain-resistant coating. Both PFOS and PFOA are types of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS. PFAS are man-made and may have adverse human health effects.

The bill also specifies that agencies must prioritize the procurement of covered items that do not contain PFAS.

Child and Animal Abuse Detection and Reporting Act

This bill requires the Children’s Bureau of the Administration for Children and Families to share information through the Child Welfare Information Gateway about the incidence of cases of child abuse that involve abuse to animals.

Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act

This bill allows a nurse practitioner or physician assistant to fulfill documentation requirements for coverage, under Medicare, of special shoes for diabetic individuals. Under current law, such requirements may be satisfied only by a physician.

Equality Act

This bill prohibits discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity with respect to businesses, employment, housing, federally funded programs, and other settings.

Specifically, the bill expands Title II and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit public accommodations and federally funded programs, respectively, from discriminating based on sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity. It also includes stores, transit services, recreational facilities, and establishments that provide health care, accounting, or legal services as public accommodations under Title II.

The bill also expands Title IV (desegregation of public schools) and Title VII (employment discrimination) to specifically include sexual orientation and gender identity. (The Supreme Court held in Bostock v. Clayton County that Title VII's prohibition of employment discrimination based on sex also prohibits employment discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.)

The bill similarly expands the Fair Housing Act (discrimination in public and private housing) to include sexual orientation and gender identity. It also prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity by creditors and with respect to jury selection.

The bill defines sex for purposes of the aforementioned provisions to include sex stereotypes, pregnancy, childbirth, sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics.

Improving Care and Access to Nurses Act or the I CAN Act

This bill allows other health care providers besides physicians (e.g., nurses) to provide certain services under Medicare and Medicaid.

Among other changes, the bill (1) allows a nurse practitioner or physician assistant to fulfill documentation requirements for Medicare coverage of special shoes for diabetic individuals; (2) expedites the ability of physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and clinical nurse specialists to supervise Medicare cardiac, intensive cardiac, and pulmonary rehabilitation programs; and (3) allows nurse practitioners to certify the need for inpatient hospital services under Medicare and Medicaid.

Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act

This bill expands support and assistance provided to family caregivers under the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

First, the bill extends the period of medical care coverage for primary family caregivers to include the 180-day period following the removal of their designation as a caregiver under the program, unless such individuals (1) were dismissed from the program for fraud, abuse, or mistreatment; or (2) are entitled to Medicare.

Next, the VA must provide bereavement counseling and support to family caregivers following the death of a veteran receiving care under the program. The VA must also provide retirement planning services to primary family caregivers and study the feasibility and advisability of establishing a retirement plan or retirement savings for caregivers.

Further, unless they were discharged for fraud, abuse, or mistreatment, the VA must provide to primary family caregivers (1) assistance returning to the workforce upon discharge or dismissal from the program, (2) support in transitioning from caregiving, and (3) specified employment assistance during their tenure as a caregiver and for the following 180-days.

The VA must partner with the Department of Labor to study and report on the feasibility and advisability of conducting a program to assist primary caregivers in returning to the workforce.

Finally, the Government Accountability Office must report on the VA’s efforts supporting family caregivers in transitioning from caregiving.