James Risch

Equal Campus Access Act of 2025

This bill prohibits funding made available under the Higher Education Act of 1965 from being provided to any public institution of higher education (IHE) that denies certain campus rights to religious student organizations.

Specifically, the bill prohibits a public IHE from receiving these funds if it denies a religious student organization any right, benefit, or privilege that is otherwise afforded to other student organizations at the IHE because of the religious student organization's beliefs, practices, speech, leadership standards, or standards of conduct.

This resolution expresses support for the goals and ideals of National Forensic Science Week.

This resolution supports the designation of November 16, 2025, as National Warrior Call Day and encourages individuals to engage with warriors (i.e., members of the Armed Forces and veterans) to connect and provide support.

This resolution condemns the assassination of Charlie Kirk, extends condolences and sympathies to his family, and honors his commitment to civil discussion and debate.

Headwaters Protection Act of 2025

This bill reauthorizes through FY2034 and expands the Water Source Protection Program (WSPP) under which the Forest Service carries out watershed protection and restoration projects on federal land. It also requires the Forest Service's Watershed Condition Framework for National Forest System land to ensure certain activities and authorizations do not result in long-term degradation of the health of a watershed.

The bill authorizes the WSPP to support projects on state, local, or private land that is adjacent to projects on National Forest System land, so long as (1) the adjacent land is within the same watershed as the project on federal land, and (2) the owner of the adjacent land supports the project.

Further, the bill expands the types of end water users that may participate in the program to include (1) an acequia association (an organization that manages traditional irrigation systems found in the Southwest); (2) a public entity that manages water infrastructure, such as stormwater or wastewater resources; (3) certain land grant entities in New Mexico called land-grant mercedes; and (4) a local, regional, or other private entity that has water delivery authority.

The bill requires projects under the program to (1) protect and restore watershed health, water supply and quality, a municipal or agricultural water supply system, and water-related infrastructure; (2) protect and restore forest health from insect infestation and disease or wildfire; or (3) advance any combination of those purposes.

Additionally, the bill reduces the cost share for nonfederal WSPP participants.

Common-Sense Law Enforcement and Accountability Now in DC Act or the CLEAN DC Act

This bill repeals the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022, enacted by the Council of the District of Columbia.

Any provision of law amended or repealed by that act is restored or revived as if it had not been enacted.

(The act sets forth a variety of measures that focus on policing, including measures prohibiting the use of certain neck restraints by law enforcement officers, requiring additional procedures related to body-worn cameras, and expanding access to police disciplinary records.)

More Opportunities for Rural Economies from USDA Grants Act or the MORE USDA Grants Act

This bill expands access to qualifying Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant programs for local governments or tribal governments located within a high-density public land county. Under the bill, these are counties (1) that have a population of not more than 100,000 people, and (2) where the federal government owns or manages more than 50% of the land.

Qualifying USDA grant programs include the Rural Business Development Grants, the Community Facilities grant program, the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants program, and other specified grant programs administered by USDA rural development agencies or by USDA.

Under the bill, any requirement for local matching funds under a qualifying grant program must be reduced by 50% for a local government or tribal government within a high-density public land county.

On request, USDA must provide additional technical assistance to these local governments or tribal governments before and during the annual application period for each qualifying grant program.

Further, USDA must prioritize grant applications from these local governments and tribal governments that have not received support in the previous 10 years under the qualifying grant program.

For qualifying grant programs, USDA may also provide additional application support for these local governments or tribal governments. Support may include offering flexibility in meeting certain application requirements or addressing a barrier to applying for or receiving assistance, such as flexibility related to financial requirements or application scoring criteria.

Stopping Teachers Unions from Damaging Education Needs Today Act or the STUDENT Act

This bill revises the federal charter for the National Education Association.

The bill specifies that the corporation and its state and local affiliates may only accept payment of membership dues or fees from a state or local government employee if the employee (1) has been notified of the employee's right under the First Amendment to refrain from membership and payment of associated dues or fees, (2) has clearly and affirmatively consented to membership and payment of associated dues or fees, and (3) has authorized the transmittal of membership dues or fees without the use of payroll deduction.

Further, the corporation and its state or local affiliates must process and honor cancellation requests for membership or payment of dues as soon as practicable following receipt of the request.

The bill also outlines requirements for the corporation, such as

• prohibiting the corporation or its directors or officers from contributing to, supporting, or participating in political activities;

• requiring each officer of the corporation to be a U.S. citizen;

• requiring the corporation to submit annual reports to Congress;

• prohibiting the corporation and its affiliates from requiring staff, officers, affiliates, or members to affirm, adopt, or adhere to certain principles related to race or sex; and

• prohibiting the corporation and its affiliates from calling or participating in a strike, work stoppage, or slowdown affecting a state or local government.

The bill repeals the corporation's exemption from District of Columbia property taxes.