Monthly Legislative Update: Congress Advances Major Funding and Policy Bills – March 2025
As the March 31 government funding deadline approaches, Congress is intensifying efforts to pass a comprehensive appropriations package for the remainder of fiscal year 2025. With natural disasters continuing to strain emergency response systems and small businesses seeking post-crisis recovery, lawmakers have prioritized additional funding for FEMA and the SBA EIDL program. Meanwhile, progress is being made across several key bills spanning national security, healthcare, technology, and civil liberties.
🔔 March Highlights: Funding, FEMA, and SBA
✅ Full-Year Appropriations Bill Nears Completion
• After months of short-term extensions, Congress is finalizing a full appropriations bill expected to pass before the March 31, 2025 deadline.
• The package includes increased funding for defense, transportation infrastructure, public health programs, and education reform.
💼 FEMA Disaster Relief Fund Replenished
• A $5 billion supplemental appropriation for FEMA was passed by both chambers on March 6, following a record number of severe winter storms and tornado outbreaks.
• The funds will be used for housing support, infrastructure repair, emergency response, and hazard mitigation in affected regions.
🏢 SBA EIDL Program Expansion Signed Into Law
• On March 8, 2025, the President signed into law an additional $3 billion in funding for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program.
• The bill includes provisions for:
• Streamlined application processing
• Deferment of first payments for up to 18 months
• Expanded eligibility for microbusinesses and rural nonprofits
🏛️ Senate Legislative Progress – March 2025
SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act
• The bill passed the Senate Finance Committee with bipartisan support and is scheduled for a floor vote the week of March 18.
FISA Reauthorization
• A compromise version is gaining traction, featuring new limits on domestic data collection and stronger FISA court oversight.
Defense Appropriations Bill (FY25)
• Debate continues over funding allocations for AI defense systems and U.S. troop deployments in the Indo-Pacific. A vote is expected before the month’s end.
FAA Reauthorization
• The Senate passed a $108 billion reauthorization bill, including new rules to address flight delays, pilot shortages, and airport modernization.
Fire Grants and Safety Act
• An amendment added $600 million for wildfire prevention and firefighter mental health programs.
🏛️ House Legislative Progress – March 2025
H.R. 2670 - National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)
• The House Armed Services Committee approved the updated NDAA, which includes military housing upgrades, pay increases, and drone defense research funding.
H.R. 7213 - Autism CARES Act of 2024
• Passed the House with overwhelming support on March 5; headed to the Senate for final approval.
H.R. 9468 - Disaster Appropriations Act
• Contains the FEMA and SBA EIDL provisions now signed into law; the bill also includes language for improving emergency coordination between federal and state agencies.
H.R. 2530 - Nurse-to-Patient Staffing Ratios Act
• Advanced to the House floor after markup in the Health Subcommittee. Hospitals and unions are actively lobbying as the vote nears.
H.R. 734 - Title IX Reform Act
• Revised language now includes exemptions for private schools and religious institutions; the bill remains controversial and under debate.
H.R. 2 - Securing the U.S. Borders Act
• Negotiations are underway to combine this bill with a border technology funding package that includes drone surveillance and AI-based monitoring tools.
🔮 Looking Ahead: April Priorities
• Final passage of the FY2025 budget remains the top priority to avoid a funding lapse.
• The Senate is preparing for action on:
• Gun violence prevention legislation
• AI regulation framework
• Student debt relief policy proposals
• The House will focus on:
• Parents Bill of Rights (H.R. 5)
• Election security reforms
• Revisions to the tax code for small businesses
✅ Conclusion
March 2025 marks a turning point in the 119th Congress, with critical funding bills secured and several landmark policies moving closer to reality. The infusion of funds into FEMA and SBA EIDL demonstrates Congress’s commitment to disaster recovery and small business resilience. At the same time, debates over national security, healthcare, and civil liberties continue to shape the broader agenda.
Stay tuned for April’s update as Congress moves into the next phase of its legislative session.