Stablecoin GENIUS Act Signed into Law
One of the most significant legislative developments in July was the passage and signing of the Stablecoin GENIUS Act, which establishes a federal framework for regulating stablecoins—digital assets pegged to fiat currencies1. The bill passed the House after a marathon nine-hour voting session, with Republican leaders negotiating with conservative holdouts. It then moved swiftly through the Senate and was signed into law by President Trump. The legislation aims to provide clarity for crypto markets, requiring issuers to maintain dollar reserves and submit to regular audits. Supporters argue it will stabilize digital finance and protect consumers, while critics warn it could stifle innovation. The bill marks a major step in federal cryptocurrency regulation and is expected to influence global standards.
Coast Guard Authorization and Veterans Affairs Bills Advance
Several bipartisan bills have progressed through the House, including the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025 and legislation to rename a VA clinic in New Jersey 2. These bills reflect Congress’s focus on infrastructure and veteran services. The Coast Guard bill includes funding for fleet modernization and personnel support, while the VA clinic naming honors WWII hero Leonard G. “Bud” Lomell. Both bills are expected to pass the Senate with minimal opposition. Additionally, the PRO Veterans Act of 2025 is gaining traction, aiming to streamline benefits processing and expand mental health services. These measures show strong bipartisan cooperation in areas of national service and defense.
Business and Financial Reform Bills on the Floor
The House is currently debating several bills aimed at improving financial transparency and supporting small businesses. The Middle Market IPO Cost Act and the Improving Access to Small Business Information Act are designed to reduce regulatory burdens and enhance access to capital for mid-sized firms 2. Meanwhile, the China Financial Threat Mitigation Act of 2025 seeks to tighten oversight of Chinese investments in U.S. markets. These bills have broad support among Republicans and moderate Democrats, though progressive lawmakers are pushing for stronger consumer protections. If passed, they could reshape the landscape for domestic and international financial operations.
Environmental and Land Management Legislation Faces Resistance
Two joint resolutions—H.J.Res. 104 and H.J.Res. 105—aiming to overturn Bureau of Land Management rules in North Dakota and Montana have sparked heated debate2. These resolutions are part of a broader Republican effort to roll back federal land use regulations. Environmental groups and Democratic lawmakers oppose the measures, citing risks to conservation and climate goals. The resolutions passed the House but face an uphill battle in the Senate, where moderate Democrats and independents hold sway. Their outcome will signal the direction of federal land policy under the current administration.
Postal and Infrastructure Bills Gain Momentum
Infrastructure-related legislation is also moving forward, including bills to establish new ZIP codes for underserved communities and improve postal service efficiency2. The Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act is set to fund long-delayed water infrastructure in Colorado, while the Law Enforcement Officer and Firefighter Recreation Pass Act proposes free national park access for first responders. These bills enjoy bipartisan support and are expected to pass both chambers. Their progress reflects Congress’s focus on tangible, community-level improvements amid broader political tensions.
Stablecoin Standards: GENIUS Act Enacted
On July 18, 2025, Congress finalized the landmark GENIUS Act, a bipartisan framework regulating dollar-backed stablecoins. S.1582 passed the Senate 68–30 in mid-June and moved through the House on July 17, passing 308–122. The law mandates that stablecoin issuers hold one-to-one reserves—high-quality liquid assets—and submits to audits and disclosures
. Signed into law, the measure enables firms like Circle and Ripple to pursue Fed master accounts, bypassing traditional banks—a move seen as a major crypto milestone
. Implementation will take up to 18 months, with complementary bills (such as the CLARITY Act and anti-CBDC bill) advancing in the House but still pending in the Senate
Big Budget Package: One Big Beautiful Bill Signed
On July 4, President Trump signed the sweeping One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1), passing the Senate 51–50 (VP tie-break) on July 1 and cleared the House 218–214 on July 3
The $3.4 trillion reconciliation package extends Trump-era tax cuts permanently, increases border security and defense funding, raises the debt ceiling by $5 trillion, and offsets costs via $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts and $185 billion in food aid reductions—potentially jeopardizing coverage for 17 million Americans
. It also repeals many Biden-era clean energy provisions. Despite its size, 61% of Americans currently oppose it, while Republicans argue it enhances economic growth and national defense
The Washington Post
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Rescissions Package & Epstein Transparency Fight
Mid-July saw the House narrowly pass a $9 billion rescissions package on July 17, cutting public broadcasting and foreign aid—including $1.1 billion from CPB and $8 billion from USAID
The Senate approved a modified bill earlier, excluding cuts to the PEPFAR AIDS program amid bipartisan resistance
Amid the rescissions, Republicans attempted but failed to force a vote on releasing Jeffrey Epstein case files—Democrats condemned the move as obstructionist
Speaker Johnson abruptly adjourned the House for August recess, intensifying intra-party GOP discord over transparency demands
Other July Enactments: Fentanyl, Alaska, Salem
In July, the 119th Congress passed several targeted bills:
HALT Fentanyl Act (S.331)
became law July 16, enhancing scheduling of fentanyl-related substances
Alaska Native Settlement Trust Eligibility Act and Village Municipal Lands Restoration Act
(H.B. 42/H.B. 43) became law July 7, amending the ANCSA
Wikipedia
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Apex Area Technical Corrections Act and Salem Maritime site redesignation (H.B. 618/H.B. 2215) passed mid-July
Altogether, these bills reflect a flurry of policy changes from drug control to land management in July’s session.
July Legislative Pipeline & Outlook
Looking ahead, the House sank back into recess, delaying action on bills like the PRO Act (H.R. 20), Farm Workforce Modernization, and other social and labor priorities
The Senate Banking Committee released draft crypto-market structure legislation on July 22, building on the GENIUS Act toward broader digital-asset reform
Numerous House and Senate bills were introduced around July 21 across housing, cybersecurity, securities disclosure, ZIP-code mapping, and veteran funding—now in committee awaiting floor action
LegiScan
State legislatures and committees are busy too, such as North Carolina’s planned July 29 session to override vetoes
As Congress resumes in September, expect contested action on transparency reforms, labor rights, immigration, and climate policy.
Major Appropriations Bills Move Forward Despite Political Agitations
July 2025 has been marked by significant activity on federal appropriations bills, with Congress working through the annual budget process under the new Trump administration. The Senate appears to be teeing up votes on the Military Construction-Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill and nominations for Executive branch and judicial positions, representing one of the key legislative priorities this month. The Senate Appropriations Committee held a full committee markup on July 17, 2025, for both the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Acts, demonstrating the chamber's focus on funding essential government operations. The appropriations process has taken on added significance as lawmakers navigate the fiscal implications of recent tax legislation and growing federal deficits. These funding bills are critical for maintaining government operations and providing essential services to veterans and military families. The committee markup represents a crucial step in the legislative process, as appropriations bills must pass both chambers before the start of the new fiscal year in October to avoid potential government shutdowns.
Veterans Affairs and Military Construction Funding Advances Through Committee Process
The Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act provides a total discretionary allocation of $152.091 billion, which is nearly $5 billion (3%) above the Fiscal Year 2025 levels, reflecting Congress's commitment to supporting veterans and military infrastructure. The bill fully funds the President's request and provides $112.59 billion for VA medical care in fiscal year 2025 to provide essential health services for more than 9.1 million veterans, representing a substantial investment in veterans' healthcare. This legislation has moved through both House and Senate committees, with the House Appropriations Committee having approved the measure in June and the Senate committee conducting its markup in mid-July. The bipartisan nature of veterans' affairs funding has helped this bill progress more smoothly than some other appropriations measures, though it still faces the challenge of final passage in both chambers. The funding increase reflects growing recognition of the need to address veterans' healthcare backlogs and improve military construction projects that have been delayed due to previous budget constraints. The legislation also includes provisions for toxic exposure treatment funding, addressing the ongoing needs of veterans affected by burn pits and other environmental hazards from their service.
Trump's "Big, Beautiful Bill" Passes Congress in Narrow Victory
The House approved the bill in a 218 to 214 vote Thursday, after the Senate narrowly approved the bill Tuesday in a 51-50 vote that required Vice President JD Vance to break a tie, marking one of the most significant legislative victories for the Trump administration this month. Trump signed the bill into law on Friday afternoon, completing the legislative process for what the administration has characterized as a cornerstone piece of legislation. The reconciliation bill is President Trump and Congress's Republicans' signature bill that is projected to add $2.4 trillion to the deficit over the coming years, highlighting the substantial fiscal impact of this legislation. The extremely close margins in both chambers demonstrate the partisan nature of this legislation and the challenges facing the Republican majority in advancing their agenda. The bill's passage required intensive lobbying efforts and party-line discipline, with no Democratic support in either chamber. The legislation represents a major test of the new administration's ability to work with Congress and advance its policy priorities through the legislative process.
This bill is provisionally dead due to a failed vote for closure on January 28, 2025. closure is required to move past a Senate filibuster or the threat of a filibuster and takes a 3/5ths vote, illustrating the ongoing challenges that Democratic and progressive legislation faces in the current Senate. The 60-vote threshold for most legislation continues to serve as a significant barrier for bills that lack bipartisan support, effectively killing numerous proposals before they can reach a final vote. This procedural hurdle has been particularly challenging for Democratic initiatives, as the Republican majority can easily block measures they oppose through filibuster threats. The cloture requirement has become a defining feature of Senate operations, forcing lawmakers to build broader coalitions or abandon their legislative priorities. Several bills addressing climate change, voting rights, and social programs have encountered this procedural roadblock during July, reflecting the polarized nature of current congressional dynamics. The inability to reach the 60-vote threshold has frustrated Democratic lawmakers who argue that the filibuster prevents the Senate from addressing urgent national priorities, while Republicans maintain that it protects minority rights and encourages bipartisan cooperation.
Looking Ahead: Congressional Calendar and Upcoming Legislative Priorities
The Senate convened at 11:00 a.m. and adjourned at 6:17 p.m. 6 record votes were taken on July 17th, reflecting the typical pace of legislative activity as Congress works through its summer session before the August recess. This week, the Senate has 28 committee meetings scheduled, indicating continued legislative work despite the approaching recess period. The remainder of July will likely focus on completing action on appropriations bills and addressing nominations for key executive branch and judicial positions. Congress faces the challenge of passing several more appropriations bills before the September 30th deadline to avoid a government shutdown, requiring continued bipartisan cooperation on funding measures. The legislative calendar becomes increasingly compressed as lawmakers prepare for the August recess, traditionally used for district work and constituent meetings. Key challenges ahead include resolving differences between House and Senate versions of appropriations bills, addressing the debt ceiling if necessary, and responding to any emerging national priorities or crises. The success or failure of these remaining July initiatives will significantly impact Congress's ability to complete its essential work before the fiscal year ends and will set the tone for fall legislative battles over budget priorities and other major policy issues.
