Patrick Ryan

This resolution provides a special rule for consideration of H.R. 185 and amends that bill to direct the Department of Justice (DOJ) to make publicly available certain records related to Jeffrey Epstein or Ghislaine Maxwell. Under H.R. 185, as amended by the resolution, DOJ must publicly disclose all unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials in its possession that relate to Epstein or Maxwell. The records include unclassified records referring or relating to Epstein's detention and death; flight logs of aircraft owned or used by Epstein; individuals named in connection with Epstein’s criminal activities, civil settlements, or immunity or plea agreements; immunity deals, sealed settlements, or plea bargains of Epstein or his associates; entities with ties to Epstein’s trafficking or financial networks; and internal Department of Justice communications concerning decisions to investigate or charge Epstein or his associates.  However, under the amended bill, DOJ may withhold or redact portions of records with written justification that such portions contain (1) victims' personally identifiable information; (2) child sexual abuse materials; (3) images of death, physical abuse, or injury; (4) information which would jeopardize an active federal investigation or prosecution; or (5) classified information. DOJ may not withhold or redact records on the basis of embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity. Further, within 15 days of completing the required disclosures, DOJ must provide Congress with a report listing all categories of records released and withheld, all redactions made and their legal basis, and all government officials and politically exposed persons named or referenced in the released materials.

**Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act** This bill requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission to issue a final consumer product safety rule for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries used in micromobility devices, such as electric bikes and electric scooters. Specifically, the rule must require manufacturers and distributors of such products to comply with the applicable safety standards jointly established by the American National Standards Institute, the Standards Council of Canada, and UL Solutions Inc.

**Protecting Social Security Act** This bill provides funds for Social Security benefits payments in the event of the insolvency of one or both of the Social Security trust funds, and provides for the expedited consideration of legislation to address such insolvency in Congress. Specifically, for any period in which the balance of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund or the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund is insufficient to cover monthly payments to beneficiaries, the bill provides funding in the amount necessary to make such payments.  Further, the bill requires the Social Security Administration (SSA) to notify Congress of the insolvency of either trust fund, and makes certain legislation to address the insolvency eligible for expedited consideration upon such a notification. The bill sets forth certain requirements for eligible legislation, including that it must ensure that individuals entitled to Social Security or disability benefits continue to receive payments in full. The bill also sets out procedures for the consideration of eligible legislation in each chamber of Congress, including through specified time limits for committee consideration and a prohibition on amendments.  Finally, the bill requires SSA to maintain a field office in every U.S. county with a population of more than 150,000.

**Mortgage Rate Reduction Act** This bill authorizes the federal guarantee, or insurance, of certain second mortgages. Specifically, this applies to properties with a first mortgage guaranteed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) or the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). For a second mortgage to qualify, the first mortgage on the property must be guaranteed under the same authority. The bill also requires the publication of mortgage guarantee information by the FHA, VA, and Department of Agriculture. For each mortgage guaranteed, these agencies must publish the address of the property and the date of the loan.

**Stopping Pharma’s Ripoffs and Drug Savings For All Act** This bill addresses double patenting with respect to drug-related patents. Specifically, the bill requires an owner of drug-related patents, if the owner lists more than one patent as covering a particular drug, to prove in certain proceedings that each patent covers a distinct invention. If the patent owner fails to do so, then the owner shall have disclaimed patent protection from all the listed patents after the first patent expires. This requirement shall apply to various proceedings challenging the validity of drug-related patents, as well as to infringement lawsuits filed by the patent owner against companies seeking Food and Drug Administration approval for generic or biosimilar versions of patented drugs. The bill also directs the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to review its examination procedures to prevent granting multiple patents for the same drug or biological product, unless the patents cover distinct inventions. The USPTO shall report to Congress its findings and recommendations from the review.

**Stop Sports Blackouts Act of 2025** This bill requires cable and satellite broadcast providers to issue rebates to customers who are denied access to video programming included in their subscription because of programming negotiations.  Specifically, where a provider’s negotiations related to the retransmission or carriage of video programming result in the provider failing to offer access to programming included in a customer’s subscription, the customer must be issued a rebate for the affected period. The Federal Communications Commission is directed to issue rules to this effect, including to establish the appropriate amount for such a rebate.

**Lower Grocery Prices Act** This bill requires the Government Accountability Office to submit a report to Congress on changes in the Consumer Price Index for food at home over the past 20 years. The report must also include recommendations to help lower food at home costs for U.S. consumers.

**Decreasing Emergency Railroad Accident Instances Locally Act or the DERAIL Act** This bill requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to expand the definition of a high-hazard flammable train (HHFT), thereby subjecting more trains to additional safety requirements. Specifically, DOT must expand the definition of *HHFT* to mean a train transporting one or more loaded tank cars of a Class 3 flammable liquid (e.g., benzene residue) or a Class 2 flammable gas (e.g., vinyl chloride) and other materials DOT determines necessary for safety. Current regulations define *HHFT* as a train transporting 20 or more loaded tank cars of a Class 3 flammable liquid in a continuous block or 35 or more loaded tank cars of a Class 3 flammable liquid dispersed throughout the train. The bill also requires railway carriers to report a train derailment that involves a train carrying material toxic by inhalation within 24 hours of the derailment to the National Response Center (NRC), state and local officials, and tribal governments. As background, the NRC is a part of the federally established National Response System. Reports to the NRC activate the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan and the federal government's response capabilities.