Legislation

The Restoring Rights of Physicians to Own Hospitals Act aims to simplify compliance for hospitals seeking exceptions to physician self-referral prohibitions under the Stark Law. This legislation repeals specific, burdensome requirements that hospitals previously had to meet to qualify for rural provider or general hospital ownership exceptions. By removing these detailed statutory conditions, the bill restores greater flexibility regarding physician ownership in hospitals.

The Taiwan Assurance Implementation Act mandates that the Department of State regularly review and update its official guidelines governing U.S. relations with Taiwan. This requires the Secretary of State to conduct a review at least every five years and subsequently report these updated guidelines to Congress. The goal is to ensure consistent and transparent execution of U.S. policy toward Taiwan.

The Protecting America’s Cybersecurity Act aims to reinstate certain Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) employees removed between January and March 2025, provided they were not removed for cause. It also freezes involuntary personnel actions and budget transfers for current CISA staff and funding unless specifically authorized by Congress. Furthermore, the bill prohibits the use of federal funds to pay the salaries of employees detailed to CISA from the Department of the United States DOGE Service.

This resolution strongly condemns recent actions by President Donald J. Trump that targeted and undermined the freedom of the press. It reaffirms the United States' foundational commitment to a free and independent media as essential for a functioning democracy. Furthermore, the resolution calls for the executive branch to respect journalistic rights and urges continued efforts to secure the release of imprisoned U.S. Agency for Global Media journalists abroad.

The Holding Nonprofit Hospitals Accountable Act establishes a new "community benefit standard" that nonprofit hospitals must meet to maintain tax-exempt status, requiring local board representation and minimum spending on community-focused activities. The bill also updates financial assistance requirements by mandating that charity care calculations be based on Medicare rates, rather than previous standards. Furthermore, it mandates annual reviews by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) on hospital financial aid compliance and a GAO review of IRS enforcement effectiveness. These changes are set to take effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.

The Ocean Regional Opportunity and Innovation Act of 2025 establishes "Ocean Innovation Clusters" across the U.S. to foster sustainable growth in the "Blue Economy." This legislation directs the Secretary of Commerce to designate at least seven regional clusters led by non-profits to enhance collaboration between industry, academia, and local governments. The Act authorizes a competitive grant program, up to $10 million per award, to help these clusters operate and create physical collaboration centers. Ultimately, the goal is to drive economic opportunity, workforce development, and climate resilience in ocean-related sectors.

The Duty Drawback Clarification Act updates the U.S. tariff schedule to standardize the classification of whiskies under Chapter 22. This legislation removes an outdated whiskey classification code and requires the U.S. International Trade Commission to add new statistical tracking codes for imports. These changes will take effect 15 days after the Act is officially enacted.

The Stamp Out Invasive Species Act mandates the creation and sale of a special "Combating Invasive Species Semipostal Stamp" by the U.S. Postal Service for a two-year period. Proceeds from the extra cost of this stamp will be equally divided between the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture. This funding is specifically dedicated to supporting federal programs aimed at combating the significant ecological and economic damage caused by invasive species.

This concurrent resolution formally recognizes the critical importance and vital contributions of the United States Special Operations Forces (SOF) community to national security. It expresses strong support for the designation of an annual "SOF Week" to honor the service members and their families. The resolution underscores the need to continue providing these elite forces with the necessary resources, training, and support.

The Expanding Access to Fertility Care for Servicemembers and Dependents Act amends the TRICARE program to guarantee comprehensive coverage for assisted reproductive services for active-duty service members and their dependents. This new benefit ensures access to treatments like IVF and embryo storage, regardless of the cause of infertility or the service member's duty-related status. The legislation removes previous barriers to coverage based on service-connected injuries, sexual orientation, or marital status.

The Combatting Hospital Monopolies Act expands the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) authority to regulate certain entities. This bill specifically amends the definition of "Corporation" to include tax-exempt, non-profit hospital organizations. This change allows the FTC to oversee the business practices of these hospitals to combat potential monopolies.

The Preventing Elected Leaders from Owning Securities and Investments (PELOSI) Act bans Members of Congress and their spouses from trading covered financial instruments, such as stocks and derivatives, during their term in office. Members must divest prohibited assets within 180 days of taking office or the law's enactment. Violations result in disgorgement of profits and potential civil fines enforced by ethics committees, with compliance subject to annual certification and a GAO audit.

The Preventing Ranked Choice Corruption Act explicitly bans the use of ranked choice voting (RCV) in all federal elections, including those for President, the Senate, and the House of Representatives. This prohibition amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to ensure only traditional voting methods are used for federal races nationwide. The ban will take effect for all federal elections held in 2026 and beyond.

The Highway Formula Fairness Act allows the Secretary of Transportation the discretion to provide additional highway funding to states experiencing population growth. Furthermore, the bill mandates a comprehensive study to modernize the existing federal highway funding formula, ensuring it is equitable and meets current national transportation goals. The Secretary must report the study's findings and recommendations for a new formula to Congress within 90 days of enactment.

The ACES Act mandates a comprehensive study by the National Academies to investigate the prevalence and mortality rates of various cancers among active duty fixed-wing aircraft crew members due to potential service-related exposures. This legislation also extends the expiration date for certain limitations on veteran pension payments by one month. The study will analyze specific cancer types and utilize data from the VA, DoD, and other federal sources.

This bill expands the Department of Veterans Affairs' authority to provide grants to entities that assist homeless veterans. These grants will now specifically support organizations helping veterans access all eligible VA benefits and coordinate broader support services from government and private sources. The updated criteria also prioritize organizations capable of providing comprehensive assistance beyond just housing repair.

The Empowering Patient Choice of Medical Care Act eliminates the "inpatient-only" list maintained by HHS, effective January 1, 2026. This change prevents the automatic denial of payment for hospital services simply because they were traditionally considered inpatient-only. The Act aims to increase flexibility in where certain medical procedures can be safely performed and reimbursed.

The Falun Gong Protection Act establishes a firm U.S. policy to cease cooperation with China on organ transplantation until the practice of state-sponsored organ harvesting ends. The bill mandates sanctions, including asset freezes and travel bans, against foreign individuals knowingly involved in forced organ harvesting in China. Furthermore, it requires a comprehensive report assessing China's transplant practices and directs the U.S. to coordinate international pressure against these abuses.

This resolution officially supports the goals and ideals of National Nurses Week, observed from May 6 through May 12, 2025. It recognizes the vital contributions of nurses as frontline healthcare providers and patient advocates. The measure encourages the public to observe the week with appropriate events honoring the nursing profession.

The United States Postal Service Shipping Equity Act amends federal law to permit the mailing of alcoholic beverages through the USPS under strict new regulations. These regulations will require age verification upon delivery, restrict shipments to personal use, and mandate that shippers be registered entities. This change does not preempt any existing state or local laws regarding alcohol sales or shipment.