Legislation

The Youth Mental Health Research Act directs the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to establish a Youth Mental Health Research Initiative. This initiative will promote collaborative research on the social, behavioral, and developmental aspects of youth mental health. The goal is to build resilience and improve mental health interventions for young people in various settings. The Act authorizes $100 million in appropriations each fiscal year from 2025 through 2030 for these efforts.

The "Reentry Act of 2025" amends Title XIX of the Social Security Act to allow states to provide Medicaid coverage to inmates in the 30 days before their release. It also requires the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission to submit a report to Congress analyzing health and safety standards in correctional facilities, the impact of this change, and recommendations for further action.

The "United States Leadership in Immersive Technology Act of 2025" aims to promote the use of immersive technology, such as augmented, virtual, and mixed reality, in the United States. It establishes an Immersive Technology Advisory Panel to assess the economic impact of immersive technology and provide recommendations to ensure U.S. economic competitiveness and national security. The panel will study the immersive technology industry and submit a report to Congress with findings and recommendations for congressional action. The Act also directs the Secretary of Commerce to appoint a principal advisor on immersive technology.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Improvements Act of 2025 aims to strengthen protections against sexual harassment and assault within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The bill mandates comprehensive reporting, expands criminal referral requirements, and establishes a restricted reporting system to allow confidential disclosure of incidents. It also requires reporting of incidents on vessels to the Coast Guard and prohibits individuals convicted of certain sexual offenses from serving in the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps. Additionally, the bill broadens the definition of "covered personnel" to include at-sea monitors, observers, and members of Regional Fishery Management Councils.

The "Old Drugs, New Cures Act" incentivizes pharmaceutical companies to research new uses for older drugs by ensuring that these "priority research drugs" are not classified as line extensions under Medicare and Medicaid. This means that the rebates manufacturers are required to pay on these drugs will not be calculated based on the original drug, but on the new indication, encouraging research into treatments for unmet medical needs. The bill establishes criteria for designating a drug as a "priority research drug," focusing on drugs over 10 years old being researched for new indications that address significant unmet medical needs prevalent among beneficiaries of federal healthcare programs. By excluding these drugs from line extension classifications, the Act aims to foster innovation and expand treatment options for diseases with high prevalence among vulnerable populations.

The "Block the Use of Transatlantic Technology in Iranian Made Drones Act" aims to prevent the illegal export of U.S. technologies used in Iranian unmanned aircraft systems. It requires the Secretaries of Commerce, State, and Defense to develop strategies and options to counter Iran's ability to acquire these technologies, focusing on microelectronics and other critical components. These strategies include identifying manufacturers, distributors, and methods of circumventing export controls, as well as synchronizing export controls with U.S. allies. The Act mandates timely updates to U.S. manufacturers and briefings to relevant congressional committees on these efforts.

The "Bus Parity and Clarity Act" ensures equal access for over-the-road buses in scheduled or charter service on toll roads, HOV facilities, and value pricing pilot programs. It requires equal toll rates and terms for these buses, similar to public transportation vehicles. The Act also mandates the publication of a database containing information on toll rates, terms, and conditions for each toll facility covered under these equal access provisions.

The "Nutrition CARE Act of 2025" amends the Social Security Act to expand Medicare coverage to include medical nutrition therapy for individuals with eating disorders, starting January 1, 2026. This coverage includes a minimum of 13 hours of therapy in the first year and 4 hours in each subsequent year, provided by a registered dietitian or nutrition professional upon referral. The goal is to improve treatment access and outcomes for Medicare beneficiaries affected by eating disorders.

The "China Financial Threat Mitigation Act of 2025" requires the Secretary of the Treasury to study and report on the financial risks the People's Republic of China poses to the United States. The report will assess potential impacts on U.S. and global financial systems, evaluate current protective policies, and analyze the reliability of China's economic data. It also recommends actions for the U.S. government to mitigate these risks and safeguard U.S. interests, including collaboration with international organizations. The report will be submitted to key congressional committees, relevant international bodies, and made available to the public.

The "Hot Foods Act of 2025" amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, allowing SNAP benefits to be used for hot and ready-to-eat foods. It broadens the scope of eligible food items under SNAP and modifies retailer eligibility requirements, permitting more stores to accept SNAP if hot food sales do not exceed 50% of their gross sales. This change also updates the language regarding where SNAP-eligible food can be consumed to include "home or immediate consumption".

This resolution expresses the Senate's view that Donald Trump is ineligible for future elections as Vice-President or President. It cites the Twelfth Amendment, stating that anyone ineligible to be President is also ineligible to be Vice-President. The resolution also references the Twenty-Second Amendment, which limits presidents to two terms, noting that Trump has already been elected twice.

The State-Level Departments of Government Efficiency Establishment Act mandates that, beginning in fiscal year 2026, states must establish a government efficiency entity to qualify for discretionary federal funding, excluding security-related funds. These entities, composed of an equal number of members from the majority and minority parties, will work to improve the efficiency of federal funding. Each entity is required to publish an annual report detailing its activities and recommendations on the State's public website and submit it to the Department of Government Efficiency.

The "No UPCODE Act" aims to refine Medicare Advantage risk adjustment by utilizing two years of diagnostic data, excluding diagnoses from chart reviews or health risk assessments, and addressing coding differences between Medicare Advantage and traditional Medicare. This bill requires the Secretary to evaluate and adjust for coding pattern differences to ensure fair payments. These changes would start in 2026.

The "Armenian Genocide Education Act" directs the Librarian of Congress to develop and implement a program to support Armenian Genocide education by creating resources, offering teacher training, and encouraging the inclusion of these resources in school curriculums. The Act authorizes the Librarian of Congress to collect and manage donations to support these activities and requires an annual report to Congress on the program's progress. It also authorizes $2,000,000 in appropriations for fiscal year 2026 and each of the following four fiscal years to implement the Act.

The "Drug Testing for Special Government Employees Act" mandates drug testing for special government employees in sensitive positions. Agencies must drug test potential new hires and enroll current employees in a random drug testing program. Failing a drug test results in a minimum 12-month ineligibility for appointment. The Act defines key terms such as "controlled substance," "agency," "sensitive position," and "special Government employee."

The Cesar E. Chavez and the Farmworker Movement National Historical Park Act redesignates the existing Cesar E. Chavez National Monument as the Cesar E. Chavez and the Farmworker Movement National Historical Park, and allows for the inclusion of additional sites in California and Arizona that are significant to the farmworker movement. The Act directs the Secretary of the Interior to manage the historical park and provide technical assistance for related sites, and requires the creation of a general management plan within three years to determine if additional sites should be added to the historical park. Finally, the Act also amends the National Trails System Act to add the Farmworker Peregrinacin National Historic Trail, following the 1966 route taken by farmworkers between Delano and Sacramento, California.

The "Reduce Duplication and Improve Access to Work Act" amends the Social Security Act to allow states to transfer funds from Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) to workforce development programs under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). It limits the amount of funds reserved for statewide workforce investment activities to no more than 15 percent. States intending to transfer funds must submit a combined state plan to the Secretary and the Secretary of Labor. These changes will take effect on October 1, 2026.

The "Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act" directs the Secretary of Labor to establish an occupational safety and health standard requiring healthcare and social service employers to develop and implement comprehensive workplace violence prevention plans. This standard aims to protect workers from workplace violence through risk assessment, hazard prevention, incident reporting, employee training, and recordkeeping. The bill also extends these requirements to certain facilities receiving Medicare funds, ensuring broader coverage and compliance.

This joint resolution disapproves and nullifies the Environmental Protection Agency's rule that relaxed certain pollution control standards for motor vehicles and engines in California. The rule covered heavy-duty vehicle emissions, advanced clean trucks, zero-emission airport shuttles, and related certifications. By disapproving the rule, Congress prevents its implementation.

The "Tax-Free Pell Grant Act" amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude Federal Pell Grants from being considered taxable income, starting after December 31, 2024. It also broadens the definition of qualified education expenses for the American Opportunity and Lifetime Learning Credits to include expenses such as tuition, fees, computer equipment, child care, and course materials, with some limitations. These changes aim to make education more affordable by reducing the tax burden on students and families.