Legislative Activity

The Strengthening Protections for Domestic Violence and Stalking Survivors Act of 2025 updates definitions to expand protections for victims of intimate partner violence, including broadening who qualifies as an intimate partner. This legislation clarifies what constitutes a "dating relationship" and extends misdemeanor domestic violence protections to children harmed by a parent's dating partner. Crucially, the Act also creates a new federal prohibition preventing individuals convicted of misdemeanor stalking from owning or possessing firearms.

The Women’s Health Protection Act of 2025 establishes a federal right to access abortion services without facing state-imposed restrictions that are not medically necessary for comparable procedures. This Act prohibits states from enacting targeted regulations that create hurdles for abortion access, protects the right to travel out of state for care, and allows individuals and the Attorney General to sue to enforce these protections. Ultimately, the bill aims to ensure equitable access to reproductive healthcare decisions based on a provider's good-faith medical judgment.

The Curbing Officials' Income and Nondisclosure (COIN) Act aims to prevent public officials from financially exploiting their positions through digital assets. The bill prohibits covered individuals and their immediate families from engaging in specific digital asset transactions during and shortly after their service. Furthermore, it imposes new criminal penalties for violations and mandates increased financial disclosure requirements for federal employees regarding their cryptocurrency holdings.

This resolution expresses strong support for designating June 19, 2025, as "World Sickle Cell Awareness Day" to increase public understanding of sickle cell disease (SCD). It urges federal agencies to improve access to research, early detection, and novel treatments for SCD patients globally and domestically. Furthermore, the bill calls for the establishment of an interagency group to develop policies ensuring equitable access to innovative therapies while actively addressing systemic biases in care.

This resolution officially designates the week of May 18 through May 24, 2025, as "National Public Works Week." It serves to recognize and celebrate the essential contributions of public works professionals who maintain vital infrastructure like roads, water systems, and waste management. The bill urges communities nationwide to observe this week with activities honoring these dedicated workers.

The Safe Environment from Countries Under Repression and Emergency (SECURE) Act creates a new pathway for certain immigrants with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) history to apply for permanent residency within the U.S. This legislation also establishes strict confidentiality protections for applicants against immigration enforcement actions based on their application information. Furthermore, the bill mandates detailed reporting to Congress regarding the conditions in countries whose TPS designations are terminated. Finally, it ensures that eligibility for this new status does not preclude applicants from seeking other immigration benefits.

The Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act restricts how consumer reporting agencies can share your credit report when you are seeking a residential mortgage loan. Specifically, it limits the sharing of these reports unless they are connected to a firm offer of credit or are being sent to parties directly involved in your current mortgage, such as the originator or servicer. This ensures that your sensitive financial information is only accessed by relevant parties during the home loan process.

The Choice Neighborhoods Initiative Act of 2025 establishes a competitive grant program managed by the Secretary of HUD to revitalize severely distressed neighborhoods marked by extreme poverty. Grantees must submit comprehensive transformation plans focused on improving housing, fostering economic self-sufficiency, and coordinating community services. A core requirement of the Act is the one-for-one replacement of any public or assisted housing units demolished as part of the revitalization effort. The law also mandates robust resident involvement and guarantees displaced residents the right to return to the newly developed housing.

The Easy Enrollment in Health Care Act aims to streamline health insurance enrollment by allowing individuals to consent to use their federal tax return information for automatic enrollment into zero-net-premium affordability programs. It strengthens data sharing between the IRS and Health Insurance Exchanges to simplify eligibility checks for programs like Medicaid and CHIP. Furthermore, the bill modernizes verification processes and establishes an advisory committee to guide the implementation of these new streamlined enrollment systems.

The Stabilize Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Act extends 12-month continuous enrollment protections under Medicaid and CHIP to all eligible individuals, removing previous age restrictions. This ensures greater stability in health coverage by preventing premature disenrollment. These changes are scheduled to take effect starting in the first fiscal quarter after December 31, 2026.

The Advancing Student Services In Schools Today (ASSIST) Act aims to boost federal funding for mental health and substance use disorder services provided in schools by increasing the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) to 90 percent for these specific expenditures. Additionally, the bill establishes a new grant program to increase the number of qualified behavioral health providers working in schools and school-based health centers. Eligible entities can apply for funding to hire culturally sensitive providers to address student needs, with strict reporting requirements on provider numbers and service effectiveness.

The Expanded Coverage for Former Foster Youth Act aims to ensure continuous Medicaid coverage for young adults who aged out of state foster care until they reach age 26. This legislation amends eligibility rules to secure medical assistance for these former foster youth, provided they meet specific criteria regarding their time in state care. Furthermore, the bill mandates that states establish proactive outreach and enrollment programs, coordinated with child welfare agencies, to help eligible individuals sign up for these benefits starting in 2026.

The Helping Tobacco Users Quit Act mandates that Medicaid and CHIP programs comprehensively cover counseling and prescription drugs for tobacco cessation, aligning with established clinical guidelines. This coverage must be provided without any patient cost-sharing, such as copayments or deductibles. To encourage immediate adoption, the federal government will temporarily boost funding to 90% for these services and related state outreach campaigns for five years. Furthermore, the bill prohibits requiring prior authorization for tobacco cessation medications under both programs.

The My Body, My Data Act of 2025 establishes strict rules for how businesses (regulated entities) can collect, use, and share sensitive reproductive and sexual health information. This Act grants individuals the rights to access, correct, and delete their personal health data held by these entities. Furthermore, it mandates transparent privacy policies and explicitly prohibits entities from retaliating against individuals who exercise their new privacy rights.

The Roadless Area Conservation Act of 2025 aims to provide lasting protection for inventoried roadless areas within our National Forests. This legislation mandates that the Secretary of Agriculture must adhere to the existing "Roadless Rule," prohibiting the construction of new roads, the reconstruction of old roads, and timber harvesting within these designated areas. The Act seeks to preserve critical watersheds, support wildlife, and maintain areas for traditional recreation without imposing new restrictions outside of these roadless zones.

The Protect IVF Act establishes a federal right to access fertility treatments, such as IVF, based on widely accepted medical standards. It prohibits states from enacting or enforcing rules that create unnecessary roadblocks or conflict with these established medical practices. The law empowers individuals, providers, and insurers to sue to strike down restrictive state laws that interfere with evidence-based fertility care. Ultimately, this Act ensures that decisions regarding fertility treatment remain between patients and their doctors, overriding conflicting state regulations.

The Small Business Tax Fairness and Compliance Simplification Act aims to provide tax relief and compliance clarity for the beauty services industry. It expands an existing employer tax credit for Social Security taxes paid on employee tips to include beauty service establishments. Furthermore, the bill establishes an IRS audit "safe harbor" for beauty employers who implement specific tip reporting and training procedures, and it introduces new information reporting requirements for landlords renting space to multiple beauty professionals.

The Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2025 addresses the growing public health crisis of obesity, particularly among Medicare beneficiaries. This bill expands Medicare coverage for intensive behavioral therapy by allowing more types of qualified healthcare providers to furnish the treatment. Furthermore, it amends Medicare Part D to allow coverage for prescription medications used to treat obesity or weight management in individuals with related health conditions. Finally, the Act requires the Secretary of HHS to report regularly to Congress on the implementation and coordination of federal obesity-related efforts.

The BARK Act of 2025 aims to encourage the donation of pet food and supplies by providing liability protection to good-faith donors. This protection shields individuals and organizations from civil or criminal lawsuits regarding the condition of donated items intended for qualified animals. However, these shields are voided in cases of gross negligence or intentional misconduct by the donor or recipient.

The Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act repeals key liability protections for gun manufacturers found in the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA). This legislation also mandates that records from the federal Firearms Trace System database must be discoverable and admissible as evidence in civil proceedings. The bill aims to allow victims of gun violence greater access to information for civil lawsuits.