Legislative Activity

The Shutdown Student Loans for Feds Act provides relief for federal employees and certain contractors affected by government shutdowns lasting 14 days or more, starting in fiscal year 2026. During these lapses in appropriations, federal student loan payments must be suspended, and no interest will accrue on those loans. Furthermore, suspended payment periods will count toward loan forgiveness requirements and be reported positively to credit agencies.

The Help Federal Employees During Shutdowns Act (Help FEDS Act) ensures that essential federal employees required to work during a government shutdown can receive unemployment benefits for those weeks. This legislation requires states to allow these "excepted employees" to claim benefits even while working without pay. The federal government will reimburse states for these unemployment payments and associated administrative costs, with mechanisms in place to prevent employees from receiving duplicate compensation once back pay is issued.

The Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2025 aims to safeguard federal elections by criminalizing the knowing spread of materially false information intended to suppress voting within 60 days of an election. This bill specifically prohibits the use of deceptive Artificial Intelligence in election interference and grants citizens the right to sue violators. Furthermore, it empowers the Attorney General to issue public corrections to widespread false information and creates new criminal penalties for intimidating election workers involved in vote tabulation and certification.

The Protecting Students with Disabilities Act ensures that key federal offices overseeing disability education and services, such as OSEP and RSA, remain permanently housed within the Department of Education. This legislation prohibits the executive branch from unilaterally relocating these offices or using appropriated funds to undermine their statutory duties. Furthermore, the Act prevents the Department from outsourcing the enforcement or administration of major disability laws like IDEA and the Rehabilitation Act.

The Department of Defense’s Cost of ‘War’ Act of 2025 mandates that any expenses associated with renaming the Department of Defense to the Department of War must be covered using existing travel funds. If travel budgets are insufficient, the Secretary of Defense must draw the remaining necessary funds from the travel allocations of the individual military departments. The Secretary is also required to report the total costs of this name change to Congress within one year of enactment.

The Affordable Inhalers and Nebulizers Act of 2025 aims to significantly lower out-of-pocket costs for essential breathing medications like asthma and COPD inhalers. This bill caps patient cost-sharing for these products at a maximum of \$15 per 30-day supply across private insurance, Medicare Part D, and a new program for the uninsured. Furthermore, it eliminates deductibles for inhalers under most private and Medicare plans starting in 2026.

This Senate resolution expresses a profound lack of confidence in Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., citing numerous actions that allegedly undermine public health, scientific integrity, and the legal duties of his office. The resolution details accusations of illegal funding cuts, mass firings of career staff, and the dismantling of key advisory committees. Therefore, the Senate declares that the Secretary should be removed from his position.

The Uterine Fibroid Intervention and Gynecological Health Treatment Act of 2025 aims to improve outcomes for those affected by uterine fibroids. This legislation mandates federal research into early detection and intervention strategies for fibroids. It also establishes grant programs for states to enhance screening, treatment access, and public awareness regarding these conditions. Finally, the Act requires regular reporting to Congress on the progress and findings from the funded research and programs.

The Jordan McNair Student Athlete Heat Fatality Prevention Act mandates that colleges and secondary schools receiving federal aid develop and implement venue-specific emergency action plans to prevent and respond to heat-related illnesses. These comprehensive plans must be created in coordination with local emergency responders, include procedures for cold water immersion and AED use, and be practiced annually by all relevant personnel. Furthermore, the bill requires the promotion of federal grants to help educational institutions purchase necessary equipment and develop training programs for heat safety.

The Medicare and Medicaid Dental, Vision, and Hearing Benefit Act of 2025 expands essential healthcare coverage under both programs. This bill mandates that Medicare begin covering routine dental, vision, and hearing services, including hearing aids, through a phased-in payment schedule reaching 80% coverage by the eighth year. Additionally, it increases the federal matching rate to 90% for states covering these specific dental, vision, and hearing services for certain adults under Medicaid. These comprehensive changes aim to integrate crucial preventative and restorative care into federal health programs.

This Senate resolution expresses a profound lack of confidence in Secretary Robert Fitzgerald Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. It details numerous accusations of unlawful actions, including massive staff firings, defunding critical public health programs, and undermining established vaccine and health research. Ultimately, the resolution asserts that the Secretary has lost the trust of the Senate and the American people due to his conduct in office.

The MERIT Act aims to provide recourse for probationary federal employees who were involuntarily separated due to mass layoffs between January 20, 2025, and the date of enactment. This legislation mandates that affected employees must be offered reinstatement to a similar position with comparable benefits or receive appropriate back pay if they were already terminated. The Act also establishes timelines for notification, employee acceptance, and requires reports from the Comptroller General and OPM regarding the layoffs and subsequent reinstatements.

The Tariff Transparency Act of 2025 directs the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) to investigate and report on the economic effects of proposed or announced tariffs on trade with Mexico and Canada. This comprehensive report must detail the impact of potential duties on consumer prices, the fallout from retaliatory measures, and the costs associated with ongoing trade uncertainty. The USITC is required to submit its findings to Congress within one year of the Act's enactment.