Legislative Activity

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.