Legislative Activity

The Forest Protection and Wildland Firefighter Safety Act of 2025 exempts discharges resulting from the use of Forest Service-approved products for fire control and suppression from certain federal water pollution permit requirements. This change streamlines firefighting operations by removing unnecessary permitting hurdles for using approved suppression agents. The Act also includes technical updates to related environmental statutes.

The Mammoth Cave National Park Boundary Adjustment Act of 2025 authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire approximately 551.14 acres of land to expand the boundaries of Mammoth Cave National Park. This addition, detailed on a specific map, modifies the park's existing boundaries in Edmonson and Barren Counties, Kentucky.

The Lifting Overburdensome Commerce Obstructions and Motives (LOCOMOTIVES) Act clarifies and strengthens federal authority over emission standards for existing locomotives and engines. This legislation limits the ability of states to set their own pollution control standards for certain railroad equipment. Specifically, it expands federal preemption to cover more nonroad engines and locomotives engaged in commerce.

The Ensuring Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act expands Medicare Part B coverage to include services provided by pharmacists starting January 1, 2026. This coverage is specifically for testing or treatment related to COVID-19, the flu, RSV, strep throat, or during a declared public health emergency. The bill outlines payment structures, generally covering 80% of the cost, and prohibits pharmacists from balance billing Medicare patients for these covered services.

The Medicaid Empowerment Act of 2025 aims to provide greater stability for state-run home and community-based services (HCBS) programs. This legislation extends the required renewal periods for certain Medicaid waivers offering community care services. By allowing longer cycles between mandatory reviews, the Act offers states more consistency in administering these vital services.

The Securing Semiconductor Supply Chains Act of 2025 directs the Commerce Department's SelectUSA program to focus on attracting foreign direct investment into domestic semiconductor manufacturing. This involves coordinating with state-level economic development groups to identify barriers and opportunities for boosting investment in the critical chip supply chain. The Act mandates a report detailing current and future strategies to secure this supply chain without authorizing new funds.

The Transportation Freedom Act seeks to bolster domestic auto manufacturing through significant tax incentives tied to high-wage American jobs and strong worker benefits. Simultaneously, the bill repeals recent EPA and NHTSA rules regarding multipollutant emissions and fuel economy standards for light, medium, and heavy-duty vehicles. Furthermore, it centralizes emission control by eliminating the authority of individual states to set standards stricter than the federal level. Finally, it mandates the establishment of new, feasibility-based fuel economy and greenhouse gas standards for future model years, explicitly prohibiting mandates for electric-only vehicle sales.

The Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2025 updates federal housing tax credit allocations to reflect current economic realities and boosts minimum state allotments. It reforms tenant eligibility rules to stabilize tenancy and enhance protections for vulnerable residents, including victims of abuse. The bill also provides disaster relief for property owners, increases incentives for housing the extremely low-income, and directs greater resources toward Native American and rural housing needs. Finally, it streamlines administrative processes and signals a future focus on data transparency and discouraging restrictive local zoning.

This bill, the Congressional Oversight of the Antiquities Act, amends existing law to impose strict time limits on national monument designations made under the Antiquities Act. Designations will automatically expire after six months or the end of the current Congressional session unless Congress passes new legislation to extend them. Furthermore, if a monument designation expires or is rejected by Congress, the same land cannot be designated again for 25 years.

The Rural Veterinary Workforce Act aims to encourage more veterinarians to serve in underserved rural areas by making participation in certain loan repayment or forgiveness programs more financially appealing. This bill amends the tax code to exclude amounts received through qualifying state or federal veterinary student loan repayment programs from being counted as taxable income. This tax benefit applies to amounts received for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

This resolution formally recognizes the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States Marine Corps in 2025. Congress is honoring the Corps' long history, core values of honor, courage, and commitment, and its consistent readiness to defend the nation. The bill encourages the public to join in celebrating this significant milestone and acknowledging the service and sacrifice of all Marines.

The Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2025 establishes a national standard for carrying concealed handguns across state lines. This act allows individuals legally permitted to carry in their home state to carry concealed in any other state that allows its residents to carry concealed firearms. The law does not override private property restrictions or prohibitions on government property, but it provides protections and legal recourse for those traveling in compliance with the new federal standard.

This joint resolution seeks to disapprove and nullify a recent final rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concerning the reclassification of major pollution sources as area sources under the Clean Air Act. Congress is using its authority to reject this specific EPA regulation, preventing it from taking legal effect. If passed, the EPA's rule published on December 29, 2023, will be voided.

The Innovative FEED Act of 2025 establishes a new regulatory category for "zootechnical animal food substances" intended to modify animal digestive byproducts or reduce foodborne pathogens without treating disease. This bill mandates that these new substances must undergo the standard food additive approval process with the FDA, requiring petitioners to provide extensive data on their intended effects. Approval is contingent upon proving the substance achieves its claimed function under proposed use conditions, and all resulting animal food must carry a specific disclaimer stating it is not for disease treatment.

The Protecting Access to Ground Ambulance Medical Services Act of 2025 extends the current Medicare payment structure for ground ambulance services. This change ensures continuity in how these vital services are reimbursed under existing rules. Specifically, the temporary payment pilot program is extended through 2028, preventing an immediate change in payment policy.

The Down East Remembrance Act officially designates several specific creeks with new, permanent names recognized by the U.S. government. This legislation assigns names like Noah Styron Creek and Hunter Parks Creek based on precise geographic coordinates. Moving forward, all federal records and documents must use these newly established official names for the designated waterways.

The Choice in Automobile Retail Sales Act of 2025 restricts the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from issuing tailpipe emission regulations that mandate specific vehicle technologies or limit the availability of new motor vehicles based on engine type. This ensures manufacturers maintain flexibility in meeting performance standards set by the EPA. The Act requires the EPA to update existing rules within two years to comply with these new limitations.

The Fair and Open Competition Act of 2025 ensures fair competition on federally funded construction projects by prohibiting the government from requiring or penalizing bidders based on union agreements. This legislation aims to keep federal agencies neutral in labor relations while promoting cost savings and opening opportunities for all businesses. Exceptions to this neutrality rule are strictly limited to specific public health, safety, or national security emergencies.

The Radiation Oncology Case Rate Value Based Program Act of 2025 establishes a new Medicare payment system that pays providers a single, set rate for an entire episode of radiation therapy care, rather than paying for individual services. This program aims to incentivize high-quality, efficient care while achieving cost savings for Medicare. It also includes specific provisions to support patient access, such as a health equity bonus for addressing transportation insecurity. Finally, the bill exempts the savings generated by this new payment structure from standard Medicare budget neutrality adjustments.

The Defending our Dams Act prohibits the use of federal funds for any study, action, or support related to breaching, changing the function of, or removing the four Lower Snake River dams. This legislation also restricts special water spillage operations at these dams without dual approval from the Secretary of the Army and the Bonneville Power Administration Administrator. The Act specifically targets the Ice Harbor, Lower Monumental, Little Goose, and Lower Granite Dams.