Legislative Activity

The Choose Medicare Act establishes a new "Medicare Part E Public Health Plan" offering comprehensive, gold-level coverage that mandates the inclusion of reproductive health services, overriding state restrictions. It also caps annual out-of-pocket costs for traditional Medicare Part A and B services starting in 2027. Furthermore, the bill enhances ACA premium subsidies by using gold plans as the benchmark for calculation and removes the income cap for eligibility. Finally, it requires certain employers to refer uninsured full-time employees to ACA navigators for coverage assistance.

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 Fit to Serve Act prohibits the Department of Defense from discriminating against service members or recruits based on their gender identity. This means military standards, involuntary separation, and access to medically necessary healthcare cannot be based on an individual's gender identity. The bill ensures that a service member's gender identity cannot be used to deny entry, continued service, or force them to serve under the sex assigned at birth.

The Protecting Community Television Act revises the definition of a "franchise fee" under the Communications Act of 1934. This change modifies the language from "includes" to "means" and adds "other monetary assessment" to clarify what payments local governments can charge cable operators. Ultimately, this bill refines how franchise fees are calculated and assessed.

The Susan Muffley Act of 2025 mandates that the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) recalculate guaranteed pension benefits for participants in specific, named pension plans. This recalculation ensures beneficiaries receive their full vested plan benefit, ignoring standard federal guarantee limits. The PBGC must issue catch-up lump-sum payments with interest to those previously underpaid. Funding for these increased benefits will be provided through a newly established Treasury trust fund.

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.

The No Place for LGBTQ Hate Act immediately repeals specific Executive Orders that targeted LGBTQI individuals, preventing any federal funds from being used to enforce them. This legislation specifically cancels orders known for mandating discrimination in areas like employment and healthcare. The bill also includes a provision to ensure it does not infringe upon the President's existing constitutional authority.

The Improving Access to Transfusion Care for Hospice Patients Act of 2025 directs the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMI) to test a new payment model for blood transfusions for hospice patients. This model would allow blood transfusions to be paid for separately from the standard Medicare hospice per diem payment. The CMI must evaluate whether this change impacts patient utilization of hospital services and the overall quality of care.

The Expanding Access to Palliative Care Act establishes a new five-year pilot program for community-based palliative care managed by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation. This model aims to improve quality of life and coordinate care for seriously ill Medicare beneficiaries outside of traditional hospital settings. The program will offer comprehensive support, including pain and symptom management, while coordinating with existing providers. Success will be measured by comparing participant outcomes, such as emergency room use and hospital admissions, against non-participants.

This resolution expresses strong support for designating June 6, 2025, as "National Gun Violence Awareness Day" and the entire month of June 2025 as "National Gun Violence Awareness Month." The designation aims to honor victims of gun violence and raise public awareness about the ongoing crisis. The measure encourages Americans to wear orange on that day and promote gun safety practices throughout the month.

This bill, the Ban Congressional Stock Trading Act, requires Members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children to place most stock and commodity investments into qualified blind trusts or sell them within 120 days of the law taking effect or taking office. The legislation strictly prohibits acquiring new covered investments while serving in office, with exceptions for inheritance. Failure to comply results in escalating civil penalties equal to a member's monthly salary until the requirements are met.

The Innovative FEED Act of 2025 establishes a new regulatory category for "zootechnical animal food substances" intended to modify digestion or reduce foodborne pathogens in food animals, while explicitly excluding substances intended to treat disease. These substances are still regulated as food additives requiring FDA approval based on demonstrated efficacy and safety. The bill mandates specific labeling requirements to clarify that these products are not intended as animal drugs.

This resolution officially recognizes and celebrates Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month every May. It honors the significant and diverse contributions of AANHPI communities to the history and strength of the United States. The resolution also acknowledges the historical struggles and ongoing challenges faced by these communities. Ultimately, it reaffirms the importance of recognizing their achievements and ensuring their representation.

The Public Service Worker Protection Act expands the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) to explicitly cover federal, state, and local government employees. This ensures that public service workers are protected by federal workplace safety standards. The effective date varies depending on whether a state already has an approved OSHA plan.

The Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2025 updates federal grant programs to strengthen the nursing pipeline. It expands eligibility for advanced nursing education grants to cover more specialized roles and updates funding for modernizing nursing school resources like simulation labs. The bill also increases the authorized funding levels for these critical nursing workforce programs through Fiscal Year 2030.

This resolution officially recognizes May as Jewish American Heritage Month to celebrate the significant contributions of Jewish Americans throughout U.S. history. It calls on leaders to use this month to educate the public about Jewish heritage and actively counter the current rise in antisemitism. The measure emphasizes the importance of ensuring the safety and dignity of the Jewish American community.

This resolution serves as a formal tribute honoring the life, achievements, and enduring legacy of former United States Senator Christopher "Kit" Bond of Missouri. It recognizes his decades of public service, including his terms as Missouri Governor and U.S. Senator, where he championed infrastructure, agriculture, and conservative values. The Senate expresses deep sadness over his passing and directs that official copies of this tribute be sent to his family.

The Vote at Home Act of 2025 aims to modernize federal elections by establishing nationwide standards for voting by mail. It mandates that states mail ballots to all registered voters at least two weeks before federal elections and requires free postage for return ballots. Additionally, the bill overhauls voter registration by streamlining processes at the DMV and implementing automatic registration for eligible citizens who provide proof of citizenship when obtaining a driver's license.

The SMART Prices Act aims to strengthen Medicare by significantly accelerating and expanding the number of drugs eligible for price negotiation. This bill lowers the time requirements for certain single-source drugs to qualify for negotiation and adjusts the maximum fair price ceilings for negotiated drugs starting in 2028. Overall, the legislation seeks to increase price competition and lower costs within the Medicare drug program.

This resolution affirms that diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) are fundamental American values necessary to address persistent discrimination. It highlights widespread disparities across housing, employment, education, and healthcare affecting marginalized groups. The bill encourages all sectors of society to adopt policies that promote DEIA to ensure equal opportunity and strengthen the nation.