Legislative Activity

This bill transfers the functions, assets, and responsibilities for implementing the Food for Peace Act from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to the Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Secretary of Agriculture will now administer the program, though the Famine Early Warning Systems Network will remain under USDA control. This change allows the USDA to quickly update necessary rules to ensure a smooth transition of the program.

This bill prohibits the Big Cypress National Preserve in Florida from being designated as wilderness or included in the National Wilderness Preservation System. This ensures the area will not receive the specific protections and management guidelines associated with wilderness areas.

The "National Plan for Epilepsy Act" aims to address the significant impact of epilepsy by establishing a comprehensive national plan for its prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure. This act mandates the creation of an Advisory Council on Epilepsy Research, Care, and Services, composed of federal and non-federal experts, to evaluate and improve federally funded epilepsy efforts. The council will provide recommendations to enhance coordination, diagnosis, treatment, research, and public awareness, and reduce the financial burden of epilepsy on families. Ultimately, the act seeks to improve the lives of individuals with epilepsy and their caregivers through coordinated research, improved access to care, and enhanced public awareness.

This joint resolution seeks to invoke the Congressional Review Act to disapprove and nullify the Environmental Protection Agency’s recent rule regarding the phasedown and management of hydrofluorocarbons. If enacted, the rule would have no force or effect, effectively blocking the EPA's regulatory framework for these substances.

The "Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow's Workforce Act" amends Section 529 savings accounts to include expenses related to postsecondary credentialing programs. This allows 529 funds to cover costs like tuition, fees, books, supplies, and testing fees for recognized programs and credentials, as defined by the bill. These changes would apply to distributions made after the bill is enacted.

The "Family Farm and Small Business Exemption Act" amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to exclude the net value of a family farm (on which the family resides) or a small business (with no more than 100 employees and owned/controlled by the family) from consideration as an asset when determining financial need for federal student aid. This change aims to make higher education more accessible for students from family farm and small business backgrounds.

The Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl (HALT Fentanyl) Act permanently classifies fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I controlled substances to strengthen enforcement and penalties against their trafficking. Additionally, the bill streamlines registration processes for researchers to facilitate legitimate scientific study of these substances. It also includes technical corrections and mandates updated federal rulemaking to ensure effective implementation.

This resolution condemns the Government of Azerbaijan for the wrongful detention, abuse, and suppression of academic freedom regarding Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu. It demands his immediate and unconditional release, the provision of necessary medical care, and an end to the harassment of his family. Furthermore, it urges the U.S. Secretary of State to prioritize Dr. Ibadoghlu’s well-being and release in all diplomatic engagements.

The Marc Fischer Memorial Act mandates that the Bureau of Prisons implement a comprehensive strategy to achieve 100% digital scanning of all inmate mail to interdict fentanyl and other synthetic drugs. By transitioning to digital mail processing, the Act aims to protect staff and inmates from lethal exposure, improve institutional security, and alleviate the administrative burden on correctional personnel.

The "ORPHAN Cures Act" amends the Social Security Act to refine the orphan drug exclusion within the Drug Price Negotiation Program. It excludes time periods when a drug was designated as an orphan drug from counting towards its eligibility for price negotiation. The bill also modifies the criteria for orphan drug designation, allowing it to apply to drugs treating "one or more rare diseases or conditions" instead of "only one rare disease or condition."

The Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act extends and strengthens critical federal programs designed to support the mental health and well-being of the health care workforce. The bill mandates annual awareness initiatives and expands grant eligibility to organizations focused on reducing administrative burdens for medical professionals. These programs are now authorized through fiscal year 2030 to ensure continued support for reducing burnout and promoting mental health services.

The Defending Domestic Orange Juice Production Act of 2025 establishes a federal quality standard requiring pasteurized orange juice to contain at least 10.0 percent orange juice soluble solids by weight. This measure ensures product consistency by excluding added sweeteners from the calculation of these solids.

The Dismantle DEI Act of 2025 aims to immediately rescind diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) mandates across the federal government, including shutting down related offices and banning specific ideological training for federal personnel and contractors. The bill prohibits the use of federal funds for DEI activities by grant recipients and mandates that federal advisory committees cease all such practices or face termination. Furthermore, it establishes strong enforcement mechanisms, allowing individuals to sue violators and seek financial penalties for non-compliance.

The Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act of 2025 aims to support healthcare providers by extending Medicare payment adjustments through the end of 2025. Specifically, the bill provides a 6.62 percent payment increase for services rendered between April 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025, to help practitioners adjust to evolving Medicare payment policies.

The "No Tax on Social Security" Act eliminates federal income taxes on Social Security benefits by removing them from adjusted gross income calculations. To ensure the long-term stability of the system, the bill mandates annual appropriations from the general fund to fully offset any revenue loss to the Social Security and Railroad Retirement trust funds.

The Sustainable Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Services in the Home Act permanently codifies the ability for patients to receive cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation services from the comfort of their own homes. By authorizing telehealth delivery and virtual physician supervision, the bill expands access to these essential services while removing restrictive geographic requirements. This legislation ensures that the flexibility established during the COVID-19 pandemic remains a permanent, standard feature of Medicare coverage.

The Holocaust Education and Antisemitism Lessons Act directs the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum to conduct a comprehensive study of Holocaust education in public elementary and secondary schools across the United States. This study will evaluate current curriculum standards, teaching methods, and available resources to identify gaps and improve how students learn about the Holocaust and the history of antisemitism. The findings will be compiled into a report submitted to Congress to help strengthen educational efforts in preventing hate and bigotry.

The CBO Show Your Work Act mandates that the Congressional Budget Office publicly release the models, data, and computational details used to estimate the fiscal and economic impacts of legislation. By requiring transparency and replicability, the bill ensures that outside parties can independently verify CBO findings. It also establishes clear protocols for handling confidential data to maintain privacy while maximizing public access to information.

The Life at Conception Act declares that the constitutional right to life begins at the moment of fertilization, defining all human beings as persons from that point forward. The bill establishes legal personhood for every member of the species *homo sapiens* at all stages of development. Additionally, it explicitly prohibits the prosecution of any woman for the death of her unborn child.

The "Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act" ensures that infants born alive after an abortion receive the same medical care as any other newborn, mandating immediate hospitalization and requiring healthcare practitioners to report any failures to comply. Violators face fines, imprisonment, and potential prosecution for homicide or attempted homicide, while the mother of the child cannot be prosecuted. The bill also allows the woman who had the abortion to file a civil action against anyone who violated the act. It defines abortion and attempts at abortion, and renames "Partial-Birth Abortions" to "Abortions" in relevant sections of the U.S. Code.