Legislative Activity

The "AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025" requires the Department of Transportation to mandate that all new vehicles include AM radio receivers as standard equipment, ensuring continued access to AM broadcasts for drivers. The Act directs the Comptroller General to study the role of AM radio in emergency alerts and allows manufacturers producing fewer than 40,000 vehicles in 2022 at least four years to comply. The rule will sunset 10 years after the enactment of this Act.

The Written Informed Consent Act mandates that the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) expand its informed consent directives to specifically cover several classes of medications, including antipsychotics, stimulants, antidepressants, anxiolytics, and narcotics. This ensures veterans receive a thorough understanding of these prescribed drugs. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs must update VHA Directive 1005 to reflect these expanded requirements.

The Student Compensation and Opportunity through Rights and Endorsements (SCORE) Act establishes federal standards for student-athlete Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights, allowing athletes to profit from endorsements while setting specific rules for agents and institutional compensation. The bill mandates enhanced support services, medical guarantees, and scholarship protections for athletes at high-revenue institutions. Furthermore, it grants states enforcement power over NIL violations and shields compliance actions from antitrust liability, while clarifying that student-athletes are not automatically considered employees.

The RAMP Act, or Repair Abuses of MSP Payments Act, clarifies the legal pathway for individuals to sue their group health plans. This legislation specifically allows for a private cause of action when a group health plan fails to make primary payments or provide appropriate reimbursement as required under Medicare secondary payer rules. Essentially, it updates existing law to ensure group health plans are held accountable for improper payment sequencing involving Medicare.

This resolution expresses the support of Congress for designating June 10th as "FSGS Awareness Day" to bring attention to Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis, a serious and often devastating kidney disease. The bill recognizes the significant impact of FSGS on patients, families, and the healthcare system, while also commending the efforts of advocates and researchers working toward better diagnosis and a cure. This designation aims to support patients and promote the urgent need for new treatments.

The END CELLS Act amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit the introduction, possession, or transfer of unauthorized wireless communication devices in jails and prisons. This legislation establishes significant civil and criminal penalties for violations involving contraband electronics in detention facilities. The law specifically targets actions that violate existing federal or state rules regarding such devices within correctional settings. These new rules apply to all conduct occurring after the date the Act is officially enacted.

The TICKET Act mandates transparent, all-inclusive pricing for event tickets, requiring sellers to display the total cost upfront. It bans the speculative sale of tickets that sellers do not yet possess and establishes clear refund requirements for canceled or postponed events. Furthermore, the bill enforces disclosures for resale tickets and directs the FTC to report on existing BOTS Act enforcement.

The Coastal Broadband Deployment Act streamlines the deployment of communications infrastructure by exempting certain FCC-approved projects located entirely within floodplains from extensive environmental and historic preservation reviews under NEPA and NHPA. This change aims to accelerate the installation or modification of communications facilities that require federal authorization. Essentially, these specific floodplain projects will bypass standard environmental impact statements and historic property assessments.

The Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act of 2025 expands Medicare coverage for audiology services, beginning in 2027. This legislation allows qualified audiologists to provide diagnostic and treatment services without physician referral or supervision, as permitted by state law. The bill also specifies payment rates and includes audiologists in coverage for Rural Health Clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers.

The Consensual Donation and Research Integrity Act of 2025 establishes a mandatory federal registration system for entities that sell human bodies or body parts for education or research, but not for transplantation. Registrants must provide detailed operational information, submit to inspections, and maintain rigorous records documenting donor consent and the chain of custody. The Act also mandates strict labeling, packaging, and privacy standards to ensure integrity throughout the process until final disposition.

This resolution formally recognizes the 204th anniversary of the War of Greek Independence, celebrating the deep, shared history rooted in democratic ideals. It reaffirms the strong strategic partnership between the U.S. and Greece, highlighting Greece's vital role in security and energy stability in the Eastern Mediterranean. The bill also commends the contributions of the Greek-American community to the United States.

The Major Richard Star Act ensures that military retirees with combat-related disabilities can receive both their military retirement pay and VA disability compensation concurrently without reduction. This law removes previous restrictions that caused military retirement pay to be offset by VA disability payments for these specific cases. The changes take effect on the first day of the month following the Act's enactment.

The "Prevent Interruptions in Physical Therapy Act of 2025" ensures Medicare beneficiaries can continue receiving uninterrupted physical therapy services. It allows physical therapists to utilize temporary staffing arrangements, known as "locum tenens," when the regular therapist is temporarily unavailable. This ensures Medicare payments for services provided by qualified substitute physical therapists, maintaining consistent care for patients.

The "New Era of Preventing End-Stage Kidney Disease Act" aims to improve the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of rare kidney diseases through research, education, and increased public awareness. It establishes Centers of Excellence for Rare Kidney Disease Research, directs studies on testing and treatment approaches, and promotes provider education in nephrology. The Act prioritizes addressing disparities in affected populations and seeks to delay or eliminate the need for dialysis and transplant. It authorizes appropriations for these activities from 2026 through 2030.

The LIVE Beneficiaries Act aims to prevent improper payments in state medical assistance programs by requiring states to cross-reference their enrollee lists against the Social Security Death Master File quarterly, starting in 2027. States must disenroll deceased individuals and stop payments, but also reinstate coverage retroactively for anyone incorrectly disenrolled. States can use other data sources to identify deceased beneficiaries, but must still comply with the Death Master File requirements.

The "Eliminate DEI in Colleges Act" prohibits federal funding to colleges and universities that have diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs or offices. To be eligible for federal funds, institutions must certify they do not have DEI programs that classify or give preferential treatment based on race, color, sex, national origin, gender identity, or sexual orientation. The Secretary of Education is responsible for verifying certifications and enforcing the Act, with an appeals process available for institutions that have funding terminated.

The "Protecting Our Children in an AI World Act of 2025" aims to combat AI-generated child pornography by removing an affirmative defense related to child pornography. It broadens the definition of "sexually explicit conduct" to include simulated obscene exhibitions. The Act ensures that if any part is deemed unconstitutional, the remaining sections will still be enforced.

The Student Visa Security Improvement Act aims to bolster national security by enhancing background checks for individuals applying for student visas (F, J, and M visas). It mandates stricter monitoring of student and exchange visitor programs, ensuring active participation and timely reporting of any changes. The Act also expands access to the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) for institutions and exchange programs and allows for the immediate decertification of programs posing security threats. Additionally, it requires a review of program fees and biannual reports on compliance and data analysis.

The "Retired Pay Restoration Act" expands eligibility for military retirees to receive both retired pay and veteran's disability compensation, regardless of disability rating. It removes the previous requirement that retirees have a service-connected disability rated at 50% or higher to receive both payments. This change ensures that qualified retirees, excluding certain Chapter 61 retirees, can receive both benefits without reduction. The act takes effect on January 1, 2021, applying to payments for months beginning on or after that date.