Legislative Activity

The TICKET Act mandates transparent pricing for event tickets, requiring sellers to disclose the total cost inclusive of all fees upfront. It bans speculative ticketing, ensuring sellers possess tickets before offering them for sale, and requires clear disclosures about ticket resales and refund policies. The Act also directs the FTC to report on enforcement of the BOTS Act of 2016 and defines key terms to prevent confusion.

The Coastal Broadband Deployment Act aims to expedite broadband deployment in floodplains by exempting certain projects from specific regulations under the National Environmental Policy Act and the National Historic Preservation Act. This exemption applies to projects deploying or modifying communications facilities within floodplains that require FCC approval. The Act defines key terms such as "covered project," "federal authorization," and "communications facility" to clarify the scope of the exemptions.

The "Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act of 2025" expands Medicare coverage to include a broader range of audiology services, including diagnostic and treatment services provided by qualified audiologists, without requiring physician supervision starting January 1, 2027. Medicare will cover 80% of the cost for these services. Qualified audiologists are now recognized as Rural Health Clinic (RHC) and Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) practitioners. This act does not expand the scope of audiology services covered beyond what is already covered as of December 31, 2026.

The Consensual Donation and Research Integrity Act of 2025 aims to regulate the interstate sale of human bodies and body parts for education, research, and medical science advancement, excluding transplantation. It mandates that entities involved in acquiring and selling human remains register with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, adhere to strict record-keeping, labeling, and packaging standards, and ensure proper disposal of remains. The Act enforces compliance through inspections, penalties for violations, and outlines specific definitions related to human body donations. These amendments will take effect two years after the law is enacted.

This resolution celebrates the 204th anniversary of Greek Independence Day, reaffirming the democratic ideals shared between the United States and Greece. It recognizes the historical ties, strategic alliance, and growing cooperation between the two nations, particularly in energy and security. The resolution also acknowledges the contributions of the Greek-American community and Greece's role in promoting stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and Western Balkans.

The Major Richard Star Act allows eligible combat-disabled veterans to receive both their retirement pay and disability compensation. This eliminates the previous offset that reduced retirement pay for those receiving disability compensation. The changes apply to payments beginning the month after 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 "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 "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 "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 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.