Legislative Activity

This resolution honors the service and sacrifice of America's veterans on Veterans Day, 2025, recognizing the history of the observance from Armistice Day. It affirms the nation's deep commitment to supporting the over 15 million veterans and their families. The resolution calls upon the public to observe Veterans Day and ensure veterans continue to receive the services they deserve.

This resolution expresses support for National Adoption Day and Month by promoting national awareness of adoption and the children awaiting permanent families. It highlights the significant number of children in foster care waiting for adoption and encourages all Americans to consider providing a safe, permanent, and well-being-focused home for these children. The resolution supports various avenues for achieving permanency, including reunification, kinship care, and adoption.

The Non-Essential Workers Transparency Act mandates that Executive agencies report detailed information regarding furloughed employees, known as "covered employees," following a lapse in appropriations. These reports must be submitted to relevant congressional committees and subsequently published online. Additionally, the Congressional Budget Office is required to produce and release a public report detailing the economic effects of the funding lapse.

The LASSO Act establishes a pilot program to test the use of unmanned aerial systems (drones) for the humane gathering and management of wild free-roaming horses and burros. It allocates specific funding for grants to organizations with expertise in drone technology and equine welfare research. The resulting data will be reported to Congress and the public to evaluate the effectiveness of this technology.

The No Budget, No Pay Act mandates that Congress must pass the concurrent budget resolution and all necessary appropriations bills by October 1st each year. If Congress fails to meet this deadline, Members of Congress will have their pay suspended for the period of non-compliance. This suspension includes a prohibition on receiving any retroactive back pay for the time they were out of compliance. These provisions are set to take effect starting September 29, 2027.

The Fisheries Data Modernization and Accuracy Act of 2025 aims to significantly improve the reliability and utility of U.S. fisheries data. It mandates reforms to the recreational data collection program (MRIP) by establishing an independent review process when data accuracy falls below set standards. The bill also empowers states to develop and implement their own data collection programs, shifting the federal reliance away from the MRIP baseline. Finally, it requires the establishment of a regular schedule for updating crucial fish stock assessments and promotes the use of independent, external scientific surveys in federal management decisions.

The Protect Your PIN Act of 2025 updates existing law to ensure local law enforcement receives dedicated funding to combat identity theft. This bill specifically amends the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022 to include identity theft within the scope of eligible cybercrime grants. By defining identity theft for grant purposes, the Act broadens how federal funds can be used to investigate and prosecute these crimes at the local level.

This resolution formally honors the life and legacy of Charles "Charlie" James Kirk, who was tragically assassinated at Utah Valley University. It condemns political violence and calls upon all Americans to reject extremism in favor of civil debate. The bill expresses deep sympathy to his family and urges a renewal of commitment to the values of faith, family, and freedom he championed.

The Make America's Youth Healthy Again Act of 2025 establishes a new Presidents Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition. This Council will advise the President on promoting physical activity and setting new national fitness goals for American youth. Its key responsibilities include recommending the return of the Presidential Fitness Award and developing strategies to combat childhood obesity. The Council is set to operate for two years unless the President extends its term.

The "Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act" expands Medicare coverage to include FDA-approved multi-cancer early detection screening tests starting in 2028. It defines the criteria for these tests, sets payment guidelines, and establishes age and frequency limitations for coverage. The bill ensures that existing cancer screening coverage remains unaffected and allows for waivers of limitations based on recommendations from the United States Preventive Services Task Force.

This resolution expresses strong support for designating September 14, 2025, as "National Food is Medicine Day." It recognizes that integrating medically tailored food and nutrition interventions into healthcare is a promising strategy for preventing and managing chronic diseases while potentially lowering overall healthcare costs. The bill urges the Department of Health and Human Services to fund research and integrate proven "food is medicine" programs into standard care delivery. Ultimately, it calls for collaboration across federal agencies and private partners to expand the effective use of food as a vital component of health treatment.

The Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act limits how consumer reporting agencies can share a consumer's report when it is requested in connection with a residential mortgage loan. Reports can only be shared with entities directly involved in the consumer's current mortgage or those providing a firm offer of credit or insurance. The Act also mandates a study by the GAO regarding the use and impact of "trigger leads" derived from credit checks.

The Greyhound Protection Act of 2025 seeks to end commercial greyhound racing and related cruel training practices nationwide by October 1, 2027. This legislation bans all forms of wagering on greyhound races and prohibits the use of live animals for training or coursing events. Violators face significant fines and potential imprisonment under the strengthened Animal Welfare Act. The bill reflects concerns over widespread animal injuries, drug use, and inhumane confinement within the declining industry.

The Create Accountable Respectful Environments (CARE) for Children Act officially recognizes and integrates "cottage family homes" into federal foster care regulations. This allows these specialized homes to receive federal maintenance payments if they meet strict standards focused on family connection, trauma-informed care, and prohibiting harmful restraints. The bill ensures states maintain flexibility in utilizing these placements while upholding high standards for child well-being.

The Taskforce for Recognizing and Averting Payment Scams Act (TRAPS Act) establishes a new Task Force led by the Secretary of the Treasury. This diverse group, including federal agencies, industry experts, and consumer advocates, will study evolving payment scams. The Task Force is charged with developing cross-sector prevention strategies and submitting comprehensive recommendations for new laws and improved coordination to combat these fraudulent activities.

The Local Farmers Feeding our Communities Act establishes a new program to support local food producers and strengthen regional food security. This initiative requires the Secretary of Agriculture to fund agreements that ensure nutritious, locally sourced food is purchased and distributed widely, prioritizing small and beginning farmers. Funds must be used to buy minimally processed local products and provide technical assistance to producers. The program is backed by mandatory funding starting in Fiscal Year 2026.

The Veterans ACCESS Act of 2025 seeks to improve veterans' healthcare by revising the Veterans Community Care Program, enhancing mental health treatment programs, and implementing other healthcare improvements. Title I revises eligibility standards for community care, ensures veterans are informed about their options, and addresses care preferences and telehealth options. Title II standardizes eligibility for mental health programs, improves care quality, and ensures timely access to treatment. Title III focuses on improving healthcare services through online tools, modifying innovation programs, and increasing reporting on healthcare processes.

The SAVES Act establishes a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) pilot program to award grants to nonprofit organizations that provide service dogs to eligible veterans. These grants, up to $\$2,000,000$ each, will fund the training and provision of service dogs for veterans with qualifying conditions like PTSD or TBI. The bill also extends the expiration date for certain limits on veterans' pension payments until February 2033.

The BIKE Act of 2025 aims to enhance bicycle safety education for students across the country. It allows states to use federal highway safety funds to provide on-bicycle safety training in elementary and secondary schools. Furthermore, the bill mandates the Secretary to update federal safety guidelines to emphasize comprehensive on-bicycle training, traffic rules, and helmet use for young riders. The Secretary must also consult with educators and report back to Congress on the implementation of these new safety standards.

The Reducing Hereditary Cancer Act expands Medicare coverage for individuals with a family or personal history suggestive of hereditary cancer. This legislation mandates Medicare coverage for appropriate genetic testing and risk-reducing preventive surgeries. Furthermore, it allows for expanded, evidence-based cancer screenings for individuals already diagnosed with a hereditary cancer gene mutation.