Legislative Activity

This resolution recognizes and affirms the vital, evidence-based work of the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) in determining effective preventive health services. It emphasizes the importance of the Task Force's recommendations, which directly influence mandatory coverage requirements under the Affordable Care Act. The resolution calls for the Department of Health and Human Services to immediately ensure the Task Force can continue its operations and that current members complete their mandated terms without interruption.

The Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act of 2025 expands eligibility for the Public Safety Officers Death Benefits program to include certain retired law enforcement officers. This legislation provides benefits to retired officers, or their families, if their injury or death resulted from a targeted attack directly related to their prior service. These changes are effective immediately and apply retroactively to qualifying incidents occurring on or after January 1, 2012.

The Medical Debt Relief Act of 2025 significantly amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to prohibit credit reporting agencies from reporting negative information related to medical debt. Furthermore, the bill mandates that creditors are forbidden from using a consumer's past medical debt information when making credit decisions. This legislation aims to remove the burden of medical bills from consumer credit reports and lending evaluations.

The EATS Act of 2025 revises eligibility rules for students seeking Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits by clarifying the definition of a "bona fide student." This legislation removes specific restrictions that previously barred many higher education students from receiving SNAP. The changes, including technical renumbering of relevant sections, will take effect on January 2, 2026.

The Restoring Essential Healthcare Act repeals a previous ban that prohibited Medicaid payments to certain healthcare entities. This legislation retroactively validates and ensures payment for essential healthcare services provided by these now-unbanned organizations during the period the prohibition was in effect.

This bill officially renames the Reserve Officers Association of the United States to the **Reserve Organization of America** throughout federal law. It establishes the new entity as a federally chartered corporation dedicated to promoting adequate U.S. national security policy. The charter outlines the organization's structure, goals, and strict limitations, including prohibitions against making a profit or engaging in political campaign donations.

This Act prohibits discrimination against individuals based on disability or age in federal jury service. It amends federal law to ensure qualified individuals are not excluded from juries solely due to a disability if reasonable accommodations can be made. The bill removes outdated standards that allowed exclusion based on general infirmity.

The Pay Teachers Act is a comprehensive bill designed to significantly boost federal investment in public education across three main areas. Title I guarantees substantial, growing funding for disadvantaged students, rural schools, Impact Aid, and the Bureau of Indian Education. Title II mandates a national minimum teacher salary of $60,000, raises pay floors for support staff, and requires states to address pay inequities. Finally, Title III establishes mandatory, increasing appropriations for programs that recruit, train, and support new educators, especially through paid residencies and specialized disability services.

The Empowering App-Based Workers Act aims to increase transparency and accountability for digital labor platforms by requiring detailed disclosures about electronic monitoring, automated decision-making, and pay calculations. The bill establishes strict limits on platform "take rates" for ride-hailing services and prohibits the use of personal data to unfairly set compensation. Furthermore, it grants app-based workers new enforcement rights, including the ability to sue for violations and invalidates pre-dispute arbitration clauses.

The Opioid Overdose Data Collection Enhancement Act aims to rapidly improve tracking of fatal and nonfatal drug overdoses and the use of reversal medications like naloxone. It amends the comprehensive opioid abuse grant program to fund states, localities, and law enforcement coalitions in creating instant, mobile-friendly systems for reporting overdose incidents. Grantees must use this data to coordinate public safety and health responses and ensure interoperability with existing federal and state data systems.

The Employee Ownership Financing Act establishes a new Office of Employee Ownership within the Department of Labor to oversee initiatives supporting worker ownership. This bill creates a dedicated Employee Ownership Loan Program to help entities like ESOPs and worker cooperatives acquire or expand majority employee ownership. Furthermore, it grants employees a right of first refusal to purchase a facility facing closure under specific conditions. The Act also establishes an advisory council to guide the Secretary of Labor on implementing these employee ownership provisions.

This resolution recognizes the foundational importance of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in promoting independent living and economic self-sufficiency for individuals with disabilities. It calls for strengthened federal action to dismantle remaining barriers, particularly by expanding vital community-based health care and support services. The bill urges various federal agencies to actively improve access to employment, housing, telecommunications, and emergency preparedness for this community. Ultimately, it declares that fulfilling the ADA's promise requires a committed, ongoing effort to ensure full inclusion.

The Eviction Right to Counsel Act of 2025 establishes the Eviction Right to Counsel Fund to provide grants for guaranteed legal representation in eviction cases. This funding is specifically aimed at supporting lower-income tenants facing eviction or housing subsidy termination. Grants will be awarded to state, local, or tribal governments that have already enacted "right to counsel" legislation for these proceedings. Priority will be given to entities implementing tenant protections and planning to use the funds primarily for hiring and training legal counsel.

The Stop the Scammers Act establishes a new whistleblower incentive and protection program within the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), allowing individuals to receive awards of 10% to 30% of collected penalties for providing original information leading to successful enforcement actions. Furthermore, the Act invalidates predispute arbitration agreements that attempt to waive these new whistleblower rights. Finally, this bill increases the annual funding cap for the CFPB, allowing it to receive up to 12 percent of the Federal Reserve's prior year earnings.

The Community Mental Wellness and Resilience Act of 2025 establishes federal grant programs to fund community-based networks focused on mental health prevention using a public health approach. These grants will support organizations in planning and implementing programs that strengthen local protective factors and address risk factors for mental health challenges. A minimum of twenty percent of the funding is specifically set aside for programs operating in rural areas. The goal is to build comprehensive, culturally appropriate resilience strategies across diverse community sectors.

This resolution supports the designation of the third annual "National Community Health Worker Awareness Week" to recognize the vital role of Community Health Workers (CHWs). It highlights how CHWs serve as trusted cultural bridges, connecting diverse communities to essential health and social services. The bill encourages federal, state, and local efforts to raise awareness and ensure sustainable support for this crucial public health workforce.

The First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Act of 2025 establishes a new, refundable tax credit for eligible first-time homebuyers, equal to 10% of the purchase price, up to a $15,000 maximum. This credit is subject to income and price phase-outs based on local area median figures. Claimants must meet specific age and residency requirements, and may be subject to a recapture provision if the home is sold within four years.

The EACH Act of 2025 mandates that all federally funded health programs and insurance plans must cover abortion services without imposing restrictions based on income or insurance type. This legislation aims to eliminate existing federal bans and state-level restrictions that prevent access to comprehensive reproductive care. Furthermore, the bill prevents the federal government from interfering with state or private insurance plans that choose to cover abortion services. It explicitly repeals Section 1303 of the Affordable Care Act and establishes that this Act takes precedence over all conflicting federal laws.

The AI Accountability and Personal Data Protection Act establishes a federal right for individuals to sue entities that misuse their "covered data" without explicit, prior consent. This legislation defines key terms related to AI systems and personal information, setting a minimum standard of protection that does not override stronger existing state laws. Successful plaintiffs can recover actual damages, treble profits, or a minimum of \$1,000, and any pre-dispute arbitration clauses related to claims under this Act are void.

The Ensuring Safe and Toxic-Free Foods Act of 2025 overhauls the process for determining if substances used in food are "Generally Recognized As Safe" (GRAS), requiring manufacturers to provide extensive new safety data for current and future ingredients. This legislation mandates that the FDA review existing GRAS determinations and establishes a periodic safety reassessment program for all approved food chemicals based on modern scientific standards. Ultimately, the bill aims to strengthen public health protections by ensuring that all substances in the food supply meet rigorous, transparent safety criteria.