Legislative Activity

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 Stop the Wait Act of 2025 aims to provide faster financial and medical support to individuals with disabilities by eliminating the five-month waiting period for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits by 2030. Additionally, the bill removes the 24-month Medicare waiting period for SSDI recipients who lack access to affordable health insurance, ensuring they can access necessary medical coverage sooner.

This bill authorizes the presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to the Freedom Riders in recognition of their courageous, nonviolent efforts to end racial segregation in interstate travel. By challenging discriminatory laws through the 1961 Freedom Rides, these activists played a pivotal role in advancing the American Civil Rights Movement. The medal will be housed at the Smithsonian Institution to honor their historic contribution to equality.

The Aviation Noise and Emissions Mitigation Act establishes two pilot grant programs to address the environmental and health impacts of airports on surrounding neighborhoods. The first program funds research to monitor and identify specific sources of noise and air pollution, while the second provides resources to implement community-led mitigation strategies, such as noise retrofitting and public health services. These initiatives prioritize support for disadvantaged communities disproportionately affected by aviation operations.

The Smoke and Heat Ready Communities Act of 2025 establishes EPA-led grant programs to help communities prepare for, monitor, and mitigate the public health impacts of wildfire smoke and extreme heat. The bill also creates Centers of Excellence to research the health effects of these events and funds the development of community-driven response plans. By providing resources for air filtration, protective equipment, and public outreach, the legislation aims to build local resilience against increasingly frequent climate-related air quality and heat challenges.

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 Black History is American History Act amends federal education law to ensure that Black history is explicitly integrated into American history and civics curricula nationwide. By requiring the inclusion of Black history in teacher training, instructional materials, and national educational assessments, the bill aims to provide a more comprehensive and accurate understanding of the American experience. Additionally, it establishes a formal partnership with the National Museum of African American History and Culture to support educators and students.

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 Federal Firefighters Families First Act aims to improve pay equity, recruitment, and retention for federal firefighters by modernizing pay computation and establishing a maximum 60-hour regular workweek. Additionally, the bill ensures that regularly scheduled overtime is included in the calculation of federal retirement annuities. These measures seek to align federal firefighter compensation more closely with municipal standards and provide greater financial security for their families.

This bill expresses the House of Representatives' view that Congress should act to maintain the United States Postal Service (USPS) as an independent entity within the Federal Government. It emphasizes the USPS's role as a self-sustaining service vital to the economy and national connectivity. The resolution discourages privatization, citing concerns about increased costs, reduced services, and damage to critical infrastructure.

The **Tim Hart Wildland Firefighter Classification and Pay Parity Act** establishes a comprehensive framework to modernize the compensation, benefits, and support systems for federal wildland firefighters. The bill introduces permanent special base pay rates, new incident response premium pay, and enhanced retirement and leave benefits to ensure competitive and equitable treatment for those in the profession. Additionally, it mandates the creation of robust mental health programs, long-term health monitoring, and a casualty assistance program to better support firefighters and their families.

The Global Health, Empowerment and Rights Act prevents the U.S. government from denying foreign aid to nongovernmental organizations based on the legal health services they provide using their own private funds. It ensures that these organizations are not penalized for offering counseling or referrals that comply with local laws. Additionally, the bill prohibits the imposition of restrictive advocacy and lobbying requirements on these groups that exceed those applied to U.S.-based organizations.

The FIRE Act of 2025 establishes a dedicated program within NOAA to enhance wildfire forecasting, detection, and risk communication. By leveraging advanced satellite technology, atmospheric modeling, and new research testbeds, the legislation aims to improve early response efforts and reduce the loss of life and property caused by wildfires.

The Semiconductor Technology Advancement and Research (STAR) Act of 2025 establishes a 25 percent tax credit for qualified semiconductor design expenditures conducted within the United States. This legislation aims to bolster domestic innovation by incentivizing both in-house and contract design costs for advanced semiconductor technology. The credit is available through 2036 and is designed to complement existing manufacturing investment incentives.

This bill recognizes the significant contributions of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) to the U.S. healthcare system, particularly in providing anesthesia and pain management for over 150 years. It acknowledges their crucial role in rural healthcare and the military, and supports the recognition of CRNAs during National CRNA Week. The bill encourages the full utilization of CRNAs in healthcare settings.

This bill expresses the House of Representatives' disapproval of the President's decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement, recognizing climate change as a threat and highlighting the increasing costs of extreme weather events. It commends entities supporting the Agreement, urges the President to reconsider, and encourages Congress to prioritize U.S. leadership on climate change.

The American Seabed Protection Act prohibits the issuance of new permits for the exploration and commercial mining of hard minerals on the deep seabed and the Outer Continental Shelf, with an exception for scientific research. Additionally, the bill mandates a comprehensive study by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to assess the environmental, ecological, and climate impacts of such mining activities.

This bill expresses formal opposition to deep seabed mining and directs the President to advocate for an international moratorium on such activities. It mandates that the U.S. use its influence in global organizations to block mining and financing until comprehensive, science-based regulatory frameworks are established to ensure the protection of marine ecosystems.

The Coordination for Soil Carbon Research and Monitoring Act establishes an interagency committee to unify federal efforts in researching and monitoring soil carbon sequestration. This committee will develop a strategic, cross-agency plan to standardize data collection, improve measurement technologies, and ensure inclusive engagement with agricultural communities. By fostering collaboration across multiple federal departments, the bill aims to advance the science and long-term monitoring of soil carbon storage.

The Health Care Providers Safety Act of 2025 authorizes federal grants to help health care facilities enhance the safety of their personnel, patients, and infrastructure. These funds support critical security upgrades, including physical site improvements, advanced surveillance systems, and strengthened cybersecurity measures.