Legislative Activity

The ORTHO Act mandates that dentists conduct an in-person examination before providing teledentistry services, with limited exceptions for emergent care, public health programs, and initial orthodontic diagnoses. The bill empowers the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general to enforce these safety standards, treating violations as unfair or deceptive acts. By requiring professional clinical oversight, the legislation ensures that remote dental care meets established safety and diagnostic requirements.

This bill directs the posthumous presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to Bonnie Eloise Rush Milam. The medal recognizes her distinguished service to U.S. Armed Forces through founding and leading the Melody Maids, an all-girls singing group that performed for troops during WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. The legislation also authorizes the production and sale of bronze duplicate medals.

This bill directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to develop voluntary guidelines to help federal agencies prepare their datasets for use in training artificial intelligence models. These guidelines will cover data formatting, quality, labeling, and maintenance to ensure data is "AI-ready." NIST may also launch pilot programs to test these guidelines in specific high-priority sectors.

This bill prohibits the Department of the Air Force from reducing the number of MQ-9 aircraft or units until September 30, 2032, with limited exceptions for unsafe or obsolete aircraft. It also mandates the Air Force to submit a comprehensive report detailing its plan for modernizing and recapitalizing the MQ-9 fleet through fiscal year 2035. The legislation aims to ensure the stability and future capability of the MQ-9 force structure, particularly within the Air National Guard.

The NOAA Weather Radio Modernization Act aims to significantly upgrade the national NOAA Weather Radio network to ensure reliable, 24/7 hazard broadcasting, especially in areas lacking cellular or broadband service. It mandates modernization efforts to improve warning communication, expand coverage, and enhance resilience against emergencies. Furthermore, the bill establishes processes for developing national flash flood warning standards and requires comprehensive staffing assessments and plans for critical National Weather Service positions to ensure public safety missions are fully supported.

The Standards for Understanding Source and Habitat Identification Act, or SUSHI Act, mandates the creation of a standardized, science-based chemical testing method to definitively identify the country of origin for seafood. This new methodology, developed collaboratively by key federal agencies, aims to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing practices. The resulting standard must be practical for field use and applicable to both raw and prepared seafood products.

The NASA Reauthorization Act of 2026 authorizes a \$24.44 billion budget for NASA in fiscal year 2026, prioritizing exploration, science, and space operations. It directs the agency's focus toward continuing the Artemis Moon program through commercial partnerships and planning for the transition from the International Space Station to commercial space stations. Furthermore, the bill supports research in aeronautics, strengthens STEM education funding distribution, and updates key agency policies regarding cost management and workforce development.

This bill officially renames the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge in Texas to the **Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge**. The renaming honors the memory of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray, who was tragically murdered near Houston. This legislation codifies the name change across all official government records and documents.

The Dialysis-Related Amyloidosis Treatment Act of 2025 ensures Medicare coverage for FDA-approved treatments for amyloidosis that develops in patients undergoing dialysis. This legislation mandates that these specific treatments must be paid for separately by Medicare, rather than being included in the standard bundled payment for renal dialysis services. This change takes effect immediately upon enactment.

The Fog Observations and Geographic Forecasting Act establishes a new project to significantly improve the prediction of coastal marine fog. This initiative focuses on gathering enhanced real-time ocean data and developing more accurate forecasting models. The ultimate goal is to increase safety for marine operations and reduce economic losses caused by unexpected fog events.

The Astronaut Safe Temporary Ride Options (ASTRO) Act authorizes the government to pay for necessary transportation for astronauts returning from space missions before they receive medical clearance to drive. This provision covers travel related to medical research, monitoring, diagnosis, or other approved official duties. NASA is required to submit an annual report to Congress detailing the use and cost of this specialized transportation.

The No Bailouts for Reparations Act prohibits the federal government from providing any financial assistance, including loans or grants, to state or local governments that establish reparations programs. This restriction specifically targets programs providing reparations based on race, ethnicity, or historical practices connected to slavery. The goal is to prevent federal funds from supporting locally created reparations initiatives.

The Resident Education Deferred Interest (REDI) Act amends federal student loan regulations to provide a specific deferment for medical and dental residents. This allows borrowers currently serving in an internship or residency program to pause principal payments and prevent interest accrual on their student loans during that training period.

This resolution authorizes a total budget of $18,617,085 for the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology to cover operational expenses and staff salaries during the 119th Congress. It establishes specific spending caps for the 2025 and 2026 sessions and mandates that all expenditures adhere to established House administrative regulations and voucher procedures.

The Protect Minors from Medical Malpractice Act of 2025 establishes a private right of action allowing individuals to sue medical practitioners for injuries resulting from gender-transition procedures performed while they were minors. The bill also protects medical providers from being mandated to perform these procedures and prohibits federal funding for states that require such interventions.

The Birthright Citizenship Act of 2025 proposes to limit automatic birthright citizenship to children born in the United States who have at least one parent who is a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident, or an alien serving in the U.S. armed forces. This legislation would exclude children born to parents without legal status or those on temporary visas from receiving automatic citizenship. These changes would apply only to individuals born on or after the date of the Act's enactment.