Legislative Activity

The "Protect our Public Health Workforce Act" allows for the reinstatement of CDC employees who were involuntarily terminated without cause between January 20, 2025, and the enactment date of this act, with backpay. It also mandates the CDC Director to report to specific congressional committees every three months on employee dismissals, including job details and reasons for dismissal, until January 20, 2029.

The Children's Health Insurance Program Permanency Act (CHIPP Act) permanently extends funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and other related programs. It also makes permanent several programs and demonstration projects under the Social Security Act, such as the Pediatric Quality Measures Program and the Express Lane Eligibility Option. Additionally, the act provides states with the option to increase children's eligibility for Medicaid and CHIP by allowing them to cover children whose family income exceeds the state's current maximum income level.

The Empowering and Enforcing Environmental Justice Act of 2025 aims to protect vulnerable communities by creating an Office of Environmental Justice within the Department of Justice, defining key environmental justice terms, and establishing a grant program to aid state, local, and tribal governments in enforcing environmental laws. The Office of Environmental Justice will be responsible for developing environmental justice strategies, coordinating related matters, and promoting public participation. A Senior Advisory Council will also be created to advise on environmental justice matters and recommend policies. The grant program will provide funding for training, staffing, and community engagement to help address disproportionate environmental and health impacts on low-income, Tribal, and Indigenous communities.

The "Energy Resilient Communities Act" establishes a grant program for clean energy microgrids, prioritizing projects that benefit environmental justice communities and community-owned energy systems. These grants will fund technical assistance, community outreach, and the construction of clean energy microgrids for critical infrastructure and residences. The Act emphasizes domestic production, prevailing wages, and local employment, while also requiring annual reports to Congress on the program's progress and impacts. It allocates significant funding for these initiatives over the next decade.

The "Prompt Approval of Safe Generic Drugs Act" aims to expedite the approval of generic drugs by allowing applications to proceed even if certain safety information on the label is protected by exclusivity or patent. It mandates the inclusion of necessary safety information on drug labels to ensure safe usage, irrespective of exclusivity clauses. This ensures timely access to safe generic drug alternatives without affecting existing exclusivity rights.

This bill codifies Executive Order 14096, solidifying the nation's commitment to environmental justice. By codifying the executive order, it ensures the order has the full force and effect of law.