Legislative Activity

The Compassionate Care Act aims to improve end-of-life care by increasing public awareness and provider training regarding advance care planning. The legislation expands access to these services through permanent telehealth options and mandates federal research to create a more portable, consistent, and effective national framework for advance directives.

The Ensuring Kids Have Access to Medically Necessary Dental Care Act strengthens dental coverage for children enrolled in the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). This legislation prohibits states from imposing annual or lifetime dollar limits on dental benefits and mandates that states provide dental-only supplemental coverage. These changes ensure that low-income children have consistent, comprehensive access to necessary dental care.

The Medicaid Dental Benefit Act of 2026 mandates that all state Medicaid programs provide comprehensive dental and oral health coverage for adults beginning January 1, 2027. To support this transition, the bill provides three years of 100% federal funding for these core services and establishes new national quality and equity reporting standards. Additionally, the legislation requires federal outreach programs to improve access to care and mandates a comprehensive report on the state of adult oral health in the United States.

This resolution officially designates June as Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month. It highlights the widespread impact of Alzheimer's disease, including rising prevalence, significant caregiver strain, and health disparities. The measure encourages public education, advocacy for research and support services, and support for those affected by the disease.

The Next Generation Shipping Act establishes a federal program to fund research, development, and deployment of zero-emission and clean alternative fuel vessels and supporting infrastructure. This initiative prioritizes projects that advance maritime decarbonization, ensure strong labor standards, and benefit environmental justice communities. The Act also creates an Advisory Committee to guide the program, focusing on identifying technology needs and evaluating progress toward cleaner shipping. Notably, the legislation explicitly prohibits funding for any automated vessel technologies.

The Access to Innovative Treatments Act of 2026 establishes a new, expedited review process for Medicare National Coverage Determinations (NCDs) that restrict coverage for FDA-approved drugs or biologicals. This bill mandates that the Secretary of HHS review challenged NCDs within strict timelines and prevents Part D plans from using these restrictive NCDs to deny coverage for approved treatments. The goal is to ensure Medicare coverage aligns with the drug's official FDA approval status.

This resolution honors the Cambodian veterans of the Khmer National Armed Forces (FANK) for their vital support of U.S. forces and their courageous defense of freedom during the Vietnam War. It recognizes their critical contributions, including the evacuation of U.S. personnel, and acknowledges the immense sacrifices made by these veterans and the Cambodian people. The bill expresses profound gratitude for their partnership and celebrates the enduring impact of the Cambodian-American community.

This resolution recognizes the severe threat that air pollution and extreme heat pose to maternal and infant health, particularly for Latina communities. It calls for the rapid and equitable development and deployment of interventions to address these unique environmental vulnerabilities. The House expresses the sense that policy changes must mitigate pollution sources and equip pregnant Latinas with tools to reduce exposure risks.

This bill establishes the Artificial Intelligence Public Awareness and Education Campaign Act, requiring the Secretary of Commerce to launch a five-year public campaign about AI. The campaign's goal is to increase public understanding of AI's role in daily life and improve consumer literacy regarding its capabilities and limitations. It mandates the development of multi-lingual resources, outreach to vulnerable populations, and annual reporting on performance metrics.

The Yes in God's Backyard Act establishes a new federal program to increase the supply of affordable rental housing on property owned by faith-based organizations and institutions of higher education. This initiative will provide technical assistance and competitive challenge grants to local governments and other entities to remove regulatory barriers to development. The goal is to facilitate the creation or preservation of housing targeted toward low-income, homeless, and special needs populations.

The Returning Home Act establishes a new grant program to provide rental assistance and housing support services for individuals reentering the community after incarceration. This initiative, run by the DOJ and HUD, offers up to 24 months of rental aid and crucial supportive services to help reduce homelessness among formerly incarcerated individuals. The law prioritizes applicants who implement a "housing first" approach and specifically excludes law enforcement entities from receiving grants.

The Yes in God's Backyard Act aims to increase the supply of affordable rental housing by providing technical assistance and competitive grants. This funding is specifically targeted at faith-based organizations, institutions of higher education, and local governments. The bill focuses on removing regulatory barriers and supporting the development or preservation of housing for low-income, homeless, disabled, and other special needs populations.

The Vaccine Transportation Access Act establishes a grant program for community organizations to provide reliable transportation services, helping individuals in underserved or low-income areas reach vaccination appointments. Additionally, the bill increases federal Medicaid support by covering 100% of the costs for nonemergency transportation specifically related to receiving eligible vaccines. These measures aim to remove critical mobility barriers and improve equitable access to essential immunizations.

The Climate Justice Grants Act establishes a multi-billion dollar grant program within the EPA to fund projects that reduce pollution and build resilience in environmental justice communities. Eligible recipients, including governments and nonprofits, can use funds for initiatives like deploying zero-emission technology, improving energy efficiency, and developing community solar. The Act prioritizes funding for low-income communities, rural areas, and U.S. Territories, ensuring projects are community-driven.

The Clean Water Justice Act significantly strengthens penalties for water pollution violations under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. This legislation increases the maximum criminal fines for illegal discharges and mandates annual adjustments to these penalty amounts based on inflation. The goal is to ensure stronger deterrence against polluting our nation's waters.

This Act temporarily freezes the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) ability to revise or replace the existing "Accidental Release Prevention Requirements: Risk Management Programs Under the Clean Air Act, Safer Communities by Chemical Accident Prevention" rule. This restriction on EPA action remains in effect until January 20, 2029.

The HEAL-AI Act establishes a competitive grant program, administered by HRSA, to fund the education and training of medical students, residents, and faculty in the use of artificial intelligence in medicine. These grants will support curriculum development focused on AI diagnostics, treatment recommendations, and ethical considerations. Institutions receiving funding must share educational materials publicly and prioritize serving medically underserved communities.

The Feed the Community Act amends tax law to encourage charitable donations of essential food service equipment, such as refrigerators, transport vehicles, and preparation tools. This bill expands the definition of eligible donated property beyond just food inventory to include functional food storage, transport, and meal preparation equipment. Donors can elect to limit the reduction in their charitable deduction for these specific donations, subject to certain dollar limits for transport and preparation equipment. These changes are set to take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

This resolution formally recognizes the vital role Spanish-language media plays in informing, educating, and connecting over 41 million Spanish speakers across the United States. It highlights how these outlets strengthen democracy by ensuring broad access to essential information and celebrate the rich cultural contributions of the Latino community. Ultimately, the bill encourages continued support for these crucial media sources nationwide.

The Marine Energy Technologies Acceleration Act establishes the Marine Energy Acceleration Fund to boost power generation from ocean waves, tides, and currents. This legislation directs significant funding toward demonstration projects that connect to local power grids and supports research and development to improve technology efficiency and lower costs. Furthermore, the bill mandates efforts to assess promising energy sites, streamline the permitting process, and develop a skilled workforce for the emerging marine energy industry.