Legislative Activity

The **Clean Air and Economic Advancement Reform Act (CLEAR Act)** adjusts EPA timelines for reviewing air quality standards, shifting them to a 10-year cycle and allowing states more flexibility in developing compliance plans. The bill updates the definition of "exceptional events" to better account for wildfire mitigation activities and limits penalties when pollution spikes are demonstrably beyond a state's control. Finally, it modifies the makeup of the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee to increase state representation and requires new impact assessments before setting air quality standards.

The Clean Air and Building Infrastructure Improvement Act aims to streamline the implementation of new air quality standards by requiring the EPA to publish necessary preconstruction permit guidance simultaneously with any new or updated standard. It also provides a temporary exemption for certain preconstruction permit applications from the 2024 Primary Annual Particulate Matter2.5 Standard until area designations are finalized. This ensures that permitting processes can proceed efficiently while maintaining requirements for installing best available control technology.

This bill establishes a statutory definition for an "essential health system" based on the volume of care provided to low-income and Medicaid patients. It requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to designate qualifying hospitals for a five-year period. Furthermore, the bill mandates MACPAC to create an annual index ranking all relevant hospitals based on these financial criteria and to review payment policies supporting these essential systems.

The Genomic Answers for Children’s Health Act of 2026 mandates that state Medicaid programs cover whole genome and whole exome sequencing for children with specific medical conditions, effective January 1, 2027. This sequencing is to be covered as a first-tier diagnostic test for genetic disorders, rare diseases, or conditions of unknown origin. The bill also directs the HHS Secretary to promote awareness and address implementation challenges for this new mandatory benefit.

The SHOWER Act revises the federal definition of a "showerhead" to align with the current industry standard, ASME A112.18.1/2024. This legislation specifically excludes safety shower showerheads from the federal definition. The Secretary of Energy is mandated to update federal regulations to reflect this change within 180 days of enactment.

The Essential Caregivers Act of 2025 protects the rights of residents in long-term care facilities to designate an essential caregiver who can provide support and companionship. This legislation ensures that these caregivers maintain in-person access to residents even during public health emergencies when general visitation is restricted. By establishing clear protocols and an appeals process, the bill aims to prevent the harmful effects of isolation and ensure residents continue to receive vital care and advocacy.

This bill establishes the Improving Interagency Coordination for Pipeline Reviews Act to streamline the environmental review and permitting process for natural gas pipelines. It designates the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) as the sole lead agency for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews. The Act mandates coordination timelines and procedures for all participating federal and state agencies to ensure concurrent review and timely final authorizations. Furthermore, it requires public tracking of the permitting schedule and progress for all required agency actions.

This bill, the Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act, officially authorizes Congress to award Congressional Gold Medals to the 1980 U.S. Men's Olympic Ice Hockey Team for their historic "Miracle on Ice" victory. The medals will be struck by the Treasury and permanently displayed at specific national sports museums. The Act also permits the sale of duplicate bronze medals to cover production costs.

This act amends the Clean Air Act to clarify which plastic conversion facilities are exempt from being classified as solid waste incineration units. It automatically excludes facilities that convert plastics into products using specific advanced recycling methods, provided at least 50% of the output by mass qualifies as a usable product. The bill also establishes a petition process for other qualifying plastic conversion facilities to seek similar exclusion from incineration unit regulations.

The Main Street Lending Improvement Act of 2025 mandates a study by the Comptroller General on the timeline and distribution of small business loans within areas that include the Appalachian region. This study will compare loan disbursement processes between Appalachian and non-Appalachian areas from 2021 through 2024. The final report must include recommendations to increase loan accessibility, decrease funding times, and improve applicant communication.

The American Broadband Deployment Act of 2025 aims to rapidly expand wireless and wireline internet infrastructure by streamlining government approval processes at the state, local, and federal levels. It establishes strict deadlines for permit decisions, mandates automatic approval if deadlines are missed, and limits excessive fees to accelerate deployment. The bill also expedites environmental reviews for certain projects to reduce bureaucratic delays in building out modern communications networks.

The Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act focuses primarily on improving pediatric drug development and ensuring patient access to necessary treatments. This legislation mandates new research requirements for molecularly targeted pediatric cancer drugs, strengthens FDA enforcement of pediatric study completion, and extends incentives for developing drugs for rare pediatric diseases. Additionally, the bill updates organ transplant network functions and establishes an Abraham Accords Office within the FDA to enhance international regulatory cooperation.

This act grants the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) exclusive authority to approve or deny applications for natural gas and LNG export/import facilities, mandating that such actions be considered consistent with the public interest. The legislation clarifies that it does not limit the President's existing authority to impose sanctions through trade restrictions.

The UNtaxed Act prohibits the United Nations and its affiliated bodies from imposing taxes, fees, or penalties on U.S. citizens and companies without formal Senate approval. Additionally, the bill restricts U.S. funding for any UN organization involved in the implementation or enforcement of a global carbon tax.

The Developing Responsible Individuals for a Vibrant Economy Act (DRIVE-SAFE Act) establishes a structured apprenticeship program allowing drivers under 21 to operate commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce. This program requires apprentices to complete 400 hours of supervised training, divided into two probationary phases focusing on foundational and advanced driving skills. Participation mandates specific vehicle technology, such as automatic transmissions and collision mitigation systems, and continuous supervision by an experienced driver.

The Efficient Nuclear Licensing Hearings Act streamlines the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC) process for issuing certain nuclear facility permits and licenses. This legislation allows the NRC to issue permits without automatically holding a full hearing if no affected party requests one. It also updates procedures to favor informal hearings when they are held and modifies timing requirements for license issuance.

This resolution honors the life and legacy of Charles "Charlie" James Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA. It strongly condemns his assassination as an act of political violence. The bill calls for a renewed national commitment to civil discourse and the founding principles of the United States.

The Safe Step Act establishes mandatory, transparent exception processes for health plans that use "step therapy" protocols for prescription drugs. This ensures patients or their doctors can quickly request coverage for a prescribed medication when specific clinical criteria are met, such as previous treatment failure or risk of harm. Plans must decide on standard requests within 72 hours and urgent requests within 24 hours, and approved exceptions must last for at least one year. Furthermore, insurers must report detailed data annually on exception requests, approvals, and denials to the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

This bill, the National Coal Council Reestablishment Act, mandates the Secretary of Energy to reestablish the National Coal Council within the Department of Energy, adhering to its charter as of November 19, 2021. The Council will generally operate under the Federal Advisory Committee Act guidelines. Crucially, this legislation exempts the Council from the automatic termination provisions that typically apply to federal advisory committees.

The SHINE for Autumn Act of 2025 aims to significantly improve federal support for state-level stillbirth research and data collection. It authorizes grants for states to enhance surveillance, track risk factors, and build local capacity for analyzing stillbirth data, provided the information remains de-identified. Furthermore, the bill mandates the development of standardized guidelines and educational materials regarding stillbirth awareness and risk factors, developed in consultation with experts and bereaved families.