Legislative Activity

This bill amends the Social Security Act to equalize the negotiation period for drug price negotiations under the Drug Price Negotiation Program. It changes the negotiation period for small-molecule drugs from 7 years to 11 years, matching the period already in place for biologic drugs. This adjustment aims to create parity in negotiation timelines between different types of medications, effective as if included in the original legislation.

This bill extends the temporary increase in the limitation on the cover over of distilled spirits taxes to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. It amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, pushing the expiration date from January 1, 2022, to January 1, 2032. This extension applies to distilled spirits brought into the United States after December 31, 2021.

The Local Radio Freedom Act expresses Congressional opposition to imposing new performance fees, taxes, or royalties on local radio stations and businesses for playing music. It argues that the current system of free airplay provides essential promotional value to artists and that new fees would threaten the financial viability of local broadcasters and the vital community services they provide.

The "Death Tax Repeal Act" eliminates both estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes, effective from the date of enactment. It adjusts gift tax calculations by setting the lifetime gift exemption at $10,000,000, with inflation adjustments after 2011. The Act also includes transitional rules for applying certain sections of the Internal Revenue Code during the enactment year.

The "More Homes on the Market Act" increases the tax exclusion for profit from the sale of a primary residence, raising it to $500,000 for single filers and $1,000,000 for married couples filing jointly. These amounts will be adjusted for inflation starting in 2025. This change encourages homeowners to sell their properties, thereby increasing the availability of homes on the market.

The "National Right-to-Work Act" amends both the National Labor Relations Act and the Railway Labor Act to protect an employee's right to choose whether or not to join or support a labor union. It eliminates the possibility of mandatory union membership or dues payments as a condition of employment, ensuring that employees cannot be forced to join or support a union against their will.

The "Extending Limits of U.S. Customs Waters Act" updates the definition of "customs waters" to align with international law, Presidential Proclamation 5928, and Presidential Proclamation 7219. It extends U.S. customs authority to include the territorial sea and contiguous zone, as permitted by international law. These changes will take effect the day after the Act is enacted.

The "Alternatives to PAIN Act" amends Medicare Part D to improve access to non-opioid pain management drugs by waiving deductibles and ensuring they are placed on the lowest cost-sharing tier starting in 2026. The Act also prohibits the use of step therapy and prior authorization requirements for these drugs, further easing access for patients. These changes aim to provide more accessible alternatives for pain management, reducing reliance on opioids.

The "Freight RAILCAR Act of 2025" introduces a tax credit for modernizing freight railcars, encouraging investments in newer, more efficient railcars. Taxpayers can claim a credit equal to 10% of their freight railcar fleet modernization expenses, with a limit of 1,000 qualified freight railcars per year. The credit applies to railcars that increase capacity, improve fuel efficiency, or meet updated performance standards, and is available for three years after the Act's enactment. The Secretary of the Treasury is required to submit a report to Congress detailing the credit's usage and impact on railcar modernization and scrapping.

The "Let's Get to Work Act of 2025" amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, modifying SNAP work requirements by shortening the exemption period for parents with dependent children to 6 months and revising exemptions. It mandates work requirements for public housing residents and those receiving tenant-based rental assistance, aligning with SNAP rules.

The "Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow's Workforce Act" amends Section 529 savings accounts to include expenses related to postsecondary credentialing programs. This allows 529 funds to cover costs like tuition, fees, books, supplies, and testing fees for recognized programs and credentials, as defined by the bill. These changes would apply to distributions made after the bill is enacted.

The Senior Citizens Tax Elimination Act proposes to repeal federal income taxes on Social Security benefits, ensuring these payments are no longer counted as gross income. To protect the financial stability of the Social Security and Railroad Retirement programs, the bill mandates automatic federal appropriations to offset any resulting revenue loss.

This bill mandates the immediate abolishment of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and prohibits the use of federal funds for its operations. It rescinds all unobligated agency funds and transfers all remaining assets and liabilities to the Secretary of State.

This resolution supports the designation of "Career and Technical Education Month" to celebrate the vital role of CTE programs in building a skilled workforce. It highlights how these programs provide students with essential training and credentials that align with modern economic demands. Furthermore, it encourages educators and parents to promote CTE as a respected and effective educational pathway for future success.

The Fair Access to Banking Act prohibits large financial institutions and payment networks from denying services to law-abiding businesses based on subjective, politically motivated, or reputational criteria. The bill mandates that financial institutions use impartial, quantitative, risk-based standards to evaluate customers rather than category-based exclusions. To ensure compliance, the legislation establishes enforcement mechanisms through federal regulators and provides a legal pathway for businesses to sue for damages if they are unfairly denied access to financial services.

The Dismantle DEI Act of 2025 aims to immediately rescind diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) mandates across the federal government, including shutting down related offices and banning specific ideological training for federal personnel and contractors. The bill prohibits the use of federal funds for DEI activities by grant recipients and mandates that federal advisory committees cease all such practices or face termination. Furthermore, it establishes strong enforcement mechanisms, allowing individuals to sue violators and seek financial penalties for non-compliance.

The Defending Domestic Orange Juice Production Act of 2025 establishes a federal quality standard requiring pasteurized orange juice to contain at least 10.0 percent orange juice soluble solids by weight. This measure ensures product consistency by excluding added sweeteners from the calculation of these solids.

The Small Business Regulatory Reduction Act mandates that the Small Business Administration (SBA) ensure its rulemaking process imposes zero net costs on small businesses starting in fiscal year 2026. Additionally, the bill requires the SBA to submit an annual report to Congress detailing the regulatory impact of all federal agency rules on small business concerns. These requirements must be fulfilled using existing agency resources without additional funding.

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.

This bill recognizes the significant historical and ongoing contributions of tax-exempt fraternal benefit societies to communities across the United States through charitable activities, volunteer work, and financial support for members. It expresses the sense of Congress that these societies are a valuable support system that addresses unmet needs and generates substantial returns to the U.S. through their tax-exempt status. The bill also advocates for the continued promotion of fraternal benefit societies.