Legislative Activity

The Medical Research for Our Troops Act increases the budget for the Defense Health Agency's research, development, testing, and evaluation (RDT&E). This legislation specifically restores and increases funding for these critical defense health programs. The restored funds must be used to support all previously directed medical research programs and initiatives as outlined in prior appropriations acts.

The LIHEAP Staffing Support Act establishes minimum staffing requirements for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to ensure effective program administration. It mandates a baseline of at least 20 dedicated employees, with limits on contractor usage during normal operations. Furthermore, the bill requires an emergency staffing boost to at least 30 employees within 45 days of declaring an energy crisis.

The Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2025 aims to strengthen existing federal background check systems to prevent prohibited persons from acquiring firearms. This bill primarily mandates that most private firearm transfers must be facilitated through a licensed dealer who will conduct a background check. The legislation includes specific exceptions for family gifts, law enforcement, and temporary transfers under emergency circumstances.

The STOCK Act 2.0 significantly enhances ethics and transparency rules for federal officials by requiring timely reporting of government payments received by covered persons and their families. It expands ethics oversight to include Federal Reserve bank leaders and bans high-ranking officials from holding or trading specific assets, including cryptocurrencies. Furthermore, the bill mandates that financial disclosure and transaction reports across Congress, the Executive Branch, and the Judiciary be made publicly available in searchable, accessible online databases.

The Pride In Mental Health Act of 2025 establishes a new grant program to improve mental health and substance abuse outcomes for LGBTQ+ youth through culturally competent care and resource development. These grants strictly prohibit funding for conversion therapy practices. The bill also mandates federal data collection on LGBTQ+ youth mental health and requires a report on the needs of those in foster care.

The Supporting Healthy Moms and Babies Act mandates that essential health benefits under the ACA must comprehensively cover prenatal, childbirth, neonatal, perinatal, and postpartum care for one full year. This legislation explicitly bans all cost-sharing, including copays and deductibles, for these essential maternity and newborn health services. The bill ensures robust coverage, including specific requirements like mandatory ultrasounds and mental health services for new parents.

The Plant Biostimulant Act of 2025 establishes clear federal definitions for "plant biostimulant" and "nutritional chemical," explicitly carving them out from existing regulations for "plant regulators." This legislation also mandates the EPA to update relevant regulations to reflect these new definitions within 120 days of enactment. Furthermore, the bill directs the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a comprehensive study on how biostimulants and farming practices impact soil health, carbon sequestration, and nutrient efficiency.

The Family Vaccine Protection Act formally establishes the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) into law, requiring all its vaccine recommendations to be based on the preponderance of the best available, peer-reviewed scientific evidence. This legislation mandates strict procedures for the CDC Director to adopt or reject ACIP advice, including notifying Congress if a recommendation is rejected. Furthermore, the Act requires that any changes to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program's injury table must also be supported by strong scientific evidence.

The Save America’s Rural Hospitals Act is a comprehensive bill designed to stabilize and strengthen rural healthcare infrastructure across the nation. It achieves this by permanently enhancing Medicare payment structures for rural hospitals, reducing regulatory burdens, and establishing new grant programs to foster innovative care delivery models. Ultimately, the legislation seeks to ensure the financial viability of these essential providers and improve access to care for rural beneficiaries.

The Menstrual Equity For All Act of 2025 aims to eliminate period poverty by ensuring access to free menstrual products across various sectors of society. This comprehensive bill mandates the availability of these essential supplies in K-12 schools, colleges, correctional facilities, federal buildings, and workplaces with over 100 employees. Furthermore, it expands coverage under Medicaid, allocates specific funding through social service block grants and TANF programs, and prohibits states from taxing menstrual products.

The Public Safety and Mental Health Reporting Act mandates the Attorney General to annually collect detailed, anonymized data on all law enforcement interactions with individuals experiencing mental illness. This data will be used exclusively for research and statistical analysis, with annual summaries reported to Congress and made publicly available. The goal is to better understand these encounters to improve public safety and mental health responses.

The Striking and Locked Out Workers Healthcare Protection Act ensures that employers cannot terminate or alter group health plan coverage for employees during a lawful strike or an employer-initiated lockout. This legislation aims to prevent employers from using health benefits as leverage during labor disputes. The bill also establishes significant civil penalties, including fines up to \$150,000 per violation, for employers who interfere with this coverage, and allows for individual liability for directors and officers involved in such violations.

The Protect our Parks Act of 2025 mandates the Secretary of the Interior to immediately ensure the National Park Service is fully staffed to protect resources and enhance visitor safety. This legislation requires filling all maintenance positions and reinstating any NPS employees terminated since January 20, 2025. Furthermore, the Act ensures the continuation of all previously authorized and funded National Park Service projects.

The Nuclear First-Strike Security Act of 2025 places strict limitations on the use of federal funds to initiate a nuclear attack. Under this Act, a first-use nuclear strike requires a presidential determination that it is in the U.S. best interest, followed by a mandatory seven-day notification to top Congressional leaders. This notification requirement is waived only in cases of a formal declaration of war, a prior nuclear attack on the U.S. or an ally, or during a confirmed launch-on-warning scenario.

The Healthy Food Financing Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2025 ensures continued federal support for projects that improve access to healthy food options. This bill reauthorizes the initiative by significantly increasing mandatory funding levels, starting at \$25 million in FY 2026 and rising to \$50 million annually by FY 2030. These funds are drawn from the Commodity Credit Corporation to support healthy food infrastructure development.

The Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act of 2025 establishes a mandatory, public code of conduct and a formal complaint process for Supreme Court Justices, modeled after procedures for lower federal judges. The bill also institutes stricter disclosure requirements for gifts and financial ties, and mandates judicial disqualification in cases involving recent lobbying contact or significant financial relationships with involved parties. Furthermore, it creates new review panels for disqualification motions and requires parties and *amici* to disclose financial supporters connected to the case.

The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2025 aims to streamline and modernize the prior authorization process within Medicare Advantage plans. This bill mandates the adoption of electronic prior authorization systems and significantly increases transparency regarding approval rates and decision times starting in 2027. Furthermore, it establishes new enrollee protections and grants the Secretary authority to enforce faster decision timeframes for medical services.

The Supporting Our Surviving Spouses Act removes the statute of limitations for certain survivor benefit claims filed by the spouses of armed forces members who died in the line of duty on or after September 11, 2001. This change allows eligible survivors to file these specific claims at any time after the law is enacted. The bill ensures that no deadline prevents these survivors from seeking entitled benefits.

The Improving VA Training for Military Sexual Trauma Claims Act mandates annual, experience-based sensitivity training for all VA staff handling Military Sexual Trauma (MST) claims. This legislation also strengthens the VA's duty to assist claimants by requiring them to actively help gather service personnel and medical records. Furthermore, the bill directs the VA Secretary to report on training requirements for contracted health professionals to prevent re-traumatization during examinations.

This resolution commemorates the 75th anniversary of the National Science Foundation (NSF), recognizing its vital role in advancing U.S. science, engineering, and education since 1950. Congress acknowledges the NSF's foundational support for groundbreaking innovations, including the internet and advancements in medical technology. The bill reaffirms Congress's commitment to ensuring the NSF continues to lead in scientific discovery for decades to come.