Legislative Activity

The Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act mandates that group health plans and insurance policies provide comprehensive coverage for medically necessary treatment related to congenital anomalies or birth defects affecting the eyes, ears, teeth, mouth, or jaw. This coverage must include services needed to restore normal function and appearance, including necessary dental and orthodontic support. Plans must apply cost-sharing rules no more restrictive than those for other medical benefits, excluding purely cosmetic procedures.

The Constitutional Hearing Protection Act aims to treat firearm silencers equally under federal tax law by updating definitions and removing certain registration requirements if existing firearm laws are followed. The bill also preempts state and local governments from imposing special taxes or registration burdens on silencers. Furthermore, it mandates the destruction of existing federal records identifying silencer owners within one year of enactment.

This Act officially renames Taiwan's primary diplomatic office in the U.S. from the "Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office" to the "Taiwan Representative Office." It directs the U.S. government to treat this office with the diplomatic courtesies afforded to other foreign nations, consistent with existing U.S. policy. This renaming does not alter the official U.S. stance on Taiwan's international status or restore full diplomatic relations.

The CFPB Budget Integrity Act limits the amount of unspent funds, or "unobligated balances," the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) can retain to no more than 5% of a specified statutory amount. Any excess savings must be transferred to the Treasury general fund. This legislation also enhances reporting requirements to provide greater transparency regarding the CFPB's retained balances.

The Celestial Time Standardization Act directs NASA to develop a standardized time system for use on the Moon and in deep space. This new "coordinated lunar time" must be traceable to Earth's UTC while remaining accurate and independent for off-world operations. NASA is required to coordinate with federal agencies and international partners and report its implementation strategy to Congress within two years.

The Felony Murder for Deadly Fentanyl Distribution Act of 2025 amends federal law to classify the distribution of fentanyl that results in death as first-degree felony murder. This change subjects offenders to the death penalty or life imprisonment if they distribute specific quantities of fentanyl or its analogues, knowing the substance contained them, and that distribution caused a fatality. The bill specifically targets distributors of two grams or more of fentanyl mixtures or half a gram or more of fentanyl analogue mixtures.

The Preventing Ranked Choice Corruption Act explicitly bans the use of ranked choice voting (RCV) in all federal elections, including those for President, the Senate, and the House of Representatives. This prohibition amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to ensure only traditional voting methods are used for federal races nationwide. The ban will take effect for all federal elections held in 2026 and beyond.

The No Handouts for Drug Advertisements Act prohibits businesses from taking a federal tax deduction for expenses related to direct-to-consumer advertising of certain prescription drugs. This measure specifically targets costs associated with advertising aimed at the general public via television, radio, or digital platforms. The goal is to disallow tax write-offs for these promotional activities, with an exception for ads placed in professional medical journals.

The Maritime Fuel Tax Parity Act extends the existing excise tax exemption for alternative motorboat fuels to include certain vessels operating exclusively between ports on either the Atlantic or Pacific coast. This change ensures that qualifying vessels, such as specific fishing or maritime activity vessels, benefit from the fuel tax break when trading only along a single U.S. coast. The provision applies to fuel sales occurring after December 31, 2023.

The Youth Suicide Prevention Research Act updates the National Science Foundation's research priorities to better address childhood suicide. This legislation specifically mandates the NSF to focus new research efforts on understanding the roles of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and toxic stress in youth suicide risk.

The Secretary of the Coast Guard Act of 2025 establishes the new, Senate-confirmed position of Secretary of the Coast Guard. This new Cabinet-level official will report directly to the Secretary of Homeland Security, overseeing the service. The bill redefines leadership structure within Title 14 of the U.S. Code, placing the Commandant of the Coast Guard under the direction of this new Secretary.

The Reentry Act of 2025 allows incarcerated individuals to receive medical assistance through Medicaid during the 30 days immediately preceding their release. This legislation also mandates a comprehensive report from MACPAC analyzing current healthcare standards within correctional facilities. The report will examine the impact of this coverage change and offer recommendations for improving healthcare access for those transitioning back into the community.

This bill mandates the immediate rescission of specific waivers and licenses that previously allowed certain international money transfers related to Iran. It explicitly prohibits the President from reissuing similar permissions or granting new licenses that would allow the Iranian government access to restricted financial accounts. In essence, this legislation closes specific financial pathways previously opened concerning Iran.

The No Iranian Energy Act aims to strengthen U.S. policy by explicitly targeting Iran's growing natural gas industry with sanctions. This bill amends existing law to ensure that sanctions apply to the sale, supply, or transfer of Iranian natural gas. The legislation reflects Congress's intent to restrict Iran's energy sector activities.

The Dual Loyalty Disclosure Act mandates that candidates running for office must disclose any dual citizenship they hold with a foreign country on their official campaign paperwork. This new requirement ensures voters are aware of a candidate's foreign citizenship status. The disclosure must be included after the principal campaign committee is established.

The VA Home Loan Awareness Act of 2025 mandates the addition of a disclaimer on standard mortgage applications, informing applicants who indicate military service that they may qualify for a VA Home Loan. This ensures veterans and service members are immediately directed to explore their VA loan eligibility when applying for a mortgage. The bill also requires the GAO to study the effectiveness of this new disclaimer requirement among lenders.

The Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2025 establishes a national standard for carrying concealed handguns across state lines. This act allows individuals legally permitted to carry in their home state to carry concealed in any other state that allows its residents to carry concealed firearms. The law does not override private property restrictions or prohibitions on government property, but it provides protections and legal recourse for those traveling in compliance with the new federal standard.

This bill establishes the voluntary Congressional Fitness Challenge, a national program designed to promote physical fitness among eligible participants aged 6 to 17. The Challenge requires participants to complete five specific fitness tests, with performance benchmarks set based on age and gender. Successful participants who meet performance goals will receive official recognition certificates signed by Congressional leadership. The legislation also outlines administrative rules for testing, data collection, and allows lawmakers to use office funds for related activities.

This bill amends federal law to require the Coast Guard to retain certain enlisted members who have served 18 or more, but less than 20, years of service. It prevents the involuntary separation or non-reenlistment of these long-serving members until they reach 20 years of service for retirement eligibility. This provision applies to both Regular and Reserve enlisted personnel serving on active duty.

The Major Richard Star Act ensures that military retirees with combat-related disabilities can receive both their military retirement pay and VA disability compensation concurrently without reduction. This law removes previous restrictions that caused military retirement pay to be offset by VA disability payments for these specific cases. The changes take effect on the first day of the month following the Act's enactment.