Legislative Activity

The Bipartisan Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program Expansion Act increases the federal share of grant funding for certain public safety activities from 50% to 60%. This change aims to reduce the financial burden on states for purchasing essential equipment. Additionally, the Act authorizes $60 million annually for this program from fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

The Faster Labor Contracts Act aims to expedite the negotiation of first-time union contracts, which often face lengthy delays after workers vote for representation. This bill establishes mandatory timelines, requiring parties to begin bargaining quickly and escalating disputes to mandatory mediation and binding arbitration if an agreement isn't reached within 90 days. Additionally, the law mandates a GAO study to track the average time it takes for newly certified unions to secure their initial collective bargaining agreement.

This act establishes the Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Restoration Program to correct historical errors where Jewish service members killed in WWI and WWII were mistakenly buried under non-Jewish grave markers overseas. The American Battle Monuments Commission will contract with a nonprofit organization to identify these "covered members" and contact their survivors over a five-year period. The legislation also extends a deadline related to certain pension payments.

The Protecting Veteran Access to Telemedicine Services Act of 2025 allows authorized Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare professionals to prescribe and dispense controlled medications to eligible veterans via telemedicine. This provision removes the prior requirement for an initial in-person visit before prescribing these medications remotely. The VA is required to establish specific regulations detailing the process for this telemedicine delivery while ensuring compliance with existing federal drug control laws.

This bill primarily focuses on extending the authorization for the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs by one year. It pushes the expiration dates for the core programs and several related pilot activities from fiscal year 2025 to fiscal year 2026. This ensures continued federal research and development funding opportunities for small businesses.

The Ian Kalvinskas Pediatric Liver Cancer Early Detection and Screening Act aims to improve outcomes for children with liver disease by initiating studies on current federal efforts and waitlist mortality. It mandates the development of a public education program to raise awareness about early liver disease signs and living liver donation. Furthermore, the bill directs an assessment of the cost-effectiveness of adding direct bilirubin testing to newborn screening panels to catch conditions like biliary atresia earlier.

This resolution officially designates the week of September 15 through September 19, 2025, as "National Clean Energy Week." It recognizes the vital role of the growing clean energy sector in creating American jobs and advancing national environmental and economic goals. The bill encourages public and private entities to promote affordable, low-emission energy solutions across the country.

The SEED Act of 2025 expands the existing educator expense tax deduction to include early childhood educators. This legislation amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow those working in early childhood education to deduct unreimbursed work expenses "above the line." This change applies to expenses paid for in tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.

This resolution formally condemns the horrific political assassination of conservative spokesman Charlie Kirk on September 10, 2025, in Orem, Utah. It expresses deep condolences to his family and recognizes the bravery of the first responders at the scene. Ultimately, the measure reaffirms the fundamental American right to peaceful assembly and stands firmly against political violence.

The Pay Our Border Patrol and Customs Agents Act ensures that essential U.S. Border Patrol Agents and Customs and Border Protection officers who must work during a government shutdown in fiscal year 2026 will receive their salaries. This legislation appropriates necessary funds from the Treasury to cover these payments during the lapse in appropriations. The goal is to guarantee that critical border security personnel are paid even if the government temporarily closes.

The Reforming and Enhancing Sustainable Updates to Laboratory Testing Services Act of 2025 (RESULTS Act) aims to improve Medicare payment rates for clinical lab tests by mandating the collection of more accurate, real-world payment data directly from large, independent private insurance claims databases. This legislation updates definitions, collection timelines, and calculation methods to ensure Medicare payments for widely available tests reflect current market rates. It also establishes default payment rules if sufficient private payor data cannot be secured.

The Bipartisan Premium Tax Credit Extension Act extends the enhanced financial assistance available for purchasing health insurance through the Marketplace. This legislation pushes the expiration date for these boosted premium tax credits, including those for higher earners, from the end of 2025 through the end of 2026. Essentially, it ensures continued, robust subsidies for Marketplace health coverage.

The Appalachian Trail Centennial Act officially recognizes the vital role of cooperative management, particularly volunteer partnerships, in maintaining National Scenic and Historic Trails. This bill formally designates operational partners, like the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, to share management responsibilities with federal agencies. It also establishes processes for prioritizing land protection and assessing the economic impact of these trails on local communities. Ultimately, the Act aims to strengthen the framework for long-term stewardship and development of the National Trails System.

The Feed Hungry Kids Act establishes a fixed threshold of 25 percent for calculating a school's "Identified Student Percentage" starting in the school year beginning on or after July 1, 2025. This change directly impacts how schools qualify for certain federal nutrition programs. The bill standardizes this key metric for future program eligibility.

The Prevent Government Shutdowns Act of 2025 establishes automatic 14-day continuing appropriations to fund federal programs immediately when Congress fails to pass a budget. This mechanism prevents service disruptions while imposing strict limits on official travel and legislative business for Congress and certain executive branch officials during funding lapses. The Act ensures that spending during these extensions is accounted for against the final enacted budget.

The FEMA Act of 2025 establishes the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as an independent, cabinet-level agency to lead a unified, all-hazards approach to national emergency management. The bill enacts sweeping reforms across Public Assistance, Individual Assistance, and Mitigation programs to accelerate recovery, streamline funding, and reduce bureaucratic hurdles for disaster survivors and communities. Furthermore, it mandates significant new transparency measures, including public data reporting and GAO oversight, to ensure accountability for federal disaster spending.

The Restore Trust in Congress Act establishes strict new rules prohibiting Members of Congress and their immediate families from owning or trading specific financial assets, referred to as "covered investments," while in office. Covered individuals must divest existing prohibited holdings within a set timeframe or face significant financial penalties, including fines and forfeiture of profits. The legislation aims to eliminate conflicts of interest arising from personal financial trading while serving in federal office.

The Stop Chinese Fentanyl Act of 2025 urges the Chinese government to enhance controls over precursor chemicals used in fentanyl production through cooperation, stricter shipping rules, and "know-your-customer" requirements. The bill also expands the definition of a "foreign opioid trafficker" under existing sanctions law to specifically target certain Chinese entities and officials who facilitate or fail to stop illicit opioid trafficking. Furthermore, it imposes new reporting and regulatory standards on the President when using emergency economic powers related to international drug trafficking. Finally, the Act explicitly prohibits using the sanctions authorized by this law to block the importation of general goods.

The Transit Funding Flexibility Act amends federal law to allow Urbanized Area Formula grant funds to be used more flexibly for public transportation operating costs. It removes specific population-based restrictions on grant eligibility. Crucially, recipients must now annually certify they will maintain their local spending effort for federally funded equipment and facilities, or face a mandatory 13% reduction in future federal funding.

The Battling Infections Transmitted by Ticks and Exposure (BITE) Act establishes a comprehensive national system to prevent vector-borne diseases like Lyme disease. This system will utilize AI-driven early warning alerts, expert identification services, and real-time monitoring of insurance claims and symptoms. A key goal of the Act is to support efforts to reduce Lyme disease cases by 25% by 2035.