Legislative Activity

The "Love Lives On Act of 2025" modifies eligibility rules for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) payments for surviving spouses who remarry. It allows remarried surviving spouses to receive certain educational benefits and DIC, and it continues annuity payments to surviving spouses who remarry, particularly those whose spouses died on active duty. Additionally, the Act expands the definition of "dependent" under the TRICARE program to include remarried widows or widowers whose subsequent marriage has ended.

The "JOBS Act of 2025" expands Federal Pell Grant eligibility to students enrolled in short-term job training programs (150-600 hours) that lead to credentials in high-demand fields. These programs must meet specific requirements, including alignment with industry needs and assurance from state boards. The act also requires accrediting agencies to assess the quality of these programs and mandates data sharing between the Departments of Education and Labor. Finally, the bill lowers the threshold for the minimum Federal Pell Grant from 10 percent to 5 percent.

The Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act aims to improve obstetric emergency care in rural areas by establishing programs to train healthcare providers, provide grant funding for equipment and supplies, and create a pilot program for teleconsultation. It focuses on equipping rural facilities without specialized obstetric units to handle emergencies during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and the postpartum period. The act also mandates a study on the closure of maternity wards and patient transport patterns in rural areas.

The "Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act" expands Medicare coverage to include innovative multi-cancer early detection screening tests starting in 2028. These tests, which use genomic sequencing to detect multiple cancer types, will be covered for eligible beneficiaries with age and frequency limitations. The payment amount for these tests will initially align with that of multi-target stool screening DNA tests. This new coverage aims to improve early cancer detection without affecting existing Medicare-covered cancer screenings.

This resolution designates February 3-7, 2025, as "National School Counseling Week" to recognize the vital role school counselors play in students' academic, social, and emotional development. It aims to raise awareness of the challenges students face and the importance of adequately supporting school counseling programs. The resolution encourages Americans to participate in events that highlight the importance of school counselors in helping students succeed.

The "Charitable Act" modifies and extends the deduction for charitable contributions for individuals who do not itemize deductions. For the 2026 and 2027 tax years, the deduction is capped at one-third of the standard deduction for the individual. The bill also eliminates a penalty related to this deduction. These changes are effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

The Laken Riley Act mandates the detention of illegal aliens who commit theft, burglary, larceny, or shoplifting. It empowers state attorneys general to sue the Department of Homeland Security or the Secretary of State if they believe the state or its residents are harmed by violations of immigration enforcement or visa granting. The bill aims to ensure that these aliens are detained throughout their removal proceedings and to provide states with legal recourse against perceived failures in federal immigration enforcement.

The "Protect Infant Formula from Contamination Act" aims to enhance the safety and supply of infant formula by requiring manufacturers to quickly report contamination issues and implement corrective actions. It mandates the FDA to provide progress reports on strategies to improve the infant formula market and requires ongoing reporting on supply chain data to Congress. The act also directs the FDA to collaborate with other agencies and stakeholders to establish best practices for ensuring a stable and safe infant formula supply.

This resolution supports the observation of National Trafficking and Modern Slavery Prevention Month in January 2025 to raise awareness and opposition to these crimes. It recognizes the global scale of human trafficking, the vulnerability of specific populations, and the need for a coordinated effort to prevent trafficking, support victims, and prosecute offenders. The resolution encourages collaborative initiatives and a victim-centered approach to combat human trafficking and modern slavery.

The "Main Street Tax Certainty Act" amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to make the deduction for qualified business income permanent. This is achieved by eliminating the expiration date for this deduction. This change provides long-term tax certainty for small businesses.

The "Standing Against Houthi Aggression Act" requires the Secretary of State to designate Ansarallah (the Houthis) as a foreign terrorist organization. It also mandates the President to impose sanctions on Ansarallah, its members, agents, affiliates, or those owned or controlled by it within 90 days of enactment.

The "Protect and Serve Act of 2025" establishes federal jurisdiction over crimes targeting law enforcement officers, particularly those resulting in serious bodily injury or death. It sets penalties, including imprisonment and fines, for offenders who assault officers under specific conditions, such as interstate implications or attacks on federal officers. The law requires the Attorney General to certify the necessity of federal intervention in cases where state jurisdiction is lacking or federal interests are not adequately addressed.

The "Protecting Students on Campus Act of 2025" aims to increase awareness and oversight of civil rights protections under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 on college campuses. It mandates a Title VI awareness campaign, requires institutions to display information about how to file complaints, and orders monthly briefings to Congress on civil rights complaints. The Act also requires institutions to report discrimination complaints annually and mandates audits of institutions with the highest complaint rates, as well as directs the Inspector General to study discrepancies in complaints submitted to higher education institutions versus the Office of Civil Rights. Additionally, the Office for Civil Rights must continue investigating complaints even if they have been addressed by another agency or the institution's internal processes.

The Dismantle Iran's Proxy Act of 2025 redesignates Ansarallah as a foreign terrorist organization, imposing sanctions and requiring a strategy to restore freedom of navigation in key waterways. It mandates a report on obstacles to humanitarian aid in Yemen under Ansarallah's control and requires the president to determine if Abdul Malik al-Houthi, Abd al-Khaliq Badr al-Din al-Houthi, and Abdullah Yahya al-Hakim are officials, agents, or affiliates of Ansarallah.

The "Advancing FASD Research, Services and Prevention Act" aims to enhance support for individuals and families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) through increased research, prevention, and service programs. This act amends the Public Health Service Act to expand training, integrate a case definition for FASD, and build state and tribal capacity for identification, treatment, and support. It also establishes Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Centers for Excellence to expand diagnostic capacity, develop public awareness campaigns, and serve as clearinghouses for evidence-based resources. Finally, the act authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 2025 through 2029 to carry out these provisions and requires a report on efforts to advance public awareness and identify best practices related to FASD.

The "Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act" authorizes the creation of three Congressional Gold Medals to honor the 1980 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team and their historic "Miracle on Ice" victory. These medals will be given to the Lake Placid Olympic Center, the United States Hockey Hall of Fame Museum, and the United States Olympic Paralympic Museum for public display. The Act also allows for the creation and sale of bronze duplicates to fund the medal production.

The "Skinny Labels, Big Savings Act" aims to reduce drug costs by clarifying that generic drug manufacturers are not infringing on patents when seeking FDA approval for a use of a drug that is no longer covered by patent ("skinny label"). The bill amends patent law to create a safe harbor for generic drug manufacturers who seek FDA approval for a drug with a label that excludes any uses still covered by patents. This exemption extends to the promotion and marketing of the drug, as long as it does not reference the patented condition of use. The bill also includes similar provisions for biosimilar biological products.

The "Supporting All Producers Act" or "SAP Act" amends the Agricultural Act of 2014, requiring the Secretary of Agriculture to consult with maple industry stakeholders to gather input on research and education priorities before issuing grant applications for the Acer Access and Development Program. It also mandates the Secretary to consider the information provided during these consultations when awarding grants and extends the Acer Access and Development Program's authorization through 2030.