Legislative Activity

The Catching Up Family Caregivers Act of 2026 aims to support unpaid family caregivers by allowing them to make additional "catch-up" contributions to their retirement accounts. This provision expands existing retirement savings rules to include individuals who provide significant unpaid care for a family member or dependent while working limited paid hours. Caregivers can utilize this benefit for up to five total tax years, providing a crucial opportunity to bolster their retirement savings.

The Improving Retirement Security for Family Caregivers Act of 2026 aims to boost retirement savings for unpaid family caregivers. It allows qualifying caregivers to make additional catch-up contributions to retirement accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs, regardless of age. Furthermore, it permits caregivers with minimal paid employment to contribute the full annual limit to a Roth IRA. These provisions are designed to offset lost retirement savings due to caregiving responsibilities.

The AFTER Act of 2026 mandates that federal research facilities establish formal programs to facilitate the adoption and retirement of animals no longer needed for research. By partnering with qualified nonprofit organizations and sanctuaries, this legislation ensures that suitable animals are transitioned into permanent homes rather than euthanized.

The National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Coin Act authorizes the U.S. Treasury to mint and issue commemorative coins in 2029 to honor the service and sacrifice of fallen firefighters. Proceeds from the sale of these coins, including surcharges, will be distributed to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to support its mission and programs. The program is designed to ensure no net cost to the federal government.

This resolution officially designates the week of February 23 through February 27, 2026, as National Public Schools Week. The purpose is to recognize and celebrate the importance of public education in the United States during that specific timeframe.

The Medical Nutrition Therapy Act of 2026 expands Medicare coverage to include medical nutrition therapy for a broader range of chronic conditions, such as obesity, hypertension, and cancer. The bill also increases access to these services by allowing a wider variety of healthcare professionals to order them. Additionally, it establishes a five-year pilot program to evaluate the impact of these services on patient health outcomes and overall Medicare spending.

The "We Can't Wait Act of 2026" allows individuals to receive Social Security disability benefits during the mandatory five-month waiting period by opting for a permanent, actuarially calculated reduction in their future monthly payments. This legislation provides applicants with greater financial flexibility while ensuring the long-term fiscal neutrality of the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund.

The Accounting STEM Pursuit Act aims to integrate accounting education into the K-12 curriculum, recognizing it as a vital component of a well-rounded education. This bill amends existing education law to support accounting career awareness and strengthen accounting programs. It specifically directs funding to increase access to high-quality accounting courses for underrepresented students.

This resolution officially designates December 13, 2025, as "National Wreaths Across America Day." It honors the Wreaths Across America project for its long-standing tradition of remembering and honoring veterans through wreath-laying ceremonies nationwide. The designation also recognizes the countless volunteers, donors, and escort units who support this mission.

The Relief for Farmers Hit with PFAS Act establishes a $500 million program administered by the Secretary of Agriculture to provide financial assistance to commercial farmers whose land or water is contaminated by PFAS from sludge or septage. This program offers aid such as income replacement, testing costs, and business diversification support to help farmers restore their operations. The Act also directs the Secretary to create a grant program for states, territories, and tribes to address contamination and prioritize funding for direct farmer assistance. Finally, it establishes a task force to evaluate integrating PFAS response across all Department of Agriculture programs.

This bill, the Improving Access to Workers’ Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act of 2025, amends the Federal Employees Compensation Act to expand the list of authorized healthcare providers. Specifically, it allows physician assistants and nurse practitioners to examine, treat, and provide second opinions for federal employees filing work-related injury claims. This change aims to improve access to care for injured federal workers.

The Alzheimer's Screening and Prevention Act (ASAP Act) amends Medicare to cover early detection screening tests for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias beginning in 2028. This coverage applies to FDA-cleared tests designed to detect pre-symptomatic or early-stage conditions. The legislation specifically outlines the types of genomic and imaging tests that will qualify for Medicare payment.

This resolution officially recognizes November 2025 as National Family Caregivers Month. It honors the millions of Americans who provide essential, unpaid care to loved ones facing illness or aging. The resolution also encourages public awareness and support for policies that assist these vital caregivers.

The CARE Act of 2025 mandates the testing of a new Comprehensive Alternative Response for Emergencies (CARE) Model under Medicare. This model allows Medicare Part B to pay ground ambulance providers for emergency response services, even if no transport occurs. The goal is to evaluate how this alternative payment structure impacts emergency medical service access, beneficiary outcomes, and resource utilization over a five-year period.

This resolution officially designates the week beginning September 7, 2025, as "National Direct Support Professionals Week" to honor the essential work of direct care workers. It highlights the critical role these professionals play in enabling millions of Americans with disabilities to live in their communities. Furthermore, the resolution draws attention to the current workforce crisis, including low pay and a lack of official data tracking for this vital occupation.

The Geriatrics Workforce Improvement Act reauthorizes and increases dedicated federal funding for training health professionals in geriatrics. Specifically, it appropriates \$48,245,000 annually from fiscal year 2026 through 2030. This funding supports programs designed to improve the quality of healthcare provided to older adults.

The Kay Hagan Tick Reauthorization Act extends crucial federal programs aimed at combating vector-borne diseases like those carried by ticks. This legislation reauthorizes funding and support for national strategies, regional centers, and local health departments through 2030. It also updates the composition of the advisory group overseeing the national strategy.

The Loggers Economic Assistance and Relief Act establishes a federal payment program to provide financial assistance to timber harvesting and hauling businesses impacted by a declared major disaster. Eligible entities that experience at least a 10% drop in gross revenue due to the disaster can receive a payment equal to 10% of the revenue lost during the affected period. Funds must be used exclusively for operating expenses, and the Secretary of Agriculture is tasked with quickly implementing the program.

The Kay Hagan Tick Reauthorization Act updates and continues funding for federal programs addressing tick-borne diseases. This legislation modifies the composition of the Vector-Borne Disease Strategy Group and adjusts the authorized funding levels for the national strategy and local health department support through fiscal year 2030.

The Special Diabetes Program Reauthorization Act of 2025 extends critical funding for both Type 1 Diabetes research programs and diabetes programs serving Native Americans. This legislation secures specific annual appropriations of \$160 million for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, along with a transition allocation in late 2027. The bill ensures continued financial support for these vital public health initiatives through the end of 2027.