Legislative Activity

The RESULTS Act of 2025 aims to significantly improve the accuracy of Medicare payment rates for common clinical diagnostic laboratory tests. It mandates that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) contract with an independent, certified entity to collect payment data from a massive, nationwide private insurance claims database. This shift ensures payment rates are based on comprehensive, validated external data rather than relying solely on self-reported information. If this external data is unavailable, default inflation-adjusted rates will apply until accurate data collection resumes.

The Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2025 significantly updates federal efforts to combat harmful algal blooms (HABs) and hypoxia across all U.S. waters, including freshwater systems. The bill expands the scope of the interagency Task Force, mandates the creation of a five-year national Action Strategy for HABs, and enhances monitoring and forecasting capabilities. It also clarifies agency roles, assigning EPA new duties for freshwater blooms while tasking NOAA with marine and Great Lakes response, and establishes a new incubator program for control technologies.

The Prevent Government Shutdowns Act of 2025 establishes an automatic, 14-day continuing funding mechanism to keep federal programs operational if Congress fails to pass a full budget by the start of the fiscal year. This automatic funding continues in two-week increments until a final budget is enacted, while simultaneously imposing strict travel and procedural limitations on Congress and federal employees during these lapses. The Act is designed to prevent government shutdowns by ensuring continuity of essential services while incentivizing timely budget passage.

The Ending Cashless Bail in Our Nation’s Capital Act prohibits the District of Columbia from banning cash bail. This legislation mandates that D.C. must allow cash bail when necessary to ensure public safety, particularly for defendants charged with specific offenses or repeat offenders. Additionally, it requires D.C. to presume that individuals charged with violent crimes should be detained before trial.

The Keep Violent Criminals Off Our Streets Act prohibits the Attorney General from awarding federal crime-fighting grants to state or local governments that limit the use of cash bail for individuals charged with serious violent offenses or crimes that promote public disorder. This measure aims to ensure that jurisdictions maintain strict bail policies for those accused of dangerous crimes. The restriction applies to grants starting the first full fiscal year after the Act's enactment.

The CLEAN DC Act, officially the Common-Sense Law Enforcement and Accountability Now in DC Act, seeks to completely repeal the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022. This action effectively nullifies all changes made by the 2022 Act, restoring the previous legal standards regarding policing and justice in DC.

The DC CRIMES Act significantly revises the handling of youth offenders by lowering the age eligibility for youth offender status to 18 and under. It also mandates the creation of a public website managed by the Attorney General to display detailed, monthly statistics on juvenile crime and legal outcomes. Finally, the Act prohibits the D.C. Council from enacting changes to existing mandatory minimum sentences or current criminal sentencing guidelines.

This resolution solemnly marks the one-year anniversary of the attempted assassination of former President Donald J. Trump. It condemns the multiple attempts against his life and other political officials, while honoring the victims and first responders involved in the July 2024 shooting. The measure further calls for an end to the incitement of political violence that threatens the democratic process.

The Merchant Banking Modernization Act updates regulations for bank holding companies regarding their merchant banking investments. This legislation extends the minimum holding period for these investments to 15 years. This new minimum duration applies retroactively to investments already held by banks.

The Seedlings for Sustainable Habitat Restoration Act of 2025 expands the Forest Service's ability to fund ecosystem restoration by authorizing contracts and grants for collecting native seeds and growing seedlings. This funding can now go to a broader range of partners, including state agencies, tribes, and universities. Furthermore, the bill explicitly includes native seed collection and seedling production as eligible activities under the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program.

The Transportation Emergency Relief Extension Act establishes a clear, six-fiscal-year deadline for states to begin construction on federally funded emergency road repair projects following a disaster declaration. This bill provides states with greater certainty regarding federal funding obligations while allowing for necessary extensions upon gubernatorial request and justification. Additionally, the Act mandates regular updates to the Federal Highway Administration's Emergency Relief Manual.

This bill prohibits non-U.S. citizens from voting in any election within the District of Columbia. It also repeals the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022, effectively undoing that prior legislation. The measure ensures that only citizens can participate in D.C. local elections and ballot initiatives.

The Reducing Drug Prices for Seniors Act mandates that Medicare Part D coinsurance payments for seniors be calculated based on the drug's negotiated **net price** rather than its higher list price. This change aims to lower out-of-pocket costs for beneficiaries during the cost-sharing phase of their coverage. This new calculation method will take effect for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.

This resolution urges all NATO members to commit to spending a minimum of 5% of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on defense, clarifying the breakdown between traditional and non-traditional defense expenditures. It emphasizes that failing to meet current spending goals reflects a lack of political will rather than financial inability. Ultimately, the resolution reaffirms the U.S. Senate's strong support for a unified and robust NATO alliance.

The Fairness in Veterans' Education Act of 2025 modifies how the Department of Veterans Affairs repays service members who voluntarily contributed to the Montgomery GI Bill but later elect to use the Post-9/11 GI Bill. This bill eliminates the requirement that this repayment must occur in a single lump sum with the final Montgomery GI Bill payment. This change aims to provide veterans with more flexible repayment options for their prior educational contributions.

The SAVES Act of 2025 establishes a five-year pilot program within the VA to award competitive grants to nonprofits providing service dogs to eligible veterans with disabilities like PTSD or mobility issues. These grants, capped at $2 million per recipient, will cover the cost of training the dog and veteran, and the VA will also provide veterinary insurance for each service dog. The goal is to ensure veterans receive necessary support dogs without incurring any personal fees.

The Protect Our Communities from DUIs Act revises immigration law to address driving while intoxicated or impaired offenses. This bill makes non-citizens inadmissible to the U.S. if they have been convicted of, or admit to committing, DUI/DWI offenses, regardless of whether the offense was a misdemeanor or felony. Furthermore, the Act establishes that a conviction for driving while intoxicated or impaired makes an alien deportable from the United States.

The Preventing the Forced Return of Uyghurs Act of 2025 denies U.S. entry and immigration benefits to foreign officials responsible for forcing Uyghurs or other targeted individuals back to the People's Republic of China. The Secretary of State must refer these officials to the Treasury Department for potential sanctions. The Act requires regular, public reporting to Congress regarding denials and any granted waivers.

The SkyFoundry Act of 2025 establishes a new Department of Defense initiative, the SkyFoundry Program, tasked with rapidly developing, testing, and mass-producing small unmanned aircraft systems (drones). Run by the Army, the program will feature dedicated innovation and production hubs, utilizing special acquisition authorities to speed up fielding. The Act also directs efforts to boost domestic manufacturing capacity and allows for the modification of internal regulations to ensure rapid execution.

The Intelligence Community Property Security Act of 2025 establishes new federal penalties for unauthorized entry onto clearly marked, restricted property belonging to U.S. intelligence agencies. This act amends the National Security Act of 1947 to criminalize trespassing on secure facilities. Penalties escalate based on the number of prior offenses, potentially leading to up to 10 years in prison for repeat violations.