Legislative Activity

The Build Now Act aims to streamline infrastructure development by establishing a strict one-year deadline for completing environmental reviews required for federal permits related to Central Valley Project enhancement projects. If the deadline is missed, the permit applicant must approve an extension or the permit will be denied. This legislation seeks to accelerate crucial water infrastructure projects, including groundwater recharge and aquifer storage initiatives.

The Central Valley Water Solution Act establishes a program to provide over \$4.5 billion in financial and technical assistance for 22 specific water infrastructure projects within California's Central Valley Project. This funding targets critical needs such as groundwater storage, water quality treatment, and major canal capacity corrections. The Secretary of the Interior is tasked with implementing these projects in coordination with California and affected Indian Tribes. Importantly, the authorized funds are non-reimbursable, except for certain planning studies.

The Water Agency and Transparency Enhancement Review (WATER) Act directs federal agencies to swiftly identify and address regulatory hurdles impeding major water-supply and storage projects in California. It mandates the designation of compliance officials to review and propose plans for suspending or revising regulations that unduly burden these critical water infrastructure projects. This process aims to streamline permitting and accelerate water delivery while ensuring compliance with necessary environmental and public interest standards.

The CommonGround for Affordable Health Care Act extends enhanced premium tax credits for Marketplace health insurance through 2026, while also establishing strict new penalties and verification processes to combat fraud by agents and brokers in health insurance exchanges. Furthermore, the bill imposes significant new transparency and accountability requirements on Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) contracting with Medicare Part D plans. Finally, it extends the 2026 open enrollment period and creates a fast-track legislative process for future premium tax credit reform bills.

The Clergy Act allows certain religious workers currently exempt from Social Security self-employment taxes to voluntarily revoke that exemption and begin paying into the system. This option for revocation must be exercised by a specific deadline in 2030 or 2031, with the change being permanent once elected. The legislation also mandates that the IRS develop a plan to inform eligible clergy about this new option.

This bill officially designates the United States Postal Service facility located at 130 South Patterson Avenue in Santa Barbara, California, as the **Brigadier General Frederick R. Lopez Post Office Building**. This change ensures all federal records and documents will use the new name for this specific post office.

The Bipartisan Health Insurance Affordability Act aims to lower healthcare costs by extending and enhancing premium tax credits for Marketplace insurance through 2027. It also institutes strict new anti-fraud measures and verification processes for agents and brokers enrolling consumers in Exchange plans. Furthermore, the bill imposes significant transparency and accountability requirements on Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) in Medicare Part D and mandates a full pass-through of rebates in certain private health plans. Finally, it expands access to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) for certain Exchange enrollees.

The Feasibility Review of Emerging Equipment for Digital Open Media Act (FREEDOM Act) mandates the Secretary of State to report on internet freedom in Iran. This report must assess the feasibility of using emerging technologies, like direct-to-cell wireless, to expand internet access. It will also analyze the impact of current drone and jamming technologies on these efforts.

This Act, the "Ban AI Denials in Medicare Act," prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services from implementing the WISeR Model or any substantially similar model that uses prior authorization under traditional Medicare. Furthermore, it amends the authority of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation to prevent the testing of any new model that requires prior authorization for services covered under Medicare Part A or Part B.

The College Athletics Reform Act establishes comprehensive federal standards for college athletics, primarily by securing Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights for college athletes and prohibiting restrictions on their ability to earn compensation or obtain professional representation. The bill also introduces new regulations for sports agents, mandates significant expansion of financial and participation data disclosure by institutions, and establishes a new Commission to study and recommend future governance structures for college sports. Finally, it amends broadcasting law to exempt certain large athletic association media agreements from antitrust scrutiny.

The Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act focuses primarily on improving pediatric drug development and ensuring patient access to necessary treatments. This legislation mandates new research requirements for molecularly targeted pediatric cancer drugs, strengthens FDA enforcement of pediatric study completion, and extends incentives for developing drugs for rare pediatric diseases. Additionally, the bill updates organ transplant network functions and establishes an Abraham Accords Office within the FDA to enhance international regulatory cooperation.

This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives recognizing the Ukrainian famine of 1932-1933, known as the Holodomor, as a genocide perpetrated by the Soviet Union. It condemns the systematic starvation and repression of the Ukrainian people under Soviet rule. Furthermore, the resolution remembers the victims and encourages the dissemination of information about this historical tragedy.

The SAWMILL Act establishes the Timber Production Expansion Guaranteed Loan Program within the Department of Agriculture. This program provides loan guarantees to rural sawmills and wood-processing facilities located near federal lands needing ecological restoration. These facilities must help substantially reduce the cost of removing vegetation from high-priority federal lands. The total loan guarantees are capped at $220 million.

The Addressing Addiction After Disasters Act expands federal disaster assistance to explicitly include support for substance use and alcohol use issues resulting from major disasters. It broadens the scope of crisis counseling and training programs to address these needs alongside existing mental health services. Furthermore, the bill mandates FEMA to update its application processes and requires a GAO report on the program's effectiveness and compliance.

This Act, the Indo-Pacific Partner and Ally Tariff Repeal Act, terminates tariffs imposed on goods from 40 specific Indo-Pacific allies and partners. Congress finds that these tariffs undermine collective efforts against the Chinese Communist Party's coercive actions. The bill immediately repeals the tariffs established under Executive Orders 14257 and 14326.

The John Lewis Every Child Deserves a Family Act prohibits discrimination based on religion, sex, or marital status in federally funded child welfare services. This aims to increase the number of stable, family-like placements for children, especially for LGBTQ youth who are overrepresented in foster care. The bill mandates federal guidance, training, and data collection to improve safety and well-being outcomes for all children involved in the system.

The Find It Early Act mandates that certain individuals at increased risk for breast cancer receive additional, recommended screenings with no out-of-pocket costs. This coverage requirement applies across private health plans, Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, and the Department of Veterans Affairs. These provisions are set to take effect starting January 1, 2026.

This bill amends the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act to expand assistance for small and rural water projects by lowering cost thresholds and providing technical support. It also clarifies eligibility for new project types, authorizes collaborative delivery methods like design-build, and adjusts loan maturity dates for long-term infrastructure. Finally, the legislation reauthorizes funding for the Corps of Engineers financing program and mandates several reports to Congress on program implementation.

The Lowering Drug Costs for American Families Act aims to significantly reduce prescription drug expenses for consumers. It expands the federal drug price negotiation program to cover more drugs and extends negotiated prices to most private health insurance plans. Furthermore, the bill applies inflation rebates to the commercial market and establishes new annual out-of-pocket spending caps for prescription drugs under private insurance starting in 2027. It also sets specific, lower cost-sharing requirements for covered insulin products.

The Patients Over Paperwork Act of 2025 aims to streamline healthcare by repealing recent changes to Medicaid eligibility redeterminations. This action effectively restores prior regulations concerning how beneficiaries' eligibility is reviewed. The bill focuses on reducing administrative burdens to prioritize patient care.