Legislative Activity

This bill establishes a national requirement for all U.S. Senate and House elections to use a ranked choice voting system, replacing traditional runoff elections. It mandates specific ballot designs, sets out a multi-round vote tabulation process, and prohibits separate runoff elections for federal offices. The legislation also provides federal funding to states to help implement these changes, which take effect for elections held on or after January 1, 2030.

The Loan Equity for Advanced Professionals Act raises the federal student loan limits for graduate and professional students. Effective July 1, 2026, the annual borrowing limit for Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans will increase to \$50,000, and the aggregate limit will rise to \$200,000. This aims to provide greater financial support for advanced degree candidates.

This concurrent resolution commends state and local governments for championing reproductive rights as human rights following the overturning of *Roe v. Wade*. It declares that denying abortion care leads to severe health risks and highlights the criminalization of pregnancy outcomes across the U.S. The resolution urges states to repeal abortion restrictions and affirm that reproductive rights are fundamental human rights.

This bill officially renames the United States Postal Service facility located at 300 Macedonia Lane in Knoxville, Tennessee. The facility will now be known as the Reverend Harold Middlebrook Post Office Building. This designation will be used in all future federal references to the building.

The Freedom to Heal Act of 2025 establishes a special registration process for physicians to administer certain unapproved, experimental Schedule I investigational drugs to terminally ill patients under existing "Right to Try" laws. This process, overseen by the Attorney General, requires physicians to meet specific criteria regarding state compliance, manufacturer agreements, and drug handling to prevent diversion. The Act mandates a swift approval timeline for these applications, enabling terminally ill patients greater access to promising treatments.

The New Essential Education Discoveries Act of 2025 establishes a National Center for Advanced Development in Education to research and promote breakthrough solutions in teaching and learning based on the science of learning. The bill also authorizes competitive grants for states to design, develop, and improve comprehensive statewide longitudinal data systems linking education and workforce data. These provisions aim to accelerate educational innovation and enhance data-driven decision-making to improve student outcomes.

The HELP Copays Act requires that financial assistance provided by non-profit organizations and drug manufacturers must count toward a patient's deductible, copayments, and out-of-pocket maximums for prescription drugs. This change ensures that patient assistance dollars directly reduce the amount a patient must pay before their coverage fully kicks in. The legislation specifically applies to specialty drugs and those subject to utilization management. These provisions will take effect for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.

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.

The ROBINHOOD Act establishes a new 20 percent excise tax on certain secured business loans and lines of credit exceeding $400,000 in adjusted gross income. This tax applies when the loan is secured by capital assets, excluding residential mortgages and farmland loans. The borrower is responsible for paying this annual tax to the Treasury.

The No Robot Bosses Act regulates the use of automated decision systems (ADS) in employment-related decisions, requiring employers to conduct impact assessments and provide notice and human review rights to covered individuals. The bill establishes the Technology and Worker Protection Division within the Department of Labor to oversee enforcement, which includes creating a private right of action for violations. Furthermore, it prohibits employers from making final employment decisions solely based on an ADS output unless rigorous testing, validation, and human corroboration occur.

The Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act aims to overhaul immigration detention by establishing mandatory, high standards based on ABA guidelines and increasing transparency through rigorous, unannounced inspections. The bill prohibits the use of private, for-profit detention facilities within three years and ends the mandatory detention of most noncitizens, prioritizing release or community-based alternatives. Furthermore, it establishes new due process rights, including timely custody hearings, a presumption of release, and prohibitions on detaining children or using solitary confinement.

This act establishes a permanent, fixed Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) funding allocation for Tennessee beginning in fiscal year 2026, based on its 2015 allotment. The funding amount will increase annually based on the consumer price index. Furthermore, the bill designates Tennessee as a "low DSH state" for all fiscal years after 2026.

This bill, the Save Oak Flat from Foreign Mining Act, withdraws approximately 2,422 acres of Forest Service land known as Oak Flat in Arizona from all forms of mineral entry and development. It specifically cancels the prior land exchange that would have transferred the land to Resolution Copper Mining, LLC. The Act prohibits the transfer of Oak Flat to the foreign-backed mining venture, citing national security and environmental concerns.

The Make Housing Affordable and Defend Democracy Act aims to increase housing accessibility through several tax incentives while simultaneously rescinding significant funding previously allocated for immigration enforcement. Key provisions establish new tax credits for first-time homebuyers, builders of starter homes, and the conversion of commercial buildings into affordable rentals. Additionally, the bill introduces a Renter Tax Credit for those spending over 30% of their income on rent, with an option for monthly advance payments.

This resolution commemorates World AIDS Day and recognizes significant progress made in combating HIV/AIDS globally and domestically through programs like PEPFAR and the Ryan White Act. It highlights ongoing challenges, particularly disparities in impact, while encouraging continued robust funding for research, prevention, and treatment efforts worldwide. The resolution supports the goal of ending the HIV epidemic by 2030 through zero new transmissions and zero discrimination.

The Kidd's Stuttering Act aims to address childhood stuttering by expanding screening and coverage under Medicaid and CHIP. This legislation mandates the inclusion of stuttering screening in child health quality measures and requires its inclusion in Medicaid well-child visits starting in 2027. Furthermore, the Act ensures that treatment for stuttering is a mandatory Medicaid and CHIP benefit, requiring parity in treatment limitations compared to other speech disorders.

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.

The Count the Crimes to Cut Act mandates a comprehensive review and public reporting of all federal criminal offenses. It requires the Attorney General and numerous federal agencies to compile detailed reports on statutory and regulatory crimes, including penalties, prosecution history, and required mental states. Finally, the bill mandates the creation of publicly accessible online indexes for all identified federal crimes.

The CARE for Moms Act aims to combat the rising maternal mortality crisis in the U.S. through significant federal investments and policy changes. The bill establishes grant programs to support state quality collaboratives and expand the doula workforce. Crucially, it mandates 12 months of postpartum coverage under Medicaid and CHIP, alongside requiring oral health services for pregnant and new mothers. Finally, the Act increases federal excise taxes on tobacco products to fund these maternal health initiatives.

The Access to Genetic Counselor Services Act of 2025 aims to expand healthcare access by establishing Medicare coverage for genetic counseling services starting in 2027. This legislation defines qualified genetic counselors and sets specific payment rules for these covered services under Medicare. The bill ensures that Medicare beneficiaries can receive essential genetic counseling from licensed or certified professionals.