Legislative Activity

This resolution officially expresses the support of Congress for designating July as Disability Pride Month nationwide. It recognizes the significant contributions of people with disabilities while acknowledging ongoing discrimination. The bill encourages the public and organizations to observe the month through appropriate celebrations and by actively working to prevent exclusion.

This bill amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to reclassify certain activities combating HIV/AIDS. Specifically, it mandates that providing HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and related prevention services be formally recognized as "core life-saving humanitarian assistance." This change ensures these critical risk-reduction efforts are categorized as essential aid within U.S. foreign assistance programs.

This Concurrent Resolution affirms the importance of equal physical access to federally funded facilities for all Americans, especially people with disabilities. It recognizes that current infrastructure often fails to meet the needs of the growing population of people with disabilities. The resolution reaffirms support for existing accessibility laws like the ADA and pledges to use universal design principles in future federal projects. Ultimately, it calls for the removal of existing barriers to ensure full societal participation.

The Stop Troubling Retroactive Invoices for Veteran Expenses Act of 2025 (STRIVE Act) prevents the VA from collecting health care copayments if the veteran was not properly notified within two years of receiving care, or if the total owed exceeds an inflation-adjusted threshold (starting at \$2,000). The bill also grants the Secretary of Veterans Affairs broad authority to waive any veteran copayment deemed appropriate. Finally, it extends the date for certain pension payment limits.

The Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2025 establishes a structured process for distributing up to 2,000 additional, federally funded residency positions annually between fiscal years 2026 and 2032. This distribution prioritizes hospitals serving in underserved areas, those already training above their limit, and those committed to primary care and general surgery training. The bill also mandates a study and report by the Comptroller General on effective strategies to increase diversity within the health professional workforce.

The SAVES Act establishes a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) pilot program to award grants to nonprofit organizations that provide service dogs to eligible veterans. These grants, up to $\$2,000,000$ each, will fund the training and provision of service dogs for veterans with qualifying conditions like PTSD or TBI. The bill also extends the expiration date for certain limits on veterans' pension payments until February 2033.

The BIKE Act of 2025 aims to enhance bicycle safety education for students across the country. It allows states to use federal highway safety funds to provide on-bicycle safety training in elementary and secondary schools. Furthermore, the bill mandates the Secretary to update federal safety guidelines to emphasize comprehensive on-bicycle training, traffic rules, and helmet use for young riders. The Secretary must also consult with educators and report back to Congress on the implementation of these new safety standards.

The Appalachian Communities Health Equity (ACHE) Act of 2025 addresses health concerns linked to mountaintop removal coal mining by immediately halting new federal permits for these operations. The bill mandates a comprehensive health study led by the NIEHS to investigate potential risks to nearby communities. Furthermore, it requires enhanced, publicly accessible pollution monitoring at active sites until the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines the practice poses no health risk.

The Choosing Our Own Lives Over Fast Firearms Act, or COOL OFF Act, establishes a mandatory 3-business-day waiting period before an individual can receive a handgun, whether through a private sale or from a licensed dealer. This waiting period is waived for specific exceptions, such as transfers involving law enforcement, temporary family loans, or emergency situations to prevent serious harm. The law includes penalties for violations and will take effect 90 days after enactment.

The End Polluter Welfare Act of 2025 is a comprehensive bill designed to eliminate financial support for the fossil fuel industry across the federal government. It achieves this by terminating numerous tax incentives, increasing royalties on federal energy leases, and blocking federal funding for fossil fuel projects through various agencies. Ultimately, the Act aims to shift financial burdens onto polluters while redirecting federal support toward cleaner energy initiatives.

The VA Mental Health Outreach and Engagement Act establishes new programs to proactively connect veterans not currently receiving care with necessary mental health services, especially those at risk of suicide or homelessness. It also mandates annual mental health outreach and consultation offers for veterans already receiving disability compensation for a mental health condition. Finally, the bill extends the current fee structure for certain VA housing loans.

The Reducing Hereditary Cancer Act expands Medicare coverage for individuals with a family or personal history suggestive of hereditary cancer. This legislation mandates Medicare coverage for appropriate genetic testing and risk-reducing preventive surgeries. Furthermore, it allows for expanded, evidence-based cancer screenings for individuals already diagnosed with a hereditary cancer gene mutation.

The First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Act of 2025 establishes a new, refundable tax credit for eligible first-time homebuyers, equal to 10% of the purchase price, up to a maximum of $15,000. This credit is subject to income and home price phase-outs based on local median figures. Homebuyers may elect to transfer this credit directly to their mortgage lender at closing in exchange for immediate cash. The bill also includes recapture provisions requiring repayment if the home is sold within four years.

The VISIBLE Act mandates that federal immigration enforcement officers, such as those from CBP and ICE, must clearly display their agency name and either their last name or badge number during all public-facing civil immigration enforcement activities. This requirement ensures officers are easily identifiable to the public from a distance, promoting transparency and public trust. The law also establishes disciplinary procedures for non-compliance and requires annual reporting to Congress on enforcement activities and violations.

The EACH Act of 2025 aims to ensure equal access to abortion coverage by requiring all federally funded health programs and facilities to cover abortion services. This legislation prohibits federal interference with state or private insurance coverage of abortion and repeals Section 1303 of the Affordable Care Act. Ultimately, the bill seeks to eliminate financial and insurance barriers to abortion care, particularly for low-income individuals relying on programs like Medicaid.

The Living Donor Protection Act of 2025 prohibits life, disability, and long-term care insurance companies from denying coverage or increasing premiums solely because an individual is a living organ donor. This legislation ensures that living donors are not financially penalized for their altruistic act. Additionally, the bill requires the Secretary of HHS to update educational materials to accurately reflect the insurance protections afforded to living donors.

This bill amends the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to explicitly clarify that time taken off for an employee's own organ donation surgery qualifies as a serious health condition. This ensures both private and federal sector workers receive FMLA protection for recovery from organ donation. The legislation also specifies how federal employees must substitute existing paid leave when taking FMLA time for this purpose.

This proposed constitutional amendment would eliminate immunity from criminal prosecution for federal officials, including the President, based on their official duties. It also explicitly prohibits the President from issuing a self-pardon for any federal crimes. If ratified, these changes would take effect immediately.

The Ally's Act mandates that certain private health insurance plans must cover auditory implant devices, related supplies, and necessary services for qualifying individuals. This coverage must be comparable to other medical and surgical benefits regarding cost-sharing and treatment limitations. Furthermore, plans cannot deny coverage if a physician or qualified audiologist determines the required hearing items or services are medically necessary. These new requirements take effect for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.

The Medicare Orthotics and Prosthetics Patient-Centered Care Act aims to enhance protections for Medicare beneficiaries receiving custom braces and artificial limbs. This bill ensures that payment will not be made for certain devices shipped directly to a patient without required training from a qualified practitioner. Additionally, it expands exemptions from competitive bidding for certain providers and clarifies access to replacement custom orthotic devices.