Legislative Activity

The Medicare Dental, Vision, and Hearing Benefit Act of 2025 significantly expands Medicare coverage to include comprehensive dental, vision, and hearing services starting in 2026. This legislation outlines specific payment schedules, frequency limits, and coverage percentages for routine exams, procedures, eyeglasses, contact lenses, and hearing aids. Furthermore, the bill mandates the inclusion of an oral health professional on the United States Preventive Services Task Force.

The HOME Investment Partnerships Reauthorization and Improvement Act of 2025 reauthorizes the HOME program for five years with increased funding levels and raises the cap on administrative expenses. It reforms affordability definitions, streamlines local eligibility requirements, and introduces a new federal loan guarantee program to finance local affordable housing projects. The bill also refines rules for Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs) and includes numerous technical corrections to modernize the underlying housing law.

The Pink Tariffs Study Act mandates a comprehensive study by the Secretary of the Treasury to analyze the impact of U.S. import tariffs on everyday consumers. This research will specifically investigate whether current tariff rates disproportionately affect lower-income individuals and examine potential gender bias in how these taxes are applied. The final report, due within one year, must detail the burden of tariffs based on gender, household type, and income level.

The Mental Health Research Accelerator Act of 2025 establishes a new 25% tax credit for businesses investing in translational research for neurodegenerative diseases and psychiatric conditions. This credit is subject to annual spending caps and allocation rules prioritizing scientific merit and public-private partnerships. The goal is to accelerate the development of new treatments and devices for central nervous system disorders.

This bill condemns the House Republican Conference for a xenophobic social media post questioning Congressman Adriano Espaillat's immigration status and patriotism. It specifically condemns the House Republican leadership team for allowing the false statement that questioned Congressman Espaillat's citizenship.

This bill prohibits the issuance of licenses for the exportation of specified defense articles to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The ban remains in effect until the President certifies to Congress that the UAE has ceased providing material support to the Rapid Support Forces operating in Sudan. This effectively halts the sale or transfer of a wide range of major U.S. military equipment to the UAE.

The Caring for Survivors Act of 2025 aims to increase financial support for surviving spouses of veterans. This bill raises the monthly Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) payment rate for surviving spouses. Additionally, it lowers the required duration of total disability rating before death from ten years to five years for survivors to qualify for certain DIC benefits. If the disability period was between five and ten years, the benefit amount will be proportionally adjusted.

This bill, the Donut Dollies Congressional Gold Medal Act, directs the striking of a Congressional Gold Medal to honor the American Red Cross volunteers who served in the Supplemental Recreation Activities Overseas (SRAO) program during the Vietnam War. These volunteers, known as "Donut Dollies," provided crucial morale support to troops on the front lines. The original medal will be presented on behalf of Congress and ultimately housed at the Smithsonian Institution, with provisions made for selling bronze duplicates.

The Stop Comstock Act aims to modernize and streamline federal statutes concerning obscene materials. It revises several sections of federal law, including those related to crimes, transportation, and importation, by removing outdated or redundant language like "indecent" or "immoral." This legislative cleanup focuses the legal definitions to center specifically on "obscene materials."

The Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act aims to improve support for individuals diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. This bill eliminates the standard waiting period for receiving Social Security disability insurance benefits and waives the 24-month waiting period for Medicare coverage. These changes ensure immediate access to crucial financial and healthcare support upon diagnosis.

The Access to Family Building Act aims to guarantee that patients can access Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) services and that healthcare providers can offer them without unreasonable interference. This legislation preempts state and local laws that impose burdens on ART services not required for similar medical procedures or that hinder access without improving safety. The Act establishes the right to access ART and provides robust legal avenues for individuals, providers, and the government to challenge and strike down restrictive regulations.

The Sarah Debbink Langenkamp Active Transportation Safety Act updates the Highway Safety Improvement Program to prioritize safety for pedestrians and cyclists. This bill allows federal funding to cover up to 100% of the cost for projects that connect existing bike/pedestrian infrastructure or reduce risks for vulnerable road users. It also provides flexibility for states to use existing safety funds as matching money for these specific upgrades.

The American Teacher Act aims to address critical teacher shortages by establishing federal grants to help states raise the minimum annual salary for full-time teachers to \$60,000, adjusted for inflation. States must submit sustainability plans to ensure these minimums continue after the initial four-year grant period ends. The bill also provides funds for cost-of-living adjustments and a national campaign to enhance the value and diversity of the teaching profession.

The Woman on the Twenty Act of 2025 mandates that Harriet Tubman must be featured on the front of the twenty-dollar bill. This legislation sets a firm deadline, requiring that no new $20 notes can be printed without her portrait after December 31, 2028. Furthermore, the Secretary of the Treasury must publicly reveal the preliminary design for the new note by the end of 2026.

The DMEPOS Relief Act of 2025 extends the current Medicare transition payment rates for durable medical equipment in non-competitive bidding areas through the end of 2025. This action delays the implementation of new payment regulations until January 1, 2026. The Secretary of Health and Human Services is directed to maintain existing payment structures in these specific areas for the remainder of the year.

The Securing American Agriculture Act mandates an annual report from the Secretary of Agriculture detailing U.S. reliance on China for critical farming supplies like fertilizers, seeds, and veterinary drugs. This study must assess domestic production capabilities and identify supply chain vulnerabilities that China could exploit. The goal is to provide Congress with actionable recommendations for reducing dependency through onshore or nearshore production.

The "Do No Harm Act" amends the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 to ensure religious freedom is not used to justify discrimination or harm. It clarifies that the Act does not override federal laws protecting against discrimination, ensuring equal opportunity, or safeguarding access to healthcare and other essential services. This amendment confirms that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act applies only when the government is a party in a judicial proceeding.

The Delphi Retirees Pension Restoration Act aims to restore the full pension benefits to eligible participants and beneficiaries under specific terminated pension plans, such as the Delphi Hourly-Rate Employees Pension Plan. It mandates the recalculation of benefits to match the full vested plan benefit, provides for lump-sum payments to cover past underpayments with interest, and funds these increased benefits through existing resources. The bill also includes provisions for the tax treatment of these payments, allowing recipients to spread the income over three years.

The Farewell to Foam Act of 2025 bans the sale and distribution of expanded polystyrene (Styrofoam) food service ware, loose fill packaging, and coolers starting January 1, 2028. The bill clearly defines these targeted foam products and the roles of manufacturers, distributors, and retailers involved in their supply chain. Enforcement begins with a written warning for first-time violations, followed by escalating fines for repeat offenses. The Administrator of the EPA is granted the authority to issue necessary regulations to implement the Act.

The Veteran Education Assistance Adjustment Act increases the annual stipend for books, supplies, and equipment for veterans under the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program from $1,000 to $1,400. Beginning in 2026, this stipend will be subject to annual increases based on the Consumer Price Index.