Legislative Activity

The "Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act" expands Medicare coverage to include innovative multi-cancer early detection screening tests starting in 2028. These tests, which use genomic sequencing to detect multiple cancer types, will be covered for eligible beneficiaries with age and frequency limitations. The payment amount for these tests will initially align with that of multi-target stool screening DNA tests. This new coverage aims to improve early cancer detection without affecting existing Medicare-covered cancer screenings.

The "Knife Owners Protection Act of 2025" allows individuals to transport knives between locations where possession is legal, provided the knives are transported in locked containers and are not directly accessible. It protects individuals from arrest or detention for violating state or local knife laws while in transit, and allows legal action against states or localities that violate these protections. This bill does not limit existing state laws regarding knife possession, carry, or transport, nor does it change restrictions on air travel with knives.

The Disaster Mitigation and Tax Parity Act of 2025 allows individuals to exclude from their gross income any payments or benefits they receive from state-based catastrophe loss mitigation programs. These programs are designed to reduce property damage from natural disasters like windstorms, earthquakes, floods, or wildfires. This exclusion applies retroactively to taxable years starting after December 31, 2021, allowing individuals to claim refunds on previous tax returns.

The Laken Riley Act mandates the detention of illegal aliens who commit theft, burglary, larceny, or shoplifting. It empowers state attorneys general to sue the Department of Homeland Security or the Secretary of State if they believe the state or its residents are harmed by violations of immigration enforcement or visa granting. The bill aims to ensure that these aliens are detained throughout their removal proceedings and to provide states with legal recourse against perceived failures in federal immigration enforcement.

The Stop Funding Global Terrorists Act of 2025 restricts U.S. funding to the United Nations for Afghanistan assistance unless the Secretary of State certifies that no U.S. funds are used for cash shipments by the United Nations into Afghanistan, and that no specially designated global terrorist organizations or foreign terrorist organizations receive funds from these shipments. The Secretary can revoke this certification if found inaccurate, with notification to relevant congressional committees. The bill defines key terms like "foreign terrorist organization" and "specially designated global terrorist organization" to ensure clarity in its application.

This resolution designates January 26 through February 1, 2025, as "National School Choice Week," recognizing the importance of diverse educational options (public, charter, magnet, private, online, and homeschooling). It emphasizes the role of parents in choosing the best educational environment for their children and encourages awareness of the benefits of school choice. The resolution supports celebrating educational choice and acknowledges the contributions of students, parents, teachers, and school leaders.

The Graduate Opportunity and Affordable Loans Act amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to reform loan provisions for graduate and professional students. Starting July 1, 2025, it sets new annual and aggregate limits for Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans and discontinues Federal Direct PLUS Loans for graduate students. Institutions must notify students about these changes and have the authority to further limit loan amounts.

This concurrent resolution recognizes the significant historical and ongoing contributions of tax-exempt fraternal benefit societies to communities across the United States. It acknowledges their extensive volunteer network and substantial charitable giving, which helps to meet various needs and support financial security. The resolution affirms that their tax-exempt status continues to benefit the country and that their work should be encouraged.

The "Promoting Domestic Energy Production Act" amends the Internal Revenue Code to change how intangible drilling and development costs are calculated for adjusted financial statement income, specifically regarding depreciation and depletion expenses. It allows companies to deduct these costs, aligning financial statement income calculations more closely with taxable income calculations. These changes apply to taxable years starting after December 31, 2025.

The POLICE Act of 2025 amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to make any alien who assaults a law enforcement officer deportable. It requires the Department of Homeland Security to publish an annual report detailing the number of aliens deported for assaulting a law enforcement officer.

This joint resolution nullifies a Department of Energy rule setting energy conservation standards for gas-fired instantaneous water heaters. By disapproving the rule, Congress prevents its enforcement.

The "Main Street Tax Certainty Act" amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to make the deduction for qualified business income permanent. This is achieved by eliminating the expiration date for this deduction. This change provides long-term tax certainty for small businesses.

The "Protect Funding for Women's Health Care Act" prohibits federal funds from going to Planned Parenthood Federation of America and its affiliates. It states that the funds will still be available to other eligible entities for women's health services. It does not alter existing abortion-related limitations or decrease overall federal funding for women's health initiatives.

The "Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act" ensures that infants born alive after an abortion receive the same medical care as any other newborn, mandating immediate hospital transport and requiring healthcare practitioners to report any failures to comply. Violators face fines, imprisonment, and potential prosecution for homicide or attempted homicide, while the mother of the child is protected from prosecution. The bill also allows the woman on whom the abortion was performed to file a civil action against anyone who violated the requirements if a child was born alive.

The "Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act of 2025" allows victims of certain crimes committed by aliens to sue sanctuary jurisdictions that failed to honor Department of Homeland Security requests or detainers. It mandates that states or local governments accepting specific federal grants waive immunity in these civil actions and protects state and local entities from liability when acting on Department of Homeland Security detainers. This act aims to ensure cooperation between federal and local law enforcement while holding sanctuary jurisdictions accountable for harm caused by their policies.

The "No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2025" seeks to prohibit the use of federal funds for abortions and for health benefits coverage that includes abortion coverage, with exceptions for rape, incest, or to save the life of the mother. It clarifies that premium credits and cost-sharing reductions under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) cannot be used for health plans that include abortion coverage, allowing for separate purchase of abortion coverage without federal tax credits. The Act also requires health plans to transparently disclose the extent of abortion coverage and any related premium surcharges to enrollees.

The CONTAINER Act allows border states to place temporary structures on federal lands along the U.S. borders with Canada and Mexico, without needing special permits, to enhance border security. These structures can remain for up to a year, with possible extensions if border control is not achieved, as determined by the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The Act streamlines the process for states to implement immediate, temporary border security measures on federal land.

The "Standing Against Houthi Aggression Act" requires the Secretary of State to designate Ansarallah (the Houthis) as a foreign terrorist organization. It also mandates the President to impose sanctions on Ansarallah, its members, agents, affiliates, or those owned or controlled by it within 90 days of enactment.

The Restore Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability Act of 2025 aims to improve accountability within the VA by streamlining the process for removing or disciplining employees, including supervisors and senior executives, for misconduct or poor performance. It sets specific timelines and standards for disciplinary actions, emphasizing the use of substantial evidence and limiting external review of penalties. The bill also protects whistleblowers and ensures that disciplinary actions are based on a thorough consideration of the employee's record and the nature of the offense. These changes will apply retroactively to misconduct or performance issues that occurred after the enactment of the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017.

The "Qualified Immunity Act of 2025" codifies qualified immunity for law enforcement officers, protecting them from liability in individual capacity unless the violated right was clearly established or a reasonable officer would have known their conduct was unlawful. It also shields law enforcement agencies and local governments from liability if the officer is not liable under the defined conditions or was acting within the scope of their employment. This act aims to balance accountability with the protection of officers performing their duties reasonably. The amendments will take effect 180 days after the enactment of the Act.