Legislative Activity

The Decreasing Emergency Railroad Accident Instances Locally (DERAIL) Act enhances rail safety by expanding the federal definition of "high-hazard flammable trains" to include more transport configurations. Additionally, the bill mandates that railroad carriers notify federal, state, local, and Tribal authorities within 24 hours of any derailment involving toxic inhalation materials.

The SNAP Benefits Fairness Act of 2025 implements a technical correction to the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008. This update streamlines the existing language of the law without altering any current program requirements or eligibility standards. The act is scheduled to take effect on January 1 following its enactment.

This bill expresses the House of Representatives' view that Congress should act to maintain the United States Postal Service (USPS) as an independent entity within the Federal Government. It emphasizes the USPS's role as a self-sustaining service vital to the economy and national connectivity. The resolution discourages privatization, citing concerns about increased costs, reduced services, and damage to critical infrastructure.

The Holocaust Education and Antisemitism Lessons Act directs the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum to conduct a comprehensive study of Holocaust education in public elementary and secondary schools across the United States. This study will evaluate current curriculum standards, teaching methods, and available resources to identify gaps and improve how students learn about the Holocaust and the history of antisemitism. The findings will be compiled into a report submitted to Congress to help strengthen educational efforts in preventing hate and bigotry.

The COVER Now Act establishes a federal demonstration project allowing counties and cities in non-expansion states to provide Medicaid coverage directly to their low-income residents. This initiative provides significant federal matching funds to local governments to expand healthcare access while protecting them from punitive state interference. The program ensures a seamless transition for participants if their state eventually adopts full Medicaid expansion.

The Close the Medigap Act of 2025 aims to improve consumer protections and transparency for Medicare supplemental insurance. The bill establishes national guaranteed-issue rights, prohibits discriminatory pricing based on health status or age, and restores access to first-dollar coverage plans. Additionally, it enhances the Medicare plan finder website and mandates new reporting requirements for broker compensation to ensure greater accountability in the Medigap market.

The 911 SAVES Act mandates that the Office of Management and Budget reclassify public safety telecommunicators as "Protective Service Occupations" within the federal Standard Occupational Classification system. This legislation recognizes the critical, high-stress, and lifesaving nature of 911 dispatchers, correcting their current misclassification to better reflect their essential role in emergency response.

The Neighbors Not Enemies Act seeks to repeal the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. By eliminating these long-standing statutes, the bill aims to remove the legal framework that currently allows for the detention and deportation of non-citizens based solely on their country of origin during times of declared war.

The Assuring Medicare’s Promise Act of 2025 aims to strengthen the Medicare Hospital Insurance Trust Fund by redirecting revenue from the net investment income tax directly to the program. Additionally, the bill expands the scope of this tax for high-income earners by including certain trade or business income and foreign earnings in the tax base. These measures are designed to improve the long-term financial stability of Medicare starting in 2026.

The Saving the Civil Service Act protects the merit-based federal workforce by restricting the ability of agencies to reclassify competitive service positions into the excepted service. The bill establishes strict oversight, limits the number of positions that can be transferred, and mandates employee consent for such reclassifications. These measures ensure that federal staffing remains professional and protected from arbitrary political interference.

The Medicare Hearing Aid Coverage Act of 2025 expands Medicare benefits to include coverage for hearing aids and related examinations starting January 1, 2026. Additionally, the bill mandates a comprehensive GAO study to evaluate current hearing loss programs and provide recommendations for improving access and care for beneficiaries.

The Equal COLA Act amends the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) to ensure that retirees receive the full annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). This legislation eliminates current discrepancies in calculation methods, providing federal annuitants with a COLA that matches the full percentage change in the price index.

The Department of Education Protection Act prohibits the Department of Education from using federal funds to reorganize, decentralize, or reduce its staffing and operations. This legislation mandates that the Department must maintain the structure, authority, and functions that were in place as of January 1, 2025.

The Rosie the Riveter Commemorative Coin Act directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue a series of commemorative coins in 2028 to honor the diverse women who served on the Home Front during World War II. Proceeds from the sale of these coins will support the Rosie the Riveter Trust in its efforts to maintain the Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park and fund educational programs. This initiative ensures the legacy of these essential workers is preserved and recognized through a national numismatic program.

The TRUST in Congress Act requires Members of Congress, their spouses, and their dependent children to place covered financial investments into qualified blind trusts to prevent conflicts of interest. The bill establishes strict deadlines for asset transfers and mandates public certification of compliance. These measures ensure that lawmakers cannot influence or benefit from their personal investments while serving in office.

The Veterans Infertility Treatment Act of 2025 mandates that the VA provide comprehensive infertility treatments and fertility preservation services to enrolled veterans and their chosen partners. This legislation expands access to assisted reproductive technology, including IVF and gamete storage, regardless of marital status. It also provides coverage for partner travel expenses and establishes clear guidelines for consent and implementation.

The Dental Care for Veterans Act aims to improve veterans' access to dental care by integrating it more closely with other medical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs. This bill removes specific limitations and updates existing code to allow the Secretary to provide comprehensive dental care, including dentures and appliances. The implementation of these expanded benefits will be phased in over four years, prioritizing veterans based on existing eligibility criteria. Additionally, the bill makes necessary clerical updates to reflect these changes in the U.S. Code.

The Washington, D.C. Admission Act proposes admitting the State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth into the Union, while maintaining a reduced federal district to serve as the nation’s capital. The bill establishes a comprehensive framework for the transition, including the election of congressional representatives, the transfer of local government authority, and the gradual shift of federal responsibilities to the new state. This legislation aims to grant D.C. residents full voting representation in Congress while ensuring the continued security and operation of the federal seat of government.

The "Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act" establishes a commission to examine the history of slavery and discrimination in the United States from 1619 to the present. The commission will study the lingering negative effects of these injustices on living African Americans and U.S. society, and recommend appropriate remedies, including how to educate the American public on its findings to promote racial healing and understanding. The commission will submit a written report of its findings and recommendations to Congress within 18 months of its first official meeting, and the act authorizes the appropriation of $20,000,000 to implement the provisions of this act.