Legislative Activity

This bill expresses gratitude for first responders and acknowledges the sacrifices of Gold Shield Families (families of fallen first responders). It recognizes the hardships these families face and supports the work of nonprofits that provide them with resources. The bill encourages local communities to support these organizations, acknowledging the vital role they play in aiding Gold Shield Families during their time of need.

This resolution designates May as "National Bladder Cancer Awareness Month" to raise public awareness, promote early treatment, and support research for this prevalent and costly disease. It highlights the significant impact of bladder cancer, especially among veterans, and the importance of early diagnosis for improved survival rates. The resolution encourages communities, research institutions, and individuals to actively participate in raising awareness and supporting those affected by bladder cancer.

The ACES Act mandates a National Academies study on cancer prevalence and mortality among veterans who served as active duty aircrew, identifying potential links between military exposures and cancer rates. Additionally, it extends certain limits on pension payments to December 31, 2031.

The "Preventing Environmental Hazards Act of 2025" amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, allowing flood insurance coverage to pay for demolition or relocation of structures imminently threatened by collapse or subsidence due to shoreline erosion. The Act outlines payment procedures, valuation methods, and limitations on coverage, including a maximum claim of $250,000 and ineligibility for further flood insurance or disaster assistance once a determination is made. It applies to existing flood insurance contracts and requires the Administrator to issue regulations for implementation.

The "Improving SCRA Benefit Utilization Act" aims to enhance financial literacy among servicemembers and their families regarding the protections offered by the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA). It mandates that servicemembers receive comprehensive training on consumer financial protections, especially concerning interest rate limits. The bill also requires that servicemembers are notified of their SCRA benefits upon entering military service or being called to active duty and requires financial institutions to apply the maximum interest rate reduction to all debts incurred before military service and provide multiple avenues for submitting necessary documentation.

The RPM Access Act aims to improve healthcare access and outcomes, especially in rural areas, by adjusting Medicare reimbursement for remote patient monitoring (RPM). It sets a minimum threshold for practice expense and malpractice geographic indices used in calculating Medicare payments for RPM services, ensuring more equitable compensation across different regions. The bill also introduces quality standards for RPM services to be eligible for Medicare reimbursement, including real-time response capabilities and data compatibility with electronic health records. Finally, the Act requires a report to Congress analyzing the cost savings and practice expenses associated with RPM under Medicare.

The "ReConnecting Rural America Act of 2025" aims to improve broadband access in rural areas by providing grants and loans for building and upgrading broadband infrastructure. Priority is given to projects that deliver at least 100-Mbps downstream and 100-Mbps upstream transmission capacity, especially in underserved areas with populations under 20,000. The act authorizes \$650 million annually for grants and \$350 million annually for loans from 2026 through 2030 and prioritizes support for Tribal organizations, low-income communities, and areas lacking adequate broadband service. It also ensures funds are not used to overbuild existing adequate services and requires recipients to participate in federal internet affordability programs.

The SERVE Act aims to bolster military recruitment by improving access to potential applicants in high schools and colleges, establishing new JROTC affiliation types, creating a pilot program to recognize military-friendly schools, and prioritizing service academy applications from schools with above-average military enlistment rates. The act also designates a National Week of Military Recruitment and mandates several reports to Congress on the implementation and effectiveness of these initiatives.

This bill supports designating the last Tuesday of April as "APOL1-Mediated Kidney Disease (AMKD) Awareness Day" to raise awareness about the genetic factors contributing to kidney disease, which disproportionately affects Black individuals. It encourages increased research, regular medical check-ups, and genetic testing, especially for those with West and Central African ancestry, to promote early detection and prevention. The bill aims to address health disparities and reduce the significant financial burden of kidney disease on the healthcare system.

The Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Discrimination Prevention Act prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in organ transplantation and related services. It ensures that qualified individuals with disabilities are not denied access to organ transplants or related services solely based on their disability and requires reasonable modifications to policies and auxiliary aids to ensure accessibility. The Act allows consideration of a person's disability if medically significant to the transplant's success, but not if a support network can ensure compliance with health requirements. Individuals who believe they have been discriminated against can file a claim with the Office for Civil Rights of the Department of Health and Human Services for expedited resolution.

The Seniors' Access to Critical Medications Act of 2025 allows physicians to dispense certain outpatient prescription drugs to Medicare patients under specific conditions, creating an exception to the physician self-referral prohibition. It requires a study on pharmacies that significantly increase drug dispensing after the bill's enactment to identify potential conflicts of interest. Additionally, it adjusts the amount available in the Medicare Improvement Fund.

The "Accountability in Foreign Animal Research Act" prohibits the Department of Health and Human Services from funding biomedical research involving vertebrate animal testing in countries of concern, such as China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia. It also requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to notify Congress when a country is added to the list of foreign countries of concern. This prohibition extends to funding provided through grants, contracts, or other means to entities based in these countries.

This bill recognizes April 2025 as "Community College Month" to celebrate the significant role of community colleges in providing accessible higher education, workforce training, and economic support across the United States. It acknowledges the extensive contributions of over 1,000 community colleges, which serve millions of students and contribute significantly to the national GDP. The resolution highlights the importance of these institutions in fostering economic prosperity and community vitality.

The "Fight Fentanyl Act" amends the Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act of 1998, requiring High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) to report on fentanyl trafficking investigations and any limitations in meeting their goals, while allocating \$333,000,000 annually from 2025-2030 for HIDTAs. It also increases funding for the Counterdrug Technology Assessment Center (CTAC) to assist law enforcement with fentanyl interdiction. The Act mandates the Attorney General to prioritize fentanyl trafficking investigations and prosecutions by providing sufficient resources, including temporary reassignment of assistant U.S. attorneys.

The Drone Espionage Act amends existing law to prohibit the recording and transmission of video of defense information, enhancing protections against espionage. This update to 18 U.S.C. § 793 broadens the definition of prohibited materials to include video, addressing modern methods of information gathering.

The Deafblind DATA Act requires the Director of the Bureau of the Census to submit a report to Congress on the feasibility of publishing a table and expanding data collection on individuals with combined hearing and vision loss in the American Community Survey. Starting in 2026, the Director must publish a table annually summarizing American Community Survey respondents who identify as both deaf and blind, including demographic and socioeconomic data, sorted by state. The Director must ensure that no personally identifiable information is published.

Recognizes the crucial role of linemen in maintaining the nation's energy infrastructure and public safety. It also supports designating April 18, 2025, as National Lineman Appreciation Day to honor their contributions and dangerous work.

The Family Cord Blood Banking Act allows taxpayers to use Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) to pay for private umbilical cord blood or tissue banking services. To qualify, the bank must be accredited and compliant with Section 361 of the Public Health Service Act. This provision applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

The Hospital Adoption Education Act of 2025 aims to improve understanding of adoption in healthcare settings. It directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop and disseminate adoption resources, educate and train care providers, and offer consultation services to hospitals and birthing centers. The Act prioritizes patient-centered care models and holistic parenting support, while ensuring that no funds are used to promote abortion or benefit child-placing agencies. Finally, the Act authorizes $5,000,000 to be appropriated to the Secretary of Health and Human Services to carry out this Act for fiscal years 2026 through 2029.

The SOAR Act of 2025 aims to improve access to supplemental oxygen therapy for Medicare beneficiaries by removing oxygen equipment from competitive bidding programs, establishing fair payment rates, and ensuring access to respiratory therapists. It mandates specific service standards for oxygen suppliers, requires electronic templates for documenting medical necessity to prevent fraud, and restores clinical inference in claim reviews. The act also establishes a series of beneficiary rights, including the right to choose suppliers, receive clear communication, and have faulty equipment repaired or replaced promptly. Finally, the Act requires annual and monthly notices to beneficiaries regarding their benefits and cost-sharing responsibilities.