Legislative Activity

Violet's Law mandates that federal research facilities establish procedures to place retired research animals, including dogs, cats, and primates, into new homes. These facilities must adhere to the Animal Welfare Act standards and ensure animals are certified healthy by a veterinarian before adoption. Eligible placements include registered animal rescue organizations, sanctuaries, shelters, or private individuals.

The Defense Workforce Integration Act of 2025 aims to streamline the transition of separating service members into civilian Department of Defense (DoD) roles, particularly for those medically disqualified from service. It also establishes a new program to connect medically ineligible individuals with career opportunities in the defense industrial base and related national security sectors. Furthermore, the bill mandates that the Navy inform separating personnel about career opportunities within the Military Sealift Command. The DoD must report to Congress within one year on the implementation of these integration and information-sharing provisions.

This resolution expresses the support of Congress for designating July 16, 2025, as "Glioblastoma Awareness Day." It highlights the devastating impact and slow progress in treating glioblastoma, the deadliest common brain tumor. The bill urges increased public awareness, research funding, and collaboration to develop better treatments and improve patient outcomes.

This resolution expresses support for designating May as National Bladder Cancer Awareness Month to highlight the serious impact of this often-overlooked cancer. It emphasizes that early detection is crucial for survival, yet awareness of symptoms and the need for research remain low. The designation aims to promote public education, support patients, and push for renewed research into better treatments and a cure.

The ACES Act mandates a comprehensive study by the National Academies to investigate the prevalence and mortality rates of various cancers among active duty fixed-wing aircraft crew members due to potential service-related exposures. This legislation also extends the expiration date for certain limitations on veteran pension payments by one month. The study will analyze specific cancer types and utilize data from the VA, DoD, and other federal sources.

The SALUTE Act establishes a pilot program to allow certain active-duty service members and their dependents to purchase supplemental private insurance for uncovered cancer-related medical expenses. This optional coverage will be offered through agreements with selected insurance companies, with participants paying the full premium cost. The Department of Defense must report on the program's success after three years to determine if it should become permanent.

The Preventing Environmental Hazards Act of 2025 modifies the National Flood Insurance Program to provide coverage for the demolition or relocation of structures facing imminent collapse due to shoreline erosion or subsidence. This new benefit offers homeowners a payout based on the structure's value, contingent upon timely action following official condemnation. The Act establishes specific payment schedules for demolition and relocation, while also setting limits on total payouts and excluding coverage for contents.

The Student Loan Tax Elimination Act abolishes origination fees charged on federal direct student loans. This change removes the upfront fees borrowers typically pay when taking out these federal loans. The elimination takes effect for new loans disbursed on or after July 1st following the law's enactment.

The Honoring our K9 Heroes Act establishes a new grant program administered by the Department of Homeland Security to help cover medical expenses for retired Federal working dogs. Eligible non-profit organizations with a history of supporting these retired K9s can apply for funding. This initiative is authorized with $1 million annually from Fiscal Year 2026 through 2030 to support dogs living with their former handlers.

The **Shipbuilding and Harbor Infrastructure for Prosperity and Security for America Act of 2025** is a comprehensive bill designed to revitalize the U.S. maritime industry and secure critical supply chains. It establishes new centralized oversight for maritime policy, creates a dedicated Maritime Security Trust Fund financed by new vessel taxes, and mandates significant federal investment in domestic shipbuilding and workforce development. The legislation also imposes stricter cargo preference rules and tax incentives to ensure U.S.-flagged vessels dominate international commerce and defense sealift operations.

The ReConnecting Rural America Act of 2025 significantly overhauls federal funding to expand high-speed internet access in underserved rural areas. This legislation prioritizes grants and loans for projects delivering at least 100 Mbps symmetrical speeds, focusing heavily on communities currently lacking adequate service. The bill sets strict buildout timelines, mandates participation in affordability programs, and establishes specific priority criteria for funding distribution through 2030.

The SERVE Act addresses the military's severe recruiting challenges by increasing recruiter access to high schools, formalizing JROTC partnership options, and establishing incentives for schools that promote military service. Key provisions mandate regular recruiter visits, allow students to join nearby JROTC programs, and create a pilot program to recognize "Military-Friendly schools." Furthermore, the bill grants priority consideration in service academy admissions to graduates from high schools with above-average enlistment rates.

The Rural Hospital Stabilization Act of 2025 establishes a new federal grant program to provide financial assistance to qualifying rural hospitals. These grants can be used for facility upgrades or to cover essential operational costs, ensuring continued local access to care. Hospitals must demonstrate a plan for long-term sustainability to receive funding, which is capped at $5 million per facility over five years.

The Seniors’ Access to Critical Medications Act of 2025 temporarily modifies the physician self-referral prohibition (Stark Law) to allow physician practices to dispense certain Medicare Part D prescription drugs directly to their patients between 2026 and 2030. This exception is subject to specific conditions regarding prescribing, patient history, and dispensing location. The bill also mandates a GAO study to examine trends in physician office drug dispensing and makes a minor adjustment to the allocation for the Medicare Improvement Fund.

This resolution expresses the support of Congress for designating the last Tuesday of April as "APOL1-Mediated Kidney Disease (AMKD) Awareness Day." It highlights the disproportionate impact of AMKD, often linked to APOL1 gene variants common in people of African descent, on kidney health. The bill encourages public education and genetic testing to help identify at-risk individuals early. Ultimately, it aims to raise awareness to reduce kidney disease disparities and promote further research into specific treatments.

The Accountability in Foreign Animal Research Act prohibits the use of federal funds for medical research or experiments involving live vertebrate animals conducted in or controlled by designated foreign countries, including China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia. This legislation prevents the Department of Health and Human Services from directly funding or supporting any entity in these nations that conducts such animal testing. The Secretary of HHS is also granted the authority to add other "countries of concern" to this banned list, subject to reporting requirements to Congress.

The Access to Breast Cancer Diagnosis Act of 2025 ensures that group health plans and insurers must cover diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations with no out-of-pocket costs for patients. This means no deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance will apply to these necessary exams. These provisions take effect for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.

This resolution officially designates April 2025 as "Community College Month" to celebrate the vital role of over 1,000 community colleges nationwide. It recognizes these institutions for providing accessible, affordable higher education and critical workforce training. The bill highlights their significant economic contributions and commitment to local community needs.

The Deafblind DATA Act aims to establish a more accurate count of Americans who are deafblind by directing the Census Bureau to cross-reference existing survey data. This new law mandates the annual publication of a public table detailing the demographic and economic characteristics of the deafblind population by state, starting in 2026. The goal is to provide essential data to ensure these individuals receive necessary support and resources.

The ABC-ED Act of 2025 aims to alleviate emergency department boarding and crowding by modernizing public health data systems to track real-time hospital bed capacity. It also directs the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation to pilot programs specifically improving emergency care for older adults and those in acute psychiatric crisis. Finally, the bill mandates a study on best practices for statewide, real-time capacity tracking systems and their impact on ER wait times.