Legislative Activity

The Fair Pay for Federal Contractors Act of 2025 ensures that employees of federal contractors are compensated for losses incurred due to government funding lapses or shutdowns. It requires federal agencies to adjust existing contracts to cover reasonable costs associated with furloughs, pay cuts, or mandatory leave taken by contractor employees. The bill appropriates necessary funds to cover these contract price adjustments and mandates public reporting on the compensation provided.

The Physical Therapist Workforce and Patient Access Act of 2025 aims to increase patient access to physical therapy, recognizing its importance in pain management and recovery. This bill integrates physical therapists into the National Health Service Corps, making them eligible for loan repayment in underserved areas. Furthermore, it mandates that Medicare Rural Health Clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers cover physical therapy services starting in 2027.

The Patients Deserve Price Tags Act aims to significantly increase healthcare price transparency across the board. It mandates that hospitals, clinical diagnostic laboratories, and ambulatory surgical centers must publicly post detailed, consumer-friendly pricing information, including negotiated rates and cash prices. Furthermore, the bill strengthens requirements for health plans to provide real-time cost-sharing estimates and mandates itemized Explanation of Benefits (EOBs) and itemized bills to consumers after receiving care. Finally, it increases fiduciary oversight by requiring group health plans to gain greater access to claims and payment data from their service providers.

This resolution officially designates the week of September 22 through September 28, 2025, as "National Falls Prevention Awareness Week." The goal is to raise public awareness about the significant dangers of falls among older adults. By highlighting this issue, the measure encourages widespread efforts to promote proven, cost-effective prevention strategies.

The Revitalizing Rural Communities Act of 2025 extends and increases funding for the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program. This legislation boosts the annual allocation for the program from \$10 million to \$12 million. The increased funding is set to continue for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to support rural economic growth.

The TRICARE Transition Transparency Act of 2025 mandates that the Secretary of Defense provide TRICARE beneficiaries with proactive, multi-stage electronic notifications before coverage transition requirements take effect. This ensures beneficiaries are clearly informed about necessary actions, such as re-enrollment due to age limits. The Act also requires a public awareness campaign and annual reporting to Congress on the effectiveness of these notification efforts.

The Safe Step Act establishes mandatory, transparent exception processes for health plans that use "step therapy" protocols for prescription drugs. This ensures patients or their doctors can quickly request coverage for a prescribed medication when specific clinical criteria are met, such as previous treatment failure or risk of harm. Plans must decide on standard requests within 72 hours and urgent requests within 24 hours, and approved exceptions must last for at least one year. Furthermore, insurers must report detailed data annually on exception requests, approvals, and denials to the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

This bill, the Welles Remy Crowther Congressional Gold Medal Act, authorizes the posthumous presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to Welles Remy Crowther for his extraordinary heroism and sacrifice during the September 11, 2001, attacks. The medal will be presented to his mother, Alison Crowther, on behalf of Congress. The Act also permits the creation and sale of bronze duplicates to cover production costs.

The Community College Agriculture Advancement Act of 2025 establishes a new federal grant program to strengthen agriculture and natural resources programs at community colleges. These competitive grants will help two-year colleges build capacity for workforce training, education, and research. Priority will be given to colleges that partner with local agriculture businesses to provide students with hands-on experience. The Act authorizes $20 million annually to support these vital local and regional agricultural initiatives.

The Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act establishes a new temporary visa category, H-2C, designed to allow registered employers in areas with low unemployment to hire foreign workers for specific, registered positions. This bill creates a comprehensive framework defining eligibility, setting numerical caps, and outlining strict requirements for both employers and workers to address labor shortages. It also includes provisions for worker protections, portability, and a mandatory study on the program's economic and social impact.

The No Tax on Overtime for All Workers Act amends the tax code to clarify and expand the definition of "qualified overtime compensation." This change ensures that overtime pay earned above a standard rate, whether mandated by the Fair Labor Standards Act or agreed upon beforehand with an employer, is treated favorably for tax purposes. The goal is to incentivize and reward workers for putting in extra hours.

The Special Diabetes Program Reauthorization Act of 2025 extends critical funding for the Special Diabetes Programs supporting Type 1 diabetes research and prevention. This bill commits $160 million annually for the program from fiscal years 2026 through 2030. The legislation ensures continued support for these vital diabetes initiatives over the next five years.

The "Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act" expands Medicare coverage to include FDA-approved multi-cancer early detection screening tests starting in 2028. It defines the criteria for these tests, sets payment guidelines, and establishes age and frequency limitations for coverage. The bill ensures that existing cancer screening coverage remains unaffected and allows for waivers of limitations based on recommendations from the United States Preventive Services Task Force.

The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025 mandates that the Secretary of Transportation establish a rule requiring AM broadcast radio receivers to be installed as standard equipment in new passenger motor vehicles. This requirement aims to ensure public access to AM radio signals, which are often used for emergency alerts. The bill also directs a GAO study on the effectiveness of AM radio within the national emergency alert system compared to other technologies. Finally, the Act preempts state and local laws on this matter and includes a sunset provision eight years after enactment.

This resolution expresses strong support for and officially designates **September 17, 2025, as "Constitution Day."** It recognizes the profound historical importance of the U.S. Constitution as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary. The measure encourages all Americans to observe the day with suitable ceremonies reflecting on the freedoms and responsibilities the document grants.

This resolution expresses strong support for designating the week of September 20 through September 27, 2025, as "National Estuaries Week." It highlights the critical economic and environmental value of estuaries, which support millions of jobs and provide vital natural protection for coastal communities. The bill aims to raise public awareness about the need to protect and restore these essential ecosystems.

The Nitazene Control Act of 2025 permanently classifies the entire class of highly potent synthetic opioids known as nitazenes (2-Benzylbenzimidazole opioids) as Schedule I controlled substances. This action is taken due to their extreme danger, high potential for abuse, and role in fatal overdoses across the country. By scheduling the entire chemical class at once, the bill aims to proactively stop the emergence of new, dangerous analogs. This permanent scheduling subjects nitazenes to the strictest federal controls, mirroring those applied to fentanyl.

The Pay Our Troops Act of 2026 ensures that active duty military personnel and essential civilian support staff continue to receive their pay if Congress has not yet passed the full budget for fiscal year 2026. This act provides automatic continuing appropriations from the Treasury to prevent a lapse in military salaries due to budget delays. The funding automatically terminates once a new budget or continuing resolution is passed, or on January 1, 2027, whichever comes first.

The Rural Veterans’ Improved Access to Benefits Act of 2025 aims to streamline how the Department of Veterans Affairs contracts with outside healthcare professionals to conduct medical disability examinations. This bill expands eligibility for temporary licensing arrangements for these contract workers and extends the authority for these contracts until September 30, 2031. Furthermore, it mandates that the VA report on the usage, cost, and quality of these contracted examination services.

The Health Professionals Scholarship Program Improvement Act of 2025 aims to strengthen the VA's healthcare workforce by mandating that the VA offer full-time clinical employment contracts to scholarship graduates within 90 days of their qualification. Additionally, this Act establishes a comprehensive, property-wide ban on all smoking and the use of electronic nicotine delivery systems within Veterans Health Administration facilities. The VA must also report regularly to Congress on the success of these new placement timelines.