Legislative Activity

The Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act mandates that group health plans and insurance policies provide comprehensive coverage for medically necessary treatment related to congenital anomalies or birth defects affecting the eyes, ears, teeth, mouth, or jaw. This coverage must include services needed to restore normal function and appearance, including necessary dental and orthodontic support. Plans must apply cost-sharing rules no more restrictive than those for other medical benefits, excluding purely cosmetic procedures.

The Agricultural Biorefinery Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2025 updates federal assistance programs to specifically promote the development of advanced biofuels, renewable chemicals, and biobased product manufacturing. This legislation introduces competitive grants for pilot and demonstration-scale biorefineries while streamlining loan guarantee processes. The bill establishes detailed scoring criteria for grant applicants, prioritizing innovation, private investment, and environmental impact, and sets annual funding levels through fiscal year 2030.

The Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act expands the definition of "law enforcement officer" for federal retirement purposes under both the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). This change adds specific IRS, Postal Inspection Service, and VA police roles to those eligible for enhanced retirement benefits. The bill also establishes procedures for current officers to elect to have their prior service counted under these new definitions, which may require a payment from the employee and their employing agency.

The Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act of 2025 declares that practices attempting to change an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity for payment constitute an unfair and deceptive business practice. Citing professional consensus on the ineffectiveness and harm of such "conversion therapy," the bill prohibits its provision and advertising. Enforcement authority is granted to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and the law allows both the U.S. Attorney General and State Attorneys General to file civil actions against violators.

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 Captive Primate Safety Act of 2025 amends the Lacey Act to prohibit the importation, sale, breeding, and possession of most nonhuman primates across state lines. This sweeping ban includes species like monkeys and lemurs, with limited exceptions for registered research facilities and existing owners who register their animals promptly. The law establishes immediate prohibitions, even before the Secretary of the Interior finalizes all associated regulations.

The PFAS Alternatives Act aims to protect firefighters by funding research and development for next-generation turnout gear that eliminates harmful PFAS chemicals. The bill establishes grants through NIOSH to create safer, PFAS-free protective equipment and separate funding for training programs on the proper care of this new gear. Ultimately, this legislation seeks to reduce occupational illness and injury among fire and EMS personnel.

The Save Healthcare Workers Act aims to protect hospital personnel by making assault against them a federal crime with severe penalties. It also establishes a new federal grant program to help hospitals implement crucial safety measures, such as violence prevention training and physical security upgrades. This legislation seeks to reduce workplace violence in healthcare settings across the nation.

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 Ensuring Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act expands Medicare Part B coverage to include services provided by pharmacists starting January 1, 2026. This coverage is specifically for testing or treatment related to COVID-19, the flu, RSV, strep throat, or during a declared public health emergency. The bill outlines payment structures, generally covering 80% of the cost, and prohibits pharmacists from balance billing Medicare patients for these covered services.

The Nurse Corps Tax Parity Act of 2025 aims to provide tax relief for healthcare professionals participating in the Nurse Corps program. This bill clarifies that certain loan repayments and scholarship benefits received through the program will be excluded from taxable income. Essentially, it updates the Internal Revenue Code to ensure these specific Nurse Corps payments are treated favorably for tax purposes.

The Promotion and Expansion of Private Employee Ownership Act of 2025 aims to significantly boost employee ownership in S corporations through Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs). The bill extends key tax deferral benefits for stock sales to ESOPs and removes a major restriction on this tax treatment. Furthermore, it establishes new government offices and an Advocate for Employee Ownership to provide technical assistance and resolve disputes, while ensuring ESOP-owned businesses retain small business status for federal programs.

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 Better CARE for Animals Act of 2025 significantly strengthens enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act by clarifying definitions and expanding the scope of investigations. It grants the Attorney General explicit authority to file civil actions seeking penalties up to $10,000 per day, and mandates that collected fines help cover temporary animal care costs. The bill also requires the Secretary of Agriculture and the Attorney General to establish a formal agreement for coordinated enforcement.

The Fairness for Victims of SNAP Skimming Act of 2025 mandates that states must replace the exact amount of Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) benefits stolen from households. This legislation ensures that the replacement benefit amount precisely matches the value of the stolen funds. It simplifies and clarifies the process for compensating victims of EBT skimming.

The Assault Weapons Ban of 2025 comprehensively defines and bans the manufacture, sale, and transfer of specific semiautomatic assault weapons and large capacity ammunition feeding devices. The bill grandfathers existing weapons but imposes new requirements for their secure storage and mandates dealer involvement for future private transfers. It also allows federal grant money to be used by states for buy-back programs targeting these banned items.

The Equality Act comprehensively expands federal civil rights protections against discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity across key areas of American life. It amends existing laws to prohibit discrimination in public accommodations, housing, credit, employment, and federal funding. The purpose of the bill is to provide consistent, explicit, and comprehensive remedies for individuals facing bias in these essential sectors.

The Arctic Refuge Protection Act officially repeals the previous law authorizing oil and gas leasing in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. This legislation simultaneously designates approximately 1.56 million acres within the Refuge as protected wilderness under the National Wilderness Preservation System. The Secretary of the Interior is now required to manage this newly designated land according to strict wilderness preservation standards.

The West Bank Violence Prevention Act of 2025 declares extreme settler violence and displacement in the West Bank a threat to U.S. national security interests. This Act mandates the President to impose sanctions, including asset freezes and visa bans, on foreign individuals responsible for undermining peace and stability in the region. The Treasury Department must report to Congress on the implementation of these sanctions every 90 days.

The TREES Act of 2025 establishes a new federal grant program managed by the Secretary of Energy to fund community-based tree planting projects. These grants aim to reduce residential energy consumption by strategically planting trees for shade and wind protection. Priority funding will be given to projects that maximize energy savings for low-income households and benefit underserved neighborhoods. The program is authorized to plant at least 300,000 trees annually, with federal funding covering 90% of eligible project costs.