Legislative Activity

The SOAR Act of 2025 aims to significantly reform Medicare access to supplemental oxygen by removing it from the competitive bidding program and establishing new payment rates. The bill also mandates clearer documentation requirements for medical necessity using electronic templates and restores clinical judgment in claim audits. Finally, it establishes specific rights for oxygen beneficiaries and improves reimbursement for respiratory therapists.

The Pursuing Equity in Mental Health Act aims to reduce mental health disparities among racial and ethnic minority groups through several key actions. It increases funding for existing grant programs and authorizes significant new funding for the NIH and NIMHD to support relevant research and community engagement. Furthermore, the bill mandates a comprehensive study on mental health research gaps and establishes a national strategy for culturally competent mental health outreach and education.

This bill extends the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) by moving its expiration date from September 30, 2023, to December 31, 2026. This action ensures the continuation of federal flood insurance coverage for an additional three years.

The American Family Act fundamentally overhauls the Child Tax Credit by replacing the annual lump sum with a system of advance, refundable monthly payments delivered directly to families. These monthly allowances vary based on the child's age, with higher amounts provided for younger children. The bill also establishes a separate, smaller credit for other dependents and outlines procedures for annual renewal and reconciliation of advance payments when filing taxes.

This resolution commemorates the 159th anniversary of the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1866. It recognizes this Act as the first federal law defining citizenship and guaranteeing equal protection under the law for all citizens. Furthermore, the resolution highlights the Act's foundational role in shaping the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Amendments. Congress affirms its commitment to supporting and defending the rights belonging to all Americans.

The CATCH Fentanyl Act mandates the Department of Homeland Security to establish pilot projects at land ports of entry to test advanced inspection technologies, including those utilizing Artificial Intelligence. These tests aim to improve the detection of contraband like fentanyl while increasing inspection efficiency. The Secretary must report on the effectiveness of these technologies and provide recommendations for nationwide deployment within five years of enactment.

The Servicewomen and Veterans Menopause Research Act directs the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs to evaluate current research on menopause and mid-life health issues specific to servicewomen and veterans. This evaluation must identify knowledge gaps, including the impact of military exposures on these conditions. Following the review, both departments must submit reports and strategic plans to Congress outlining recommendations for improving provider training and future research priorities.

The Raise the Wage Act of 2025 establishes a phased increase of the federal minimum wage, culminating in a \$17.00 per hour rate five years after enactment, followed by automatic annual adjustments tied to median wage growth. This bill also phases out the lower minimum wage for tipped employees and workers under 20, ensuring they eventually earn the standard federal minimum wage. Furthermore, it sets a schedule to eliminate subminimum wages for individuals with disabilities and prohibits the issuance of new special certificates allowing for lower pay.

The End Kidney Deaths Act establishes a new federal tax credit for individuals who make non-directed living kidney donations. Eligible donors will receive an annual \$10,000 tax credit for five consecutive years, totaling a potential \$50,000 benefit. This provision is designed to incentivize altruistic donation while ensuring the credit is not considered payment for the organ.

This bill establishes the Innovative Therapies Centers of Excellence Act of 2025, directing the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to designate at least five medical facilities as specialized hubs for cutting-edge treatments. These Centers of Excellence must focus on research, training partnerships, and clinical evaluation of innovative therapies for covered conditions like PTSD and chronic pain. The legislation specifically names substances such as MDMA and Psilocybin as part of the therapies to be explored, supported by dedicated annual funding.

The Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025 imposes sweeping economic penalties on the Russian Federation in response to its aggression against Ukraine. This legislation mandates severe, immediate sanctions against key Russian officials, financial institutions, and energy sector entities, including asset freezes and trade prohibitions. Furthermore, the Act dramatically increases import duties on Russian goods and requires the President to review and reimpose these measures until Russia negotiates a lasting peace with Ukraine.

The Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2025 aims to significantly improve support and benefits for those who have experienced military sexual trauma (MST). The bill mandates a review of coverage for technology-related trauma and overhauls the disability claims process to be more sensitive and evidence-flexible. Furthermore, it expands access to VA health care for MST survivors, including those in reserve components, and ensures timely communication of available support services upon filing a claim.

The Protect America's Workforce Act nullifies a specific Executive Order concerning exclusions from federal labor-management relations programs, immediately voiding its legal power and halting federal spending to enforce it. This legislation also ensures that all existing collective bargaining agreements between federal agencies and unions remain valid until their original expiration dates.

The Heating and Cooling Relief Act aims to significantly expand and modernize energy assistance for low-income families facing high utility costs and extreme weather. It increases funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), streamlines eligibility requirements, and mandates that energy suppliers take steps to prevent shutoffs and eliminate late fees for recipients. Furthermore, the bill prioritizes using funds for weatherization and home retrofitting to reduce fossil fuel dependence and improve climate resilience for vulnerable households.

The Hunger-Free Future Act of 2025 mandates that any adjustment to the Thrifty Food Plan used for calculating SNAP benefits must not result in an increase in food insecurity. This ensures that updates to the cost of the food plan do not negatively impact households' ability to afford adequate nutrition.

This resolution formally recognizes the 10th anniversary of Educators Rising and commends its vital role in addressing the national teacher shortage. It highlights the program's success in inspiring future educators through "Grow Your Own" initiatives and providing essential career preparation. Congress is acknowledging the organization's commitment to building a diverse and well-prepared teaching workforce for the future.

The Revitalizing Downtowns and Main Streets Act establishes a new 20% federal tax credit for converting eligible, older commercial buildings into affordable housing. This incentive aims to increase housing supply by requiring that at least 20% of the converted units remain rent-restricted for low-income residents for 30 years. State agencies will allocate these credits, which are subject to a national cap of $12 billion, based on approved plans prioritizing financially necessary projects.

This resolution is an inquiry demanding the President provide detailed documents regarding the access granted to staff and advisers of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to the systems and data of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (BCFP). Congress seeks comprehensive information on personnel backgrounds, specific system permissions, data movement, and the approval processes used for this access. The request also mandates documentation on conflict of interest reviews and current BCFP staffing levels.

This resolution formally recognizes the significant and persistent wage gap between men and women in the United States, highlighting statistics that show women earn substantially less. It serves as a strong public statement reaffirming Congress's commitment to achieving pay equity. The measure does not enact new laws but emphasizes the economic harm caused by unequal pay for women and their families.

The Paycheck Fairness Act significantly strengthens federal equal pay protections by broadening definitions of sex discrimination, tightening employer defenses against pay disparities, and increasing penalties for violations. It also prohibits employers from using salary history in hiring decisions and mandates new data collection by the EEOC to better enforce anti-discrimination laws. Furthermore, the bill establishes new training and outreach programs to combat systemic wage bias.