Legislative Activity

The Supporting the Mental Health of Educators and Staff Act of 2025 aims to bolster the mental well-being of school employees through several key actions. It mandates the sharing of best practices for suicide prevention and mental health support across the education workforce. The bill also establishes national awareness campaigns to encourage staff to seek necessary mental health services and funds new grant programs to develop and expand direct support and training initiatives. Finally, it requires comprehensive reviews by the Secretary and the GAO to assess the effectiveness of these new and existing federal efforts.

The National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2025 strengthens the national earthquake preparedness strategy by expanding its focus to include recovery standards, tsunami coordination, and improved communication protocols. This legislation specifically enhances the U.S. Geological Survey's role in improving the early warning system, ensuring faster and more accessible alerts. Furthermore, the bill authorizes specific funding levels for earthquake hazard reduction efforts through fiscal year 2030.

The Cancer Drug Parity Act of 2025 mandates that group health plans treat the cost-sharing for oral (take-at-home) anticancer drugs the same as they treat cost-sharing for intravenously administered cancer drugs. This ensures patients do not face higher out-of-pocket expenses for necessary oral chemotherapy medications. The Act also requires the GAO to study the financial impact of this new parity requirement on patients.

The Access to Small Business Investor Capital Act amends SEC reporting requirements for certain investment companies. This change allows these companies to exclude the indirect fees and expenses incurred from investing in an Acquired Fund, provided that Acquired Fund is a business development company. This simplifies the calculation of total "Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses" disclosed on registration statements.

The Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Discrimination Prevention Act prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities in all aspects of the organ transplant process. This legislation ensures that a disability alone cannot be a basis for denying a transplant, referral, or listing. It mandates reasonable modifications and the provision of necessary support, including recognizing support networks, unless the disability presents a medically significant barrier to the transplant itself. The Act ensures these protections apply from initial evaluation through post-transplant care and does not diminish existing state or local protections.

The Global Investment in American Jobs Act of 2025 declares attracting investment from trusted private companies a national priority to boost U.S. competitiveness and security. The bill mandates a comprehensive review by the Commerce Department and GAO to assess how the U.S. can better attract this foreign direct investment while countering threats from state-backed entities, particularly those connected to China. The ultimate goal is to strengthen domestic supply chains and technological leadership by streamlining investment from reliable partners.

This resolution officially designates June 23-27, 2025, as Academic Medicine Week to recognize the vital contributions of medical schools, teaching hospitals, and researchers. It highlights their critical roles in training future doctors, conducting medical research, and providing complex patient care. The bill also underscores the need for federal support to address physician shortages and maintain these essential services nationwide.

The Autism Family Caregivers Act of 2025 establishes a new pilot program to award grants for evidence-based skills training to family caregivers of children with autism or developmental disabilities. This training aims to improve child well-being and community engagement by focusing on communication, daily living skills, and caregiver self-care. The Secretary of Health and Human Services will oversee the program, which requires grantees to establish diverse advisory committees and report annually on program effectiveness. Funding is authorized through fiscal year 2030 to support at least 25 entities across multiple states.

This bill posthumously awards a Congressional Gold Medal to Marshall "Major" Taylor, recognizing the pioneering Black cyclist for his historic achievements and his fight against racial prejudice. The medal will be struck by the Secretary of the Treasury and presented to Taylor's great-granddaughter. The Act also authorizes the sale of bronze duplicates to cover production costs.

The Service Member Housing Relief Act temporarily adjusts the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) calculation by lowering the temporary cap on rate increases from 20 percent to 15 percent. Additionally, the bill permanently removes an outdated provision related to the BAH calculation structure. This legislation aims to modify housing allowances for members of the uniformed services.

This resolution expresses the strong support of the U.S. Congress for Israel's recent military actions aimed at dismantling Iran's nuclear enrichment capabilities. It condemns Iran's advancement toward nuclear weapons and its retaliatory attacks against Israeli civilians. Furthermore, the bill urges Iran to immediately cease all nuclear activities and reaffirms the United States' commitment to Israel's security.

The Coastal Communities Ocean Acidification Act of 2025 amends existing federal law to significantly enhance collaboration on ocean acidification research and monitoring. This bill mandates increased input from diverse stakeholders, including industry, coastal networks, and Indigenous groups, in guiding federal research priorities. Furthermore, it restructures the Advisory Board to ensure stronger representation from Tribal entities and requires the development of specific coordination policies with affected Tribes. The legislation also directs NOAA to prioritize collaboration with State, local, and Tribal governments when conducting vulnerability assessments.

The Vietnam Veteran Commemoration Fund Act of 2025 mandates the Secretary of Defense to carry out activities commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. This bill amends existing law to change the commemoration from an optional activity to a required duty. These changes will officially take effect on November 11, 2025.

The Increasing Behavioral Health Treatment Act removes the long-standing Medicaid exclusion for services provided in Institutions for Mental Diseases (IMDs). To qualify for this coverage, states must submit a comprehensive plan detailing how they will increase access to community-based outpatient care and improve crisis response services for these patients. This legislation aims to ensure better coordination of physical and behavioral health care while requiring states to demonstrate policies that support the least restrictive, most clinically appropriate level of treatment.

Gio's Law establishes a grant program allowing law enforcement agencies to purchase emergency epinephrine products and receive necessary training. The bill mandates the development of standardized training for officers on recognizing and treating anaphylaxis. Furthermore, it requires annual reporting on epinephrine administration by officers and launches a public awareness campaign about severe allergic reactions.

The Filling Public Safety Vacancies Act allocates \$162 million in federal funding to assist local agencies in hiring or rehiring career law enforcement officers. This funding is designated as an emergency requirement, bypassing standard budget caps. Any agency utilizing these funds must ensure new hires undergo mandatory background checks and psychological evaluations, with the agency covering the costs of these requirements.

The Economic Opportunity for Border Communities Act directs the Secretary of Commerce to develop a comprehensive national strategy to boost job creation and economic competitiveness in U.S. border communities. This strategy must focus on key sectors like logistics, trade, and manufacturing, while also aiming to lower import/export costs. The resulting plan, detailing necessary policy changes and workforce development initiatives, must be submitted to Congress within one year.

The FIGHT Act of 2025 significantly strengthens federal prohibitions against animal fighting ventures, specifically targeting the sponsorship, exhibition, and gambling associated with these events. This legislation clarifies the definition of a rooster for legal purposes and bans the interstate transport of roosters for fighting. Furthermore, it empowers private citizens to file lawsuits against violators, allowing for civil penalties and the potential seizure of property used to facilitate illegal animal fighting.

The Respond, Innovate, Succeed, and Empower (RISE) Act aims to improve support for postsecondary students with disabilities. It standardizes the types of documentation colleges must accept to verify a disability, ensuring clearer access to necessary accommodations. The bill also authorizes increased funding for national technical support centers and requires colleges to report essential data on enrolled students with disabilities. Finally, it clarifies that these changes do not alter existing rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The Campus Housing Affordability for Foster Youth Act removes a long-standing federal prohibition that prevented students from receiving certain housing assistance. This legislation allows the Secretary to waive specific requirements for Section 8 housing assistance for college students who live in campus housing and have a history in foster care or are emancipated minors. Crucially, any assistance received through this waiver will not negatively impact a student's eligibility for federal financial aid or other support programs.