Legislative Activity

The 9/11 Memorial and Museum Act authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to provide a one-time grant of $5 million to $10 million to support the operation, security, and maintenance of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. To receive these funds, the organization must meet specific requirements, including providing free admission to first responders, military personnel, and victims' families, as well as submitting to annual federal audits.

The Banning SPR Oil Exports to Foreign Adversaries Act prohibits the sale or export of petroleum from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve to China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, or entities controlled by these nations. This legislation aims to protect national security by ensuring that emergency oil reserves are not diverted to foreign adversaries. The Secretary of Energy may only waive this prohibition if it is certified to be in the national security interest of the United States.

The "Non-Recognition of Russian Annexation of Ukrainian Territory Act" prohibits the United States from recognizing Russia's claim of sovereignty over any portion of Ukraine. It also prevents any federal department or agency from taking actions that would imply recognition of such claims.

The Stop the Wait Act of 2025 aims to provide faster financial and medical support to individuals with disabilities by eliminating the five-month waiting period for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits by 2030. Additionally, the bill removes the 24-month Medicare waiting period for SSDI recipients who lack access to affordable health insurance, ensuring they can access necessary medical coverage sooner.

The Health Out-of-Pocket Expense (HOPE) Act of 2025 establishes tax-exempt trust accounts designed to help individuals cover qualified medical expenses. These accounts allow for tax-advantaged contributions from employers and state programs, provided the account holder meets specific eligibility and coverage requirements. Distributions used for qualified medical expenses are tax-free, while non-medical withdrawals are subject to income tax and a 30 percent penalty.

The Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act extends and strengthens critical federal programs designed to support the mental health and well-being of the health care workforce. The bill mandates annual awareness initiatives and expands grant eligibility to organizations focused on reducing administrative burdens for medical professionals. These programs are now authorized through fiscal year 2030 to ensure continued support for reducing burnout and promoting mental health services.

The American CANS Act requires that the country of origin for imported canned agricultural products be clearly displayed on either the front label or the top of the can. This legislation aims to increase consumer transparency by ensuring origin information is easily accessible. The new labeling requirements will apply to products imported 18 months after the bill is enacted.

The Railway Safety Act of 2025 establishes comprehensive new safety standards across the freight rail industry, focusing heavily on trains transporting hazardous materials. The bill mandates stricter rules for train operations, requires enhanced rail car inspections, and sets a phase-out date for older, less safe tank cars. Furthermore, it increases civil penalties for safety violations, institutes a minimum two-person crew requirement for most freight trains, and funds infrastructure improvements like advanced track monitoring.

This resolution designates February 4, 2025, as "National Cancer Prevention Day" to raise awareness about reducing cancer risks and the importance of early detection. It highlights the urgent need to address the disease's impact on families while supporting the Cancer Moonshot initiative's goal to significantly reduce cancer mortality rates.

This resolution formally recognizes the Islamic Republic of Iran as a significant threat to global stability due to its advancing nuclear program, sponsorship of terrorism, and hostile actions against the United States and its allies. It underscores the danger posed by Iran's nuclear ambitions and demands an immediate cessation of activities that threaten international security. The bill affirms that all options should be considered to address these threats while clarifying that it does not authorize the use of military force.

The Protect Our Clothes from PFAS Act aims to update federal tariff classifications for water-resistant garments. By removing specific criteria from the Harmonized Tariff Schedule, this bill seeks to modernize how apparel is categorized in relation to water-resistance standards.

The Parity Enforcement Act of 2025 strengthens mental health and substance use disorder coverage by authorizing the Department of Labor to impose civil monetary penalties on plan sponsors, administrators, and insurers that fail to meet federal parity requirements. By expanding enforcement authority under ERISA, this legislation ensures greater accountability for health plans that do not provide equitable coverage. These provisions are set to take effect for plan years beginning more than one year after the bill’s enactment.

The SAFE Act amends the Controlled Substances Act to permanently classify fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs, providing a clear legal framework for their regulation. The bill updates penalty thresholds for the manufacturing, importation, and trafficking of these substances while establishing a scientific process for their potential rescheduling or removal. Additionally, it streamlines registration requirements for researchers to facilitate legitimate medical and scientific study of these compounds.

The Fighting Budget Waste Act requires the President and the Office of Management and Budget to incorporate findings from the Government Accountability Office’s reports on reducing federal fragmentation and duplication into their annual budget submissions. Additionally, the bill mandates that the OMB Director report to Congress on how these recommendations are being addressed to improve fiscal efficiency.

The Expanding Access to High-Impact Tutoring Act of 2025 establishes a federal grant program to support evidence-based, high-impact tutoring in elementary and secondary schools nationwide. The bill provides funding to state and local educational agencies to implement rigorous tutoring programs, while creating a national Advisory Board to oversee program quality, workforce development, and academic evaluation. By prioritizing schools serving low-income students, this legislation aims to accelerate student academic recovery and achievement through structured, consistent, and well-supported tutoring interventions.

The Lower Grocery Prices Act directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a comprehensive 20-year study on the rising costs of groceries for U.S. consumers. The resulting report will provide Congress with data-driven recommendations aimed at identifying and implementing strategies to lower food prices.

The Keeping Drugs Out of Schools Act of 2025 establishes a federal grant program to foster partnerships between community coalitions and local schools. These grants provide funding for the implementation of tailored, effective drug prevention programs to reduce substance use among youth.

The IGO Anti-Boycott Act expands existing federal law to prohibit participation in boycotts fostered or imposed by international governmental organizations, not just those by foreign countries. Additionally, the bill mandates that the President submit and publish an annual report detailing all international boycotts covered by these restrictions.

The Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act of 2025 aims to support healthcare providers by extending Medicare payment adjustments through the end of 2025. Specifically, the bill provides a 6.62 percent payment increase for services rendered between April 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025, to help practitioners adjust to evolving Medicare payment policies.

The Fred Korematsu Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2025 authorizes the posthumous award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Fred Korematsu in recognition of his lifelong commitment to civil rights, justice, and equality. This legislation honors his legacy as a champion for constitutional guarantees and his courageous stand against the unjust incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II.