Legislative Activity

The "Promoting Resilient Buildings Act" aims to enhance community resilience to natural disasters through several key initiatives. It refines definitions related to hazard mitigation, establishes a residential resilience pilot program providing grants for home retrofits against disasters, and clarifies the scope of these changes within existing disaster relief programs. This act prioritizes assisting individuals with financial needs and requires a comprehensive report to Congress on the program's effectiveness.

The "Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act" expands Medicare coverage to include innovative multi-cancer early detection screening tests starting in 2028. These tests, which use genomic sequencing to detect multiple cancer types, will be covered for eligible beneficiaries with age and frequency limitations. The payment amount for these tests will initially align with that of multi-target stool screening DNA tests. This new coverage aims to improve early cancer detection without affecting existing Medicare-covered cancer screenings.

The Rural Hospital Support Act aims to improve Medicare payments to small, rural hospitals by rebasing payment calculations for sole community and Medicare-dependent hospitals to fiscal year 2016, if it results in higher payments. It also extends the Medicare-Dependent Hospital program and the increased payments under the Medicare low-volume hospital program by removing certain deadlines, ensuring continued support for these hospitals. Additionally, the bill prohibits adjustments to payment classifications and weighting factors before October 1, 2015, when using rebased target amounts. These changes are intended to provide financial stability for rural hospitals and maintain access to care in rural communities.

The Laken Riley Act mandates the detention of illegal aliens who commit theft, burglary, larceny, or shoplifting. It empowers state attorneys general to sue the Department of Homeland Security or the Secretary of State if they believe the state or its residents are harmed by violations of immigration enforcement or visa granting. The bill aims to ensure that these aliens are detained throughout their removal proceedings and to provide states with legal recourse against perceived failures in federal immigration enforcement.

This resolution addresses the threats to global stability posed by Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons capabilities, citing its history of hostile actions, support for terrorism, and advancements in its nuclear program. It affirms that Iran's actions endanger the U.S., Israel, and their allies, and insists that all options should be considered to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. The resolution demands Iran cease all activities that threaten the national security of the U.S., Israel, and its allies, while clarifying that it does not authorize military force or deployment of U.S. troops.

This resolution expresses disapproval of any pardons granted to individuals convicted of assaulting Capitol Police officers. It serves as a formal condemnation of such pardons.

The "Extending Limits of United States Customs Waters Act of 2025" amends the definition of "customs waters" to include the U.S. contiguous zone, extending the area in which U.S. Customs and Border Protection can enforce customs, fiscal, immigration, and sanitary laws from 12 to 24 nautical miles. This expansion aims to modernize law enforcement capabilities in response to advancements in maritime technology and safeguard law enforcement and public health interests. The act references existing presidential proclamations that define the U.S. territorial sea and contiguous zone, ensuring alignment with international law.

The Foreign Adversary Risk Management (FARM) Act aims to protect U.S. agriculture by including it under the oversight of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). This bill adds the Secretary of Agriculture to the CFIUS committee and expands CFIUS authority to review transactions that could result in foreign control of U.S. businesses involved in agriculture. Additionally, the Secretary of Agriculture and the Comptroller General are required to analyze foreign influence in the U.S. agriculture industry and submit a report to Congress.

The "Protecting Students on Campus Act of 2025" aims to increase awareness and oversight of civil rights protections under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 on college campuses. It mandates a Title VI awareness campaign, requires institutions to display information about how to file complaints, and orders monthly briefings to Congress on civil rights complaints. The Act also requires institutions to report discrimination complaints annually and mandates audits of institutions with the highest complaint rates, as well as directs the Inspector General to study discrepancies in complaints submitted to higher education institutions versus the Office of Civil Rights. Additionally, the Office for Civil Rights must continue investigating complaints even if they have been addressed by another agency or the institution's internal processes.

The "Saving the Civil Service Act" limits the ability of federal agencies to move positions out of the competitive service, ensuring that civil service positions are filled based on merit and qualifications. It restricts the transfer of positions between different types of service, requires employee consent for certain transfers, and mandates reporting to Congress on any changes made. The goal is to prevent political influence over career civil servants and maintain a nonpartisan, professional civil service.

The FAIR Act mandates a 3.3% increase in basic pay rates for federal employees under statutory pay systems and prevailing rate employees in 2026. Additionally, it increases locality pay adjustments for federal employees by 1% in 2026.

Sarah's Law mandates the detention of aliens who were not inspected upon entering the U.S., had a revoked nonimmigrant visa, or violated their visa terms, and are charged with a crime resulting in death or serious bodily injury. It requires the Department of Homeland Security to inform victims and their families about the alien's identity, immigration status, criminal history, custody status, and removal efforts. The law also ensures that it does not diminish any rights crime victims have under existing laws.

The Health Care Affordability Act of 2025 expands eligibility for health insurance tax credits by removing the income cap, allowing more individuals to qualify for financial assistance. It also adjusts the premium tax credit calculation to provide more support based on income level. These changes aim to make health coverage more affordable for a broader range of Americans, starting in 2026.

The "Washington, D.C. Admission Act" outlines the process for admitting Washington, D.C., into the Union as the State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth, while establishing a Capital to serve as the seat of the U.S. Government. It addresses the transition of laws, governance, and federal responsibilities, ensuring continuity of services and representation for the residents of the new state. The Act also defines the boundaries of the new State and the Capital, and includes provisions for elections, federal property, and the establishment of a Statehood Transition Commission.