Legislative Activity

The "Healthy Poultry Assistance and Indemnification Act of 2025" amends the Animal Health Protection Act to provide compensation to poultry growers and layers in areas under federal control due to animal health concerns. It mandates payments based on lost income, ensuring producers are compensated for flocks they were unable to raise during the control period. The compensation is capped to avoid duplication of benefits from other sources and must be paid within 60 days of request. This act aims to support poultry farmers affected by disease control measures.

The Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2025 requires the Department of Education to consider the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism when evaluating discrimination complaints under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, ensuring consistent enforcement against antisemitism in federally funded programs. This bill aims to increase awareness and improve the safety of Jewish communities by codifying the use of the IHRA definition. The Act does not expand the Department of Education's authority, change harassment standards, reduce existing rights, or diminish First Amendment rights.

Here are the high-level summaries for each title of the I CAN Act: **Title I: Removal of Barriers to Practice on Nurse Practitioners** This title aims to improve healthcare access for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries by expanding the scope of practice and recognition of nurse practitioners, allowing them to provide a wider range of services such as prescribing rehabilitation programs, documenting diabetic shoe needs, and overseeing care in various settings. **Title II: Removal of Barriers to Practice on Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists** This title focuses on reducing practice barriers for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) by allowing Medicare reimbursement for their services, updating regulations to affirm their authority, removing mandatory supervision requirements, and ensuring Medicaid coverage. **Title III: Removal of Barriers to Practice on Certified Nurse-Midwives** This title seeks to expand the role of certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) in the Medicare system by including their services in coverage, enabling them to order home health services and durable medical equipment, and standardizing qualification standards. **Title IV: Improving Federal Health Programs for All Advanced Practice Registered Nurses** This title aims to increase transparency in Medicare coverage decisions, prevent coverage limitations based on provider qualifications, and expand access to locum tenens arrangements for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). **Title V: Effective Date** This title sets a 90-day timeline for the implementation of the new law's provisions and authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue temporary guidelines for a smooth transition.

The DRIVE Act of 2025 ensures that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides a mileage reimbursement rate for beneficiary travel that is at least equal to the federal rate provided to government employees. It also mandates that the VA process and pay these mileage allowances within 90 days of receiving a complete and accurate claim. This bill aims to reduce the financial burden on veterans when traveling to receive medical care.

The United States-Israel Defense Partnership Act of 2025 seeks to enhance the defense partnership between the United States and Israel through various initiatives. This includes establishing programs to counter unmanned systems, extend anti-tunnel and counter-unmanned aerial systems cooperation, and promote collaboration in emerging technologies. The act also directs the establishment of a Defense Innovation Unit office in Israel and assesses integrated air and missile defense in the United States Central Command region. Finally, it explores Israel's potential inclusion in the national technology and industrial base.

The Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act of 2025 aims to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and countering its support for terrorism by imposing sanctions on those involved in logistical transactions of Iranian oil, gas, and petrochemical products. It mandates the President to block the property of sanctioned individuals and entities within the U.S. and deny them U.S. visas, with potential waivers based on national interest. The Act also establishes an Interagency Working Group to coordinate and enhance the enforcement of sanctions against Iran, and encourages the formation of a multilateral contact group with similar countries to coordinate international enforcement of sanctions against Iran. Finally, the Act amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to include identifying individuals or entities involved in activities that violate or evade sanctions under the Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act of 2025.

The GLRI Act of 2025 reauthorizes the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, allocating $500 million annually from 2027 through 2031. This initiative aims to protect and restore the Great Lakes ecosystem.

The "Capping Prescription Costs Act of 2025" aims to lower prescription drug costs by setting annual cost-sharing limits. Starting in 2026, individual out-of-pocket expenses for prescription drugs will be capped at $2,000, and family expenses at $4,000 under qualified health plans. These limits will be adjusted annually based on the consumer price index. The act also ensures that group health plans adhere to cost-sharing limits set by the Affordable Care Act.

The CAREER Act of 2025 reauthorizes and modifies key grant programs aimed at supporting individuals recovering from substance use disorders through workforce development and recovery housing. It extends funding for treatment, recovery, and workforce support grants, allowing funds to be used for transportation services and prioritizing data collection on employment outcomes. The act also reauthorizes the Recovery Housing Pilot Program, updating data collection methods and extending the program through 2030 to provide stable housing for individuals in recovery.

This resolution designates February 2025 as "Career and Technical Education Month" to recognize the vital role of CTE in preparing students for high-demand, skilled careers. It highlights the importance of workforce training in meeting modern economic needs and encourages educators, parents, and administrators to promote CTE as a valuable and respected educational pathway.

The American Beef Labeling Act of 2025 amends the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to mandate country-of-origin labeling (MCOOL) for beef and ground beef. It requires the United States Trade Representative, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, to find a way to reinstate MCOOL for beef in compliance with World Trade Organization rules. The changes to beef labeling will take effect within one year of enactment.

This comprehensive bill addresses online safety for minors through two main actions: Title I establishes federal restrictions on social media platforms, banning accounts for children under 13 and prohibiting personalized content recommendations for all users under 18. Title II updates existing law to require schools receiving federal subsidies to block student access to social media platforms while using school resources. Overall, the legislation aims to fundamentally change how minors interact with social media both at home and in educational settings.

The "Right to Contraception Act" establishes a statutory right for individuals to access and for health care providers to offer contraception, free from governmental restrictions or bans. It overrides any conflicting federal or state laws, ensuring access to contraception and related services, and allows legal recourse for violations of these rights. The Act aims to protect individual autonomy in making decisions about contraception and reproductive health.

The "No Tax Breaks for Outsourcing Act" aims to discourage companies from shifting profits and operations overseas to avoid U.S. taxes. It achieves this by amending the tax code to calculate foreign income on a country-by-country basis, limiting interest deductions for domestic corporations in international financial reporting groups, modifying rules related to inverted corporations, and treating certain foreign corporations managed and controlled in the U.S. as domestic corporations for tax purposes. The bill also repeals the reduced tax rate on net CFC tested income and foreign-derived intangible income, increases the deemed paid credit for taxes related to tested income, and eliminates the carryback of foreign tax credits. These changes are intended to level the playing field and ensure that multinational corporations pay their fair share of taxes on income earned abroad.

The Promoting Resilient Buildings Act amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to modernize hazard mitigation standards and streamline existing loan programs. Most notably, it establishes a FEMA-led pilot program that provides grants to states and local governments to help individuals retrofit their homes against natural disasters. This initiative prioritizes financial need and aims to reduce future disaster damage through improved, hazard-resistant building practices.

The Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act amends the Social Security Act to provide Medicare coverage for FDA-approved multi-cancer early detection (MCED) screening tests starting in 2028. This legislation establishes a formal coverage and payment framework for these innovative blood-based tests while ensuring they complement, rather than replace, existing cancer screening protocols.

The Rural Hospital Support Act strengthens the financial stability of rural healthcare providers by permanently extending key Medicare payment programs, including the Medicare-dependent hospital (MDH) and low-volume hospital programs. The bill also updates payment calculation formulas for sole community and Medicare-dependent hospitals to reflect more recent cost data, ensuring these facilities receive fair and sustainable reimbursement.

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.