Legislative Activity

The Open Payments Expansion Act mandates that pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers, as well as Group Purchasing Organizations (GPOs), must annually report all direct and indirect payments made to qualifying patient advocacy organizations. This new reporting requirement aims to increase transparency regarding financial relationships between industry and patient support groups. These reports must detail the recipient organization's name and the exact dollar amount of the payment.

This resolution officially designates August 21st as Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day to honor victims and recognize the devastating impact of the illicit fentanyl crisis. The day aims to raise public awareness about the extreme dangers of fentanyl poisoning and encourage communities to promote drug prevention efforts. It calls upon the public to commit to healthy, drug-free living and support educational initiatives against this deadly substance.

This bill updates the standard for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to share information regarding suspected intellectual property rights violations in trade. It lowers the threshold for sharing sensitive, nonpublic data about merchandise to include cases where there is only a "reasonable suspicion" of infringement. This allows CBP to provide details to a broader range of interested parties involved with the potentially infringing goods.

The Psychiatric Hospital Inspection Transparency Act of 2025 mandates the public release of accreditation and inspection survey results for psychiatric hospitals on the CMS Care Compare website. This ensures consumers can easily access standardized information to make informed healthcare choices. The Secretary must develop a standardized reporting form while strictly protecting patient and individual provider privacy under HIPAA guidelines.

This resolution officially designates July 30, 2025, as "National Whistleblower Appreciation Day." It honors individuals who report waste, fraud, and abuse, recognizing their vital role in government accountability. Furthermore, the bill directs federal agencies to use this day to educate employees and the public about whistleblower rights and acknowledge the importance of their service.

The FBI Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2025 significantly strengthens protections for FBI employees who report wrongdoing, explicitly prohibiting retaliation for protected disclosures. It mandates the Attorney General to actively prevent prohibited personnel actions and ensure staff are fully informed of their rights. Furthermore, the Act establishes clearer standards and conflict-of-interest safeguards for handling whistleblower retaliation claims.

The Biochar Research Network Act of 2025 establishes a national network to rigorously research the use of biochar for improving soil health, enhancing crop resilience, and sequestering carbon. This network will test biochar production methods and applications across various climates and soil types to develop science-based recommendations. The goal is to provide practical guidance to farmers and land managers while informing federal conservation standards. Congress authorized $50 million annually through 2030 to fund this research.

This resolution officially designates the month of July as "National Anti-Counterfeiting and Consumer Education and Awareness Month." It recognizes the significant economic harm and serious consumer safety risks posed by counterfeit goods, such as fake pharmaceuticals. The designation aims to promote public education about the dangers of buying illegal products.

The Healthy Moms and Babies Act aims to significantly improve maternal and infant health outcomes through the Medicaid program. This legislation mandates enhanced quality reporting, establishes initiatives to safely reduce C-section rates, and offers states the option to create coordinated "maternity health homes" for pregnant and postpartum women. Furthermore, the Act supports workforce training, explores the role of community health workers like doulas, and requires studies on social factors affecting maternal health.

The Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Reauthorization Act of 2025 updates federal guidelines for how states manage youth in the justice system. This bill clarifies definitions, reforms state planning requirements, and establishes strict new procedures for handling juveniles held for status offenses or housed in adult facilities. It also extends federal funding authorization through fiscal year 2030.

This resolution officially designates June 15, 2025, as "World Elder Abuse Awareness Day" and the entire month of June 2025 as "Elder Abuse Awareness Month." It highlights the growing threat of elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation affecting millions of older Americans annually. The resolution recognizes the critical work of advocates, legal professionals, and protective service agencies in combating this widespread issue. Finally, it strongly encourages public and professional action to better identify, report, and prevent abuse against vulnerable adults.

This resolution officially recognizes June 2, 2025, as the 39th anniversary of C-SPAN's continuous broadcasting of the U.S. Senate. It honors C-SPAN's crucial role in providing unfiltered, non-government-funded access to Senate proceedings for nearly four decades. The bill further urges all television and streaming providers to prioritize carrying C-SPAN to ensure ongoing public access to democracy in action.

The Combating Violent and Dangerous Crime Act revises federal statutes concerning several serious offenses. This bill strengthens penalties for bank robbery and motor vehicle crimes, while also clarifying the intent required to convict individuals who assault federal officers. Furthermore, it establishes a new federal crime targeting the distribution of controlled substances disguised as candy or drinks to minors.

This bill aims to increase federal grant funding for states that guarantee specific rights to sexual assault survivors through laws or established policies. It establishes a tiered funding system based on the extent of a state's protections. Additionally, the legislation mandates that states must retain sexual assault evidence kits for a minimum of 20 years and simplifies the process for survivors to request notification before disposal.

This resolution recognizes National Foster Care Month to highlight the challenges faced by children in the foster care system and encourages Congress to implement policies that improve their lives. It reaffirms the commitment to supporting prevention, reunification, adoption, and successful transitions for youth aging out of care. The resolution also specifically honors the resilience of foster youth and the dedication of foster parents, advocates, and child welfare workers.

This resolution strongly condemns the Russian Federation for the abduction, forced transfer, and illegal deportation of Ukrainian children. It asserts that the return of all abducted children must be a prerequisite before finalizing any peace agreement to end the war. The bill highlights Russia's intent to erase Ukrainian identity through forced adoption and citizenship changes, actions deemed violations of international law and potential war crimes.

The AI Whistleblower Protection Act establishes clear definitions for AI security issues and protects employees who report them from retaliation by their employers. Covered individuals can report vulnerabilities or violations to various authorities and have recourse through the Department of Labor or federal court if punished. Successful claimants are entitled to remedies including job reinstatement, double back pay, and compensatory damages.

The Protecting First Responders from Secondary Exposure Act of 2025 updates federal law to specifically address the dangers first responders face from substances like fentanyl. This legislation ensures federal funding is available to states and agencies for purchasing necessary protective equipment and providing specialized training on handling dangerous drugs safely. The goal is to equip first responders with the tools needed to prevent accidental secondary exposure while on duty.

The Healthy Dog Importation Act establishes new federal requirements for bringing live dogs into the United States, mandating electronic health documentation, vaccinations, and permanent ID for most imports. It defines key roles like "importer" and "compensation" while outlining specific exceptions for returning pets or working dogs. The law requires the Secretary to create detailed regulations within 18 months, including establishing a central tracking database and the authority to charge necessary fees for verification.

This resolution officially designates the week of May 11 through May 17, 2025, as "National Police Week." It serves to honor the valor and integrity of law enforcement officers across the nation. The resolution specifically remembers the officers killed in the line of duty during 2024 and encourages the public to observe this week to show appreciation for law enforcement personnel.