Legislative Activity

The Whistleblower Protection Act of 2025 expands existing federal whistleblower safeguards to cover nearly all contracts, grants, and agreements funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This ensures that individuals reporting wrongdoing on HUD-funded projects receive standard federal whistleblower protections. These protections apply retroactively to existing agreements.

This bill officially renames Newark Penn Station in Newark, New Jersey, to the "Donald M. Payne, Jr. Transit Center at Newark Penn Station." It mandates that all future federal references to the station must use this new designation.

The Enhancing Bank Resolution Participation Act mandates a joint study by the OCC, FDIC, and Federal Reserve on the use of "shelf charters" and the "modified bidder qualification process" in bank failure resolutions. This study will examine how these regulatory tools affect competition, the Deposit Insurance Fund, and overall financial stability. The agencies must report their findings and recommendations for potential legislative or regulatory changes to Congress within one year.

The Failing Bank Acquisition Fairness Act tightens the rules for bank mergers that would create excessive market concentration. Exceptions to these limits are allowed only when necessary to prevent serious economic harm or financial instability. Furthermore, regulators must prove no other qualified, non-concentrated bidder was available before granting an exception. Any such waiver must also be reported to Congress and made public.

The NFIP Extension Act of 2026 officially extends the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). This legislation ensures the NFIP continues to operate by pushing its expiration date from September 30, 2023, to September 30, 2026. The bill also includes a provision to ensure this extension takes effect even if enacted after September 30, 2025.

The Military CARE Act establishes a digital system for military beneficiaries to easily file and track complaints regarding access to care at military medical facilities. It mandates the creation of an annual report analyzing these complaints to identify trends and inform improvements. This aims to enhance transparency and accountability in military healthcare access.

Alyssa's Act of 2025 establishes a grant program to help schools develop emergency response maps and comprehensive master plans for preventing and responding to school shootings. The bill also significantly expands the Federal Clearinghouse on School Safety Evidence-based Practices to enhance research, technical assistance, and the development of new safety technologies like panic alarms. Furthermore, it mandates the creation of a National School Safety Data Center to analyze nationwide school safety issues and trends. Finally, the Act sets technical standards for federally funded emergency response maps and requires ongoing reporting on national planning efforts.

The Payer State Transparency Act of 2025 mandates the annual calculation of how much each state contributes to federal taxes and how much it receives in federal spending. These figures, detailing each state's federal tax burden and outlays, must be compiled by the Bureau of Economic Analysis and the Office of Management and Budget. The resulting joint report must then be submitted to Congress and made publicly available online.

The Essential Caregivers Act of 2025 protects the rights of residents in long-term care facilities to designate an essential caregiver who can provide support and companionship. This legislation ensures that these caregivers maintain in-person access to residents even during public health emergencies when general visitation is restricted. By establishing clear protocols and an appeals process, the bill aims to prevent the harmful effects of isolation and ensure residents continue to receive vital care and advocacy.

This Act addresses the significant unemployment disparities faced by young African Americans by strengthening pathways into registered apprenticeship programs. It establishes a Diversity and Inclusion Administrator within the Department of Labor to promote greater participation from underrepresented groups. Furthermore, the bill authorizes a competitive grant program to help entities create or expand apprenticeships, requiring applicants to submit plans specifically aimed at increasing African American enrollment.

This bill, the Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act, officially authorizes Congress to award Congressional Gold Medals to the 1980 U.S. Men's Olympic Ice Hockey Team for their historic "Miracle on Ice" victory. The medals will be struck by the Treasury and permanently displayed at specific national sports museums. The Act also permits the sale of duplicate bronze medals to cover production costs.

The Protect America's Workforce Act nullifies a specific Executive Order issued in March 2025 concerning exclusions from federal labor-management relations programs. This legislation ensures that any existing collective bargaining agreements between federal agencies and employee unions remain fully in effect until their stated expiration dates. The Act also prohibits the use of federal funds to implement the overturned Executive Order.

The Senior Legal Hotline Act of 2025 establishes a new federal grant program to support the creation and operation of statewide senior legal hotlines. These grants, administered under the Older Americans Act, will be awarded to eligible nonprofit organizations to provide free legal advice, counseling, and referrals to older individuals across an entire state. Grantees must meet specific operational requirements, including ensuring adequate staffing and coordinating services with existing legal and aging networks.

The Helping Improve Recruitment and Retention Efforts for Prosecutors Act of 2025 establishes a federal grant program to assist state, local, territorial, and tribal governments in hiring, retaining, and training prosecutors and support staff. Administered by the Attorney General, the program will award competitive grants, prioritizing offices in underserved or budget-impacted areas. This initiative is authorized with $10 million annually from 2026 through 2030, requiring a 25% non-federal match unless waived.

The Keeping All Students Safe Act strictly prohibits dangerous restraint and seclusion practices in federally funded schools, establishing national safety standards and requiring immediate parental notification after any restraint incident. It mandates that states create detailed plans, publicly report incident data broken down by student demographics, and utilize federal grants to fund training and prevention strategies. The bill creates a private right of action for families harmed by violations and ensures oversight across various federal school systems.

The Endometriosis CARE Act aims to improve the understanding and management of endometriosis through increased research funding and data collection at the NIH. The bill also mandates studies to identify barriers to treatment access and requires the development of public education campaigns and provider information resources. Furthermore, it calls for a comprehensive study on disparities in endometriosis prevalence, detection, and treatment outcomes.

The CommonGround for Affordable Health Care Act extends enhanced premium tax credits for Marketplace health insurance through 2026, while also establishing strict new penalties and verification processes to combat fraud by agents and brokers in health insurance exchanges. Furthermore, the bill imposes significant new transparency and accountability requirements on Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) contracting with Medicare Part D plans. Finally, it extends the 2026 open enrollment period and creates a fast-track legislative process for future premium tax credit reform bills.

The Continuous Skilled Nursing Quality Improvement Act of 2025 aims to enhance the quality of complex, continuous nursing care provided through Medicaid. This bill redefines "private duty nursing services" as "continuous skilled nursing services" and mandates the development of national quality standards for these services. Furthermore, it requires the integration of these new standards and quality measures into existing home and community-based waiver services.

The CARE for First Responders Act expands crisis counseling assistance to include emergency responders and public safety telecommunicators following major disasters. The bill establishes a comprehensive mental health program providing 24/7 confidential support, including a dedicated hotline and peer counseling. Additionally, it creates a grant program to fund mobile crisis units offering on-site mental health services to first responders during disaster response.

The Joe Fiandra Access to Home Infusion Act of 2025 expands Medicare coverage for external infusion pumps and associated non-self-administrable home infusion drugs when specific FDA and provider supervision requirements are met. This legislation ensures that necessary home infusion therapies, requiring professional administration, are covered as durable medical equipment for use in the home. Additionally, the bill mandates clear communication to patients regarding out-of-pocket costs for these home treatments compared to other settings.