Legislative Activity

The Pride In Mental Health Act of 2025 establishes a new grant program to improve mental health and substance abuse outcomes for LGBTQ+ youth through culturally competent care and resource development. These grants strictly prohibit funding for conversion therapy practices. The bill also mandates federal data collection on LGBTQ+ youth mental health and requires a report on the needs of those in foster care.

The PROTECT Act of 2025 enhances Tribal sovereignty by formally recognizing Tribal courts as competent jurisdictions under federal laws governing electronic data requests, such as the Stored Communications Act. It also expands the scope of offenses over which Tribal courts have jurisdiction, specifically including defined controlled substance and firearms offenses on Tribal lands. Furthermore, the bill ensures that offenders convicted under this expanded Tribal jurisdiction can participate in the Bureau of Prisons Tribal Prisoner Program.

The TERRA Act establishes a framework allowing federally recognized Indian Tribes to consolidate funding from multiple eligible federal programs into a single, flexible plan for environmental resiliency and community needs. This grants Tribes significant self-determination by streamlining bureaucratic requirements, simplifying reporting, and providing strong authority to waive federal regulations that impede their plans. The legislation mandates federal agencies to coordinate their reviews and accelerate the transfer of funds to participating Tribes. Ultimately, the Act aims to increase efficiency and local control over federal resources while protecting sensitive Traditional Ecological Knowledge.

This bill mandates comprehensive federal reporting to better understand and address violence, aggression, and wellness challenges facing law enforcement officers. It requires the Attorney General to produce detailed reports analyzing attacks on officers, potential new data collection methods for non-criminal aggressive incidents, and the state of officer mental health resources. The goal is to use this improved data to recommend better federal, state, and local responses and support systems for officers.

The Fair Wage Act of 2025 fundamentally reforms the federal minimum wage by tying it to local costs of living, establishing regional minimum wages based on Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) and nonmetropolitan areas. This legislation also adjusts the minimum cash wage for tipped employees to 30% of the new regional standard and modifies the subminimum wage for younger workers. These changes aim to create a more localized and dynamic wage floor, taking effect on the first day of the third month following enactment.

The Strong Communities Act of 2025 establishes a new grant program allowing the Attorney General to fund specialized law enforcement training for local officers and recruits. Recipients of this funding must commit to serving in their local community for at least four years following their training. The Act also mandates annual transparency reports to Congress detailing grant recipients, training plans, and the retention rates of officers who complete the funded programs.

This Concurrent Resolution formally expresses the appreciation of Congress for the dedication and service of local law enforcement officers across the nation. It recognizes the sacrifices made by officers and their families in keeping communities safe. The resolution also encourages strong partnerships between police departments and the communities they serve.

The Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act mandates that group health plans and insurance policies provide comprehensive coverage for medically necessary treatment related to congenital anomalies or birth defects affecting the eyes, ears, teeth, mouth, or jaw. This coverage must include services needed to restore normal function and appearance, including necessary dental and orthodontic support. Plans must apply cost-sharing rules no more restrictive than those for other medical benefits, excluding purely cosmetic procedures.

The Fiscal Commission Act establishes a bipartisan commission tasked with developing legislative recommendations to improve the nation's long-term fiscal health, aiming to reduce the national debt ratio to 100% of GDP by 2039. This Commission, composed of appointed members from both chambers of Congress and outside experts, must submit its final report and proposed legislation within a specific timeframe. The Act also creates an expedited, amendment-free process for Congress to consider and vote on any resulting "implementing bills."

The Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act of 2025 declares that practices attempting to change an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity for payment constitute an unfair and deceptive business practice. Citing professional consensus on the ineffectiveness and harm of such "conversion therapy," the bill prohibits its provision and advertising. Enforcement authority is granted to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and the law allows both the U.S. Attorney General and State Attorneys General to file civil actions against violators.

The Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act expands the definition of "law enforcement officer" for federal retirement purposes under both the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). This change adds specific IRS, Postal Inspection Service, and VA police roles to those eligible for enhanced retirement benefits. The bill also establishes procedures for current officers to elect to have their prior service counted under these new definitions, which may require a payment from the employee and their employing agency.

This bill establishes new procedures for the IRS when errors occur in payroll tax filings made by third-party payors, such as Professional Employer Organizations (PEOs). It clarifies the responsibility for resulting tax liabilities or penalties based on whether the payor relied on erroneous information provided by the employer. The legislation aims to fairly allocate responsibility between the employer and the third-party payor when mistakes happen during tax certification and filing.

The PFAS Alternatives Act aims to protect firefighters by funding research and development for next-generation turnout gear that eliminates harmful PFAS chemicals. The bill establishes grants through NIOSH to create safer, PFAS-free protective equipment and separate funding for training programs on the proper care of this new gear. Ultimately, this legislation seeks to reduce occupational illness and injury among fire and EMS personnel.

The **Shipbuilding and Harbor Infrastructure for Prosperity and Security for America Act of 2025** is a comprehensive bill designed to revitalize the U.S. maritime industry and secure critical supply chains. It establishes new centralized oversight for maritime policy, creates a dedicated Maritime Security Trust Fund financed by new vessel taxes, and mandates significant federal investment in domestic shipbuilding and workforce development. The legislation also imposes stricter cargo preference rules and tax incentives to ensure U.S.-flagged vessels dominate international commerce and defense sealift operations.

The Better CARE for Animals Act of 2025 significantly strengthens enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act by clarifying definitions and expanding the scope of investigations. It grants the Attorney General explicit authority to file civil actions seeking penalties up to $10,000 per day, and mandates that collected fines help cover temporary animal care costs. The bill also requires the Secretary of Agriculture and the Attorney General to establish a formal agreement for coordinated enforcement.

This bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a dedicated Office of Rural Health within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This new office will serve as the central point for coordinating research, developing best practices, and sharing information to address the unique public health challenges facing rural communities. Its mission is to improve health outcomes and access to care for rural populations across the nation.

The Equality Act comprehensively expands federal civil rights protections against discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity across key areas of American life. It amends existing laws to prohibit discrimination in public accommodations, housing, credit, employment, and federal funding. The purpose of the bill is to provide consistent, explicit, and comprehensive remedies for individuals facing bias in these essential sectors.

This resolution officially recognizes the vital and dangerous work performed by power linemen who maintain our electrical infrastructure and ensure public safety. It highlights their crucial role as first responders, often working in hazardous conditions after disasters. Furthermore, the resolution supports the designation of April 18, 2025, as "National Lineman Appreciation Day" to formally honor their service.

The Fight Fentanyl Act strengthens federal efforts to combat the fentanyl crisis by updating the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program. This legislation mandates increased reporting on fentanyl investigations, sets dedicated funding levels through 2030, and expands HIDTA purposes to prioritize fentanyl interdiction. Furthermore, it requires the Attorney General to ensure sufficient prosecutorial resources are dedicated to fentanyl trafficking cases through temporary AUSA assignments.

The SOAR Act of 2025 aims to significantly reform Medicare access to supplemental oxygen by removing it from the competitive bidding program and establishing new payment rates. The bill also mandates clearer documentation requirements for medical necessity using electronic templates and restores clinical judgment in claim audits. Finally, it establishes specific rights for oxygen beneficiaries and improves reimbursement for respiratory therapists.