Legislative Activity

The Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act aims to establish collective bargaining rights for public safety officers (law enforcement, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel) employed by states or their political subdivisions. It directs the Federal Labor Relations Authority to determine if state laws substantially provide these rights, including the right to form and join labor organizations, bargain over working conditions, and utilize binding arbitration. States that do not meet these standards will be subject to federal regulations to ensure these rights are protected. This act does not allow strikes or lockouts and preserves existing collective bargaining agreements.

The "Unearth Innovation Act" establishes a Department of Energy initiative to advance technologies and practices for responsible mineral handling across U.S. industries. It aims to enhance domestic mineral resources, economic growth, national security, and circularity through research, development, and commercialization. The initiative focuses on minimizing environmental impact, increasing productivity, and promoting community engagement, requiring coordination with other federal agencies and stakeholders. It authorizes \$100 million annually from 2026 to 2035 for these efforts and requires a report to Congress within three years.

The REPLACE Act mandates the President to waive fees for individuals and households affected by a major disaster who are receiving individual assistance and have lost critical documents. It requires the Secretary of State and the Director of USCIS to publicize the availability of these fee waivers and submit annual reports to Congress detailing the number of waivers granted and associated costs.

The Critical Materials Future Act of 2025 aims to bolster the domestic processing of critical materials by establishing a pilot program that utilizes innovative financial tools to support at least three domestic projects. This program seeks to stabilize financial aspects, attract private investment, and secure U.S. supply chains, while also studying the impact of these financial tools on the critical materials market. The Act prioritizes projects that enhance U.S. security, economic competitiveness, and sustainability, with a focus on mitigating risks from foreign entities and promoting domestic feedstock and offtake agreements. It also establishes a Critical Materials Revolving Fund to reinvest revenues and requires annual reports to Congress on the program's progress and recommendations.

The Insure Cybersecurity Act of 2025 establishes a Working Group on Cyber Insurance, chaired by the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information. This group is tasked with studying the cyber insurance market to make coverage clearer, more accessible, and more affordable for consumers and businesses. After delivering a final report with recommendations to Congress, the Working Group will dissolve, and the Assistant Secretary will publicly disseminate the resulting informative resources.

The "Skinny Labels, Big Savings Act" aims to reduce drug costs by clarifying that generic drug manufacturers are not infringing on patents when seeking FDA approval for a use of a drug that is no longer covered by patent ("skinny label"). The bill amends patent law to create a safe harbor for generic drug manufacturers who seek FDA approval for a drug with a label that excludes any uses still covered by patents. This exemption extends to the promotion and marketing of the drug, as long as it does not reference the patented condition of use. The bill also includes similar provisions for biosimilar biological products.