Legislative Activity

The Climate Change Health Protection and Promotion Act of 2025 establishes a new Office of Climate Change and Health Equity within HHS to coordinate federal efforts against climate-related health threats. This office is tasked with developing a comprehensive national strategic action plan to prepare the U.S. health sector for climate impacts, with a special focus on vulnerable communities. The Act also creates a science advisory board and mandates regular expert reports to ensure the national strategy is based on the best available science and continuously updated.

The Incorporating National Support for Unprecedented Risks and Emergencies Act (INSURE Act) establishes a federal catastrophic property loss reinsurance program managed by the Treasury Secretary to provide backup coverage for primary insurers. This program phases in coverage for perils like wind, wildfire, and flood, requiring participating insurers to offer "all-perils" policies and engage in loss prevention partnerships. The Act also mandates studies on creating a relocation fund for uninsurable properties and assessing the feasibility of including earthquake coverage in standard policies. Finally, it launches a pilot program for multi-year property insurance policies with restrictions on mid-term premium increases related to reassessed disaster risk.

The Extreme Heat Emergency Act of 2025 amends federal law to formally recognize extreme heat and drought as qualifying events for major disaster declarations. This change ensures that regions suffering from severe heatwaves or droughts can access the same level of federal disaster relief assistance previously reserved for events like hurricanes or earthquakes.

The Stop NOAA Closures Act places a temporary moratorium on the closure or restriction of access to any National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) facilities. This freeze remains in effect until 180 days after key officials submit a required report to Congress detailing the criteria and process for any future facility changes. After the moratorium lifts, any major facility action will still require a 30-day advance notice and justification report to Congress, except in cases of immediate emergency threatening staff safety.

The Stop ICE from Kidnapping U.S. Citizens Act strictly prohibits U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from using any federal funds for civil immigration enforcement activities involving U.S. citizens. Specifically, this bill bans ICE from spending money to detain or transport any citizen of the United States. This measure ensures federal funds are not used to wrongfully target or remove American citizens.

This resolution declares a health and safety emergency disproportionately affecting children due to prior administration directives that promoted fossil fuels and suppressed climate science. Congress asserts that these actions harm children's fundamental rights to life and a stable environment by worsening climate change impacts. The bill demands the current administration cease policies that increase greenhouse gases and restore access to suppressed climate research. Ultimately, it calls for aligning all energy and climate laws with the duty to protect the rights and future of young people.

The Asunción Valdivia Heat Illness, Injury, and Fatality Prevention Act of 2025 mandates that employers protect workers from dangerous heat stress by establishing comprehensive safety standards. This Act requires the Secretary of Labor to create evidence-based rules covering engineering controls, administrative procedures, required training, and paid rest breaks to prevent heat-related illness. Furthermore, the law establishes strict enforcement mechanisms, whistleblower protections, and specific timelines for the implementation of these new federal heat protection standards.

This resolution expresses the sense of Congress that extreme weather poses unique and severe threats to the health and well-being of children. It urges that solutions to address these escalating dangers must be rapidly and equitably developed and deployed with children's specific vulnerabilities in mind. The bill calls for prioritizing the physical and mental health needs of children in all future climate adaptation and air quality planning efforts.

The State-Based Universal Health Care Act of 2025 empowers individual states to design and implement their own comprehensive universal health coverage systems. States can apply for a federal waiver to bypass most existing federal health insurance rules, including major parts of the ACA, Medicare, and Medicaid. In exchange for waiving federal funding, the federal government will transfer equivalent funds to the state, provided the state commits to covering at least 95% of its residents within five years and maintains budget neutrality for the federal government.

The Clean Shipping Act of 2025 establishes mandatory, phased-in standards to drastically reduce the carbon intensity of marine fuels used by large vessels on voyages involving U.S. ports, aiming for a 100% reduction by 2050. Additionally, the bill requires the EPA to set standards ensuring that ships docked or anchored in U.S. coastal waters achieve zero greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions by 2035, or the maximum feasible reduction if that goal proves impossible. The legislation also mandates annual public reporting on fuel usage and emissions data for compliance monitoring.

The Wildfire Resilient Communities Act allocates \$30 billion for federal agencies to reduce hazardous fuels on public lands, prioritizing areas near at-risk communities. It also increases funding for the Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program and reauthorizes the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program with expanded project scopes. Finally, the bill establishes a new County Stewardship Fund to provide annual payments to counties based on federal forest product sales.

This bill officially renames the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in San Jose, California, to honor Corporal Patrick D. Tillman. The renaming recognizes Tillman's heroic service and ultimate sacrifice after leaving his NFL career to join the U.S. Army following the September 11th attacks. This legislation ensures the San Jose VA Clinic will forever bear the name of the San Jose native and national hero.

The GLOBE Act of 2025 establishes a comprehensive U.S. strategy to champion and protect the human rights of LGBTQI people globally through diplomacy, targeted sanctions, and foreign assistance reforms. The bill mandates enhanced reporting on violence and discrimination while creating new interagency roles and funds to support international advocacy and development efforts. Furthermore, it reforms immigration law to better protect LGBTQI asylum seekers and ensures inclusive implementation of U.S. global health programs like PEPFAR.

The LGBTQ+ Panic Defense Prohibition Act of 2025 bans the use of "panic defenses" in federal court, which attempt to excuse or lessen a defendant's culpability for a crime based on the victim's sexual orientation or gender identity. This legislation recognizes that these outdated defenses rely on prejudice and undermine justice for LGBTQ+ individuals. The Act also requires the Attorney General to report annually on violent federal crimes motivated by bias against LGBTQ+ people.

The Ruthie and Connie LGBTQI Elder Americans Act of 2025 aims to improve services and support for older adults who identify as LGBTQI. This bill establishes a new Office of LGBTQI Inclusion within the Administration on Aging and mandates the creation of a National Resource Center on LGBTQI Aging. Furthermore, it updates definitions, ensures eligibility for federal grants, and requires specific data collection on discrimination faced by this population in aging services.

This resolution formally recognizes the history, achievements, and ongoing struggles of the LGBTQIA+ community in the United States. It serves as a declaration by Congress affirming that LGBTQIA+ rights are human rights and encouraging the celebration of Pride Month. The bill highlights key historical milestones, legal victories, and acknowledges the persistent challenges and violence faced by the community. Ultimately, it commits the U.S. to continuing the pursuit of full equality for all citizens.

The CONNECT for Health Act of 2025 significantly expands and permanently secures access to Medicare telehealth services by eliminating outdated geographic restrictions and allowing more practitioners to offer remote care. The bill also strengthens program integrity by dedicating funds for telehealth oversight while clarifying rules around providing necessary technology to patients. Finally, it mandates the creation of tailored educational resources and public reporting to improve quality measurement and transparency in remote care delivery.

The Saving Hazardous And Declining Environments (SHADE) Act establishes a new, federally funded grant program to support tree planting initiatives. Administered by HUD and the Forest Service, this program prioritizes projects in historically redlined or urban heat island areas. Applicants must submit detailed 5-year plans that include community involvement and strategies to prevent resident displacement. The program is authorized to receive $50 million annually from fiscal year 2026 through 2036.

The No Secret Police Act of 2025 mandates that federal officers engaged in border security or immigration enforcement must clearly display identification, wear visible badges or uniforms, and refrain from wearing face coverings during detentions or arrests. This ensures accountability by requiring clear identification from Department of Homeland Security (DHS) personnel. The bill also requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to report on current tactical gear policies and research methods to improve officer visibility.

The Community Solar Consumer Choice Act of 2025 establishes a new federal program to expand access to community solar, specifically targeting low- and moderate-income individuals and governments. It mandates that standard electric utilities must offer community solar programs to ensure fair access for all customers. Furthermore, the bill sets strict deadlines for states to review and implement these new community solar standards. Finally, it extends the maximum length for federal contracts for public utility services up to 30 years.