Legislative Activity

The Rural Hospital Flexibility Act of 2025 aims to strengthen rural healthcare infrastructure by expanding the uses of Medicare rural hospital flexibility program grants. This includes supporting the transition of critical access hospitals to rural emergency hospitals and providing assistance for graduate medical education recruitment. The bill also establishes new technical assistance grants and modifies the Small Rural Hospital Improvement Grant Program to streamline funding for eligible small rural hospitals.

This bill reauthorizes the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program and sets the federal funding share for state and tribal cybersecurity grants for fiscal year 2026. It authorizes $300 million for these programs in FY2026. Additionally, the bill extends the authorization for the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program by one year.

This bill establishes the Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act, aiming to formally recognize Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) by requiring the Office of Management and Budget to consider creating a distinct occupational category for them in the federal classification system. The legislation also authorizes significant federal grants to states to establish or expand paid family and medical leave programs. If a separate DSP classification is not created, a report explaining the decision must be submitted to Congress.

The Pray Safe Act of 2025 establishes a Federal Clearinghouse within the Department of Homeland Security to share evidence-based best practices for the safety and security of nonprofit organizations and houses of worship. This Clearinghouse will also serve as a central resource for identifying and accessing relevant federal security grant opportunities. The Act mandates that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) report to Congress on existing federal security funding for these organizations. This entire Act is set to expire four years after its enactment.

This resolution supports the designation of September 19, 2025, as "National Concussion Awareness Day" to highlight the seriousness of concussions and mild traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). It emphasizes the need for better public awareness, improved diagnostic protocols, and stronger "return-to-play/learn" guidelines, especially for young people. Ultimately, the goal is to encourage federal, state, and local leaders to collaborate on prevention and proper management strategies.

The Occupational Therapy Mental Health Parity Act clarifies and promotes awareness of how Medicare covers occupational therapy services for mental health and substance use disorders. It mandates that the Secretary of Health and Human Services educate stakeholders on the existing Medicare coverage guidelines and proper billing codes for these essential treatments.

This bill authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study on designating the Canterbury Shaker Village in New Hampshire as a National Heritage Area. The study will assess the suitability and feasibility of this designation, considering the site's unique historical significance to the Shaker movement. The Secretary must consult with relevant state, local, and historical organizations during this process.

The Medication Affordability and Patent Integrity Act aims to increase transparency by requiring drug and biological product sponsors to certify that the patent information submitted to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) aligns with the data provided to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This ensures consistency regarding patentability information shared between the two agencies. Furthermore, the bill introduces a new defense in patent infringement lawsuits if the patent holder negligently or intentionally failed to disclose this required information. These measures are designed to promote patent integrity alongside drug approval processes.

The REPORT Act mandates that key federal officials, including the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Attorney General, submit unclassified reports to Congress and the public following an act of terrorism in the United States. These reports must detail the facts of the incident, identify security gaps, and offer recommendations for prevention. While specific sensitive information may be withheld if it jeopardizes an ongoing investigation, the overall goal is to ensure transparency and improve national security measures. This reporting requirement is set to terminate five years after the Act's enactment.

The Improving Veteran Access to Care Act establishes a dedicated project team within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to overhaul the health care appointment scheduling system. This team is tasked with rapidly developing new capabilities, including a comprehensive online self-service platform for patients. The goal is to immediately improve care access, efficiency, and customer experience by allowing patients and staff to view and book all available appointments across the VA system.

The Northern Border Security Enhancement and Review Act updates the schedule for the Northern Border threat analysis, requiring new submissions by September 2, 2025, and every three years thereafter. It mandates that the Department of Homeland Security update its Northern Border strategy every five years, incorporating the latest threat analysis findings. The bill also requires classified briefings on the analysis and directs the development of performance measures for Air and Marine Operations along the northern border, all without authorizing new appropriations.

The SAFE Sunscreen Standards Act modernizes how the FDA reviews the safety and effectiveness of topical drug ingredients, including those in sunscreen, by allowing the use of real-world evidence and promoting non-animal testing alternatives. The bill mandates that the FDA's final administrative order on sunscreen ingredients must consider historical data and the role of broad-spectrum SPF 15+ sunscreens in preventing skin cancer. Furthermore, it establishes annual reporting requirements to Congress detailing progress on these new evidence standards and the adoption of alternative testing methods.

The Fair Billing Act mandates that off-campus hospital outpatient departments must obtain a unique identification number to receive Medicare payment starting in 2026. Providers must also attest to the Secretary that these off-campus departments comply with all relevant regulations. This ensures proper identification and compliance verification for services provided away from the main hospital campus.

The Advocate for Employee Ownership Act establishes a new Advocate position within the Department of Labor to promote and support employee ownership structures like ESOPs. This Advocate will serve as a central resource to connect stakeholders, educate the public, and resolve disputes related to employee ownership. Furthermore, the role includes recommending legislative and regulatory changes to facilitate the growth of employee-owned businesses. The Advocate must also submit an annual report to Congress detailing their activities and identifying barriers to employee ownership expansion.

The ALERT Communities Act aims to enhance overdose prevention by allowing states and tribes to use grant funds to distribute fentanyl and xylazine test strips where legally permitted. The bill also mandates training for first responders on the use and distribution of these test strips. Furthermore, it directs the HHS to establish clear research and marketing frameworks for new test strip technology and to study the impact of these interventions on overdose rates and treatment access.

The GPS Resiliency Report Act mandates the Secretary of Defense to submit a comprehensive report to Congress within one year detailing the risks to the Global Positioning System (GPS) and associated navigation services. This report must assess adversary capabilities, review current Department of Defense redundancy efforts, and evaluate the Space Force's plan to harden GPS satellites. Furthermore, the Act requires the development of a framework for a fully operational, ground-based backup system within 15 years.

The DETERRENCE Act significantly increases federal penalties for several serious crimes, including kidnapping, murder-for-hire, stalking, and assaults against federal officials and their families. These enhanced sentences are specifically triggered when the criminal activity is knowingly directed by, or coordinated with, a foreign government or its agents. The bill aims to provide stronger legal tools to counter threats orchestrated by external state actors.

The Nutrition CARE Act of 2025 aims to address the critical gaps in eating disorder treatment within the Medicare program. This bill specifically expands Medicare coverage to include essential medical nutrition therapy services for beneficiaries diagnosed with an eating disorder, effective January 1, 2026. Coverage will be provided by registered dietitians following a referral from a physician or psychologist, with established limits on covered hours.

The Dark Web Interdiction Act of 2025 aims to combat the growing threat of illicit online marketplaces operating on the dark web, particularly those distributing illegal drugs. The bill establishes a new interagency task force within the FBI to investigate and dismantle these criminal operations. Furthermore, it increases penalties for dark web drug trafficking offenses and mandates reports on the use of virtual currencies in these illegal transactions.

The Retirement Investment in Small Employers Act significantly enhances tax incentives for very small businesses to establish new employee retirement plans. It boosts the startup tax credit for "qualified microemployers" (those with 10 or fewer employees) from covering 50% to 100% of administrative costs. Furthermore, the maximum deductible administrative cost cap for these employers is raised from $500 to $2,500.