Legislative Activity

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 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 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 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.

The Mathematical and Statistical Modeling Education Act aims to modernize K-12 math and science education to meet the demands of modern data-driven careers. It authorizes the NSF to fund research and development for improving instruction in mathematical and statistical modeling, focusing on real-world data and career transitions. The bill also mandates a comprehensive study by the National Academies on effective modeling education pathways from pre-K through 12th grade. This authority to award new grants will sunset on September 30, 2029.

The Quantum National Security Coordination and Competition Act of 2025 establishes a dedicated office within the Department of Defense to lead and coordinate all quantum technology efforts related to national security. This office is tasked with advancing research, building expertise, and ensuring U.S. global competitiveness in quantum sensing, computing, and communications. Furthermore, the Act mandates regular, classified reports to Congress detailing U.S. capabilities versus those of adversarial nations like China, Russia, and Iran.

The Increasing Transparency in Generic Drug Applications Act requires the FDA to confirm whether a generic drug's inactive ingredients match the brand-name version upon request. If differences exist, the FDA must specify which ingredients and amounts deviate from the original drug. This measure aims to streamline the generic drug approval process by providing clarity on formulation equivalence.

This bill mandates the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to closely monitor industrial subsidies provided by the Government of the People's Republic of China. The USTR must then submit an annual report to Congress detailing the risks these subsidies pose to U.S. jobs and strategically critical industries. Finally, the report must recommend specific actions the U.S. government can take to counter these harmful subsidies.

The Increasing Access to Dental Insurance Act ensures individuals can purchase standalone dental insurance plans directly through the official health insurance marketplaces. This legislation removes any requirement to also enroll in a comprehensive medical plan to secure dental coverage via the Exchange. The goal is to simplify the process for people seeking only dental benefits through the established marketplace system.

This Act establishes an integrated, joint aerial law enforcement program between the U.S. and Canada to operate within 50 miles of the northern border. The program requires strict protection of U.S. civil rights and privacy, with participating officers from both nations receiving specialized training. Additionally, the bill mandates a comprehensive report on the current and potential use of unmanned aircraft systems (drones) along the border. This legislation is designed to be enacted without authorizing any new appropriations of funds.

This bill, the Enhancing Southbound Inspections to Combat Cartels Act, aims to combat criminal organizations by significantly increasing security measures for traffic leaving the U.S. across the Southern Border. It authorizes the purchase of new inspection technology and mandates the hiring of hundreds of new Homeland Security Investigations agents to target outbound smuggling of weapons and currency. Furthermore, the legislation establishes a minimum mandatory inspection rate for southbound vehicles and requires regular reporting on seizures of illegal exports.

The Vessel Tracking for Sanctions Enforcement Act of 2025 establishes a temporary pilot program to test the use of big data analytics in identifying vessels attempting to evade U.S. sanctions and export controls. This program, run by Homeland Security, will specifically analyze patterns like the disabling of Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) to generate actionable intelligence for law enforcement. The pilot will conclude after four years, followed by a comprehensive report to Congress assessing its effectiveness in catching sanctions violators.

The Disaster Management Costs Modernization Act allows the President to redirect excess funds from disaster relief grants towards preparedness and mitigation activities. These excess funds, defined as the difference between the allocated and actual spending on management costs, can be used to enhance disaster resilience and cover management expenses related to disaster preparedness. The bill mandates a report to Congress on the adequacy of current management cost allocations based on recent disaster experiences. This act aims to optimize the use of disaster relief funds and improve community resilience.

The "Credit Freeze for Kids Act" amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to streamline and simplify the process of placing security freezes for protected consumers, such as children. It mandates that consumer reporting agencies place these freezes free of charge within three business days of a request, and requires them to notify other agencies, who must also implement the freeze within three business days. These changes will become effective 18 months after the Act's enactment.

The Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act aims to improve obstetric emergency care in rural areas by establishing programs to train healthcare providers, provide grant funding for equipment and supplies, and create a pilot program for teleconsultation. It focuses on equipping rural facilities without specialized obstetric units to handle emergencies during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and the postpartum period. The act also mandates a study on the closure of maternity wards and patient transport patterns in rural areas.