Legislative Activity

The IDEA Full Funding Act establishes mandatory, increasing funding levels for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) programs through fiscal year 2035. This legislation sets specific appropriation targets based on student counts and national average spending to ensure greater financial support for special education services. Furthermore, the bill requires that these new IDEA appropriations adhere to "cut-as-you-go" budget offset rules.

The CARE Act of 2025 mandates that the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) test a new payment model for emergency services. This model will allow Medicare to pay ground ambulance providers for emergency responses, even when a patient does not ultimately require transport under Medicare Part B. The five-year demonstration aims to evaluate the impact of covering these non-transport emergency responses on patient access and resource utilization.

This Act mandates the Secretary of Labor to establish an interim and then a final standard requiring comprehensive workplace violence prevention plans for employers in the healthcare and social service sectors. These plans must be developed with employee input and detail risk assessments, hazard controls, reporting procedures, and annual training. Furthermore, the bill amends the Social Security Act to require Medicare-funded hospitals and skilled nursing facilities not covered by OSHA to comply with these new federal workplace violence prevention standards. The legislation also establishes clear definitions for workplace violence and includes strong anti-retaliation protections for employees who exercise their rights under the Act.

The EASE Act of 2025 mandates that the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) test a new model to improve access to specialty health services. This "Specialty Health Care Services Access Model" will utilize digital tools, like telehealth, to connect eligible Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP beneficiaries in rural or underserved areas with necessary specialty care. The model must be tested through a network of qualified, experienced, and primarily rural-based nonprofit providers.

The Armenian Genocide Education Act establishes a program managed by the Librarian of Congress to develop and share educational resources combating denial of the 1915-1923 Armenian Genocide. This initiative will create online materials, train educators, and encourage the integration of accurate history into school curricula. The Act authorizes $2 million annually for five years to support these educational efforts aimed at promoting awareness and preventing future atrocities.

The Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025 imposes sweeping economic penalties on the Russian Federation in response to its aggression against Ukraine. This legislation mandates severe, immediate sanctions against key Russian officials, financial institutions, and energy sector entities, including asset freezes and trade prohibitions. Furthermore, the Act dramatically increases import duties on Russian goods and requires the President to review and reimpose these measures until Russia negotiates a lasting peace with Ukraine.

The New Producer Economic Security Act establishes a new federal program to fund community-led projects that help new and disadvantaged farmers, ranchers, and forest owners gain access to land, capital, and markets. Run by the USDA's Farm Service Agency, the initiative aims to ensure the long-term economic viability and security of these producers. Eligible entities will apply for grants to provide direct assistance, technical support, and financial tools to qualified beneficiaries. Priority will be given to projects that offer direct financial aid, support land affordability, and involve strong local partnerships.

The Reentry Act of 2025 allows incarcerated individuals to receive medical assistance through Medicaid during the 30 days immediately preceding their release. This legislation also mandates a comprehensive report from MACPAC analyzing current healthcare standards within correctional facilities. The report will examine the impact of this coverage change and offer recommendations for improving healthcare access for those transitioning back into the community.

The Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Act of 2025 updates the definition of a family caregiver to include any unpaid individual providing care. Crucially, this bill extends the federal funding authorization for lifespan respite care programs through fiscal years 2025 through 2029. This ensures continued support for caregivers needing temporary relief.

The Fishing Industry Credit Enhancement Act of 2025 expands access to credit and financial services from Farm Credit Banks and Production Credit Associations. This legislation specifically allows these entities to offer loans to businesses that provide essential services directly supporting the operations of aquatic product producers and harvesters. The bill amends the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to include these vital support industries.

The Nutrition CARE Act of 2025 addresses the critical need for comprehensive eating disorder treatment under Medicare. This bill expands Medicare coverage to include essential medical nutrition therapy services for beneficiaries diagnosed with an eating disorder, starting January 1, 2026. It establishes initial and ongoing annual coverage limits for these crucial dietitian-led services, requiring a referral from a physician or psychologist. By covering this vital component of care, the Act aims to improve health outcomes and reduce the significant economic burden associated with these serious mental illnesses.

This bill officially designates the United States Postal Service facility located at 3817 Marysville Boulevard in Sacramento, California, as the "Grantland Johnson Post Office." This action ensures the building is officially recognized by its new name in all records and documentation.

The Hot Foods Act of 2025 removes the general federal ban on using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to purchase hot, ready-to-eat foods. This legislation clarifies that hot foods are now eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits, while also setting a new rule that limits SNAP-participating retailers to deriving no more than 50% of their gross sales from these ready-to-eat hot items. The act updates existing statutes to reflect this expanded purchasing power for recipients.

The COMPLETE Care Act aims to improve mental healthcare access by providing Medicare incentives for primary care providers to integrate behavioral health services into their practices between 2027 and 2029. This legislation offers increased Medicare payments for specific integrated services during those years, ensuring these bonuses do not trigger cuts elsewhere in the Medicare budget. Additionally, the bill mandates technical assistance to help primary care offices successfully adopt these new integrated care models.

The Transgender Health Care Access Act aims to improve access to gender-affirming care by addressing critical gaps in medical education and provider capacity. The bill establishes grant programs to develop and implement comprehensive training curricula for medical professionals across various settings, including rural areas. Furthermore, it provides funding to expand the ability of community health centers to deliver culturally competent and necessary care to transgender individuals. Ultimately, this legislation seeks to ensure that healthcare providers are adequately trained and equipped to meet the medical needs of the transgender population.

This bill mandates a comprehensive, independent study comparing the quality of mental health and addiction therapy provided to veterans by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) versus non-VA providers. The study will assess outcomes, treatment methods, coordination, and patient experience across various care settings. The final report will be submitted to Congress and made public to inform future quality improvements.

The Portable Ultrasound Reimbursement Equity Act of 2025 updates Medicare coverage to include diagnostic ultrasound tests. This legislation mandates that Medicare establish separate payments for the transportation and setup of portable ultrasound equipment, mirroring existing payments for portable X-ray services. These changes are set to take effect starting January 1, 2027.

The Rural Veterinary Workforce Act aims to encourage more veterinarians to serve in underserved rural areas by making participation in certain loan repayment or forgiveness programs more financially appealing. This bill amends the tax code to exclude amounts received through qualifying state or federal veterinary student loan repayment programs from being counted as taxable income. This tax benefit applies to amounts received for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

The CREATE AI Act of 2025 establishes the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR) to democratize access to the high-powered computing and data necessary for advanced AI research. This resource will be managed by a non-governmental Operating Entity overseen by a new Steering Subcommittee. The goal is to broaden participation in AI development beyond large tech companies to maintain U.S. leadership and ensure AI benefits all Americans. Access will be prioritized for U.S.-affiliated researchers, educators, and students, with specific provisions for ethics, security, and privacy reviews.

The VA Home Loan Awareness Act of 2025 mandates the addition of a disclaimer on standard mortgage applications, informing applicants who indicate military service that they may qualify for a VA Home Loan. This ensures veterans and service members are immediately directed to explore their VA loan eligibility when applying for a mortgage. The bill also requires the GAO to study the effectiveness of this new disclaimer requirement among lenders.