Legislative Activity

The "Removing Nitrate and Arsenic in Drinking Water Act" establishes a grant program to help communities reduce nitrate and arsenic contamination in their drinking water. Grants will be prioritized for disadvantaged communities and projects that address contamination in facilities serving vulnerable populations. The program will provide funding for treatment technology installation, with a focus on assisting low-income homeowners and renters in disadvantaged communities. It also requires a review to ensure the grant program improves equity outcomes for economically disadvantaged and underserved populations.

The IDEA Full Funding Act aims to increase federal funding for special education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) from fiscal year 2026 through 2035 and subsequent years. It authorizes and appropriates specific funding levels for IDEA, excluding section 619, with increasing amounts each year. The funding is determined by both a set dollar amount and a percentage based on the number of children with disabilities and average per-pupil expenditure, whichever is greater. The bill also mandates that the increased funding adhere to "cut-as-you-go" rules, ensuring fiscal responsibility.

The "Protect America's Workforce Act" nullifies a 2025 executive order that limited federal labor-management relations programs. It prevents the enforcement of the executive order and prohibits the use of federal funds for its implementation. Additionally, the bill ensures the validity of existing collective bargaining agreements between federal agencies and labor organizations until their original expiration dates.

The "Reentry Act of 2025" amends Title XIX of the Social Security Act to allow states to provide Medicaid coverage to inmates in the 30 days before their release. It also requires the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission to submit a report to Congress analyzing health and safety standards in correctional facilities, the impact of this change, and recommendations for further action.

The Fishing Industry Credit Enhancement Act of 2025 broadens credit access for businesses servicing the fishing industry. It allows farm credit banks and production credit associations to offer financial support to businesses that provide services to producers or harvesters of aquatic products. This expansion aims to strengthen the fishing industry's supply chain by ensuring these vital service providers have access to credit.

The "Hot Foods Act of 2025" amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, allowing SNAP benefits to be used for hot and ready-to-eat foods. It broadens the scope of eligible food items under SNAP and modifies retailer eligibility requirements, permitting more stores to accept SNAP if hot food sales do not exceed 50% of their gross sales. This change also updates the language regarding where SNAP-eligible food can be consumed to include "home or immediate consumption".

The Veterans Mental Health and Addiction Therapy Quality of Care Act mandates an independent study comparing the quality of mental health and addiction care provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) providers versus non-VA providers. This study will assess health outcomes, use of evidence-based practices, coordination between providers, patient satisfaction, integrated care, continuous monitoring, and wait times. The results will be reported to Congress and made public.

The VA Home Loan Awareness Act of 2025 requires that the Uniform Residential Loan Application include a disclaimer informing applicants that they may be eligible for a VA Home Loan if they have served in the military. It also requires the Comptroller General of the United States to study and report to Congress on lender compliance with the disclaimer requirement.

The Paycheck Fairness Act aims to strengthen and enhance enforcement of equal pay requirements by redefining "sex," modifying the "bona fide factor" defense for pay disparities, broadening the definition of "same establishment," strengthening non-retaliation protections, and enhancing penalties for employers who violate equal pay provisions. The Act also requires training programs, research, education, and outreach initiatives to eliminate pay disparities, and establishes a National Award for Pay Equity in the Workplace. Additionally, the Act directs the EEOC to collect compensation data, reinstates pay equity programs, prohibits the use of wage history in determining salary, and establishes a National Equal Pay Enforcement Task Force to improve compliance and enforcement of equal pay laws.

This bill reauthorizes the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009, updating references and adding a clause to develop requirements for data sharing. It also authorizes $56,000,000 for each fiscal year from 2026 through 2030 to support these activities.

The "Veterans Homecare Choice Act of 2025" amends the Veterans Community Care Program to include nurse registries, which connect veterans with qualified healthcare professionals like registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and home health aides. This expansion aims to broaden veterans' access to home healthcare services by recognizing nurse registries that meet state licensing requirements as approved care providers under the program.

The Puppy Protection Act of 2025 amends the Animal Welfare Act to establish comprehensive standards for dog dealers, focusing on humane treatment. These standards include requirements for flooring, space, temperature, nutrition, exercise, socialization, veterinary care, and breeding practices. The Act sets specific guidelines for breeding frequency, age, and veterinary procedures, as well as humane placement for retired breeding dogs. It directs the Secretary to finalize regulations for these standards within 18 months.

The "Don't Penalize Victims Act" amends the Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to ensure disaster victims are not penalized for receiving assistance from multiple sources. This change removes the clause that previously prevented individuals from receiving disaster relief if they had already received assistance from other sources. The goal is to allow victims to fully recover without fear of losing aid due to assistance from charities, private insurance, or other aid programs.

The PARA–EMT Act of 2025 addresses the critical shortage of Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and paramedics by establishing grant programs to support the recruitment, training, and retention of EMS personnel, with a focus on rural areas and veterans. It directs the Department of Labor, in coordination with Health and Human Services, to study the EMT and paramedic workforce and provide recommendations to Congress on addressing projected shortages. The Act aims to improve access to and enhance the quality of emergency medical services nationwide.

This resolution urges Congress and the administration to work together to address the decline in U.S. food and agricultural exports by expanding market access, reducing trade barriers, and supporting domestic trade promotion programs. It emphasizes the importance of trade agreements and the enforcement of existing commitments to ensure global competitiveness for U.S. farmers and ranchers. The resolution seeks a global trading system grounded in scientific principles to bolster the U.S. agricultural sector.

This bill designates the United States Postal Service facility located at 130 South Patterson Avenue in Santa Barbara, California, as the "Brigadier General Frederick R. Lopez Post Office Building." It also mandates that any reference to this facility in U.S. records will reflect this new designation.

The Major Richard Star Act allows eligible combat-disabled veterans to receive both their retirement pay and disability compensation. This eliminates the previous offset that reduced retirement pay for those receiving disability compensation. The changes apply to payments beginning the month after enactment.

The "Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act" amends the Food Security Act of 1985, introducing an exception to payment limitations for individuals or entities earning 75% or more of their income from farming, ranching, or silviculture. This change impacts eligibility for specific agricultural disaster relief programs, ensuring fairer access to aid for those primarily engaged in agricultural activities.

The "Expanding Medical Education Act" aims to increase the number of medical schools and osteopathic medical schools, especially in underserved areas, by providing grants to institutions of higher education. These grants will support the establishment, improvement, or expansion of medical schools, with a focus on recruiting students from disadvantaged backgrounds and developing curriculum tailored to the needs of underserved populations. The act requires regular reporting on the program's impact and outcomes, ensuring accountability and continuous improvement in addressing healthcare workforce shortages and access to care.

The Crop Insurance for Future Farmers Act amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to enhance support for beginning and veteran farmers and ranchers. It expands the definition of these farmers to include those with up to 10 years of experience and increases crop insurance assistance by providing percentage point adjustments to coverage rates, offering greater financial security during their initial years of operation. This bill aims to encourage and support the next generation of agricultural producers by making crop insurance more accessible and beneficial.