Legislative Activity

The Stop COYOTES Act increases mandatory prison sentences for certain felonies committed near schools and parks, and imposes harsher penalties for fentanyl trafficking based on increased monetary thresholds. Additionally, the bill mandates increased information sharing between Homeland Security agencies and border law enforcement regarding trafficking and smuggling, with required reporting to Congress.

The Cool Corridors Act of 2025 aims to combat extreme heat and improve transportation safety by funding the installation of green infrastructure, like trees, along walking, biking, and transit routes. This legislation reauthorizes and updates the Healthy Streets program to prioritize these cooling projects in the most vulnerable and underserved communities. The Act defines "cool corridors" and establishes clear criteria for demonstration projects focused on heat mitigation and long-term maintenance.

The Veteran Burial Timeliness and Death Certificate Accountability Act addresses significant delays in obtaining death certificates for veterans who die from natural causes, often due to VA medical staff delays. This bill mandates that VA medical providers must certify a veteran's death within 48 hours or allow the local medical examiner to step in. Furthermore, the VA must annually report on its compliance with this new timely certification requirement.

The Epstein Files Transparency Act mandates the Department of Justice to publicly release all unclassified documents related to Jeffrey Epstein and his associates within 30 days of enactment. This sweeping disclosure covers investigative materials, flight logs, settlement details, and internal communications, with very narrow exceptions for victim privacy or ongoing investigations. The Attorney General must also report to Congress, detailing all redactions and providing an unredacted list of government officials mentioned in the released files.

The Sinkhole Mapping Act of 2025 establishes a new, federally funded program within the USGS to study the causes of sinkholes. This program is mandated to create and regularly update detailed sinkhole hazard risk maps using specific elevation data. The resulting maps and related information must be made publicly available on a dedicated website to assist community planners and emergency managers.

The Agricultural Emergency Relief Act of 2025 establishes a new federal program to provide direct financial assistance to producers who suffer qualified losses due to natural disasters like drought, fire, or floods. To receive payments, producers must agree to purchase Federal Crop Insurance or enroll in the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) for the next two succeeding crop years. Payment calculations vary based on whether the producer already has existing crop insurance coverage, and strict payment limits are set based on the producer's average adjusted gross farm income.

The Pharmacy Benefit Manager Reform Act of 2025 aims to increase transparency and accountability across the prescription drug supply chain. It mandates fairer pharmacy network access for Medicare beneficiaries and imposes strict new financial reporting and service fee requirements on Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) working with Medicare and private health plans. Furthermore, the bill establishes new federal mechanisms to accurately track drug acquisition costs in Medicaid and explicitly bans the practice of "spread pricing" in state Medicaid contracts.

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 Expanding Access to Mental Health Services in Schools Act of 2025 establishes a new federal grant program to increase the number of mental health professionals in high-need school districts. This funding is specifically designed to help eligible agencies recruit, hire, and retain school counselors, psychologists, and social workers. Grantees must demonstrate a plan to improve student-to-provider ratios and report annually on staffing improvements and provider retention.

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 Expanding Access to Lending Options Act directs the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) to prioritize the safety and soundness of federally chartered credit unions. This legislation primarily amends the Federal Credit Union Act by extending the maximum holding period for certain real estate assets from 15 to 20 years. It also clarifies the eligibility language for property involved in these real estate loans.

The Preventing Crimes Against Veterans Act of 2025 establishes a new federal crime specifically targeting individuals who knowingly defraud veterans or attempt to steal their federal benefits. This legislation creates enhanced penalties, including potential fines and imprisonment up to five years, for those convicted of such schemes. The Act ensures robust legal tools are in place to protect veterans from financial exploitation related to their earned benefits.

The Supporting Trade and Rebuilding Opportunity for National Growth Act, or STRONG Act, significantly increases the maximum loan amounts available through key Small Business Administration (SBA) programs. Specifically, it doubles the maximum size for standard 7(a) loans from $\$3.75$ million to $\$7.5$ million. Additionally, the bill raises the maximum loan amount for development company loans from $\$5$ million to $\$10$ million. These changes aim to provide greater capital access for small business growth and development.

The Empower Charter School Educators to Lead Act updates federal grants supporting high-quality charter schools by enhancing technical assistance for authorizing agencies. It establishes new educator-led experience requirements for entities receiving pre-charter planning subgrants. The bill also modifies the required allocation percentages for how state entities distribute these grant funds.

The Women’s Health Protection Act of 2025 establishes a federal statutory right to access abortion services, prohibiting medically unnecessary restrictions that impede care before fetal viability. This Act protects the right of patients to travel across state lines to receive reproductive healthcare and allows providers to offer services free from state interference that conflicts with established medical standards. It preempts conflicting state and local laws and provides robust enforcement mechanisms for individuals and the Attorney General to challenge violations.

The Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Discrimination Prevention Act prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities in all aspects of the organ transplant process. This legislation ensures that a disability alone cannot be a basis for denying a transplant, referral, or listing. It mandates reasonable modifications and the provision of necessary support, including recognizing support networks, unless the disability presents a medically significant barrier to the transplant itself. The Act ensures these protections apply from initial evaluation through post-transplant care and does not diminish existing state or local protections.

The Romance Scam Prevention Act requires online dating services to notify current members when they are contacted by a user previously banned for fraudulent activity. These mandatory alerts must clearly warn users about the potential scammer and advise against sending money or financial information. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is tasked with enforcing these new consumer protection standards.

The Lowering Broadband Costs for Consumers Act of 2025 reforms the Universal Service Fund (USF) contribution system by requiring large internet content and service providers ("Edge Providers") to contribute alongside traditional broadband providers. This aims to shift the financial burden away from solely relying on phone companies to ensure continued support for universal service. The bill also directs the FCC to establish new, predictable funding mechanisms to support broadband providers serving high-cost areas.

The NCAA Accountability Act of 2025 establishes mandatory due process requirements for major athletic associations during rule violation investigations, including formal hearings and arbitration options for member schools. The Act places enforcement authority with the Attorney General, who can investigate complaints and levy significant civil penalties for non-compliance. Furthermore, it mandates annual reporting on enforcement actions to state and federal Attorneys General. This legislation ensures fairness in disciplinary proceedings while setting a one-year deadline for covered associations to implement the new rules.

The FIGHT Act of 2025 significantly strengthens federal prohibitions against animal fighting ventures, specifically targeting the sponsorship, exhibition, and gambling associated with these events. This legislation clarifies the definition of a rooster for legal purposes and bans the interstate transport of roosters for fighting. Furthermore, it empowers private citizens to file lawsuits against violators, allowing for civil penalties and the potential seizure of property used to facilitate illegal animal fighting.