Legislative Activity

The No More Narcos Act establishes an informational campaign and a national strategy to protect middle and high school students near the U.S.-Mexico border from recruitment by transnational criminal organizations. This legislation directs the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop and implement these protective measures. Furthermore, the bill authorizes the use of the Department of Justice's Assets Forfeiture Fund to finance these anti-recruitment and awareness efforts.

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 Asunción Valdivia Heat Illness, Injury, and Fatality Prevention Act of 2025 mandates that employers protect workers from dangerous heat stress by establishing comprehensive safety standards. This Act requires the Secretary of Labor to create evidence-based rules covering engineering controls, administrative procedures, required training, and paid rest breaks to prevent heat-related illness. Furthermore, the law establishes strict enforcement mechanisms, whistleblower protections, and specific timelines for the implementation of these new federal heat protection standards.

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 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 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.

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.

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 GLOBE Act of 2025 establishes a comprehensive U.S. strategy to champion and protect the human rights of LGBTQI people globally through diplomacy, targeted sanctions, and foreign assistance reforms. The bill mandates enhanced reporting on violence and discrimination while creating new interagency roles and funds to support international advocacy and development efforts. Furthermore, it reforms immigration law to better protect LGBTQI asylum seekers and ensures inclusive implementation of U.S. global health programs like PEPFAR.

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 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 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 modifies federal Charter School Program grants to strengthen state oversight and support for high-quality charter schools. It prioritizes funding for educator-led groups planning to open new schools by offering pre-charter planning subgrants. The bill also refines how states allocate grant funds, ensuring the majority supports the opening and expansion of charter schools.

The Break the Cycle of Violence Act establishes federal frameworks within HHS and the Department of Labor to address community violence through prevention and economic opportunity. Title I creates grants for community-based violence intervention programs focused on evidence-based, trauma-responsive care, while Title II funds job training for opportunity youth in high-violence areas. Overall, the bill aims to reduce violence by investing in local services and creating pathways to employment rather than relying solely on incarceration.

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.