Legislative Activity

This resolution honors the service and sacrifice of United States Army Sergeants William Nathaniel Howard and Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, who were killed in action in Syria on December 13, 2025. It recognizes their distinguished service in the Iowa Army National Guard and condemns the terrorist assault that took their lives. The resolution extends profound gratitude and sympathy to their families and all those affected by the attack.

The Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act prohibits payment card networks and financial processors from creating or requiring special merchant category codes specifically for firearm retailers. This legislation aims to prevent the singling out of businesses that sell firearms, ammunition, or related components through transaction coding. The Attorney General is tasked with enforcement and reporting annually to Congress on the law's implementation.

The Essential Caregivers Act of 2025 protects the rights of residents in long-term care facilities to designate an essential caregiver who can provide support and companionship. This legislation ensures that these caregivers maintain in-person access to residents even during public health emergencies when general visitation is restricted. By establishing clear protocols and an appeals process, the bill aims to prevent the harmful effects of isolation and ensure residents continue to receive vital care and advocacy.

This bill authorizes the distinguished Iowa National Guard Sergeants Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar and William Nathaniel Howard to lie in state in the Capitol rotunda. The President pro tempore and the Speaker of the House will set the date for this honor.

This bill, the Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act, officially authorizes Congress to award Congressional Gold Medals to the 1980 U.S. Men's Olympic Ice Hockey Team for their historic "Miracle on Ice" victory. The medals will be struck by the Treasury and permanently displayed at specific national sports museums. The Act also permits the sale of duplicate bronze medals to cover production costs.

The Stop Penalizing Working Seniors Act would allow seniors aged 65 and older who are enrolled only in Medicare Part A to contribute to a Health Savings Account (HSA). This change removes the current restriction that prohibits HSA contributions for individuals enrolled in Medicare. This aims to provide financial flexibility for working seniors utilizing only hospital insurance benefits.

This bill exempts specific, carefully defined less-than-lethal projectile devices and their ammunition from the federal excise tax on firearms and ammunition. It also removes these qualifying devices from regulation under the National Firearms Act. The legislation establishes clear criteria, including velocity limits and design restrictions, to ensure the exemption applies only to tools intended for de-escalation rather than lethal force. Manufacturers can request official classification for their products to confirm eligibility for these tax and regulatory benefits.

The First Home Savings Opportunity Act of 2025 establishes a new tax-advantaged savings account to help individuals save for a first home down payment. Contributions to this "down payment savings account" are tax-deductible up to $10,000 annually, subject to income limitations. Withdrawals for qualified first-time homebuyer expenses, such as down payments or closing costs, are tax-free. Non-qualified withdrawals are subject to ordinary income tax plus an additional 20% penalty.

The "Equal Representation Act" mandates the inclusion of a citizenship status question on the 2030 census and all future censuses. It requires the Secretary to report the number of citizens and non-citizens in each state. It also changes the way congressional districts are calculated by excluding non-citizens from the population count used for apportionment.

This bill officially renames the United States Postal Service facility located at 1019 Avenue H in Fort Madison, Iowa. The facility will now be known as the "Martin L. Graber Post Office." This designation requires all official records and documents to use the new name.

The Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act focuses primarily on improving pediatric drug development and ensuring patient access to necessary treatments. This legislation mandates new research requirements for molecularly targeted pediatric cancer drugs, strengthens FDA enforcement of pediatric study completion, and extends incentives for developing drugs for rare pediatric diseases. Additionally, the bill updates organ transplant network functions and establishes an Abraham Accords Office within the FDA to enhance international regulatory cooperation.

This Concurrent Resolution formally denounces the ideology of socialism based on its historical outcomes. It asserts that socialist principles have consistently led to totalitarian regimes, mass atrocities, and economic collapse worldwide. The resolution contrasts these failures with the founding principles of the United States, concluding with a statement opposing the implementation of socialist policies domestically.

This act establishes the Early Education Savings Program, amending the tax code to allow certain child care expenses to be treated as qualified higher education expenses under 529 college savings plans. Specifically, it permits funds to be used for the qualified child care of a designated beneficiary under the age of five. This change broadens the utility of 529 savings plans to support early childhood education costs.

The CLEAN DC Act of 2025 aims to repeal most provisions of the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022, effectively reverting policing and justice laws to their pre-2022 status. This legislation seeks to undo the majority of changes made by the previous act. However, it specifically preserves the effects of two distinct subtitles from the 2022 Act.

The STUDENT Act mandates that student loan disclosures clearly state the total interest a borrower will pay over the life of the loan. This calculation must be based on the standard repayment plan applicable to the borrower's total outstanding principal balance. The goal is to provide greater transparency regarding the full cost of federal student loans.

This bill requires the Secretaries of Veterans Affairs and Education to submit a joint report to Congress concerning childcare for veteran families. The report must assess the current availability, accessibility, and affordability of childcare options. It will also identify existing gaps and evaluate barriers, such as cost and distance, preventing veteran families from accessing necessary care.

This resolution honors the service and sacrifice of America's veterans on Veterans Day, 2025, recognizing the history of the observance from Armistice Day. It affirms the nation's deep commitment to supporting the over 15 million veterans and their families. The resolution calls upon the public to observe Veterans Day and ensure veterans continue to receive the services they deserve.

The CATCH IT Act aims to improve rural healthcare access by increasing federal funding for preventative health equipment purchases under the Community Facilities Grant Program. This legislation boosts the federal cost-share by 25 percentage points for rural health facilities acquiring specific preventative care technology, such as advanced imaging and cancer screening equipment. These changes will take effect at the start of the next federal fiscal year following the bill's enactment.

The Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Modernization Act of 2025 mandates that group health plans and issuers provide comprehensive coverage for all stages of breast or chest wall reconstruction following breast cancer treatment. This coverage must include every modality, type, and procedural variation of reconstruction, as well as treatment for related complications like lymphedema. Furthermore, the bill requires plans to ensure in-network access to providers for these services and prohibits discrimination against patients seeking reconstruction.

The Developing Responsible Individuals for a Vibrant Economy Act (DRIVE-SAFE Act) establishes a structured apprenticeship program allowing drivers under 21 to operate commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce. This program requires apprentices to complete 400 hours of supervised training, divided into two probationary phases focusing on foundational and advanced driving skills. Participation mandates specific vehicle technology, such as automatic transmissions and collision mitigation systems, and continuous supervision by an experienced driver.