Legislative Activity

This resolution officially honors the lifetime accomplishments and enduring legacy of Rita Moreno, a pioneering Latina artist and cultural icon. It recognizes her historic achievements in the performing arts, including becoming an EGOT winner and the first Latina to win an Academy Award. Furthermore, the bill commends her tireless advocacy for civil rights and her embodiment of the American dream.

This bill, the VIVAS Act, directs the Comptroller General to conduct a comprehensive, culturally informed study on gender-based violence in Puerto Rico. The study must assess the prevalence, systemic drivers, and institutional responses to this crisis, taking into account the island's unique challenges. The resulting report will provide evidence-based recommendations to improve federal and local policies, data systems, and support for community organizations.

The Strengthening Oversight of DHS Intelligence Act enhances oversight of how the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shares, retains, and disseminates intelligence information. This legislation specifically mandates that these intelligence activities must protect privacy rights, civil rights, and civil liberties. To ensure compliance, the bill requires coordination with the Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis and mandates specialized training for relevant personnel on these protections.

The Medicare Advantage Integrity Act of 2025 aims to adjust Medicare Advantage benchmark payment levels to ensure fairer geographic adjustments. This legislation establishes a minimum geographic adjustment floor for calculating payments starting in 2026. Furthermore, it mandates that at least 50% of any resulting payment increase must be dedicated to covering basic patient benefits.

This Act mandates the inclusion of Puerto Rico in the annual National Survey on Drug Use and Health, starting in fiscal year 2026. This ensures that vital substance use and health data is collected specifically for the territory.

The Net Metering Protection Act ensures that federal entities cannot interfere with or block states or nonregulated electric utilities from implementing or enforcing specific net metering service standards adopted under federal law. This legislation safeguards state and local authority over renewable energy policies related to customer-generated electricity.

The Puerto Rico Energy Oversight and Accountability Act mandates the Comptroller General to conduct a detailed study on the management and effectiveness of Puerto Rico's energy sector since June 2021. This report will analyze the impact of LUMA Energy and Genera PR, local government actions, and federal spending efficiency. Crucially, the Act requires the Comptroller General to provide specific recommendations for improving federal oversight, intergovernmental coordination, and accelerating grid modernization efforts.

This resolution commemorates the eighth anniversary of the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It honors the thousands of lives lost and acknowledges the ongoing struggles of survivors due to massive infrastructure failure. The bill strongly urges federal agencies to expedite recovery funding and calls on Congress to prioritize building resilient infrastructure for the territories' future.

The Disaster Relief Disbursement Accountability Act mandates faster distribution of federal disaster relief funds following major events. It requires recipients of FEMA assistance to track and report the average time it takes to pass those funds down to subrecipients. This ensures greater transparency and accountability in how quickly aid reaches those who need it most. The FEMA Administrator must then report this data annually to Congress.

The Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act aims to integrate Puerto Rico into the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) structure, aligning it with other territories like Guam. The bill mandates a transition period where Puerto Rico must submit a plan of operation to the Secretary of Agriculture for approval to join SNAP. During this transition, existing block grant funding may continue for up to five years while the territory moves toward full participation under federal SNAP rules.

The Puerto Rico BEACHES Act mandates a comprehensive study led by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to assess the impact of coastal erosion on Puerto Rico's economy, including tourism and fishing. The GAO must coordinate with local Puerto Rican agencies to analyze these effects across coastal zones. The final report must provide Congress with specific recommendations for mitigating environmental damage and addressing industry-specific challenges caused by erosion.

The HABLA Act of 2025 mandates that all federal agencies develop and implement detailed plans to ensure individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP) can access federally conducted programs. Furthermore, the bill requires agencies distributing federal funds to issue specific guidance to their recipients on providing language access to avoid national origin discrimination. Throughout this process, agencies must consult with LEP individuals and stakeholders to create practical, fiscally responsible implementation strategies.

The Coastal Drone Surveillance and Interdiction Assessment Act mandates the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct a comprehensive review of utilizing drones to enhance border security and combat maritime and low-altitude drug smuggling along the U.S. coastline. This assessment must analyze the effectiveness and risks associated with drone deployment, focusing particularly on major trafficking routes and remote areas. The resulting report detailing these findings will be submitted to key Congressional committees.

This Act establishes the Puerto Rico Energy Generation Crisis Task Force within the President's Executive Office to address the island's energy challenges. The task force will coordinate key federal agencies, like the DOE and FEMA, with Puerto Rican energy stakeholders. Its primary mission is to diagnose generation problems, recommend solutions, and ensure efficient collaboration among all involved parties.

The TRICARE Equality Act aims to ensure military health coverage in Puerto Rico is administered consistently with the 50 states. This includes standardizing TRICARE Prime Area designations and expanding travel and transportation allowances for beneficiaries on the island. The bill also mandates improved coordination for sharing health data between federal and Puerto Rico health agencies.

This resolution officially recognizes the serious racial disparities in colorectal cancer impact, particularly within Hispanic communities where screening rates are significantly lower. It urges federal agencies like the CDC and NIH to expand efforts to eliminate these disparities through increased awareness, education, and improved access to screening. The bill emphasizes the importance of early screening, which is highly effective in preventing and treating colorectal cancer.

This bill grants Diego Montoya Bedoya eligibility for permanent resident status in the U.S., waiving certain standard immigration restrictions and requiring him to apply within two years. It also mandates a reduction in the number of immigrant visas available to people from his country of origin and prevents his family members from receiving immigration benefits based on their relationship to him. The budgetary effects of this law will be determined by the Chairman of the House Budget Committee.

The "Child Tax Credit Relief for Puerto Rican Families Act" amends the Internal Revenue Code to ensure equitable treatment for Puerto Rican residents regarding the refundable portion of the child tax credit, starting after 2024. It modifies the calculation of Social Security taxes used to determine the refundable amount of the credit, enhancing the potential benefit for eligible families.

The Puerto Rico Low-Income Housing Support Act seeks to improve housing access for low-income families in Puerto Rico. It amends the definition of "extremely low-income families" to align Puerto Rico with the poverty guidelines of the contiguous U.S. and requires a report on efforts to connect low-income families in Puerto Rico with housing assistance and affordable housing. The report will also assess disaster recovery efforts related to low-income housing and provide recommendations for program improvements.