Legislative Activity

This bill recognizes and supports National Nurses Week, founded by the American Nurses Association. It acknowledges the crucial role of nurses in healthcare, patient advocacy, and public health. The bill also supports nursing workforce development and encourages Americans to celebrate nurses' contributions during National Nurses Week.

The PREPARE Act of 2025 establishes a commission to prepare the federal government for the end of marijuana prohibition. This commission, led by the Attorney General, will develop a regulatory framework for cannabis, modeled after alcohol regulations, while considering the impact on communities, agencies, and industries. The commission will gather input from various stakeholders, conduct public hearings, and issue reports with recommendations for federal cannabis regulation. Ultimately, the goal is to create a system that addresses the consequences of cannabis criminalization, promotes research, ensures product safety, and streamlines revenue collection.

The STATES 2.0 Act amends the Controlled Substances Act to generally exempt marijuana-related activities that comply with state or tribal law from federal marijuana laws, while establishing federal regulations for interstate commerce and marijuana products. It tasks the FDA with regulating marijuana products and requires a study on the effects of marijuana legalization on traffic safety. The bill aims to allow states to determine their own cannabis laws, reduce the illegal marijuana market, and ensure product safety and prevent youth consumption. It also clarifies that compliant marijuana activities are legal under federal law and not subject to certain penalties and restrictions.

The "Combating Organized Retail Crime Act" aims to combat the rise in organized retail theft and related crimes by amending Title 18 of the U.S. Code to include provisions that target the theft, fraud, and illegal redistribution of goods. It also establishes an "Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center" to coordinate federal, state, and local law enforcement efforts, share information, and track trends related to organized retail crime. The center will work to support training and technical assistance to combat organized retail crime and organized supply chain crime. Finally, the Act requires the evaluation of existing federal programs to identify ways to expand support for state, local, and tribal law enforcement.

The Animal Cruelty Enforcement Act of 2025 establishes an Animal Cruelty Crimes Section within the Department of Justice to enforce federal animal cruelty laws, pursue investigations and prosecutions, and coordinate with other agencies. The section is required to submit an annual report to Congress regarding charges, convictions, and investigations. The bill recognizes the connection between animal cruelty and other crimes and aims to address the lack of dedicated enforcement of animal protection laws.

The I CAN Act broadens the scope of practice for nurse practitioners, physician assistants, certified registered nurse anesthetists, and certified nurse-midwives within Medicare and Medicaid, aiming to improve healthcare access and efficiency, particularly in underserved areas. It removes barriers to their practice, expands coverage for their services, and increases transparency in Medicare coverage decisions. The Act also allows these advanced practice registered nurses to provide temporary services and ensures the new provisions take effect promptly, enhancing access to care and streamlining healthcare delivery.

The CLASS Act requires public schools that receive federal funding to disclose any foreign funding or contracts to the Secretary of Education. Schools must report any funding or contracts over $10,000, including the source's name, country of origin, and any attached conditions. This aims to increase transparency regarding foreign influence in U.S. education.

The East Palestine Health Impact Monitoring Act of 2025 mandates a longitudinal study on the health impacts resulting from the February 3, 2023, train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. It directs the Department of Health and Human Services to fund a consortium of higher education institutions to conduct the study and provide progress reports to Congress. The Act authorizes the appropriation of funds through fiscal year 2026 to support the study's execution until September 30, 2030.

The Higher Education Accountability Tax Act modifies the excise tax on investment income of private colleges and universities. It raises the excise tax rate from 1.4 percent to 10 percent and adds an additional tax increase for institutions with net prices that rise faster than the Consumer Price Index. The bill also expands the number of institutions subject to the tax by decreasing the asset threshold from $500,000 to $250,000. These modifications will be effective for taxable years starting after December 31, 2024.

The "Protecting First Responders from Secondary Exposure Act of 2025" aims to protect first responders from secondary exposure to fentanyl and other dangerous substances. It amends existing legislation to provide first responders with the necessary training, resources, and containment devices. This will help to ensure their safety while on duty.

The BEACH Act of 2025 reauthorizes funding for state and local programs that monitor coastal recreation water quality and notify the public of potential contamination. It broadens water quality monitoring to include upstream waters and allows grant funds to identify pollution sources. The act also extends the authorization of appropriations through 2029 and requires the EPA to update guidance on water contamination testing technology.

The GLRI Act of 2025 reauthorizes the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, which aims to protect and restore the Great Lakes ecosystem. The act allocates $500 million annually from 2027 through 2031 to support this initiative.

The "Advanced Border Coordination Act of 2025" mandates the creation of Joint Operations Centers along the southern U.S. border to improve coordination between federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies. These centers will serve as hubs for communication, ground, air, and sea operation coordination, and information sharing to combat criminal activities and enhance border security. The Department of Homeland Security is required to report annually to Congress on the progress, resources, and effectiveness of these centers.