Legislative Activity

The Reproductive Freedom for Veterans Act mandates that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) must now provide abortion care, counseling, and related medication as part of the medical services offered to eligible veterans and certain other beneficiaries. This legislation formally amends existing VA health care provisions to include these reproductive health services.

The Warehouse Worker Protection Act establishes new federal standards to increase transparency and fairness for warehouse workers at large companies by mandating disclosure of performance quotas and monitoring data. It guarantees mandatory paid rest breaks, strengthens protections against using quotas to suppress organizing efforts, and introduces new federal ergonomics and safety standards under OSHA. The bill creates a new Department of Labor office to enforce these provisions and invalidates mandatory pre-dispute arbitration for related claims.

The Reproductive Rights are Human Rights Act of 2025 establishes that reproductive rights are fundamental human rights based on international commitments. This bill mandates that the State Department must include a detailed, required section on the status of reproductive rights in every country within its annual human rights reports. These reports must cover access to contraception, abortion services, and instances of reproductive coercion or discrimination against marginalized groups. The Act aims to ensure robust U.S. monitoring and accountability regarding global reproductive health and autonomy.

This resolution honors Dr. Paul Farmer by urging the U.S. government to adopt a 21st-century global health solidarity strategy to end preventable deaths worldwide. It calls for significantly increased U.S. aid, focused on strengthening local health systems through "accompaniment," while simultaneously taking action to stop economic injustices that drain resources from developing nations. Ultimately, the bill demands that U.S. development policy prioritize global health equity alongside addressing historical harms like slavery and colonialism.

The Protecting Health Care and Lowering Costs Act of 2025 repeals specific prior reconciliation health provisions. This bill significantly expands eligibility for the Premium Tax Credit by eliminating the 400% Federal Poverty Level income cap. It also updates the subsidy calculation formula to ensure a smoother, linear adjustment of assistance across various income levels.

The EATS Act of 2025 significantly updates eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by removing previous restrictions that often disqualified students. This legislation explicitly includes bona fide students enrolled at least half-time in recognized educational programs as eligible participants for food assistance. These changes take effect on January 2, 2026.

The Restoring Essential Healthcare Act repeals an outdated ban that prevented Medicaid from making payments to certain healthcare providers. This legislation ensures that these previously prohibited entities will now be reimbursed for medical services rendered between the enactment of the original ban and the passage of this Act. In short, it restores payment eligibility and retroactively covers past services.

The Gas Pipeline Leak Detection and Repair Act of 2025 immediately enacts the final rule on gas pipeline leak detection and repair issued by PHMSA in January 2025. This legislation fast-tracks these new federal safety standards into effect upon signing. Furthermore, it preserves the authority of the Secretary of Transportation to implement even stricter future safety regulations for gas pipelines.

The Click to Cancel Act of 2025 officially codifies the Federal Trade Commission's "click-to-cancel" rule into federal law. This mandates that businesses provide consumers with a simple, online method to cancel subscriptions. Violations of this new law will be enforced by the FTC using its existing authority under the Federal Trade Commission Act.

The Protected Time Off Act establishes a federal minimum standard for earned paid annual leave, requiring employers to grant employees at least one hour of paid time off for every 25 hours worked, up to 80 hours annually. This law specifies how leave is accrued, used, and rolled over, while protecting employees from retaliation for exercising these rights. It also ensures that existing state laws or agreements that provide more generous leave benefits remain in effect. Enforcement mechanisms are established, largely mirroring those under the Fair Labor Standards Act, allowing both government investigation and direct employee lawsuits.

The Eviction Right to Counsel Act of 2025 establishes the Eviction Right to Counsel Fund with $100 million annually to support tenants facing eviction. This fund provides grants to state, local, and tribal governments that enact legislation guaranteeing full legal representation for low-income tenants in eviction proceedings. Priority for funding goes to entities that implement strong tenant protections and commit to using the money primarily for hiring and training legal counsel.

The VISIBLE Act mandates that federal immigration enforcement officers, such as those from CBP and ICE, must clearly display their agency name and either their last name or badge number during all public-facing civil immigration enforcement activities. This requirement ensures officers are easily identifiable to the public from a distance, promoting transparency and public trust. The law also establishes disciplinary procedures for non-compliance and requires annual reporting to Congress on enforcement activities and violations.

The Restoring Artistic Protection Act of 2025 (RAP Act) seeks to limit the admissibility of a defendant's creative or artistic expression in court proceedings. This bill adds a new rule to the Federal Rules of Evidence, generally banning the use of a defendant's art as evidence against them. The government can only introduce such evidence if it meets strict exceptions requiring clear and convincing proof that the art directly relates to the facts of the case and possesses unique evidentiary value. If admitted, the court must provide specific instructions to the jury regarding its consideration.

The Stop Troubling Retroactive Invoices for Veteran Expenses Act of 2025 (STRIVE Act) prevents the VA from collecting health care copayments if the veteran was not properly notified within two years of receiving care, or if the total owed exceeds an inflation-adjusted threshold (starting at \$2,000). The bill also grants the Secretary of Veterans Affairs broad authority to waive any veteran copayment deemed appropriate. Finally, it extends the date for certain pension payment limits.

This bill, the Renewing Immigration Provisions of the Immigration Act of 1929, updates the eligibility requirements for creating records of lawful admission for long-term residents. It replaces a fixed entry date with a new standard requiring applicants to have resided in the U.S. for at least seven years prior to applying. These revised provisions will take effect 60 days after the Act is enacted.

The Hands Off Our Social Security Act is designed to safeguard the functionality and integrity of the Social Security Administration (SSA). This bill prohibits the SSA from tampering with benefits, engaging in unauthorized data mining, or privatizing services. Furthermore, it prevents the agency from closing local offices or reducing staff without explicit approval from Congress. Ultimately, the Act ensures that essential services and communication channels remain accessible to beneficiaries.

The Corporate Crime Database Act of 2025 establishes a new, public, and searchable national database managed by the Bureau of Justice Statistics to track federal enforcement actions against corporate offenses. This database will require federal agencies to report detailed information on violations, enforcement outcomes, and involved entities. The Act mandates annual public reporting and analysis of the data to Congress, including estimates of victim harm and recommendations for future crime prevention.

The End Polluter Welfare Act of 2025 is a comprehensive bill designed to eliminate financial support for the fossil fuel industry across the federal government. It achieves this by terminating numerous tax incentives, increasing royalties on federal energy leases, and blocking federal funding for fossil fuel projects through various agencies. Ultimately, the Act aims to shift financial burdens onto polluters while redirecting federal support toward cleaner energy initiatives.

The Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2025 establishes a structured process for distributing up to 2,000 additional, federally funded residency positions annually between fiscal years 2026 and 2032. This distribution prioritizes hospitals serving in underserved areas, those already training above their limit, and those committed to primary care and general surgery training. The bill also mandates a study and report by the Comptroller General on effective strategies to increase diversity within the health professional workforce.

The Living Donor Protection Act of 2025 prohibits life, disability, and long-term care insurance companies from denying coverage or increasing premiums solely because an individual is a living organ donor. This legislation ensures that living donors are not financially penalized for their altruistic act. Additionally, the bill requires the Secretary of HHS to update educational materials to accurately reflect the insurance protections afforded to living donors.