Legislative Activity

The Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act of 2025 expands Medicare coverage to include audiology treatment services provided directly by qualified audiologists, effective January 1, 2027. This legislation allows audiologists to furnish these services independently of physician supervision. Furthermore, it ensures audiologists can provide care at Rural Health Clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers.

The Protecting Community Television Act revises the definition of a "franchise fee" under the Communications Act of 1934. This change modifies the language from "includes" to "means" and adds "other monetary assessment" to clarify what payments local governments can charge cable operators. Ultimately, this bill refines how franchise fees are calculated and assessed.

The Working Waterfronts Act of 2025 is a comprehensive bill designed to strengthen American maritime industries and coastal communities. It provides financial incentives for upgrading hydroelectric power and transitioning commercial fishing vessels to cleaner fuels. The Act also expands federal loan access for fishing and seafood businesses, invests in shoreside processing and working waterfront infrastructure, and establishes new grant programs for maritime workforce development and "Blue Economy" innovation.

The Protect Vulnerable Immigrant Youth Act aims to remove annual numerical caps on employment-based visas specifically for special immigrant juveniles. This change ensures that these vulnerable youths are no longer subject to the same yearly visa limitations as other categories. By updating relevant sections of the Immigration and Nationality Act, the bill prioritizes their access to available visas.

This bill officially authorizes the presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to recognize the exceptional service and sacrifice of the members of the Military Assistance Command Vietnam – Studies and Observation Group (MACVSOG). Congress acknowledges MACVSOG's critical, highly secret missions during the Vietnam War, which set the standard for modern special operations forces. After presentation, the original medal will be given to the Smithsonian Institution for display and research. The Act also permits the creation and sale of bronze duplicates to cover production costs.

The ABC-ED Act of 2025 aims to improve emergency department efficiency by allowing public health grants to fund real-time hospital bed capacity tracking systems. It also mandates the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation to pilot programs focused on enhancing emergency care for older adults and those in acute psychiatric crises. Finally, the bill directs a study on best practices for these capacity tracking systems and their impact on emergency wait times.

The Expanding Access to Diabetes Self-Management Training Act of 2025 aims to improve Medicare coverage for diabetes training and nutrition services. It expands who can oversee training, removes patient cost-sharing for these services, and mandates testing for virtual diabetes management programs. These changes are designed to make essential diabetes self-management education more accessible and affordable for beneficiaries starting in 2027.

The Innovative FEED Act of 2025 establishes a new regulatory category for "zootechnical animal food substances" intended to modify digestion or reduce foodborne pathogens in food animals, while explicitly excluding substances intended to treat disease. These substances are still regulated as food additives requiring FDA approval based on demonstrated efficacy and safety. The bill mandates specific labeling requirements to clarify that these products are not intended as animal drugs.

This resolution serves as a formal tribute honoring the life, achievements, and enduring legacy of former United States Senator Christopher "Kit" Bond of Missouri. It recognizes his decades of public service, including his terms as Missouri Governor and U.S. Senator, where he championed infrastructure, agriculture, and conservative values. The Senate expresses deep sadness over his passing and directs that official copies of this tribute be sent to his family.

The Access Technology Affordability Act of 2025 establishes a new federal tax credit to help offset the cost of essential access technology for blind individuals. This credit covers expenses for hardware or software that converts visual information into usable formats for the taxpayer, their spouse, or a dependent. The credit is capped at \$2,000 over any three-year period and is set to expire for tax years beginning after December 31, 2030.

The SMART Prices Act aims to strengthen Medicare by significantly accelerating and expanding the number of drugs eligible for price negotiation. This bill lowers the time requirements for certain single-source drugs to qualify for negotiation and adjusts the maximum fair price ceilings for negotiated drugs starting in 2028. Overall, the legislation seeks to increase price competition and lower costs within the Medicare drug program.

This resolution reaffirms the deep and steadfast partnership between the United States and Canada, recognizing its critical importance to both nations' economic prosperity and national security. It highlights the massive trade volume, integrated supply chains, and shared commitment to continental defense and energy independence. The bill emphasizes strengthening cooperation across security, technology, and environmental stewardship while ensuring the border remains secure for vital commerce. Ultimately, this is a strong statement of commitment to maintaining and deepening the essential U.S.-Canada relationship.

The Healthcare Cybersecurity Act of 2025 aims to bolster cybersecurity across the nation's healthcare sector by enhancing coordination between CISA and HHS. This legislation mandates the creation of a sector-specific risk management plan, the identification of high-risk assets, and the provision of specialized training for healthcare owners and operators. Ultimately, the bill seeks to reduce the growing threat of cyberattacks targeting critical patient data and health services.

The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2025 aims to modernize and increase transparency in the prior authorization process for Medicare Advantage plans. This bill mandates the adoption of electronic prior authorization systems and requires plans to publicly report detailed data on their approval, denial, and appeal rates. Furthermore, it establishes new standards to protect enrollees and grants the Secretary authority to enforce faster decision timelines for care requests.

This resolution officially designates May 17, 2025, as "Kids to Parks Day." The goal is to encourage children and families to engage in healthy outdoor activities by visiting local, state, and national parks. It recognizes the importance of nature for youth health and education while promoting the preservation of public lands.

This resolution officially recognizes the vital roles and significant contributions of teachers across the United States in strengthening the nation's civic, cultural, and economic well-being. It specifically designates National Teacher Appreciation Week, May 5–9, 2025, to raise public awareness and encourage greater respect for the teaching profession. Ultimately, this measure serves as a formal expression of gratitude from Congress to educators nationwide.

The Mapping America's Pharmaceutical Supply Act (MAPS Act) aims to strengthen the U.S. pharmaceutical supply chain by requiring the regular updating of an Essential Medicines List and mandating comprehensive risk assessments of drug sourcing. This legislation directs federal agencies to map the supply chains for these critical drugs, identifying vulnerabilities related to foreign reliance and national security risks. Furthermore, the Department of Defense must report biannually on pharmaceuticals sourced or manufactured in China.

The COUNTER Act grants the Department of Defense (DoD) expanded authority to neutralize threats from unmanned aircraft systems (drones) operating outside of the United States. This legislation delegates response authority, clarifies mitigation methods like remote identification, and exempts security details regarding these operations from public disclosure. Furthermore, it limits the application of certain criminal and security laws to authorized DoD and Coast Guard activities aimed at countering these aerial threats overseas.

The Countering Chinese Espionage Reporting Act mandates that the Department of Justice (DOJ) submit an annual public report detailing its efforts to combat national security threats and espionage from the Chinese Communist Party. This report must outline specific operations, resource allocation against these threats, and measures taken to protect civil liberties. The requirement ensures transparency regarding the DOJ's activities countering intellectual property theft and threats from non-traditional collectors over the next seven years.

The Civilian Conservation Center Enhancement Act of 2025 aims to revitalize Civilian Conservation Centers (CCCs) as residential training facilities for underserved youth. This legislation mandates the creation of specialized training programs, particularly in areas like wildland firefighting, to support the needs of the Department of the Interior and Agriculture. Furthermore, the bill establishes hiring goals and provides enhanced hiring authorities to ensure covered graduates secure employment in federal conservation and firefighting roles. It also includes provisions for improving agency housing stock using student labor.