Legislative Activity

The Firefighter Learning And Management Education (FLAME) Act establishes new notification requirements for the Administrator of the U.S. Fire Administration when large-scale cancellations of National Academy for Fire Prevention and Control courses occur. It mandates timely notification to Congress and affected students regarding any significant course reductions. Furthermore, the bill allows fire departments to seek reimbursement for incurred expenses if a course is cancelled for reasons other than "good cause" and requires a GAO study on the impact of these cancellations.

This bill, the Congressional Tribute to Constance Baker Motley Act of 2025, posthumously awards the Congressional Gold Medal to the pioneering civil rights attorney and federal judge, Constance Baker Motley. The legislation recognizes her historic achievements, including her role in *Brown v. Board of Education* and her service as the first African-American woman appointed as a federal judge. The Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to strike the medal, and provisions are made for selling bronze duplicates to cover production costs.

The Weather Act Reauthorization Act of 2025 aims to significantly enhance U.S. weather forecasting, research, and public safety measures across five years. It mandates the modernization of critical infrastructure, including radar systems and data processing, while prioritizing the integration of commercial technology and social science research into actionable, impact-based warnings. The bill focuses on improving predictions for severe events like tornadoes, hurricanes, and droughts, and overhauls how NOAA acquires and utilizes private sector weather data. Ultimately, this legislation seeks to deliver faster, clearer, and more reliable hazard information to protect American lives and property.

The Reforming and Enhancing Sustainable Updates to Laboratory Testing Services Act of 2025 (RESULTS Act) aims to improve Medicare payment rates for clinical lab tests by mandating the collection of more accurate, real-world payment data directly from large, independent private insurance claims databases. This legislation updates definitions, collection timelines, and calculation methods to ensure Medicare payments for widely available tests reflect current market rates. It also establishes default payment rules if sufficient private payor data cannot be secured.

The HCBS Worker Protection Act of 2025 removes a federal payment limitation for certain home and community-based services (HCBS) waivers under Medicaid. This change grants states greater flexibility in receiving federal matching funds for these essential community services.

The Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025 directs the FAA to update regulations to encourage aviation workers to seek mental health support without fear of stigma. The bill mandates annual reviews of the medical clearance process and allocates funding to hire more Aviation Medical Examiners. Furthermore, it requires the FAA to implement recommendations from a recent mental health task force and launch a public awareness campaign to reduce stigma.

The Safeguarding the Use of the National Guard Act (SUN Act) enhances Congressional oversight of the President's domestic deployment of National Guard and reserve forces. It requires the President to submit a detailed report to Congress within 15 days outlining the legal justification, goals, costs, and impact of any domestic deployment. This reporting requirement is waived only when reserve forces are deployed specifically following a Presidential declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Act for a natural disaster.

This resolution terminates the President's August 11, 2025, declaration of a crime emergency in the District of Columbia. Congress asserts that the President lacks the legal authority under the D.C. Home Rule Act to take operational control of the Metropolitan Police Department. Furthermore, the bill notes that local violent crime rates have been declining significantly.

The High Occupancy Vehicle Lane Exemption Reauthorization Act extends the federal regulations governing High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) facilities. Specifically, this bill pushes back the expiration date for these existing HOV facility rules from September 30, 2025, to September 30, 2031. This ensures the current federal guidelines remain in effect for an additional six years.

The Keep Seniors Fed Act makes technical amendments to the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 regarding how income is calculated for food assistance eligibility. Specifically, it mandates that income received under Title II of the Social Security Act must now be counted when determining eligibility for benefits. These changes will take effect 90 days after the bill is signed into law.

The Advancing Gun Safety Technology Act establishes a pilot program to fund small businesses developing innovative technologies designed to prevent accidental or unauthorized firearm use. Through grants managed by the Attorney General, the program aims to accelerate the development and commercial readiness of safety features like smart guns and advanced locking mechanisms. Up to $10 million is authorized for this initiative in Fiscal Year 2026.

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 Affordable Housing Resident Services Act establishes a new competitive grant program managed by the Department of Health and Human Services to fund supportive services in qualified affordable housing properties. These grants will finance activities like health coordination, education, and financial stability assistance for residents, with a requirement that services remain strictly voluntary. Grantees must dedicate at least 25% of the funds to service coordinator salaries and report annually on the impact of the services provided.

The Afghan Adjustment Act establishes new pathways for certain Afghan nationals already in the U.S. to obtain conditional permanent resident status, contingent upon rigorous security vetting. It also creates a special referral process for at-risk Afghan allies still outside the U.S. to access the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program remotely. Furthermore, the bill extends deadlines and expands eligibility for existing Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) while mandating significant interagency coordination and reporting to Congress on processing efficiency.

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 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 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.

This proposed constitutional amendment would eliminate immunity from criminal prosecution for federal officials, including the President, based on their official duties. It also explicitly prohibits the President from issuing a self-pardon for any federal crimes. If ratified, these changes would take effect immediately.

The "Don't Sell My DNA Act" amends bankruptcy law to provide robust protection for genetic information during bankruptcy proceedings. This bill prohibits the sale or lease of genetic data from the bankruptcy estate without the explicit written consent of every affected individual. Furthermore, it mandates the deletion of any unsold genetic information according to court-approved security standards.

The Stop NOAA Closures Act places a temporary moratorium on the closure or restriction of access to any National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) facilities. This freeze remains in effect until 180 days after key officials submit a required report to Congress detailing the criteria and process for any future facility changes. After the moratorium lifts, any major facility action will still require a 30-day advance notice and justification report to Congress, except in cases of immediate emergency threatening staff safety.