Legislative Activity

The Keep SNAP and WIC Funded Act of 2025 ensures that essential nutrition programs, including SNAP and WIC, continue to provide benefits without interruption if full appropriations for the Department of Agriculture are not enacted for Fiscal Year 2026. This legislation immediately makes funds available to cover benefits and state operating costs during any funding lapse, retroactive to September 30, 2025. These special appropriations terminate once the standard FY 2026 funding bill is passed or by September 30, 2026.

This bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to establish a new, increasing schedule for federal appropriations for Impact Aid programs through fiscal year 2031. It specifically sets new funding limits for payments related to federal property acquisition, basic payments for heavily impacted districts, services for children with disabilities, and construction activities. The legislation aims to advance progress toward full federal funding for these essential school support programs.

The Indian Programs Advance Appropriations Act of 2025 establishes advance funding mechanisms for the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Bureau of Indian Education (BIE), and the Indian Health Service (IHS), beginning in fiscal year 2026. This legislation requires these agencies to provide Congress with detailed budget estimates looking one year ahead of the proposed budget year. Additionally, the bill mandates annual consultation with Tribal nations and reporting on resource sufficiency for the upcoming fiscal year.

The Seedlings for Sustainable Habitat Restoration Act of 2025 expands the Forest Service's ability to fund ecosystem restoration by authorizing contracts and grants for collecting native seeds and growing seedlings. This funding can now go to a broader range of partners, including state agencies, tribes, and universities. Furthermore, the bill explicitly includes native seed collection and seedling production as eligible activities under the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program.

The Gas Pipeline Leak Detection and Repair Act of 2025 immediately enacts the final rule from PHMSA regarding gas pipeline leak detection and repair standards upon the bill's signing. This ensures stricter safety measures for finding and fixing leaks take effect without delay. Furthermore, the Act preserves the Secretary of Transportation's authority to issue stronger, more protective regulations in the future.

The Restore and Modernize Our National Laboratories Act of 2025 authorizes $\$5$ billion annually from 2026 to 2030 to address deferred maintenance and modernize critical infrastructure across the National Laboratories. This legislation mandates comprehensive reporting to Congress on funded projects and updates the Department of Energy's facility strategy to align infrastructure planning with current and future scientific missions. The bill ensures that modernization efforts support cutting-edge research while requiring a detailed 10-year reconfiguration plan for all national laboratory facilities.

The Prevent Interruptions in Physical Therapy Act of 2025 ensures continuity of care by allowing physical therapists to utilize locum tenens arrangements under Medicare. This legislation updates existing rules to ensure that temporary coverage for outpatient physical therapy services is treated the same way as coverage for physicians' services. The goal is to prevent disruptions in patient access to necessary physical therapy.

The Community Solar Consumer Choice Act of 2025 establishes a federal program to increase access to community solar, particularly for low-income individuals and underserved communities. It mandates that most utilities offer community solar programs, allowing customers to receive credit for solar energy without owning panels. Furthermore, the bill directs the Secretary of Energy to support these efforts and allows the federal government to enter into longer-term contracts for utility services.

The HCBS Relief Act of 2025 significantly increases federal Medicaid funding for states that commit to improving their Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) programs. This temporary boost requires states to use the extra funds to raise provider reimbursement rates, increase worker compensation, and expand access to services for eligible individuals. States must ensure this new federal money supplements, rather than replaces, existing state spending on HCBS.

This resolution officially designates May 2025 as American Stroke Month to raise national awareness about the severity of strokes. It supports improving systems of care, increasing education on prevention and warning signs like F.A.S.T., and advancing research. The goal is to reduce stroke-related death and disability across the United States.

This resolution expresses strong support for designating May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month to combat the national mental health crisis. It emphasizes the critical need to address mental health challenges in children, support veterans, and reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness. Ultimately, the bill calls for treating mental wellness as a national priority equal to physical health, urging increased access to care and resources.

The SNAP Administrator Retention Act of 2025 aims to improve SNAP administration by requiring states to raise staff wages to match federal pay scales. Once approved, the federal government will fully fund 100% of the state agency's administrative personnel costs for SNAP. This funding is contingent on states using the money to supplement, not supplant, their existing administrative staffing budgets.

The Farmer to Farmer Education Act of 2025 amends existing law to prioritize and fund the creation and support of farmer-to-farmer networks for technical assistance. This initiative aims to connect farmers with peer mentorship and learning sessions focused on adopting science-based conservation methods. The Secretary of Agriculture can award funds to various eligible groups, with a focus on those serving historically underserved farmers.

The TEST AI Act of 2025 establishes a pilot program, managed by NIST, to develop reliable measurement standards for evaluating federal Artificial Intelligence systems. This effort requires collaboration between the Departments of Commerce and Energy to create necessary testing facilities, known as "testbeds." A newly formed Working Group will advise on developing standards covering AI reliability, security, and bias, with a final report submitted to Congress detailing findings and future needs.

The BABIES Act aims to improve access to maternity care by establishing new federal grants to help freestanding birth centers start up or expand services. It also creates a Medicaid demonstration program to test new payment models for comprehensive, low-risk maternity care provided by accredited birth centers. These combined efforts seek to increase the availability of quality, community-based birth options, particularly in underserved areas.

The Midwives for MOMS Act of 2025 aims to strengthen the maternity care workforce by authorizing significant federal funding to support and expand accredited midwifery and nurse-midwifery education programs. These grants will directly assist students, help establish or grow educational institutions, and support clinical preceptors. Priority for funding will be given to programs that increase diversity and train providers to work in designated health professional shortage areas.

This resolution supports the goals of National Public Health Week by recognizing significant past public health achievements while highlighting current crises like declining life expectancy and rising overdose deaths. It urges increased investment in prevention and strengthening the public health workforce to address ongoing challenges. The measure also expresses concern over proposed government restructuring and budget cuts that could undermine these vital efforts. Ultimately, it calls for a national commitment to becoming the healthiest nation within a generation.

The Chaco Cultural Heritage Area Protection Act of 2025 withdraws specific federal lands in New Mexico surrounding the Chaco Culture National Historical Park from mineral leasing, oil and gas development, and new mining claims. This action aims to protect the region's significant cultural resources, ancestral sites, and dark skies from modern industrial pressures. The bill also mandates the termination of non-producing oil and gas leases on these protected lands. All actions must be taken in consultation with local Indian Tribes.

The REPAIR Act aims to ensure consumers and independent mechanics have fair access to the necessary vehicle data, tools, and parts required to service modern vehicles. This legislation prevents manufacturers from creating technological or contractual barriers that restrict competition in the automotive repair market. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is tasked with enforcing these new standards and creating rules to protect consumer data rights. Ultimately, the bill promotes consumer choice and fosters a competitive environment for vehicle maintenance and repair services.

This Act establishes a framework for cooperation between federal land managers and New Mexico's qualified community land grants regarding their historical and traditional uses of federal lands. It mandates the creation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to streamline permitting, fee waivers, and infrastructure maintenance for these long-standing, noncommercial activities. Furthermore, the bill requires federal land use plans to specifically consider and incorporate provisions protecting these established community uses. This legislation does not alter existing treaty rights for Indian Tribes or the State of New Mexico's authority over water, game, or fish.