Legislative Activity

The Spectrum Coordination Act aims to improve transparency in how the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) manages radio spectrum allocations that affect federal agencies. It mandates that the Commerce Department publicly file details regarding federal agency concerns when the FCC proposes changes to spectrum usage. Furthermore, the FCC must publish a summary explaining how those concerns were addressed when issuing a final rule. Finally, the FCC and NTIA must periodically update their existing coordination agreement.

The Survivor Benefits Fairness Act adjusts the effective date for reducing or stopping certain VA benefits, like compensation or pension, when a veteran's marriage ends or a dependent dies. Under this bill, benefit reductions will now take effect at the end of the month the event occurs, rather than the end of the preceding month. This change ensures veterans and survivors receive benefits for the entire month in which the qualifying event takes place.

The Protecting Access to Ground Ambulance Medical Services Act of 2025 extends the current Medicare payment structure for ground ambulance services. This change ensures continuity in how these vital services are reimbursed under existing rules. Specifically, the temporary payment pilot program is extended through 2028, preventing an immediate change in payment policy.

The Correcting Guam's History in the PACT Act expands eligibility for veterans who served in Guam to receive a presumption of service connection for diseases linked to herbicide exposure. This change specifically covers service in Guam between August 15, 1958, and July 31, 1980. Coverage for veterans who served in American Samoa remains unchanged.

This bill establishes a 23-member Commission tasked with studying the feasibility and planning for the creation of a National Museum of Irish American History in Washington, D.C. The Commission must develop comprehensive plans for the museum's establishment, operation, and governance, including a strategy to fund it without relying on future federal tax dollars for maintenance. The Commission is authorized specific funding for two fiscal years and will terminate 30 days after submitting its final required reports to Congress and the President.

The SPEAK Act of 2025 directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to issue updated guidance on ensuring meaningful language access during telehealth services. This guidance must establish best practices for incorporating interpreters, improving access to technology, and providing multilingual patient materials for individuals with limited English proficiency. The goal is to ensure equitable care delivery across virtual health platforms.

The Major Richard Star Act ensures that military retirees with combat-related disabilities can receive both their military retirement pay and VA disability compensation concurrently without reduction. This law removes previous restrictions that caused military retirement pay to be offset by VA disability payments for these specific cases. The changes take effect on the first day of the month following the Act's enactment.

The Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act of 2025 establishes a new EPA pilot grant program to improve recycling access, focusing specifically on underserved communities. These competitive grants will fund infrastructure projects, such as building transfer stations or expanding curbside service, using a "hub-and-spoke" model. Priority is given to projects located far from existing materials recovery facilities, with grants ranging from $\$500,000$ to $\$15$ million.

The HELPER Act of 2025 establishes a new FHA mortgage insurance program to assist first responders, educators, and law enforcement officers in purchasing homes. This program offers eligible first-time homebuyers 100% financing with no down payment required. Instead of monthly premiums, borrowers pay an upfront FHA insurance premium at closing.

The Information and Communication Technology Strategy Act directs the Secretary of Commerce to assess the U.S. information and communication technology (ICT) supply chain, identifying critical technologies and trusted domestic vendors. This assessment will form the basis for a government-wide strategy aimed at boosting the economic competitiveness of these trusted vendors. The ultimate goal is to strengthen the nation's technology sources and reduce reliance on vendors deemed a national security risk.

The Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act aims to improve support for individuals diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. This bill eliminates the standard waiting period for receiving Social Security disability insurance benefits and waives the 24-month waiting period for Medicare coverage. These changes ensure immediate access to crucial financial and healthcare support upon diagnosis.

The Stop Comstock Act aims to modernize and streamline federal statutes concerning obscene materials. It revises several sections of federal law, including those related to crimes, transportation, and importation, by removing outdated or redundant language like "indecent" or "immoral." This legislative cleanup focuses the legal definitions to center specifically on "obscene materials."

The Medicare Dental, Vision, and Hearing Benefit Act of 2025 significantly expands Medicare coverage to include comprehensive dental, vision, and hearing services starting in 2026. This legislation outlines specific payment schedules, frequency limits, and coverage percentages for routine exams, procedures, eyeglasses, contact lenses, and hearing aids. Furthermore, the bill mandates the inclusion of an oral health professional on the United States Preventive Services Task Force.

The Access to Family Building Act aims to guarantee that patients can access Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) services and that healthcare providers can offer them without unreasonable interference. This legislation preempts state and local laws that impose burdens on ART services not required for similar medical procedures or that hinder access without improving safety. The Act establishes the right to access ART and provides robust legal avenues for individuals, providers, and the government to challenge and strike down restrictive regulations.

The Veterans Patient Advocacy Act ensures that veterans living in rural areas have reliable access to patient advocates at VA medical facilities. This requires the VA to assign advocates specifically to community-based outpatient clinics in rural locations. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs must implement these changes within two years, followed by a GAO review of the implementation progress.

The Providing Veterans Essential Medications Act allows State homes caring for veterans to choose how they receive reimbursement for very high-cost medications. State homes can opt to be reimbursed directly for the medication's cost or have the Secretary of the VA furnish the drug directly. This provision applies only when the cost of a specific medication exceeds a defined threshold relative to the standard monthly payment for that veteran's care.

The Wildland Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act of 2025 establishes permanent, higher base pay rates for federal wildland firefighters based on their GS grade. It also creates a significant daily premium pay bonus for time spent responding to qualifying wildfire incidents. Finally, the bill mandates new paid rest and recuperation leave for firefighters following deployment to ensure proper recovery.

The "Simplifying Veterans Assistance Act of 2025" aims to improve the grant application process for entities seeking to provide comprehensive services to homeless veterans. It requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide clear guidance, best practices, and informational sessions to potential applicants. This will help ensure that more organizations can effectively access resources to support homeless veterans.

The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2025 amends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to address vote dilution, denial, and abridgment claims, and to update which states and political subdivisions are subject to federal oversight based on a history of voting rights violations. It broadens the types of violations that allow a court to retain jurisdiction over a case, clarifies the Attorney General's authority to assign observers, and ensures transparency in voting-related changes. The Act also authorizes the Attorney General to demand documents and information to enforce voting rights and provides grants to small jurisdictions to assist with notification requirements.

This bill, the Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2025, seeks to amend the National Labor Relations Act and other labor laws to strengthen protections for workers' rights to organize and collectively bargain. It aims to modernize labor regulations by clarifying definitions, addressing unfair labor practices, enhancing enforcement, and increasing transparency in labor-management relations. The bill introduces measures such as electronic voting in union elections, strengthens whistleblower protections, and mandates studies on collective bargaining practices. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure fair treatment of workers and promote equitable labor practices.