Legislative Activity

This act grants the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) exclusive authority to approve or deny applications for natural gas and LNG export/import facilities, mandating that such actions be considered consistent with the public interest. The legislation clarifies that it does not limit the President's existing authority to impose sanctions through trade restrictions.

The ADOPT Act of 2025 aims to protect families and prevent the commodification of children in private domestic interstate adoptions. It establishes new federal crimes for unlicensed intermediaries who illegally solicit placements or make unauthorized payments to placing parents. The legislation ensures access to licensed and regulated adoption providers by creating clear exceptions for authorized professionals and agencies.

The Rural Hospital Closure Relief Act of 2025 establishes a temporary pathway allowing certain financially vulnerable rural hospitals to qualify as Critical Access Hospitals, even if they do not meet the standard 35-mile rule, provided they meet specific criteria and state certification. The bill also mandates studies by MedPAC and the GAO to examine rural hospital payment systems and the effectiveness of these new designations. Finally, it adjusts bed limit requirements for Critical Access Hospitals located in U.S. territories.

The HEALTH Act of 2025 aims to encourage physicians to provide free medical care to low-income individuals. It establishes a new federal tax deduction for physicians based on the Medicare-based value of qualified charity care they furnish. Additionally, the bill grants federal liability protection to physicians and their staff against civil lawsuits for unintentional harm caused while providing this charity care. This protection applies to services rendered to Medicaid or CHIP-enrolled patients after December 31, 2025.

This Act prohibits foreign states and sovereign wealth funds from funding U.S. civil litigation where they are not a party. It mandates strict disclosure requirements for any foreign third-party litigation funding in federal cases. Failure to comply can result in the dismissal of the case and other sanctions. The Attorney General must also report annually to Congress on the use of such foreign funding.

This bill, the Commercial Motor Vehicle English Proficiency Act, establishes new federal requirements for commercial driver's licenses. It mandates that all commercial motor vehicle knowledge tests must be administered only in English, effective two years after enactment. Furthermore, applicants must demonstrate the ability to read, understand, and communicate in English to pass testing and receive certification.

The Alzheimer’s Screening and Prevention Act of 2025 (ASAP Act) amends Medicare to cover early detection screening tests for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias starting in 2028. This coverage applies to FDA-cleared tests, including genomic sequencing and other equivalent diagnostic methods, designed to detect pre-symptomatic or early-stage conditions. The bill ensures these screenings are added to the list of covered medical services under Medicare.

The Agricultural Cooperative Energy Savings Act of 2025 expands eligibility for certain USDA programs by including agricultural cooperatives with fewer than 2,500 employees. This amendment modifies the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to broaden access to these federal resources for a wider range of agricultural cooperatives.

This resolution officially recognizes and supports the goals of National Rural Health Day to honor the vital role of rural communities and their healthcare providers. It acknowledges the unique challenges faced by rural residents, such as limited access to care and hospital closures. The bill expresses a commitment to advancing policies that improve the accessibility and affordability of healthcare in rural America.

This resolution honors the service and sacrifice of America's veterans on Veterans Day, 2025, recognizing the history of the observance from Armistice Day. It affirms the nation's deep commitment to supporting the over 15 million veterans and their families. The resolution calls upon the public to observe Veterans Day and ensure veterans continue to receive the services they deserve.

The Firearm Access During Shutdowns Act ensures that essential firearm-related government operations continue without interruption during a federal shutdown. This legislation specifically mandates the continuation of the FBI's NICS background check system and related processing at the ATF, Department of Commerce, and Department of State. By deeming these functions essential for protecting life and property, the bill prevents delays in firearm transfers and export licensing during lapses in appropriations.

The UNtaxed Act prohibits the United Nations and its affiliated bodies from imposing taxes, fees, or penalties on U.S. citizens and companies without formal Senate approval. Additionally, the bill restricts U.S. funding for any UN organization involved in the implementation or enforcement of a global carbon tax.

The Water Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2025 updates requirements for community water systems regarding risk and resilience assessments. It extends relevant deadlines to the 2026 through 2031 period. Furthermore, the bill mandates that water systems focus training and material purchases on cybersecurity defense, response, and related guidance.

The Natural Gas Export Expansion Act aims to boost the U.S. economy by streamlining and expediting the approval process for exporting natural gas to allied nations. This legislation removes previous regulatory hurdles, ensuring faster authorization for exports, while maintaining exclusions for sanctioned countries or those deemed national security risks. Furthermore, it automatically approves natural gas trade with Canada and Mexico.

The Shutdown Fairness Act ensures that federal employees and contractors deemed essential are automatically paid for the work they perform during a lapse in appropriations, starting in fiscal year 2026. This automatic funding mechanism from the Treasury covers standard pay and benefits for excepted employees until Congress passes a full-year budget. Once regular funding is enacted, these payments are charged against the agency's final appropriation.

The Agriculture Infrastructure Stability Act of 2025 mandates the research and development of a new revenue-loss crop insurance policy to help stabilize farm income. The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation must make this policy available to farmers within two years, provided it meets existing statutory requirements. Furthermore, the Corporation is required to report its research findings and policy details to Congress within one year of the Act's passage.

The Reducing Unnecessary Slowdowns in Handling Act establishes strict new processing deadlines for the ATF regarding general and firearm license applications. It mandates quarterly public reporting to Congress detailing application status, processing times, and reasons for delays or denials. Furthermore, the bill requires the ATF to implement internal appeal processes and streamline existing procedures to meet these new timelines without requiring additional funding.

The Developing Responsible Individuals for a Vibrant Economy Act (DRIVE-SAFE Act) establishes a structured apprenticeship program allowing drivers under 21 to operate commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce. This program requires apprentices to complete 400 hours of supervised training, divided into two probationary phases focusing on foundational and advanced driving skills. Participation mandates specific vehicle technology, such as automatic transmissions and collision mitigation systems, and continuous supervision by an experienced driver.

This resolution honors the life and legacy of Charles "Charlie" James Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA. It strongly condemns his assassination as an act of political violence. The bill calls for a renewed national commitment to civil discourse and the founding principles of the United States.

The Safe Step Act establishes mandatory, transparent exception processes for health plans that use "step therapy" protocols for prescription drugs. This ensures patients or their doctors can quickly request coverage for a prescribed medication when specific clinical criteria are met, such as previous treatment failure or risk of harm. Plans must decide on standard requests within 72 hours and urgent requests within 24 hours, and approved exceptions must last for at least one year. Furthermore, insurers must report detailed data annually on exception requests, approvals, and denials to the Secretary of Health and Human Services.