Legislative Activity

The Global Respect Act of 2025 mandates the President to publicly identify foreign individuals responsible for serious human rights abuses against LGBTQI individuals. Those identified will be deemed inadmissible to the United States, and their visas will be subject to cancellation. The Act also requires enhanced reporting to Congress regarding the identification process and strengthens the State Department's tracking of discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity abroad.

The **SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act of 2025** is a comprehensive bill designed to strengthen national efforts against substance use disorders and improve public health infrastructure. It significantly increases and extends funding for prevention, treatment, and recovery support programs through 2030, while also updating regulations for provider training and controlled substance distribution. Key provisions focus on enhancing maternal health support, improving overdose monitoring, bolstering the mental health workforce, and ensuring accountability in state-level mental health spending.

The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2025 is a comprehensive bill designed to strengthen the network supporting older Americans by improving health outcomes, enhancing nutrition services, and bolstering support for family caregivers. It focuses on increasing accountability, transparency, and coordination across federal and local aging services. Key provisions include dedicated mental health advocacy, modernized nutrition options like medically tailored meals, and significant support enhancements for family caregivers and Native elders.

This Act, named in honor of Daniel J. Harvey, Jr. and Adam Lambert, aims to reduce veteran suicide by strengthening mental health resources during the transition from military service to civilian life. It mandates updated mental health and suicide risk briefings within the Department of Defense's Transition Assistance Program (TAP). Furthermore, the bill enhances the VA's Solid Start Program by requiring specific outreach regarding healthcare enrollment and mental health services.

The Tribal Tax and Investment Reform Act of 2025 aims to strengthen Tribal sovereignty and boost economic development by granting Indian Tribes parity with states in certain tax matters, including excise taxes and bond issuance. The bill significantly reforms rules surrounding Tribal pension plans, ensuring they receive fair treatment and establishing clear fiduciary standards. Furthermore, it introduces targeted tax incentives, such as expanding the New Markets Tax Credit for tribal areas and clarifying the tax-exempt status of certain tribal charities and health-related loan repayments. Finally, the Act improves Tribal child support enforcement capabilities and ensures Tribal welfare benefits are excluded from federal income calculations.

The Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act of 2025 comprehensively updates federal support for vulnerable youth by modernizing grant programs for basic centers and transitional living. This legislation enhances services by mandating trauma-informed care, improving coordination with other federal agencies, and explicitly addressing the needs of youth experiencing homelessness and trafficking. Furthermore, it expands outreach methods to include digital communication and establishes new funding streams specifically for prevention services.

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 Nutrition CARE Act of 2025 aims to address the critical gaps in eating disorder treatment within the Medicare program. This bill specifically expands Medicare coverage to include essential medical nutrition therapy services for beneficiaries diagnosed with an eating disorder, effective January 1, 2026. Coverage will be provided by registered dietitians following a referral from a physician or psychologist, with established limits on covered hours.

The OCTOPUS Act of 2025 aims to prohibit the establishment of commercial octopus farming operations within U.S. jurisdiction. It bans the importation and reexport of any octopus raised through commercial aquaculture, requiring importers to certify that their products were not farmed. Exceptions are made for accredited zoos, aquariums, and permitted scientific research.

The Securing Enhanced Programs, Systems, and Initiatives for Sepsis Act (SEPSIS Act) aims to combat the high rates of death and cost associated with sepsis nationwide. This bill directs the CDC to enhance national sepsis programs, focusing on education, data collection, and the development of outcome measures for both adults and children. It also authorizes funding to support these critical efforts and allows for a voluntary program to recognize hospitals demonstrating excellence in sepsis management.

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 Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2025 updates federal grant programs to strengthen the nursing pipeline. It expands eligibility for advanced nursing education grants to cover more specialized roles and updates funding for modernizing nursing school resources like simulation labs. The bill also increases the authorized funding levels for these critical nursing workforce programs through Fiscal Year 2030.

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 North Pacific Research Board Enhancement Act updates the structure and operations of the Board by adding a new seat specifically for an Alaska Native representative with subsistence experience. It also temporarily waives the administrative spending cap for five years while granting the NOAA Administrator limited authority to adjust the standard 15% cap in years when funding decreases. These changes aim to improve representation and ensure the Board can effectively manage its research funding.

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 Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act of 2025 establishes a presumption that certain cancers leading to death or disability in public safety officers were caused by on-duty exposure to recognized carcinogens. This law defines specific exposure-related cancers and sets conditions, such as five years of service, for the presumption to apply. It also updates review processes for adding new cancers to the list and grants retroactive application and filing extensions for eligible past and present claims.

The Kids Online Safety Act establishes a comprehensive "duty of care" requiring online platforms to design features that mitigate specific harms to minors, such as those related to mental health and exploitation. It mandates that platforms provide minors with default, restrictive safety settings and robust parental controls over data sharing and recommendations. Furthermore, the legislation demands significant transparency regarding algorithmic ranking systems and grants the FTC enforcement authority.

This resolution officially designates the week of May 11 through May 17, 2025, as "National Police Week." It serves to honor the valor and integrity of law enforcement officers across the nation. The resolution specifically remembers the officers killed in the line of duty during 2024 and encourages the public to observe this week to show appreciation for law enforcement personnel.

The Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act mandates that health plans cover medically necessary diagnosis and treatment for congenital anomalies or birth defects affecting the eyes, ears, teeth, mouth, or jaw. This coverage must apply to outpatient and inpatient care, including necessary dental and orthodontic support, unless the procedure is purely cosmetic. These new requirements take effect for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.

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.