Legislative Activity

The Mental Health Services for Students Act of 2025 establishes a new federal program to provide comprehensive, trauma-informed mental health services and supports in schools through grants and contracts. These funds will support partnerships to implement awareness campaigns, staff training on trauma and suicide risk, and direct student and family treatment. The Secretary must ensure equitable distribution of funding, which is capped at \$2 million per award, with Congress authorized to appropriate \$300 million annually for the initial years.

This bill, the Welles Remy Crowther Congressional Gold Medal Act, authorizes the posthumous presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to Welles Remy Crowther for his extraordinary heroism and sacrifice during the September 11, 2001, attacks. The medal will be presented to his mother, Alison Crowther, on behalf of Congress. The Act also permits the creation and sale of bronze duplicates to cover production costs.

This resolution strongly condemns attempts to use federal regulatory power or litigation to suppress lawful speech critical of a political party or the President. It reaffirms the fundamental importance of the First Amendment and warns that such actions resemble tactics used by authoritarian regimes. The bill urges government agencies to protect free expression and ensure accountability, not political censorship.

This joint resolution directs the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities initiated after February 20, 2025, against designated terrorist groups or drug trafficking organizations without prior Congressional authorization. It asserts Congress's constitutional power to declare war and finds recent military strikes against vessels lacked proper justification. The bill allows for continued use of forces for self-defense or authorized counternarcotics support, but explicitly states drug trafficking alone does not constitute an armed attack.

The HEADACHE Act establishes a comprehensive National Headache Disorders Initiative to improve research, workforce development, and care coordination for all headache disorders. It mandates the creation of an Advisory Council to guide federal efforts and requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to submit annual reports to Congress detailing progress and recommending actions. This legislation aims to address disparities and reduce the societal and financial burden of these conditions before the Act automatically expires five years after enactment.

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.

The Preparing And Retaining All (PARA) Educators Act establishes a new federal grant program to help states recruit and retain school paraprofessionals. Funds will be distributed to states based on their existing Title I allocations to support local districts. States must use these competitive subgrants to improve paraprofessional wages, offer professional development, and support credentialing, prioritizing high-need and rural schools. The law requires annual reporting on compensation improvements and retention efforts.

The Protecting Free Vaccines Act mandates that most private health insurance plans must cover specific vaccines recommended by the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) without any out-of-pocket costs until January 1, 2030. This requirement also updates coverage rules for Medicare Part D, Medicaid, and CHIP to ensure continuity of coverage for these recommended immunizations. The bill locks in coverage based on the ACIP recommendations in place as of October 25, 2024, across various federal health programs.

The Responsible Retirement of Law Enforcement Firearms Act of 2025 (RRLEF Act) amends the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program to require state and local agencies to cease firearm transfers with licensed dealers flagged by the ATF. Dealers are placed on a restricted list if a significant number of their traced firearms show a "short time-to-crime." Furthermore, the Act mandates increased public disclosure of firearm tracing data by the ATF, removing previous statutory restrictions on making this information public.

This resolution officially recognizes the 250th birthday of the United States Navy, celebrating its long history since the Continental Navy was established in 1775. Congress expresses deep gratitude for the bravery and dedication of all past and present Sailors who have defended the nation. The bill reaffirms the Navy's vital role in global security, humanitarian efforts, and maintaining American strength worldwide.

The Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act of 2025 mandates that colleges receiving federal funds update their policies to explicitly prohibit and detail procedures for addressing harassment based on protected characteristics, including technology-facilitated abuse. The bill also establishes a competitive grant program, funded up to $50 million annually, to support campus efforts in harassment prevention, training, and support services. This legislation adds new requirements without superseding existing civil rights protections.

The SHINE for Autumn Act of 2025 aims to significantly improve federal support for state-level stillbirth research and data collection. It authorizes grants for states to enhance surveillance, track risk factors, and build local capacity for analyzing stillbirth data, provided the information remains de-identified. Furthermore, the bill mandates the development of standardized guidelines and educational materials regarding stillbirth awareness and risk factors, developed in consultation with experts and bereaved families.

The Michelle Alyssa Go Act revises the definition of an "institution for mental diseases" under Medicaid to allow federal funding for smaller facilities. Specifically, it excludes mental health facilities with 36 beds or fewer from the IMD exclusion if they meet specific, evidence-based quality standards set by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. This change aims to increase access to care by making smaller, qualified treatment centers eligible for Medicaid reimbursement.

This House Resolution strongly condemns all forms of political violence and threats against elected officials and public figures, regardless of political affiliation. It affirms that disagreements must be resolved through peaceful and democratic means, not intimidation or force. The resolution urges law enforcement to prosecute those who commit or encourage such violence. Finally, it calls on all leaders to cease using dehumanizing rhetoric and promote civil discourse.

The Special Diabetes Program Reauthorization Act of 2025 extends critical funding for the Special Diabetes Programs supporting Type 1 diabetes research and prevention. This bill commits $160 million annually for the program from fiscal years 2026 through 2030. The legislation ensures continued support for these vital diabetes initiatives over the next five years.

The Fair Housing Improvement Act of 2025 amends the Fair Housing Act to prohibit discrimination in housing based on source of income, veteran status, and military status. This expansion ensures that landlords cannot deny housing based on factors like the use of housing vouchers or military service. The Act also strengthens existing prohibitions against intimidation related to these newly protected statuses.

This constitutional amendment seeks to grant Congress and the states the authority to regulate contributions and expenditures in political campaigns. It specifically allows for the establishment of public financing systems to offset the influence of private money in elections. The amendment ensures that any regulations enacted must not infringe upon the freedom of the press.

This resolution expresses strong support for designating the week of September 20 through September 27, 2025, as "National Estuaries Week." It highlights the critical economic and environmental value of estuaries, which support millions of jobs and provide vital natural protection for coastal communities. The bill aims to raise public awareness about the need to protect and restore these essential ecosystems.

This bill establishes a six-year pilot program for hospitals to provide medically tailored, home-delivered meals and nutrition therapy to eligible Medicare patients upon discharge. The goal is to improve health outcomes and reduce hospital readmissions for individuals with diet-sensitive conditions who have difficulty with daily living activities. Participating hospitals will receive payment for these services, which must be provided at no out-of-pocket cost to the patient. The Secretary of Health and Human Services will evaluate the program's effectiveness using data collected from the participating sites.

The **988 LGBTQ+ Youth Access Act of 2025** addresses the high rates of suicide risk among LGBTQ youth by strengthening specialized support through the national crisis hotline. This bill mandates that dedicated resources and services, such as a specific dialing option, must be maintained for LGBTQ individuals contacting 988. Furthermore, it requires that at least 9 percent of appropriated funds for the hotline be specifically reserved to ensure these specialized services for LGBTQ youth remain fully operational.