Legislative Activity

The "Protecting Rural Seniors’ Access to Care Act" prohibits the Department of Health and Human Services from implementing or enforcing minimum staffing standards for long-term care facilities. It also establishes an advisory panel to assess and provide recommendations on strengthening the nursing home workforce, particularly in rural and underserved areas, and to address workforce shortages. The panel will be composed of 17 members and will submit regular reports to the Secretary and relevant committees.

The Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act extends and modifies the Conrad State 30 program, which allows foreign physicians to work in the U.S. in underserved areas in exchange for a waiver of certain visa requirements. It increases the number of available waivers, provides employment protections for participating physicians, and modifies the requirements for physicians seeking waivers, including allowing them to pursue permanent residency and extending their visas in certain circumstances. The Act also requires annual reporting on the program's usage.

The "Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act of 2025" allocates $150 million from 2025-2029 to improve public access to private lands for recreational purposes. A portion of the funds, $3 million, will be used to specifically enhance access to land covered by wetland reserve easements through agreements with state and tribal governments.

This resolution designates February 15–22, 2025, as "National FFA Week" to celebrate the National FFA Organization’s vital role in developing the next generation of agricultural leaders. It commemorates the 90th anniversary of the New Farmers of America and the 75th anniversary of the FFA’s Federal charter. The bill encourages nationwide participation in honoring the organization's long-standing commitment to leadership, personal growth, and career success.

The LEOSA Reform Act amends the Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 to allow qualified law enforcement officers and retired officers to carry concealed firearms in school zones. It also modifies the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004, clarifying its relationship with other federal laws, updating firearms proficiency requirements for retired officers, and including magazines in the definition of ammunition. Additionally, the Act permits qualified current and retired law enforcement officers to carry firearms in certain federal facilities.

The "Protecting Patients from Deceptive Drug Ads Act" aims to regulate communications about prescription drugs, especially on social media, to prevent false or misleading information. It imposes penalties for deceptive endorsements by social media influencers and healthcare providers, mandates disclosure of payments for drug promotions, and requires the Department of Health and Human Services to provide guidance on what constitutes misleading communication. The act also establishes a task force to monitor drug advertising and authorizes funding for these activities, ensuring that patients receive accurate and complete information about prescription drugs.

The "Death Tax Repeal Act of 2025" eliminates both estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes, while also modifying gift tax laws. It adjusts gift tax calculations, addresses transfers in trust, sets an initial $10,000,000 amount for calculating tentative tax, and adjusts for inflation. These changes apply to estates of decedents dying, generation-skipping transfers occurring, and gifts made on or after the enactment date of this Act.

The "Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2025" amends the Clean Air Act, modifying the process for ethanol waivers and Reid Vapor Pressure limitations, allowing for higher ethanol blends during high ozone season. It also permits small refineries to reclaim certain retired credits from 2016-2018 for future use, under specific conditions related to prior exemption petitions.

The "Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act of 2025" prevents the Department of Interior and Department of Agriculture from banning or regulating lead ammunition and fishing tackle on federal lands and waters open to hunting and fishing. An exception is allowed in specific areas where lead is scientifically proven to be the primary cause of wildlife population decline, but any restrictions must align with state laws or have the approval of the state's fish and wildlife department. The reasoning for any such prohibition or regulation must be published in the Federal Register.

The Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act of 2025 aims to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and countering its support for terrorism by imposing sanctions on those involved in logistical transactions of Iranian oil, gas, and petrochemical products. It mandates the President to block the property of sanctioned individuals and entities within the U.S. and deny them U.S. visas, with potential waivers based on national interest. The Act also establishes an Interagency Working Group to coordinate and enhance the enforcement of sanctions against Iran, and encourages the formation of a multilateral contact group with similar countries to coordinate international enforcement of sanctions against Iran. Finally, the Act amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to include identifying individuals or entities involved in activities that violate or evade sanctions under the Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act of 2025.

The "Eliminate Lavish Incentives To Electric Vehicles Act" repeals several clean energy tax credits, including those for new and used clean vehicles, qualified commercial clean vehicles, and excludes electric vehicle recharging property from the alternative fuel vehicle refueling property credit. These changes would take effect for vehicles or property purchased (or under binding contract) more than 30 days after the Act's enactment.

The "Financing Our Energy Future Act" amends the Internal Revenue Code to expand the definition of "qualifying income" for publicly traded partnerships involved in green energy projects. This expansion includes income from various renewable energy activities, such as generating and storing power from renewable sources, processing biomass, utilizing carbon capture technologies, and producing renewable chemicals. These changes aim to incentivize investment in and development of green energy technologies by allowing more green energy companies to qualify for PTP status. The amendments will take effect for taxable years starting after December 31, 2025.

This bill transfers the responsibilities of the Food for Peace Act from the United States Agency for International Development to the Department of Agriculture. It ensures program continuity by allowing the Secretary of Agriculture to implement immediate regulation amendments and utilize existing statutory authorities. The Department of Agriculture will also continue the Famine Early Warning Systems Network to monitor and mitigate food insecurity. The Secretary of Agriculture is required to consult regularly with the Secretary of State when implementing title II of the Food for Peace Act.

The Pharmacy Benefit Manager Transparency Act of 2025 aims to regulate pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) by prohibiting unfair pricing practices, requiring transparency in pricing and reporting, and protecting whistleblowers who report violations. It mandates PBMs to disclose drug costs, fees, and payments received from drug manufacturers, and it empowers the FTC and state attorneys general to enforce the Act. The Act also requires reports and studies on PBM practices to promote competition and lower drug costs. This law does not override existing state laws.

The GRID Power Act aims to improve the process for connecting new power projects to the electric grid, prioritizing those that enhance grid reliability and resilience. It directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to establish rules that allow transmission providers to propose adjustments to their interconnection queue, giving priority to projects that improve grid reliability. These proposals must demonstrate the need for prioritization, explain how it will improve grid reliability or resilience, and be subject to public comment. FERC is required to review and update these regulations regularly to address evolving grid challenges.

This resolution honors the memory of the 67 victims who lost their lives in the tragic mid-air collision between American Airlines Flight 5342 and a U.S. Army helicopter on January 29, 2025. It extends heartfelt condolences to the grieving families and expresses profound gratitude to the numerous first responder organizations that provided dedicated rescue and recovery efforts.

The "Fit for Purpose Wildfire Readiness Act of 2025" aims to improve the federal government's response to wildfires. It mandates the creation of a plan to consolidate wildland fire preparedness, suppression, and recovery efforts under a new National Wildland Firefighting Service within the Department of the Interior. This plan will outline the new service's budget, leadership qualifications, and necessary resources for consolidating federal wildfire response. A report detailing this plan must be submitted to Congress within 180 days.

The "Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act of 2025" prevents the Department of Veterans Affairs from sharing veterans' personal information with the national instant criminal background check system (NICS) based solely on the appointment of a fiduciary to manage their benefits. Information can only be shared if a judicial authority determines the veteran poses a danger to themselves or others.

The "Alternatives to PAIN Act" aims to improve access to non-opioid pain management for Medicare Part D beneficiaries starting in 2026. It eliminates the standard deductible and places qualifying non-opioid pain management drugs on the lowest cost-sharing tier. The bill also prohibits the use of step therapy and prior authorization requirements for these drugs, ensuring quicker access to alternative pain relief options.

The "Family Farm and Small Business Exemption Act" exempts family farms and small businesses from being considered as assets when calculating eligibility for federal financial aid under the Higher Education Act of 1965. This exemption applies to family farms where the family resides and small businesses with 100 or fewer employees that the family owns and controls. These changes will apply to financial aid award years starting after the enactment of this Act.