Legislative Activity

This resolution expresses the support of the House of Representatives for Charleston, South Carolina, to host the 2027 annual session of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Parliamentary Assembly. It highlights the city’s world-class infrastructure and honors the legacy of the late Senator Lindsey Olin Graham by advocating for the event to proceed as originally planned.

The Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Reauthorization Act of 2026 extends vital funding for ALS research and clinical trial programs through 2031. This legislation strengthens oversight by enhancing grant review processes, improving safety reporting requirements, and mandating a comprehensive five-year FDA action plan to accelerate the development of treatments for rare neurodegenerative diseases.

Tyler's Law mandates a comprehensive study by the Secretary of Health and Human Services on the frequency, cost, and impact of fentanyl testing in hospital emergency departments during overdose cases. Following the study, the Secretary must issue guidance on whether routine fentanyl testing should become standard practice for overdose patients. This guidance will also address staff training regarding existing drug test panels and the long-term health implications of such testing.

The American Franchise Act aims to protect the traditional franchise business model by clarifying the definition of a "joint employer." This legislation establishes that a franchisor is only considered a joint employer if it exercises "substantial direct and immediate control" over the essential terms of employment for a franchisee's workers. This change specifically targets liability risks associated with maintaining brand standards, ensuring franchisors are not automatically held responsible for local labor practices. The new standard applies prospectively to future legal proceedings.

The Saving Today’s Acute-Care Resources (STAR) Act extends reduced Medicare payment rates for long-term care hospitals (LTCHs) through fiscal year 2032. It introduces a new pathway for LTCHs to be exempt from these site-neutral payments based on a high clinical severity threshold for certain patient discharges. The bill also modifies existing exemption criteria related to prior intensive care unit stays and ventilator use to allow for qualifying preceding stays in LTCHs or critical access hospitals.

The Patients First Act of 2026 is comprehensive legislation designed to stabilize Medicare physician payments, improve patient access to primary care, and transition the current quality reporting system to a more clinician-led framework. By modernizing reimbursement formulas, reducing financial volatility for providers, and increasing transparency in value-based care models, the bill aims to ensure a more sustainable and predictable healthcare environment. These reforms seek to lower out-of-pocket costs for patients while supporting the long-term viability of medical practices.

The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2025 aims to streamline and modernize the prior authorization process within Medicare Advantage plans. This bill mandates the adoption of electronic prior authorization systems and significantly increases transparency regarding approval rates and decision times starting in 2027. Furthermore, it establishes new enrollee protections and grants the Secretary authority to enforce faster decision timeframes for medical services.

The Rural Patient Monitoring Access Act aims to improve access to remote patient monitoring (RPM) for rural Medicare beneficiaries. It establishes a minimum payment floor for the geographic indices used to calculate practice expense and malpractice costs for RPM services starting in 2026. Furthermore, the bill sets new quality requirements for RPM providers to qualify for Medicare payment, including real-time clinical availability and data interoperability. Finally, it mandates a future report analyzing the actual cost savings generated by these enhanced RPM services.

This resolution designates July 10th as Journeyman Lineworkers Recognition Day to honor the essential, high-risk work performed by these skilled professionals. It pays tribute to the lineworkers who provide critical service during emergencies and recognizes those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

The Residential Recovery for Seniors Act expands Medicare Part A coverage to include three levels of residential substance use disorder treatment. By establishing clear clinical standards and a new prospective payment system, this legislation ensures seniors have access to essential, evidence-based addiction recovery services.

The Methane Removal Research and Innovation Act of 2026 establishes a dedicated Methane Removal Research Initiative led by the Department of Energy. This initiative will fund multidisciplinary research to advance scientific understanding and develop practical methods for removing methane from the atmosphere. The bill authorizes $25 million annually from fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to support this critical research effort.

This bill, the Great American Outdoors Act 250, significantly reforms and renames the existing public lands restoration fund to the America’s Legacy Restoration Fund. It secures dedicated funding streams, primarily from energy revenues and new fees on foreign visitors, to address critical deferred maintenance across the National Park Service, Forest Service, and other public land agencies. The legislation establishes strict spending priorities for infrastructure repair while also creating pilot programs for enhancing outdoor recreation and sportsmen's access. Finally, it mandates increased transparency and accountability through standardized metrics and public reporting on all funded projects.

The PKD Cures Act aims to combat polycystic kidney disease (PKD), a common, life-threatening genetic condition that often leads to kidney failure. This legislation mandates the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to significantly expand and intensify research into PKD mechanisms, treatments, and cures. Furthermore, it requires the NIH to develop a comprehensive, strategic research roadmap in collaboration with experts and patient advocates.

This resolution calls upon all Americans to honor the service members who died defending freedom and peace, particularly on Memorial Day 2026. It recognizes the ultimate sacrifice of over one million Americans in pursuit of these ideals. The bill emphasizes the importance of continuing to express gratitude and commemorate these patriots.

This act officially establishes the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum and designates its location on the National Mall, requiring the transfer of land jurisdiction to the Smithsonian Institution. The museum is mandated to preserve and present the history and achievements of biological women in the United States. Furthermore, the legislation requires that exhibits and programs reflect diverse political viewpoints and authentic experiences of women, as guided by a broad array of knowledgeable sources.

The Preventing Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in TANF Act aims to strengthen oversight of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program by applying federal improper payment review standards to state programs. It also restricts the use of federal TANF grants to families with incomes below twice the federal poverty level and establishes strict deadlines for states to obligate and spend these block grant funds. Furthermore, the bill prohibits states from using federal TANF dollars to replace existing state or local spending on eligible activities.

The Rural Hospital Revitalization Act of 2026 establishes a temporary, zero-interest loan program to help eligible, long-standing rural hospitals replace, improve, or renovate their facilities. Loans prioritize hospitals serving the most remote and underserved populations, offering a five-year interest-free period with potential renewals based on financial need and community impact. Following the initial period, loans are refinanced under standard terms unless the hospital remains financially vulnerable, in which case further interest-free extensions or technical assistance are provided.

The Provider Reimbursement Stability Act of 2026 aims to improve the accuracy and predictability of Medicare physician payments. The bill reforms budget neutrality calculations, mandates periodic updates to practice expense cost data, and establishes a 2.5% cap on annual conversion factor fluctuations. These measures are designed to ensure more stable reimbursement rates for healthcare providers.

The Ensuring Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act expands Medicare Part B coverage to include services provided by pharmacists starting January 1, 2026. This coverage is specifically for testing or treatment related to COVID-19, the flu, RSV, strep throat, or during a declared public health emergency. The bill outlines payment structures, generally covering 80% of the cost, and prohibits pharmacists from balance billing Medicare patients for these covered services.

This bill authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue commemorative gold and silver coins marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The coins will honor the victims, first responders, and survivors, with designs selected in consultation with the National September 11 Memorial and Museum. All surcharges from the sale of these coins will be paid directly to the Memorial and Museum to support its operations and maintenance.