Legislative Activity

The Protecting America’s Seniors’ Access to Care Act prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services from implementing the minimum staffing level rules for nursing homes that were published by CMS on May 10, 2024. This legislation effectively blocks the enforcement of those specific staffing mandates.

The "More Homes on the Market Act" increases the tax exclusion for profit from the sale of a primary residence, raising it to $500,000 for single filers and $1,000,000 for married couples filing jointly. These amounts will be adjusted for inflation starting in 2025. This change encourages homeowners to sell their properties, thereby increasing the availability of homes on the market.

The "Death Tax Repeal Act" eliminates both estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes, effective from the date of enactment. It adjusts gift tax calculations by setting the lifetime gift exemption at $10,000,000, with inflation adjustments after 2011. The Act also includes transitional rules for applying certain sections of the Internal Revenue Code during the enactment year.

The Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino Act authorizes the creation of the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino on the National Mall. It ensures the museum's exhibits and programs accurately represent the diverse cultures, histories, events, and values of Hispanic and Latino communities, seeking guidance from diverse sources. The Act also mandates regular reports to Congress on the museum's efforts to meet these diversity requirements.

The United States-Israel Defense Partnership Act of 2025 seeks to bolster the defense relationship between the United States and Israel through joint initiatives and increased cooperation. It establishes programs to counter unmanned systems, extend anti-tunnel and counter-UAS cooperation, and promote collaboration in emerging technologies like AI and cybersecurity. The act also mandates the establishment of a Defense Innovation Unit office in Israel and assesses integrated air and missile defense in the U.S. Central Command region. Finally, it explores Israel's potential inclusion in the national technology and industrial base.

The Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act aims to improve maternal health outcomes in rural areas by establishing programs to train healthcare providers in obstetric emergency care, provide funding for necessary equipment and workforce development, implement teleconsultation programs, and study the challenges facing rural obstetric units. The Act authorizes grants for training, equipment, and telehealth programs, and requires a study on rural maternity ward closures and patient transport patterns.

The PROTECT Our Children Reauthorization Act of 2025 reauthorizes and amends the PROTECT Our Children Act of 2008, enhancing efforts to combat child exploitation and internet crimes against children. It updates the National Strategy for Child Exploitation Prevention, expands the ICAC Task Force Program to include Tribal and military entities, and prioritizes investigations likely to rescue children. The act authorizes increased appropriations over the next three fiscal years and mandates that a significant portion of funds support the ICAC Task Force Program through grants. Additionally, it encourages digital forensic examinations, effective prosecutions, and the establishment of a National Internet Crimes Against Children Data System.

The "National Right-to-Work Act" amends both the National Labor Relations Act and the Railway Labor Act to protect an employee's right to choose whether or not to join or support a labor union. It eliminates the possibility of mandatory union membership or dues payments as a condition of employment, ensuring that employees cannot be forced to join or support a union against their will.

The "Alternatives to PAIN Act" amends Medicare Part D to improve access to non-opioid pain management drugs by waiving deductibles and ensuring they are placed on the lowest cost-sharing tier starting in 2026. The Act also prohibits the use of step therapy and prior authorization requirements for these drugs, further easing access for patients. These changes aim to provide more accessible alternatives for pain management, reducing reliance on opioids.

The "National Plan for Epilepsy Act" aims to address the significant impact of epilepsy by establishing a comprehensive national plan for its prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure. This act mandates the creation of an Advisory Council on Epilepsy Research, Care, and Services, composed of federal and non-federal experts, to evaluate and improve federally funded epilepsy efforts. The council will provide recommendations to enhance coordination, diagnosis, treatment, research, and public awareness, and reduce the financial burden of epilepsy on families. Ultimately, the act seeks to improve the lives of individuals with epilepsy and their caregivers through coordinated research, improved access to care, and enhanced public awareness.

The "Freight RAILCAR Act of 2025" introduces a tax credit for modernizing freight railcars, encouraging investments in newer, more efficient railcars. Taxpayers can claim a credit equal to 10% of their freight railcar fleet modernization expenses, with a limit of 1,000 qualified freight railcars per year. The credit applies to railcars that increase capacity, improve fuel efficiency, or meet updated performance standards, and is available for three years after the Act's enactment. The Secretary of the Treasury is required to submit a report to Congress detailing the credit's usage and impact on railcar modernization and scrapping.

The "Improve and Enhance the Work Opportunity Tax Credit Act" amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify the Work Opportunity Tax Credit, changing the calculation and wage limitations based on employee categories and hours worked. It increases wage limitations for qualified veterans and revises rules for summer youth employees and long-term family assistance recipients. Additionally, the act removes the age limit for qualified supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits recipients, with these changes taking effect for individuals starting work after December 31, 2024.

The Alpha-gal Allergen Inclusion Act amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to include alpha-gal, a sugar found in non-catarrhine primate mammals and red algae, as a major food allergen. This will require food labels to clearly identify the presence of alpha-gal. The amendment will take effect 18 months after the enactment of this Act, with an exception for mammal-derived ingredients where alpha-gal is below a detectable limit as determined by the Secretary.

The "Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow's Workforce Act" amends Section 529 savings accounts to include expenses related to postsecondary credentialing programs. This allows 529 funds to cover costs like tuition, fees, books, supplies, and testing fees for recognized programs and credentials, as defined by the bill. These changes would apply to distributions made after the bill is enacted.

The "HALT Fentanyl Act" permanently classifies fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs under the Controlled Substances Act, streamlining research registration processes while maintaining controls. It also updates penalties for trafficking, importing, and exporting fentanyl-related substances, treating them similarly to fentanyl analogues. Additionally, the Act addresses technical errors in previous legislation and mandates the Attorney General to issue rules for implementation.

The "Marc Fischer Memorial Act" aims to combat the flow of synthetic drugs, particularly fentanyl, into Federal prisons through the mail. It mandates the Director of the Bureau of Prisons to develop and implement a strategy to equip all Federal correctional facilities with the technology and processes needed to scan mail, protect staff and inmates, and ensure timely delivery of mail copies while maintaining legal mail privileges. The strategy includes assessing current practices, identifying necessary resources, and providing a budgetary proposal for implementation, with ongoing reporting to Congress on its effectiveness.

The CONSTRUCTS Act of 2025 aims to expand training and education opportunities for careers in residential construction by awarding competitive grants to junior and community colleges, as well as area career and technical education schools. These grants will support the creation or expansion of training programs, with a focus on serving rural areas and underserved populations, and will encourage partnerships with local construction businesses. The goal is to address workforce shortages in the residential construction industry and increase the availability of affordable housing. The Act allocates $20 million per fiscal year from 2026 to 2030 for these initiatives.

This bill expresses the sense of Congress that the U.S. should resume normal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, recognizing it as an independent country. It urges the President to replace the "One China Policy," establish formal diplomatic ties with Taipei, and support Taiwan's membership in international organizations. The bill also calls for the United States Trade Representative to begin free trade agreement negotiations with Taiwan.

The New Markets Tax Credit Extension Act of 2025 permanently extends the New Markets Tax Credit, which incentivizes investment in low-income communities. It removes the credit's expiration date and adjusts the credit amount for inflation after 2025. The act also provides alternative minimum tax relief for qualified equity investments made after December 31, 2024.

The "Love Lives On Act of 2025" amends titles 10 and 38 of the United States Code to improve benefits and services for surviving spouses. This act modifies Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) rules, allowing surviving spouses who remarry to still receive benefits. Additionally, it ensures continued Survivor Benefit Plan annuity payments for certain remarried surviving spouses and expands TRICARE eligibility to include remarried widow/widowers whose subsequent marriage ended.