Legislative Activity

The Veterans ACCESS Act of 2025 seeks to improve veterans' healthcare by revising the Veterans Community Care Program, enhancing mental health treatment programs, and implementing other healthcare improvements. Title I revises eligibility standards for community care, ensures veterans are informed about their options, and addresses care preferences and telehealth options. Title II standardizes eligibility for mental health programs, improves care quality, and ensures timely access to treatment. Title III focuses on improving healthcare services through online tools, modifying innovation programs, and increasing reporting on healthcare processes.

The Prompt and Fair Pay Act establishes new rules for Medicare Advantage (MA) plans to ensure providers receive fair compensation and timely payments. Starting in 2027, MA plans must pay doctors and suppliers at least as much as Original Medicare for the same services. Additionally, the Act mandates enforceable deadlines for MA plans to pay clean claims—within 14 days for electronic submissions and 30 days for others—and requires detailed notification for any claim that is not considered "clean."

The Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act strictly prohibits the Federal Reserve from directly or indirectly issuing a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) to individuals. This legislation prevents the Fed from developing, testing, or implementing any digital currency that functions as a direct liability of the Federal Reserve. Furthermore, Congress asserts that any authority to create such a digital asset must explicitly come from Congress itself.

The Securing Help for Involuntary Employment Loss and Displacement Act (SHIELD Act) revises federal requirements for state unemployment programs regarding labor disputes. This bill mandates that states deny regular unemployment benefits to individuals unemployed due to a strike or labor dispute in which they actively participated or had a direct stake. The new federal conditions take effect in two years, though states may adopt them sooner.

The Preventive Health Savings Act requires the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to score the long-term budget savings resulting from preventive healthcare measures when requested by key congressional leaders. If savings are found, the CBO must include an estimate of these future reductions in its budget projections for the legislation. However, these supplementary savings estimates cannot be used to satisfy standard budget enforcement rules.

The "Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act of 2025" ensures that hunters and anglers can continue to use lead ammunition and tackle on federal lands and waters managed by the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture. It restricts these departments from prohibiting or regulating lead in ammunition and tackle, unless the Secretary of Interior or Agriculture determines that lead ammunition is the primary cause of a wildlife population decline in a specific area. Any ban implemented must align with state laws or be approved by the state's fish and wildlife department.

The Qualified to Serve Act aims to standardize and clarify medical accession standards for individuals joining the Armed Forces. It prohibits disqualification based on certain medical conditions diagnosed before age 13, provided specific conditions regarding subsequent treatment and current fitness are met. The bill also mandates formal review and national security waiver processes for medical disqualifications and requires annual reporting on disqualifications and waivers to Congress.

The Pharmacy Benefit Manager Reform Act of 2025 aims to increase transparency and accountability across the prescription drug supply chain. It mandates fairer pharmacy network access for Medicare beneficiaries and imposes strict new financial reporting and service fee requirements on Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) working with Medicare and private health plans. Furthermore, the bill establishes new federal mechanisms to accurately track drug acquisition costs in Medicaid and explicitly bans the practice of "spread pricing" in state Medicaid contracts.

This resolution expresses the sense of Congress that any public performance of "The Star-Spangled Banner" must adhere strictly to the original English lyrics written by Francis Scott Key. It affirms the importance of preserving the historical integrity and unifying symbolism of the national anthem. The bill strongly encourages adherence to the original text as written in 1814.

The SAK PASE in Haiti Act of 2025 mandates the Secretary of State to develop a comprehensive U.S. strategy to address the escalating security, economic, and humanitarian crises in Haiti. This strategy must focus on bolstering Haitian security forces, countering illicit gang support, promoting economic opportunity, and ensuring Haitian leadership in the solutions. The Secretary is required to report annually to Congress for five years on the implementation and progress of this coordinated international effort.

The Disaster Loan Accountability and Reform Act (DLARA) aims to increase transparency and improve management of Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loans. It mandates stricter monthly reporting requirements for the SBA, imposes new financial breakdowns in the President's budget requests for disaster loan costs, and establishes limitations on new loan commitments when funding runs low. Furthermore, the bill requires comprehensive reports from the GAO and the SBA Inspector General to review past spending accuracy and the impact of recent program changes.

The Accreditation for College Excellence Act of 2025 prohibits accrediting agencies from imposing political or ideological litmus tests on institutions of higher education seeking approval. This ensures that colleges are not required to support specific partisan viewpoints to maintain accreditation or access to federal student aid programs. The bill includes specific exceptions to protect the religious freedom and mission-based requirements of faith-based institutions. Finally, it limits the Secretary of Education's authority to create new, non-statutory standards for accreditation.

The Guarantee Utilization of All Reimbursements for Delivery of Veterans’ Health Care Act (GUARD Veterans Health Care Act) mandates that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) must seek reimbursement from Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D prescription drug plans for healthcare services provided to eligible veterans. Additionally, the bill strengthens the government's authority to recover costs for non-service-connected disability care from responsible third parties. It establishes strict timelines and penalties for third parties who fail to promptly process and pay these recovery claims to the VA.

The Sturgeon Conservation and Sustainability Act of 2025 provides an exemption from certain Endangered Species Act protections for legally held captive sturgeon and their offspring. This exemption remains in effect unless the fish are intentionally released into the wild. Holders of these captive sturgeon must maintain and provide documentation proving their legal status upon request.

The Patriots Over Politics Act creates a special, limited window for certain service members separated for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine between August 2021 and January 2023 to transfer their unused VA education benefits to an eligible dependent. This transfer option is available for 90 days following the bill's enactment. If transferred to a child, the benefit use is contingent upon the service member having completed at least six years of service.

This resolution strongly condemns the rise of antisemitism in the United States and around the world. It specifically honors the memory of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, who were tragically murdered while promoting peace. Ultimately, Congress reaffirms its commitment to combating all forms of hate and ensuring the vigorous enforcement of laws protecting religious freedom.

This bill mandates that funeral honors details recite a specific statement detailing the symbolism of the 13 Folds of Honor during the presentation of the U.S. flag for a deceased service member or veteran. This ceremony is dedicated to the 13 service members killed in Kabul in 2021. However, the next of kin retains the right to opt out of this specific recitation.

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 Federal Mechanical Insulation Act formally recognizes the installation of high-efficiency mechanical insulation as a key energy and water efficiency measure for federal buildings. This legislation mandates that mechanical insulation must meet or exceed ASHRAE Standard 90.1 requirements to qualify for these efficiency designations. Consequently, future energy and water evaluations for federal facilities must specifically identify potential savings opportunities related to mechanical insulation upgrades.

The Physician and Patient Safety Act establishes new federal regulations to guarantee due process rights for physicians facing restrictions or loss of hospital privileges. This ensures doctors receive a fair hearing and appeal process before any adverse action is taken against their ability to practice. Furthermore, the Act prohibits forcing physicians to waive these appeal rights as a condition of employment and mandates confidentiality for the review process.