Legislative Activity

The ACES Act mandates a National Academies study on cancer prevalence and mortality among veterans who served as active duty aircrew, identifying potential links between military exposures and cancer rates. Additionally, it extends certain limits on pension payments to December 31, 2031.

The "Save Healthcare Workers Act" aims to protect hospital personnel by making it a federal crime to knowingly assault a hospital employee, with increased penalties if a weapon is used, bodily injury occurs, or the act happens during a declared public emergency. It also establishes a grant program for hospitals to improve safety and security through training, technology, and coordination with law enforcement. The Attorney General will administer the grant program, prioritizing hospitals with demonstrated need and ensuring equitable distribution across the country, with $25 million authorized annually from 2025 to 2034.

This bill expresses support for designating May 2025 as "Renewable Fuels Month" to highlight the benefits of renewable fuels like ethanol and biodiesel. It recognizes their positive impact on the economy, job creation, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, lowering fuel costs, supporting rural communities, and decreasing reliance on foreign oil. The bill emphasizes the role of biofuels in promoting energy independence and environmental sustainability.

The "Biodiesel Tax Credit Extension Act of 2025" extends key biofuel tax incentives through 2026, promoting the production and use of biodiesel, renewable diesel, and second-generation biofuels. This extension aims to support the biofuel industry by continuing tax credits for biodiesel and renewable diesel mixtures, as well as alcohol fuel. The act also ensures that no double benefits are claimed for fuel receiving credit under other sections of the law. These amendments are effective for fuel sold or used after December 31, 2024, and for qualified second-generation biofuel production occurring after the same date.

The CHOICE for Veterans Act of 2025 amends title 38 of the U.S. Code to modify the process and oversight of agents and attorneys who assist veterans with initial and supplemental benefit claims. It mandates increased transparency, including public lists of accredited representatives and warnings about fees, and sets guidelines for fee agreements, including caps and installment options. The Act also expands the grounds for disciplinary actions against agents and attorneys and requires reviews and reports to ensure effective implementation and oversight. Finally, the bill extends certain limits on pension payments.

The Interstate Paid Leave Action Network Act of 2025 (IPLAN Act) aims to create an interstate agreement between states with paid family and medical leave programs. This network will streamline benefit delivery, reduce administrative burdens, and coordinate state programs, benefiting both employees and employers. The Act establishes the IPLAN, defines its duties, and authorizes grants to a national intermediary and eligible states to support the development and implementation of the interstate agreement. Ultimately, the IPLAN Act seeks to create more consistency and efficiency in paid leave programs across state lines.

This bill aims to increase access to paid family leave by providing grants to states to establish and maintain paid leave programs, with a focus on supporting new parents and low-income families. It also establishes the Interstate Paid Leave Action Network (IPLAN) to streamline and coordinate state-level paid leave programs, reducing administrative burdens for employees and employers operating across state lines. IPLAN would create single policy and administrative standards across participating states. The bill authorizes appropriations to fund the grant program and IPLAN.

The "ReConnecting Rural America Act of 2025" aims to improve broadband access in rural areas by providing grants and loans for building and upgrading broadband infrastructure. Priority is given to projects that deliver at least 100-Mbps downstream and 100-Mbps upstream transmission capacity, especially in underserved areas with populations under 20,000. The act authorizes \$650 million annually for grants and \$350 million annually for loans from 2026 through 2030 and prioritizes support for Tribal organizations, low-income communities, and areas lacking adequate broadband service. It also ensures funds are not used to overbuild existing adequate services and requires recipients to participate in federal internet affordability programs.

The Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Discrimination Prevention Act prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in organ transplantation and related services. It ensures that qualified individuals with disabilities are not denied access to organ transplants or related services solely based on their disability and requires reasonable modifications to policies and auxiliary aids to ensure accessibility. The Act allows consideration of a person's disability if medically significant to the transplant's success, but not if a support network can ensure compliance with health requirements. Individuals who believe they have been discriminated against can file a claim with the Office for Civil Rights of the Department of Health and Human Services for expedited resolution.

The "Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act" authorizes the presentation of three Congressional Gold Medals to honor the 1980 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team for their historic "Miracle on Ice" victory. These medals will be given to the Lake Placid Olympic Center, the United States Hockey Hall of Fame, and the US Olympic and Paralympic Museum for public display. The Act also allows for the creation and sale of bronze duplicates to fund the medal production.

This bill recognizes Jewish American Heritage Month and the significant contributions of Jewish Americans to various fields. It addresses the alarming rise of antisemitism, especially since October 7, 2023, and urges elected officials, faith leaders, and civil society to actively counter antisemitism. The bill also calls for educating the public about Jewish-American achievements and ensuring the safety and dignity of Jewish Americans in all areas of life.

The "Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act" mandates that individuals provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. It amends the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to include these requirements and directs states to reject applications lacking such proof. The Act also outlines acceptable forms of documentation, verification processes, and penalties for non-compliance, while allowing provisional ballots under certain conditions. Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security must notify state election officials when an individual becomes a naturalized citizen.

The "Improving Veterans Access to Congressional Services Act of 2025" allows Members of Congress to use VA facilities to meet with constituents, ensuring accessible and visible meeting spaces during regular business hours. The VA Secretary must set regulations for these spaces within 90 days, with rental rates similar to other government office spaces in the area. These regulations must comply with existing laws and cannot be used for campaign activities or interfere with VA operations, and use of facilities is prohibited 60 days before a federal election.

Sammy's Law aims to protect children on large social media platforms by requiring these platforms to provide secure access to registered third-party safety software, enabling parents and guardians to monitor and manage their child's online activity. It establishes guidelines for data privacy, security, and usage, ensuring that the software is used solely to protect children from harm. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is responsible for overseeing compliance, issuing guidance, and enforcing the law, creating a national standard while preventing states from enacting conflicting legislation. This law empowers parents with tools to safeguard their children from online threats like cyberbullying, human trafficking, and exposure to harmful content.

The "1071 Repeal to Protect Small Business Lending Act" repeals Section 704B of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, eliminating requirements for financial institutions to collect and report data on small business loans. This aims to reduce compliance costs for financial institutions, particularly smaller ones like community banks and credit unions. The goal is to alleviate regulatory burdens and improve credit access for small businesses by removing these data collection requirements.

The "Service Dogs Assisting Veterans Act" or the "SAVES Act" establishes a five-year pilot program within the Department of Veterans Affairs to award grants to nonprofit organizations that provide service dogs to veterans with disabilities, including those with mental health conditions such as PTSD. The grants, up to $2,000,000 each, will support the planning, development, and management of service dog programs, ensuring veterans receive these dogs at no cost and are informed of available VA benefits. The VA will also provide veterinary insurance for the service dogs. $10,000,000 is authorized to be appropriated for each of the five fiscal years following the establishment of the pilot program.

The "RIFLE Act" repeals the existing tax on firearm transfers outlined in Section 5811 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Additionally, it amends related sections of the code to align with the repeal. The act clarifies that it does not grant the Consumer Product Safety Commission any authority over firearms regulated under the Internal Revenue Code.

The "Reducing Medically Unnecessary Delays in Care Act of 2025" aims to streamline healthcare access for Medicare patients by setting clear standards for medical necessity determinations and preauthorization processes used by Medicare contractors, Medicare Advantage plans, and prescription drug plans. It mandates the use of evidence-based clinical criteria, requires physician input in developing these criteria, and ensures transparency through public posting of preauthorization requirements and statistics. The bill also requires that licensed and board-certified physicians make all preauthorization and denial decisions. Ultimately, this bill seeks to reduce unnecessary delays in care and ensure that medical decisions are based on sound medical judgment and nationally recognized standards.

The "Portable Ultrasound Reimbursement Equity Act of 2025" amends the Social Security Act to include portable ultrasound transportation and setup services under Medicare, ensuring coverage and payment parity with portable X-ray services. It directs the Secretary to establish quality standards for ultrasound service suppliers, mirroring those for X-ray services. These provisions will take effect for services rendered on or after January 1, 2027.

The "SCREENS for Cancer Act of 2025" reauthorizes and amends the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) to broaden its services, enhance support activities, and reduce disparities in cancer rates. It emphasizes prevention, detection, and control of breast and cervical cancer, ensuring alignment with evidence-based recommendations. The Act authorizes $235 million annually from 2026 through 2030 and requires a GAO study to assess the program's reach and identify barriers to access. Reporting frequency is adjusted to every 5 years and includes data on the preceding years.