Legislative Activity

This bill establishes the **Medicare Physician Data-driven Performance Payment System (DPPS)**, replacing the existing MIPS program starting in 2027. It sets new, fixed payment adjustment factors for performance levels beginning in 2028, emphasizing timely feedback for eligible professionals. Furthermore, the legislation mandates that any net savings collected from penalties be reinvested as lump-sum incentives for under-resourced small practices.

This bill officially renames the United States Postal Service facility located at 1019 Avenue H in Fort Madison, Iowa. The facility will henceforth be known as the Martin L. Graber Post Office. This designation will apply to all official federal references to the building.

The Precision Brain Health Research Act of 2026 expands the Precision Medicine for Veterans Initiative to prioritize research on repetitive low-level blast exposure and dementia. The bill mandates a data-sharing partnership between the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense, requires large-scale clinical studies, and tasks the National Academies with validating brain health biomarkers. Additionally, it establishes rigorous biennial reporting requirements and authorizes $5 million in annual funding through 2030 to improve veteran brain health outcomes.

This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to establish location-specific payment rates for services provided under the Community Care Program. It requires providers to use unique National Provider Identifiers for different service sites, such as outpatient departments and physician offices, to ensure accurate billing and reimbursement. These measures aim to standardize and clarify payment structures based on where a veteran actually receives care.

The "Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act of 2025" mandates federal agencies to report annually on taxpayer-funded projects that are significantly behind schedule or have exceeded their original cost estimates by at least $1 billion. This information will be compiled into a report by the Office of Management and Budget and submitted to Congress and made public on their website. The report will include project descriptions, costs, timelines, and reasons for delays or overruns. This aims to increase transparency and accountability in government spending.

The Fisher House Availability Act of 2026 expands access to temporary lodging, including Fisher Houses, at VA facilities for active-duty service members, veterans, and their families who must travel significant distances for medical care. This expansion is contingent upon space availability. The bill also extends certain limits on pension payments.

The Permanent Tax Relief for Seniors Act makes the existing federal tax deduction for seniors a permanent provision of the Internal Revenue Code. This legislation removes the current sunset date, ensuring seniors continue to benefit from this tax relief in all future taxable years.

The Rural and Municipal Utility Cybersecurity Act aims to bolster the defenses of smaller electric utilities against cyber threats. It establishes a dedicated grant and technical assistance program within the Department of Energy to provide funding and expert help. The Act also encourages the development of tailored cybersecurity standards and promotes vital information sharing across the sector.

The Affordable Housing Guarantee Act modifies the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) home loan guaranty program. This legislation establishes new maximum guaranty amounts based on a veteran's service-connected disability status. Specifically, veterans with service-connected disabilities will receive a higher maximum guaranty percentage than other veterans.

The Veterans’ Bill of Rights Act of 2026 formally codifies the fundamental rights of veterans to receive respectful, transparent, and timely access to VA health care and benefits. This legislation mandates that the Department of Veterans Affairs integrate these rights into all policies, training, and communications to ensure consistent accountability. By establishing these clear standards, the Act reinforces the nation’s commitment to supporting those who have served.

The WALZ Act mandates that the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services investigate specific HHS programs when payments to providers and suppliers surge by 10% or more within a six-month period. This legislation aims to ensure oversight and accountability for significant increases in federal health program spending.

The Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act aims to reduce costs by expanding options for small employers through Association Health Plans and allowing integrated Health Reimbursement Arrangements. It also increases transparency for consumers by imposing strict new reporting requirements on Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs). Finally, the bill permanently funds Affordable Care Act cost-sharing reductions starting in 2027, with restrictions on plans covering abortion services.

The VA National Formulary Act of 2025 mandates the creation of a single, uniform national formulary for all VA medical facilities, managed by a new expert committee. This law standardizes drug access, streamlines the process for requesting non-formulary medications, and grants the VA new authority to negotiate supplemental drug discounts. Finally, it establishes a tiered copayment system to incentivize the use of cost-effective medications.

The "Facilitating DIGITAL Applications Act" requires the Assistant Secretary of Commerce to report on the establishment of online portals by the Secretaries of Interior and Agriculture for processing Form 299, which pertains to communications use authorization on public lands. The report must identify any barriers to creating these portals. The relevant Secretary must notify the Assistant Secretary within 3 business days after establishing an online portal.

The SPY Kids Act restricts covered online platforms from conducting market research on users known to be children under 13. For users identified as teens (ages 13-16), such research requires verifiable parental consent. The Federal Trade Commission is granted enforcement authority, treating violations as unfair or deceptive practices under the FTC Act. This legislation is intended to supplement, not replace, existing protections under the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).

The Keep SNAP Funded Act of 2025 ensures that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits continue without interruption if Congress fails to pass the full Department of Agriculture budget by October 1, 2025. This legislation authorizes automatic funding from the Treasury to maintain benefit payments. Furthermore, it guarantees that any benefits missed due to a funding lapse will be paid retroactively once the bill is enacted.

This resolution officially designates the week of September 15 through September 19, 2025, as "National Clean Energy Week." It recognizes the vital role of the growing clean energy sector in creating American jobs and advancing national environmental and economic goals. The bill encourages public and private entities to promote affordable, low-emission energy solutions across the country.

The Afghan Adjustment Act establishes new pathways for certain Afghan nationals already in the U.S. to obtain conditional permanent resident status, contingent upon rigorous security vetting. It also creates a special referral process for at-risk Afghan allies still outside the U.S. to access the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program remotely. Furthermore, the bill extends deadlines and expands eligibility for existing Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) while mandating significant interagency coordination and reporting to Congress on processing efficiency.

The Biochar Research Network Act of 2025 establishes a National Biochar Research Network, managed by the USDA, to study the real-world effectiveness of biochar across various soils and climates. This network will focus on quantifying carbon sequestration, improving crop production, and developing science-backed guidance for sustainable biochar use. The goal is to provide farmers and land managers with the data needed to boost profits while enhancing soil health and climate resilience.

The Cooper Davis and Devin Norring Act mandates that electronic communication and remote computing service providers must report to the Attorney General within 60 days upon gaining actual knowledge of illegal activity involving fentanyl, methamphetamine, or counterfeit prescription drugs. This legislation outlines specific reporting requirements, penalties for non-compliance, and privacy protections that limit monitoring and data retention. The Act also requires the Attorney General to issue an annual public report detailing the statistics of these reports.