Legislative Activity

The Critical Infrastructure Manufacturing Feasibility Act requires the Secretary of Commerce to study and report on the feasibility of manufacturing critical infrastructure products in the United States, analyzing the costs, benefits, and potential for domestic production in areas such as rural communities and industrial parks. The study will identify high-demand imported products and provide recommendations to Congress on how to bolster domestic manufacturing. The goal is to enhance U.S. jobs, employment rates, and supply chains within critical infrastructure sectors.

This bill extends Executive Order 14220 indefinitely, ensuring continued measures to address national security threats related to copper imports. It maintains all existing regulations and actions established under the original order.

The "Improve Employer-Directed Skills Act" amends the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to streamline the process for employer-referred individuals to receive on-the-job training. It allows one-stop operators to bypass certain assessments if an employer certifies the individual's need for training and ability to participate. The act also enables employers to contract with local boards for employer-directed skills development programs, ensuring participants gain relevant skills and have a commitment for employment upon completion.

The "Congressional Oversight of the Antiquities Act" amends the Antiquities Act to require congressional approval for national monument designations. Designations are temporary, lasting only six months or until the end of the current congressional session. Land included in designations that are not extended or are rejected cannot be included in new national monuments for 25 years.

This bill makes permanent Executive Order 14224, which declares English as the official language of the United States. It ensures that the order and all associated measures remain in place indefinitely.

The Corrections Officer Blake Schwarz Suicide Prevention Act of 2025 aims to improve the mental health of corrections officers by establishing a grant program for state and local governments to implement mental health screenings and connect officers with mental health care. It also directs the Bureau of Prisons to develop and administer similar mental health programs. An Advisory Board will oversee the grant program and provide guidance, while the act allocates specific funding for these initiatives over five years.

The "Delinking Revenue from Unfair Gouging Act" (DRUG Act) aims to reform pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) practices by prohibiting them from receiving compensation based on drug prices, discounts, or rebates, with exceptions only for "bona fide service fees". These fees must be flat, pre-agreed upon, and reflect the fair market value of actual services rendered. Violators will face penalties, and the Department of Labor, Department of Treasury, and the Secretary will enforce the rules.

The "Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act of 2025" establishes a pilot grant program to improve recycling accessibility in underserved communities by increasing transfer stations, expanding curbside recycling, and leveraging public-private partnerships. Grants ranging from $500,000 to $15,000,000 will be awarded to eligible entities, with priority given to projects in communities lacking access to materials recovery facilities. At least 70% of the funds must be used for projects benefiting underserved communities, and the federal share of project costs is capped at 90%. The program is authorized to receive $30,000,000 annually from 2025 through 2029.

The "No Fuel Credits for Batteries Act of 2025" prohibits the EPA from allowing electric Renewable Identification Numbers (eRINs) to satisfy renewable fuel volume requirements in transportation fuel. It stops the use or transfer of any eRINs generated before the Act's enactment. This ensures that only liquid renewable fuels, not electricity, qualify for Renewable Fuel Program credits.

The START Act of 2025 amends Title 38 of the U.S. Code, Section 1703(a)(2), to establish that the referral period for veterans to receive care from non-VA providers under the Community Care Program begins on the date of the veteran's first appointment with that provider. This ensures a standardized and valid referral timeframe for veterans seeking community care.

The "No Wrong Door for Veterans Act" amends and reauthorizes the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program, extending its duration to September 30, 2028, and modifying grant funding to better support veterans. It emphasizes coordination between grantees and local VA medical centers, requires grantees to inform individuals about emergent suicide care, and clarifies eligibility criteria for entities providing mental health support. The act allocates specific funding amounts for fiscal years 2021 through 2028 and allows flexibility in screening protocols for suicide risk.

The Providing Veterans Essential Medications Act ensures that State veterans homes are reimbursed or furnished with high-cost medications for veterans in their care. A "costly medication" is defined as one where the average wholesale price for a one-month supply, plus a 3% transaction fee, exceeds 8.5% of the payment made to the State home for the veteran's care during that month. This aims to alleviate the financial burden on State homes providing essential medications to veterans.

The DMEPOS Relief Act of 2025 adjusts Medicare payment rates for durable medical equipment in areas without competitive bidding by extending a transition rule for setting payment rates in non-rural areas through 2025 and delaying the implementation of another regulation until 2026. This ensures continued use of existing payment rate calculations for durable medical equipment in non-competitive bidding areas. The Secretary of Health and Human Services is authorized to implement these changes.

The Veterans SPORT Act ensures that eligible veterans receive adaptive prosthetics and terminal devices for sports and recreational activities as part of their medical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs. This bill expands the scope of covered medical services to enhance veterans' access to prosthetics necessary for an active lifestyle.

The "Renewable Fuel for Ocean-Going Vessels Act" amends the Clean Air Act to include fuel for ocean-going vessels in the definition of fossil fuels. It requires the EPA to issue regulations within 365 days of enactment to implement this change. The EPA Administrator must then report to Congress on the implementation of the amendment and regulations.

The "Disclosing Foreign Influence in Lobbying Act" amends the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, requiring lobbyists to disclose the name and address of any foreign government or political party that directs, plans, supervises, or controls their lobbying activities. This disclosure is required even if the foreign entity is not the lobbyist's direct client. This aims to increase transparency regarding foreign influence in lobbying efforts.

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 "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 "Increasing Access to Dental Insurance Act" aims to broaden access to dental coverage by enabling individuals to enroll in standalone dental plans via the Health Insurance Exchange, irrespective of their enrollment status in a qualified health plan. This expands options for individuals seeking dental insurance.

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.