Legislative Activity

The Litigation Reimbursement Act mandates that federal courts must order the U.S. government to pay the attorney fees and litigation costs for defendants who are acquitted after a criminal trial. Furthermore, this bill converts the court's ability to award costs and fees to the prevailing party in covered civil cases into a mandatory requirement. This ensures that winning parties in specific criminal and civil litigation are reimbursed for their legal expenses.

The Incentivize Savings Act mandates how federal agencies must handle unspent appropriations by dedicating the majority to debt reduction and allowing a portion for employee retention bonuses. This legislation also restricts future budget requests to only account for inflation unless the agency fully spends its prior allocation. Ultimately, the bill aims to encourage fiscal responsibility by linking unspent funds to debt reduction and limiting budget growth.

The ROTOR Act mandates a comprehensive study to investigate cancer prevalence and mortality rates among military rotary-wing pilots and aviation support personnel. This research, conducted by the Defense Health Agency in partnership with the NIH and NCI, will first compare cancer rates in these service members against the general population. If elevated rates are found, a second phase will seek to identify potential toxic exposures or environmental factors linked to helicopter operations that may be causing the increased risk.

The STATES Act changes how the President can federalize the National Guard during specific national emergencies. If a state's negligence necessitates this federal deployment, the Act requires that state to reimburse the federal government for 100% of the incurred costs by reducing its federal funding. This provision applies retroactively to actions taken on or after June 1, 2025.

The Economic Espionage Prevention Act addresses national security concerns stemming from foreign adversaries stealing U.S. trade secrets and supporting illicit military activities abroad. This bill mandates a report detailing China's role in supplying Russia's defense industry with critical components, including semiconductors. Furthermore, it grants the President authority to impose asset freezes and visa restrictions on foreign entities engaged in economic espionage or violating U.S. export controls.

This resolution supports the designation of May 2025 as "National Myositis Awareness Month." The bill aims to raise public awareness about myositis, a group of rare, chronic autoimmune muscle diseases that cause significant pain and disability. By recognizing this month, Congress encourages education on the challenges faced by patients and supports increased research efforts for these complex conditions.

This bill amends Title 38 of the U.S. Code to change how the Department of Veterans Affairs pays for care under the Community Care Program. Starting January 1, 2026, payment rates will be determined by the specific location where care is provided, such as hospitals or doctor's offices. Providers must include a location-specific identifier on their claims, and the lowest applicable rate will be used if multiple rates could apply.

This bill amends Title 10 of the U.S. Code to change how healthcare providers are paid under the TRICARE program based on the location where care is delivered. It mandates that the lowest authorized reimbursement rate be applied when multiple rates are possible and requires the establishment of location-specific reimbursement rates for different healthcare settings. To ensure proper billing, claims must include a geographically specific identifier code for the provider's location. These changes are set to take effect on January 1, 2026.

The "PROTECTS Act of 2025" prohibits federal funds from being used for gender transition procedures for individuals under 18, including surgeries and hormone therapies, with exceptions for certain medical conditions and genetic disorders. The bill defines "sex" as biologically determined male or female based on reproductive systems.