Legislative Activity

The Protect Our TEETH Act mandates that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must seek a rapid evidence review from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine before proposing new national safety limits for fluoride in drinking water. The EPA must consider the findings of this review when finalizing any rule changes. This ensures a transparent, expert-backed assessment informs decisions regarding public water fluoridation standards.

The NOPAIN for Veterans Act mandates that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) must promptly add specific, FDA-approved non-opioid pain medications to its National Formulary. This ensures veterans have access to alternative pain management options that do not rely on opioids. The VA is required to implement these changes within 90 days of the Act becoming law.

The Jordan McNair Student Athlete Heat Fatality Prevention Act mandates that colleges and secondary schools develop and implement specific emergency action plans for heat-related illnesses, including required training and public posting of these procedures. The bill aims to prevent tragic incidents like the death of Jordan McNair by ensuring rapid access to cooling equipment and clear coordination with emergency medical services. Furthermore, it requires the Department of Education to actively promote federal grant opportunities available to schools for heat illness prevention, training, and equipment purchases.

The Texture Positive Act of 2025 establishes a federal grant program administered by the Secretary of Labor to improve specialized training for cosmetologists. States can apply for these grants to award subgrants to qualified, established, minority- or women-owned training providers. These subgrants must fund the integration of comprehensive textured hair care techniques into cosmetology school curricula.

The Extreme Heat Emergency Act of 2025 amends federal law to formally recognize extreme heat and drought as qualifying events for major disaster declarations. This change ensures that regions suffering from severe heatwaves or droughts can access the same level of federal disaster relief assistance previously reserved for events like hurricanes or earthquakes.

The Medicare Orthotics and Prosthetics Patient-Centered Care Act aims to enhance protections for Medicare beneficiaries receiving custom braces and artificial limbs. This bill ensures that payment will not be made for certain devices shipped directly to a patient without required training from a qualified practitioner. Additionally, it expands exemptions from competitive bidding for certain providers and clarifies access to replacement custom orthotic devices.

The Climate Change Health Protection and Promotion Act of 2025 establishes a new Office of Climate Change and Health Equity within HHS to coordinate federal efforts against climate-related health threats. This office is tasked with developing a comprehensive national strategic action plan to prepare the U.S. health sector for climate impacts, with a special focus on vulnerable communities. The Act also creates a science advisory board and mandates regular expert reports to ensure the national strategy is based on the best available science and continuously updated.

The Microplastics Safety Act mandates the FDA to conduct a comprehensive study on the human health impacts of microplastic exposure through food and water. This research must specifically investigate risks to children's health, endocrine function, cancer, and reproduction. Following the study, the FDA is required to report its findings and recommend necessary legislative or regulatory actions to Congress.

The Saving Lives and Taxpayer Dollars Act aims to ensure that U.S. foreign assistance commodities, such as food and medicine, are delivered to those in need rather than being destroyed. This legislation mandates that aid supplies must be distributed before they expire or spoil, thereby maximizing the humanitarian impact of U.S. aid. Furthermore, it establishes strict reporting requirements to track and prevent the waste of these vital resources. The bill highlights that effective foreign aid supports global health, strengthens the U.S. economy, and benefits American agriculture.

The Sunshine on Solar Lending Act aims to increase transparency in consumer loans used to finance solar energy systems. It amends the Truth in Lending Act to mandate clear disclosure of all associated third-party and dealer fees within these financing transactions. Furthermore, the bill prohibits mandatory arbitration clauses in solar financing contracts. These new disclosure requirements will apply to all solar financing deals established on or after the Act's effective date.

The Restore and Modernize Our National Laboratories Act of 2025 authorizes significant funding to address deferred maintenance and modernize critical infrastructure across the Department of Energy's National Laboratories. This legislation mandates the Secretary of Energy to prioritize projects ensuring labs can support cutting-edge science missions safely and efficiently through fiscal year 2030. Furthermore, the Act requires the development of a comprehensive, long-term strategy for managing and optimizing all research facilities to meet future energy and science goals.

The Medicaid Breast Cancer Access to Treatment Act expands Medicaid eligibility to cover certain individuals who have had breast or cervical cancer. This legislation also mandates that Medicaid coverage must include breast reconstruction surgery following a medically necessary mastectomy. These changes aim to ensure comprehensive care and remove financial barriers for cancer survivors under the program.

The Stop NOAA Closures Act places a temporary moratorium on the closure or restriction of access to any National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) facilities. This freeze remains in effect until 180 days after key officials submit a required report to Congress detailing the criteria and process for any future facility changes. After the moratorium lifts, any major facility action will still require a 30-day advance notice and justification report to Congress, except in cases of immediate emergency threatening staff safety.

The Medicare Breast Reconstruction Access and Information Act mandates that suppliers performing medically necessary mastectomies must inform patients about their Medicare coverage for post-mastectomy breast reconstruction. This information must be provided and documented in the patient's medical file before the surgery takes place. Failure to comply will result in Medicare withholding payment for the mastectomy procedure.

The Climate Health Emergency Act of 2025 declares that climate change poses the most significant public health threat of this century, directly driving a majority of recent public health emergencies. This Act mandates the Secretary of Health and Human Services to officially declare a public health emergency specifically due to the health risks associated with climate change. The goal is to mobilize federal resources and coordinate agencies to build a public health system capable of handling the growing strain of climate-related crises.

The EARLY Act Reauthorization of 2025 extends the vital Young Women's Breast Health Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young Act of 2009. This legislation ensures the continuation of crucial breast health education and awareness programs. Specifically, it reauthorizes the program, pushing its expiration date from 2026 through the year 2031.

The Price Gouging Prevention Act of 2025 establishes federal prohibitions against selling goods or services at "grossly excessive prices," particularly following an "exceptional market shock." The bill grants enforcement authority to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and allows State Attorneys General to bring actions against violators. Furthermore, it mandates that companies experiencing a market shock must provide detailed financial and pricing strategy disclosures in subsequent SEC filings.

The Preventing Authoritarian Policing Tactics on America’s Streets Act establishes strict limitations on the deployment of federal law enforcement and military personnel for domestic crowd control. This bill mandates that all federal personnel involved in such situations must clearly display identifying information, such as their name and agency. Furthermore, it generally restricts their operations to federal property unless specific state and local requests are made or the Insurrection Act is invoked. Agencies must also publicly report details of any deployment within 24 hours.

The Equity in Government Act mandates that federal agencies integrate specific equity goals into their strategic and performance plans, ensuring at least 20% of goals focus on improving service delivery to underserved communities. The bill establishes new leadership structures, including an Agency Equity Advisory Team, and enhances the role of the Chief Data Officer Council to prioritize equitable data collection and use. Furthermore, it creates an Equitable Data Working Group to guide the government toward fairer methods and outcomes in federal operations.

The No Cages in the Everglades Act prohibits the Department of Homeland Security from using any federal funds to operate or build immigration detention facilities within the Everglades ecosystem. The bill also mandates immediate, unannounced access for Members of Congress to all immigration detention centers for oversight purposes. Furthermore, it requires the DHS Inspector General to conduct a comprehensive review of any existing detention facilities in the area.