Legislative Activity

The Cancer Drug Parity Act of 2025 mandates that group health plans treat the cost-sharing for oral (take-at-home) anticancer drugs the same as they treat cost-sharing for intravenously administered cancer drugs. This ensures patients do not face higher out-of-pocket expenses for necessary oral chemotherapy medications. The Act also requires the GAO to study the financial impact of this new parity requirement on patients.

The Ensuring Women’s Right to Reproductive Freedom Act prohibits states from interfering with or retaliating against individuals who provide or receive abortion services that are legal in the state where the service occurs. This protection extends to interstate travel for legal abortion care and the movement of FDA-approved abortion-related drugs across state lines. Individuals harmed by violations can sue in federal court for damages and legal fees.

The Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Discrimination Prevention Act prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities in all aspects of the organ transplant process. This legislation ensures that a disability alone cannot be a basis for denying a transplant, referral, or listing. It mandates reasonable modifications and the provision of necessary support, including recognizing support networks, unless the disability presents a medically significant barrier to the transplant itself. The Act ensures these protections apply from initial evaluation through post-transplant care and does not diminish existing state or local protections.

The Tsunami Warning, Research, and Education Act of 2025 reauthorizes and updates the nation's tsunami warning system to enhance the timeliness and accuracy of alerts. This legislation mandates improvements in data management, expands the geographic scope of coverage, and integrates social and behavioral science into mitigation efforts. It also authorizes specific funding levels through fiscal year 2030 to support these critical upgrades across warning, research, and education programs.

This resolution strongly reaffirms the United States' commitment to promoting the safety and well-being of refugees globally. It criticizes recent administrative actions that suspended refugee admissions and travel bans, arguing they violate U.S. and international law. The bill calls for the immediate restoration of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program and demands federal agencies uphold due process for asylum seekers. Ultimately, it asserts that welcoming oppressed people is central to American values and legal obligations.

The Optimizing Postpartum Outcomes Act of 2025 aims to improve women's health after childbirth by clarifying Medicaid/CHIP coverage for essential pelvic health services. It mandates federal guidance for states on covering services like pelvic floor exams and physical therapy, alongside establishing a national education campaign for both providers and new mothers. The bill also directs the GAO to study existing coverage gaps for postpartum women under Medicaid.

The Access to Birth Control Act establishes federal requirements for pharmacies to ensure timely and non-discriminatory access to FDA-approved contraception and related medications. Pharmacies must immediately dispense in-stock items or promptly refer customers or order out-of-stock products. This law prohibits employee interference, misinformation, or harassment, while also setting penalties for non-compliance.

This bill posthumously awards a Congressional Gold Medal to Marshall "Major" Taylor, recognizing the pioneering Black cyclist for his historic achievements and his fight against racial prejudice. The medal will be struck by the Secretary of the Treasury and presented to Taylor's great-granddaughter. The Act also authorizes the sale of bronze duplicates to cover production costs.

The Insurrection Act of 2025 completely rewrites the rules governing when the President can deploy the U.S. Armed Forces domestically to suppress insurrection or quell severe domestic violence. This deployment is strictly limited to being a last resort, requiring specific triggers such as overwhelming local failure or the denial of constitutional rights. Before acting, the President must issue a proclamation and provide a detailed report to Congress, whose approval is required to extend military authority beyond seven days. The Act also establishes expedited congressional procedures for reviewing and approving the deployment and allows for judicial review of the President's legal basis for action.

The Autism Family Caregivers Act of 2025 establishes a new pilot program to award grants for evidence-based skills training to family caregivers of children with autism or developmental disabilities. This training aims to improve child well-being and community engagement by focusing on communication, daily living skills, and caregiver self-care. The Secretary of Health and Human Services will oversee the program, which requires grantees to establish diverse advisory committees and report annually on program effectiveness. Funding is authorized through fiscal year 2030 to support at least 25 entities across multiple states.

The Downpayment Toward Equity Act of 2025 establishes a new HUD grant program to provide downpayment and closing cost assistance to first-time, first-generation homebuyers. Funds will be distributed to states and eligible entities based on need and the number of qualified buyers in their area. Assistance is capped per buyer and requires mandatory homeownership counseling, with strict rules governing eligible mortgages and primary residency requirements.

This resolution expresses support for designating June 21, 2025, as National ASK (Asking Saves Kids) Day. The bill aims to promote children's health by encouraging parents to ask about secure gun storage before their children visit other homes. By backing the ASK Campaign, Congress seeks to reduce accidental shootings by advocating for safely stored firearms.

The MONARCH Act of 2025 addresses the critical decline of the western monarch butterfly population, which has dropped by over 99% in recent decades due to habitat loss and climate change. This bill establishes the Western Monarch Butterfly Rescue Fund to provide grants for habitat restoration projects led by local and Tribal entities. Furthermore, it mandates the implementation of the existing Western Monarch Butterfly Conservation Plan through a partnership with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Finally, the Secretary of the Interior must submit an annual report to Congress detailing the status of the butterflies and the effectiveness of funded conservation efforts.

The Wall Street Tax Act of 2025 establishes a new federal tax on specific financial trading transactions involving securities and derivatives. This transaction tax begins at a rate of 0.02 percent in 2026 and gradually increases to 0.1 percent by 2030. The tax generally applies to trades executed on U.S. exchanges or those involving a U.S. person, excluding initial security offerings.

The American Dream for All Act establishes a pilot program managed by HUD to provide down payment assistance loans to first-time or first-generation homebuyers. Eligible organizations receive federal grants to fund revolving loan pools, offering assistance up to 20% of a home's purchase price. Borrowers must repay the loan upon selling the home, sharing in any appreciation, which recycles funds to assist future buyers. The program sets income limits and maximum loan amounts based on local housing costs.

Gio's Law establishes a grant program allowing law enforcement agencies to purchase emergency epinephrine products and receive necessary training. The bill mandates the development of standardized training for officers on recognizing and treating anaphylaxis. Furthermore, it requires annual reporting on epinephrine administration by officers and launches a public awareness campaign about severe allergic reactions.

The Occupational Therapy Mental Health Parity Act aims to clarify and ensure proper coverage of occupational therapy services under Medicare for treating mental health and substance use disorders. It mandates the Secretary of Health and Human Services to educate stakeholders on billing and payment rules within the Medicare Benefit Policy Manual. This ensures providers are correctly reimbursed when using occupational therapy for mental health treatment.

The Coastal Communities Ocean Acidification Act of 2025 amends existing federal law to significantly enhance collaboration on ocean acidification research and monitoring. This bill mandates increased input from diverse stakeholders, including industry, coastal networks, and Indigenous groups, in guiding federal research priorities. Furthermore, it restructures the Advisory Board to ensure stronger representation from Tribal entities and requires the development of specific coordination policies with affected Tribes. The legislation also directs NOAA to prioritize collaboration with State, local, and Tribal governments when conducting vulnerability assessments.

The Community Paramedicine Act of 2025 establishes a new grant program administered by HRSA to support specially trained paramedics providing mobile healthcare services outside of emergency calls, primarily in rural areas. Eligible non-profit entities can apply for up to $\$1.5$ million over five years to fund staffing, equipment, training, and medical oversight for these patient-centered services. The bill specifically reserves a portion of funding for Tribal community programs and requires rigorous reporting on program outcomes.

The Preserving Great Americans’ Legacies Act of 2025 prohibits the Secretary of the Navy from changing the names of naval vessels currently honoring eight specific individuals. This legislation ensures that ships named after figures like Cesar Chavez, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Harriet Tubman retain their designations. The act immediately prevents any renaming of these protected vessels.