Legislative Activity

The Modernizing Opioid Treatment Access Act 2.0 of 2026 expands access to methadone for opioid use disorder by allowing qualified practitioners to prescribe it for pharmacy dispensing. This legislation aims to increase treatment flexibility through electronic prescribing and telemedicine while maintaining rigorous practitioner standards. States retain the authority to opt out of these provisions, and the DEA is required to provide annual reports on the program's implementation.

The Pre-Apprenticeships To Hardhats (PATH) Act authorizes the Secretary of Labor to award competitive grants to partnerships that develop pre-apprenticeship programs in the building and construction trades. This initiative aims to increase career opportunities for underrepresented populations, including women, minorities, veterans, and individuals from low-income or rural communities. By funding training and curriculum development, the bill helps participants gain the necessary skills to successfully transition into registered apprenticeship programs.

This resolution supports designating a "National Learn to Swim Week" beginning on the fourth Sunday in June to raise awareness about water safety. It emphasizes that learning to swim is a lifesaving skill that significantly reduces the risk of drowning, which is a leading cause of death for young children. The bill encourages federal, state, and local efforts to promote and expand access to affordable swimming lessons for all Americans.

The Faster Labor Contracts Act aims to speed up the process of securing a first collective bargaining agreement after a union is certified. It establishes a mandatory timeline, including mediation and binding arbitration, if an agreement is not reached within 90 days of bargaining. This process is designed to prevent lengthy delays that currently weaken the union's position. The bill also requires a GAO report on current time-to-contract averages.

This resolution immediately brings the bill (H.R. 5408) to the House floor for consideration, aiming to accelerate the process of reaching a contract under the National Labor Relations Act. It waives standard procedural hurdles to facilitate a swift debate and final vote. The process allows for only one hour of debate before the final vote.

The "Give America a Raise Act" significantly increases the federal minimum wage, phasing it up to $20.00 per hour over three years, followed by annual adjustments tied to CPI or GDP growth. This legislation also phases out the subminimum wage for tipped employees and workers with disabilities, ultimately requiring both groups to receive the full federal minimum wage. Furthermore, it establishes new requirements for publishing wage increase notices and eliminates the special minimum wage category for young new hires after 90 days of employment.

The Securing Enhanced Programs, Systems, and Initiatives for Sepsis Act (SEPSIS Act) establishes a new federal sepsis program within the CDC to combat the high rates of sepsis-related illness and death. This program will focus on leading education campaigns, improving data collection, and developing outcome measures for sepsis. The bill also authorizes funding to support these critical efforts and may establish a voluntary recognition program for hospitals with effective sepsis protocols.

The Save Our Ships Act establishes the Historic Naval Ship Preservation Grant Program within the Department of the Interior. This program will provide competitive grants to support the physical preservation of historic military vessels for public education. The grants can also fund workforce development programs related to maritime careers. The legislation authorizes $5 million annually for the program starting in fiscal year 2026.

The Battery Fire Prevention Act aims to reduce battery-related fires by incentivizing recycling technology and infrastructure. It establishes a tax credit for businesses purchasing battery detection equipment and imposes a new federal excise tax on battery sales. Revenue from this tax funds a dedicated Lithium Battery Buy-back Trust Fund, which supports the creation of a National Battery Recycling Program offering grants and consumer buy-back incentives.

The Trust Through Transparency Act of 2025 mandates that federal immigration enforcement agents wear body cameras during public-facing duties. The bill establishes specific rules for retaining video footage, generally requiring deletion after six months unless exceptions like use of force or a filed complaint apply. Furthermore, it requires annual public reporting to Congress on compliance and establishes an advisory panel to recommend best practices for camera usage and data management.

This resolution expresses support for designating October 1, 2025, as "National Animal Rescue Day." The goal is to raise awareness about the importance of animal adoption and the critical work of rescue organizations nationwide. This day aims to encourage spaying and neutering efforts to combat pet overpopulation and promote increased animal adoptions.

The Empowering Striking Workers Act of 2025 establishes a pathway for workers involved in a strike or lockout to receive unemployment insurance benefits after a mandatory 14-day waiting period. This legislation also exempts striking workers from the standard requirement to actively search for new employment while they are unable to work due to the labor dispute.

The Peter J. McGuire Labor Day Landmark Act officially designates the Peter J. McGuire Memorial and gravesite in Pennsauken, New Jersey, as the Peter J. McGuire Memorial National Commemorative Site. This designation honors McGuire's pivotal role in founding major labor organizations and proposing the concept of Labor Day. The bill allows for partnerships to support educational programming at the site without altering existing property rights.

The Warehouse Worker Protection Act establishes new federal standards to increase transparency and fairness for warehouse workers at large companies by mandating disclosure of performance quotas and monitoring data. It guarantees mandatory paid rest breaks, strengthens protections against using quotas to suppress organizing efforts, and introduces new federal ergonomics and safety standards under OSHA. The bill creates a new Department of Labor office to enforce these provisions and invalidates mandatory pre-dispute arbitration for related claims.

This bill officially establishes "Workers Memorial Day" as a recognized federal holiday. It amends the U.S. Code to formally insert this new observance into the list of federal holidays.

The Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act of 2025 establishes federal minimum standards for collective bargaining rights for public employees across the nation. It requires the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) to review state laws to ensure they substantially provide these minimum rights, including the right to organize and bargain collectively. If a state fails to meet these standards, the FLRA will administer federal labor relations rules for the uncovered employees. The Act also prohibits strikes or lockouts that would measurably disrupt emergency or public safety services.

The No Tax Breaks for Union Busting (NTBUB) Act aims to disallow businesses from deducting federal income taxes for expenses incurred while attempting to influence employees regarding union organization or activities. This change is intended to stop companies from subsidizing anti-union campaigns through tax write-offs. The bill also establishes new, significant reporting requirements and penalties for businesses and third-party consultants who engage in these influence expenditures.

The Seizure Awareness and Preparedness Act establishes a new federal grant program to help states support students with epilepsy or seizure disorders in schools. States will award subgrants to local districts to fund mandatory training for all school personnel on seizure response and the use of individualized health care plans. This funding aims to improve preparedness and ensure consistent, safe care for students managing seizure disorders while at school.

The TREATS Act amends the Controlled Substances Act to allow telehealth evaluations for prescribing certain controlled substances used in substance use disorder treatment. This removes the prior requirement for an in-person evaluation, enabling remote medical assessments via real-time audio-visual or audio-only communication, in accordance with federal and state laws. The goal of this bill is to increase access to treatment for substance use disorders.

The Parity Enforcement Act of 2025 strengthens mental health and substance use disorder coverage by authorizing the Department of Labor to impose civil monetary penalties on plan sponsors, administrators, and insurers that fail to meet federal parity requirements. By expanding enforcement authority under ERISA, this legislation ensures greater accountability for health plans that do not provide equitable coverage. These provisions are set to take effect for plan years beginning more than one year after the bill’s enactment.