Legislative Activity

The Federal Firefighter Cancer Detection and Prevention Act of 2025 mandates specific, regular cancer screenings for Department of Defense (DoD) firefighters as part of their annual health evaluations. This includes tailored testing for breast, colon, and prostate cancers, based on age and risk factors. While these screenings are offered, participation remains optional for the individual firefighter. The DoD must track participation and anonymized results to monitor cancer trends within the firefighting community.

The Mortgage Relief for Disaster Survivors Act allows homeowners with Federally backed loans in a declared disaster area to request a mandatory 180-day forbearance on their mortgage payments. Borrowers must provide proof of property damage to their loan servicer to access this relief, which prohibits extra fees or penalties during the pause. This protection is available for both single-family and multifamily properties secured by loans purchased or securitized by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.

The ABC-ED Act of 2025 aims to alleviate emergency department boarding and crowding by modernizing public health data systems to track real-time hospital bed capacity. It also directs the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation to pilot programs specifically improving emergency care for older adults and those in acute psychiatric crisis. Finally, the bill mandates a study on best practices for statewide, real-time capacity tracking systems and their impact on ER wait times.

The PROTECT 911 Act aims to support the mental health of 911 operators and emergency dispatchers. It requires the government to develop evidence-based mental health guidelines and training materials specifically for these workers. Furthermore, the Act establishes grants for emergency communications centers to implement or enhance behavioral health and wellness programs for their staff.

The Neighborhood Homes Investment Act establishes a new federal tax credit designed to close the financing gap hindering the construction and rehabilitation of affordable starter homes in distressed communities. This credit incentivizes developers to build or substantially renovate housing in specific low-income census tracts and sell it affordably to qualified moderate-income homeowners. State agencies will manage the allocation of these credits, ensuring projects meet affordability standards and promoting revitalization in struggling neighborhoods.

This Act mandates improvements to the mental health components of the Department of Defense's Transition Assistance Program (TAP) and the Department of Veterans Affairs' Solid Start Program. It ensures transitioning service members and new veterans receive comprehensive information on available mental health services, suicide risk, and related support resources. The Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs must jointly report to Congress on these updates within one year of enactment.

The Youth Sports Facilities Act of 2025 amends federal public works funding rules to explicitly include the construction and improvement of youth sports facilities. This allows communities to apply for grants specifically for these projects, provided they meet goals focused on improving health, serving low-income and rural children, and boosting local economies. The bill prioritizes facilities that address sedentary lifestyles and provide safe recreational spaces in underserved areas.

The Clean Ocean And Safe Tourism Anti-Drilling Act of 2025 (COAST Anti-Drilling Act) permanently prohibits new oil and gas leasing activities on the Outer Continental Shelf in the North Atlantic, Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic, and Straits of Florida planning areas. This legislation ensures these specific ocean regions are protected from future exploration and development.

The West Coast Ocean Protection Act of 2025 permanently prohibits all new oil and gas exploration, development, and production on the Outer Continental Shelf off the coasts of California, Oregon, and Washington. This legislation specifically bans the Secretary of the Interior from issuing any new leases or permissions for drilling activities in designated planning areas. The goal is to secure long-term protection for these vital West Coast marine environments.

The Public Safety Officer Concussion and Traumatic Brain Injury Health Act of 2025 directs the CDC to gather and publicly share critical information regarding concussions and TBIs affecting public safety officers. This effort includes developing evidence-based practices for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of these injuries. The resulting data will be disseminated through an updated CDC website and various outreach efforts to medical professionals, employers, and the families of officers.

The Veterans for Mustangs Act amends existing law to prioritize humane, on-range fertility control for managing wild horse and burro populations. This legislation mandates that the Secretary of the Interior must prioritize recruiting, training, and hiring military veterans to administer these fertility control measures. This ensures population management goals are met while providing employment opportunities for veterans.

The Youth Lead Act establishes dedicated federal funding for youth organizations by setting aside \$5 million annually for grants between fiscal years 2026 and 2030. This legislation amends existing law to ensure consistent financial support for these organizations.

The Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act of 2025 expands Medicare coverage for audiology services, beginning in 2027. This legislation allows qualified audiologists to provide diagnostic and treatment services without physician referral or supervision, as permitted by state law. The bill also specifies payment rates and includes audiologists in coverage for Rural Health Clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers.

The Closing the Bump Stock Loophole Act of 2025 seeks to amend federal gun laws by banning devices and modifications that significantly increase the rate of fire of semiautomatic firearms, effectively treating them like machineguns. The bill specifically prohibits the manufacture, sale, or possession of such accessories and modified firearms after 120 days of enactment. Existing owners of previously modified firearms must register them under the National Firearms Act within that same timeframe to legally keep them.

The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program Improvement Act of 2025 updates the CREP to offer farmers more flexibility in how they receive annual contract payments. It establishes new payment formulas for agreements involving the retirement of water rights or dryland farming practices, potentially increasing payments for some existing contracts. Additionally, the bill mandates certain water conservation agreements and exempts CREP rental payments from federal payment limitations.

The National Biotechnology Initiative Act of 2025 establishes a comprehensive, whole-of-government effort to advance U.S. leadership in biotechnology for national security and economic competitiveness. This Act creates the National Biotechnology Initiative, overseen by a new National Biotechnology Coordination Office within the Executive Office of the President. Participating federal agencies are mandated to coordinate strategies across research, data management, biomanufacturing, regulatory streamlining, and workforce development. The law also establishes mechanisms for interagency coordination, public reporting, and the development of a national biotechnology strategy.

The American Family Act fundamentally overhauls the Child Tax Credit by replacing the annual lump sum with a system of advance, refundable monthly payments delivered directly to families. These monthly allowances vary based on the child's age, with higher amounts provided for younger children. The bill also establishes a separate, smaller credit for other dependents and outlines procedures for annual renewal and reconciliation of advance payments when filing taxes.

The Bolstering Research And Innovation Now (BRAIN) Act aims to significantly advance the fight against brain tumors by increasing research funding and improving patient access to care. This legislation establishes new networks for glioblastoma research, creates a public database for tracking biospecimens, and launches a national awareness campaign about clinical trials. Furthermore, the Act funds pilot programs to improve long-term care for survivors and directs the FDA to ensure brain tumor patients are not unfairly excluded from relevant clinical trials.

The Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2025 updates federal housing tax credit allocations to reflect current economic realities and boosts minimum state allotments. It reforms tenant eligibility rules to stabilize tenancy and enhance protections for vulnerable residents, including victims of abuse. The bill also provides disaster relief for property owners, increases incentives for housing the extremely low-income, and directs greater resources toward Native American and rural housing needs. Finally, it streamlines administrative processes and signals a future focus on data transparency and discouraging restrictive local zoning.

The VA Funding and Workforce Protection Act ensures that congressionally appropriated funds for the Department of Veterans Affairs cannot be unilaterally withheld or transferred without explicit new authorization from Congress. This legislation also provides significant protections for VA personnel by exempting the agency from presidential hiring freezes for a four-year period and establishing strict notification requirements before layoffs or removals of probationary employees can occur. Finally, the Secretary of the VA must regularly certify compliance with these new funding and personnel mandates to relevant Congressional committees.