Legislative Activity

The MONARCH Act of 2025 addresses the critical decline of the western monarch butterfly population, which faces imminent extinction due to habitat loss and climate change. This bill establishes the Western Monarch Butterfly Rescue Fund to provide dedicated grants for conservation projects focused on restoring milkweed and protecting overwintering sites. Furthermore, it mandates the annual updating and implementation of the existing Western Monarch Butterfly Conservation Plan. Ultimately, the Act aims to rapidly deploy resources to ensure the recovery and survival of this vital pollinator.

The Election Worker Protection Act of 2025 establishes federal grants to states for recruiting, training, and securing election workers, while also enhancing the Department of Justice's resources to address threats. The bill creates new federal crimes prohibiting the harassment, doxxing, and intimidation of election workers involved in federal elections. Furthermore, it empowers election officials to remove disruptive poll observers and strengthens protections for election worker personal information.

The Safe Environment from Countries Under Repression and Emergency (SECURE) Act creates a new pathway for certain immigrants with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) history to apply for permanent residency within the U.S. This legislation also establishes strict confidentiality protections for applicants against immigration enforcement actions based on their application information. Furthermore, the bill mandates detailed reporting to Congress regarding the conditions in countries whose TPS designations are terminated. Finally, it ensures that eligibility for this new status does not preclude applicants from seeking other immigration benefits.

The Advancing Student Services In Schools Today (ASSIST) Act aims to boost federal funding for mental health and substance use disorder services provided in schools by increasing the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) to 90 percent for these specific expenditures. Additionally, the bill establishes a new grant program to increase the number of qualified behavioral health providers working in schools and school-based health centers. Eligible entities can apply for funding to hire culturally sensitive providers to address student needs, with strict reporting requirements on provider numbers and service effectiveness.

The Expanded Coverage for Former Foster Youth Act aims to ensure continuous Medicaid coverage for young adults who aged out of state foster care until they reach age 26. This legislation amends eligibility rules to secure medical assistance for these former foster youth, provided they meet specific criteria regarding their time in state care. Furthermore, the bill mandates that states establish proactive outreach and enrollment programs, coordinated with child welfare agencies, to help eligible individuals sign up for these benefits starting in 2026.

The Honoring Civil Servants Killed in the Line of Duty Act significantly increases the death gratuity payment for federal employees who die in the line of duty, setting the initial amount at \$100,000 and mandating annual inflation adjustments. The bill also raises the maximum government payment for funeral expenses and clarifies the payment structure for death gratuities for federal employees working abroad with the Armed Forces. Furthermore, it establishes emergency funding procedures for agencies to cover these required payments following major disasters.

The El Salvador Accountability Act of 2025 mandates immediate sanctions, including asset freezes and travel bans, against top officials in the Salvadoran government due to human rights concerns. It also requires the U.S. Treasury to oppose loans to El Salvador through international financial institutions, unless for humanitarian aid. Furthermore, the bill demands a comprehensive report on the Salvadoran government's use of cryptocurrency for potential corruption or sanctions evasion. All U.S. assistance to the Salvadoran government is prohibited until the President certifies that human rights violations have ceased.

This concurrent resolution urges the establishment of a United States Commission on Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation. It formally acknowledges the historical and ongoing harm caused by centuries of systemic racism and discriminatory government policies against various groups. The proposed Commission would be tasked with recognizing this history, promoting racial healing, and working to eliminate persistent racial inequalities in the nation.

The Disaster Relief Medicaid Act establishes a temporary, simplified Medicaid pathway for survivors of federally declared disasters, effective January 1, 2027. This pathway provides two years of coverage with relaxed income verification rules, ensuring immediate access to necessary healthcare. The bill also mandates 100% federal funding for these services and supports state efforts to rapidly deploy medical assistance and home care teams following a disaster. Finally, it adjusts Medicare enrollment rules to prevent penalties for survivors delayed by the disaster period.

The Stabilize Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Act extends 12-month continuous enrollment protections under Medicaid and CHIP to all eligible individuals, removing previous age restrictions. This ensures greater stability in health coverage by preventing premature disenrollment. These changes are scheduled to take effect starting in the first fiscal quarter after December 31, 2026.

The Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act of 2025 modifies the Department of Defense's authority to sell surplus aircraft and parts for wildfire suppression. This update explicitly allows the sale of equipment capable of dropping water, in addition to fire retardant. This authority for sales strictly limited to firefighting purposes is extended through October 1, 2035.

The Insurrection Act of 2025 completely rewrites the rules governing the President's authority to deploy the U.S. Armed Forces domestically, establishing military intervention as a strict last resort. It mandates specific, severe conditions—such as overwhelming insurrection or widespread denial of constitutional rights—and requires the President to issue a detailed proclamation and consult with Congress before deployment. Any initial deployment automatically expires after seven days unless Congress passes a resolution of approval.

The Roadless Area Conservation Act of 2025 aims to provide lasting protection for inventoried roadless areas within our National Forests. This legislation mandates that the Secretary of Agriculture must adhere to the existing "Roadless Rule," prohibiting the construction of new roads, the reconstruction of old roads, and timber harvesting within these designated areas. The Act seeks to preserve critical watersheds, support wildlife, and maintain areas for traditional recreation without imposing new restrictions outside of these roadless zones.

The Bicycle Commuter Act of 2025 reinstates and expands tax-free fringe benefits for employers who support employees using bicycles or scooters for commuting. This legislation broadens the definition of qualified commuting property to include e-bikes and scooters, allowing for employer reimbursements or direct provision of these benefits. However, the monthly exclusion amount for these bicycle benefits is capped at 30 percent of the standard transit benefit limit.

The Protect IVF Act establishes a federal right to access fertility treatments, such as IVF, based on widely accepted medical standards. It prohibits states from enacting or enforcing rules that create unnecessary roadblocks or conflict with these established medical practices. The law empowers individuals, providers, and insurers to sue to strike down restrictive state laws that interfere with evidence-based fertility care. Ultimately, this Act ensures that decisions regarding fertility treatment remain between patients and their doctors, overriding conflicting state regulations.

The Protecting Community Television Act revises the definition of a "franchise fee" under the Communications Act of 1934. This change modifies the language from "includes" to "means" and adds "other monetary assessment" to clarify what payments local governments can charge cable operators. Ultimately, this bill refines how franchise fees are calculated and assessed.

The Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2025 addresses the growing public health crisis of obesity, particularly among Medicare beneficiaries. This bill expands Medicare coverage for intensive behavioral therapy by allowing more types of qualified healthcare providers to furnish the treatment. Furthermore, it amends Medicare Part D to allow coverage for prescription medications used to treat obesity or weight management in individuals with related health conditions. Finally, the Act requires the Secretary of HHS to report regularly to Congress on the implementation and coordination of federal obesity-related efforts.

The Protect Vulnerable Immigrant Youth Act aims to remove annual numerical caps on employment-based visas specifically for special immigrant juveniles. This change ensures that these vulnerable youths are no longer subject to the same yearly visa limitations as other categories. By updating relevant sections of the Immigration and Nationality Act, the bill prioritizes their access to available visas.

This bill, the Striking and Locked Out Workers Healthcare Protection Act, prohibits employers from terminating or altering group health plan coverage for employees during a lawful strike or a lockout intended to gain leverage in collective bargaining. The Act establishes significant civil penalties, up to $\$150,000$ per violation, for employers who illegally cut off this coverage. Furthermore, it allows for individual directors and officers to be held personally liable for these violations.

The PEAKS Act aims to preserve the Critical Access Hospital (CAH) status for certain hospitals by grandfathering their compliance with specific distance requirements. It also modifies the Medicare payment rules for ambulance services furnished by CAHs, updating the distance limitations for reimbursement. This legislation ensures continued access to essential emergency and healthcare services in key, often remote, locations.