Legislative Activity

The Fit Vets Act establishes a three-year pilot program to provide eligible veterans enrolled in VA health care access to the SilverSneakers fitness program or a similar senior exercise program. The Department of Veterans Affairs will evaluate the program's participation, costs, and impact on veteran health outcomes. Following the pilot's conclusion, the Secretary must report findings and recommendations to Congress regarding making the program permanent.

The Safer Schools Act of 2025 establishes a five-year pilot program managed by the Attorney General to award grants to public schools for security enhancements. These grants fund independent facility security risk assessments and "hard security improvements," such as physical infrastructure upgrades. Priority is given to schools that have experienced past incidents of deadly harm, and recipients must report on the effectiveness of the improvements.

The Federal Food Administration Act of 2025 establishes a new independent agency, the Federal Food Administration, within the Department of Health and Human Services to oversee food safety and nutrition. This Act transfers all food-related regulatory authority from the FDA to this new Administration, led by a Commissioner of Foods. The new agency is mandated to implement a risk-based inspection program for food facilities and promote public health through research and timely action on food products.

The CommonGround for Affordable Health Care Act extends enhanced premium tax credits for Marketplace health insurance through 2026, while also establishing strict new penalties and verification processes to combat fraud by agents and brokers in health insurance exchanges. Furthermore, the bill imposes significant new transparency and accountability requirements on Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) contracting with Medicare Part D plans. Finally, it extends the 2026 open enrollment period and creates a fast-track legislative process for future premium tax credit reform bills.

This bill officially designates the United States Postal Service facility located at 130 South Patterson Avenue in Santa Barbara, California, as the **Brigadier General Frederick R. Lopez Post Office Building**. This change ensures all federal records and documents will use the new name for this specific post office.

This bill, the "Studying NEPA’s Impact on Projects Act," mandates that federal agencies submit annual reports detailing the impact of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) on their projects. These reports must cover lawsuits alleging NEPA violations, as well as data on the length, cost, and timelines associated with preparing Environmental Impact Statements. The Council on Environmental Quality will then publish these comprehensive reports publicly.

The Specialty Crop & Wine Producer Tariff Relief Act establishes a direct payment program administered by the USDA to compensate specialty crop growers and wine producers for specific financial losses, such as those related to increased tariffs or reduced exports. The bill also authorizes the Secretary to purchase surplus crops for distribution through federal nutrition assistance programs. This assistance is authorized for fiscal years 2026 through 2030, with required reporting to Congress on payments and purchases.

The National Oversight and Enforcement of Misconduct (NOEM) Act expands legal accountability by allowing individuals to file civil lawsuits against federal immigration officials for constitutional or civil rights violations. This legislation ensures that those acting under federal immigration authority are held to the same standards of liability as state and local officials.

The Deter Obnoxious, Nefarious, and Outrageous Telephone Calls Act of 2025, or the DO NOT Call Act, establishes new criminal penalties for willful violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). This legislation also significantly increases the civil fines associated with providing inaccurate caller ID information. These measures aim to deter illegal and unwanted telemarketing and robocalls.

The HELP Copays Act requires that financial assistance provided by non-profit organizations and drug manufacturers must count toward a patient's deductible, copayments, and out-of-pocket maximums for prescription drugs. This change ensures that patient assistance dollars directly reduce the amount a patient must pay before their coverage fully kicks in. The legislation specifically applies to specialty drugs and those subject to utilization management. These provisions will take effect for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.

The Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act aims to overhaul immigration detention by establishing mandatory, high standards based on ABA guidelines and increasing transparency through rigorous, unannounced inspections. The bill prohibits the use of private, for-profit detention facilities within three years and ends the mandatory detention of most noncitizens, prioritizing release or community-based alternatives. Furthermore, it establishes new due process rights, including timely custody hearings, a presumption of release, and prohibitions on detaining children or using solitary confinement.

The Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act focuses primarily on improving pediatric drug development and ensuring patient access to necessary treatments. This legislation mandates new research requirements for molecularly targeted pediatric cancer drugs, strengthens FDA enforcement of pediatric study completion, and extends incentives for developing drugs for rare pediatric diseases. Additionally, the bill updates organ transplant network functions and establishes an Abraham Accords Office within the FDA to enhance international regulatory cooperation.

This bill proposes amending the House Rules to increase the threshold required for disciplinary action against a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner. Specifically, it mandates that a supermajority of at least 60% of votes cast must support any resolution for censure, disapproval, or removal from committee membership. This change establishes a higher bar for imposing these specific forms of House discipline.

The John Lewis Every Child Deserves a Family Act prohibits discrimination based on religion, sex, or marital status in federally funded child welfare services. This aims to increase the number of stable, family-like placements for children, especially for LGBTQ youth who are overrepresented in foster care. The bill mandates federal guidance, training, and data collection to improve safety and well-being outcomes for all children involved in the system.

The Kidney Care Access Protection Act aims to improve patient access to innovative kidney care treatments by reforming Medicare payment systems for new drugs and devices. It also addresses payment stability by adjusting for forecast errors in dialysis service updates and enhances prevention efforts. Finally, the Act expands Medicare coverage for chronic kidney disease screening and education services starting in 2026.

This resolution supports the goals of Transgender Day of Remembrance by recognizing the ongoing epidemic of violence targeting transgender people, particularly transgender women of color. It memorializes the lives lost this year and highlights the systemic barriers, including discrimination and lack of healthcare access, faced by the transgender community. The bill calls for urgent action from the government to protect these lives through inclusive legislation and policies that ensure dignity and respect for all individuals.

The NOAA Data Preservation Act aims to ensure the uninterrupted storage of critical National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) data sets. This legislation restricts the Secretary of Commerce from canceling cloud storage contracts unless a comprehensive plan for seamless data transition and protection is established in collaboration with NOAA. The bill focuses on maintaining continuous access to vital environmental data.

The Find It Early Act mandates that certain individuals at increased risk for breast cancer receive additional, recommended screenings with no out-of-pocket costs. This coverage requirement applies across private health plans, Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, and the Department of Veterans Affairs. These provisions are set to take effect starting January 1, 2026.

The Alzheimer’s Screening and Prevention Act of 2025 (ASAP Act) amends Medicare to cover early detection screening tests for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias starting in 2028. This coverage applies to FDA-cleared tests, including genomic sequencing and other equivalent diagnostic methods, designed to detect pre-symptomatic or early-stage conditions. The bill ensures these screenings are added to the list of covered medical services under Medicare.

This bill, the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act, updates how Medicare physician payments are adjusted annually starting in 2026. It mandates that the annual update to the Medicare physician fee schedule conversion factor will be directly tied to the estimated percentage increase in the Medicare Economic Index (MEI). This change ensures physician payment updates reflect economic changes measured by the MEI for 2026 and beyond.