Legislative Activity

The Federal Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act ensures that federal firefighters continue to receive their pay and allowances if Congress delays passing the budget for fiscal year 2026. This legislation also prohibits the reduction in force or layoffs of federal firefighters specifically due to government shutdowns caused by funding lapses. Essentially, this bill protects the paychecks and employment stability of federal firefighters during budget uncertainty.

The Mental Health Services for Students Act of 2025 establishes a new federal program to provide comprehensive, trauma-informed mental health services and supports in schools through grants and contracts. These funds will support partnerships to implement awareness campaigns, staff training on trauma and suicide risk, and direct student and family treatment. The Secretary must ensure equitable distribution of funding, which is capped at \$2 million per award, with Congress authorized to appropriate \$300 million annually for the initial years.

This bill amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to expand eligibility for additional federal subsidies for water infrastructure projects. It specifically allows these funds to support investments in new technologies and processes that promote water efficiency, energy efficiency, and stormwater runoff reduction. The goal is to encourage the development of cost-effective and sustainable water infrastructure.

The HEALTH Act of 2025 permanently updates Medicare rules for Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) regarding telehealth. This legislation permanently recognizes audio-only calls as reimbursable telehealth services and removes geographic location requirements for patients receiving care from these clinics. Furthermore, it ensures permanent payment parity for these telehealth visits, treating them as standard outpatient services for billing purposes.

The Aviation Funding Stability Act of 2025 establishes an automatic mechanism to ensure the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) remains funded during a lapse in appropriations. This allows the FAA to continue essential operations using existing funds from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund until a new budget or continuing resolution is enacted. Funding will cease after 30 days if no new appropriations are passed. This ensures continuity for core FAA programs, including operations, infrastructure, and grants.

The Prevent Youth Suicide Act mandates that schools serving grades 6 through 12 establish comprehensive, evidence-based suicide prevention and postvention protocols to maintain federal funding. These rules require biennial staff training, clear referral systems for at-risk students, and the adoption of a trauma-informed approach. The Secretary of Education is tasked with creating these regulations, providing resources, and monitoring compliance.

The Preparing And Retaining All (PARA) Educators Act establishes a new federal grant program to help states recruit and retain school paraprofessionals. Funds will be distributed to states based on their existing Title I allocations to support local districts. States must use these competitive subgrants to improve paraprofessional wages, offer professional development, and support credentialing, prioritizing high-need and rural schools. The law requires annual reporting on compensation improvements and retention efforts.

The Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act of 2025 mandates that colleges receiving federal funds update their policies to explicitly prohibit and detail procedures for addressing harassment based on protected characteristics, including technology-facilitated abuse. The bill also establishes a competitive grant program, funded up to $50 million annually, to support campus efforts in harassment prevention, training, and support services. This legislation adds new requirements without superseding existing civil rights protections.

This House Resolution strongly condemns all forms of political violence and threats against elected officials and public figures, regardless of political affiliation. It affirms that disagreements must be resolved through peaceful and democratic means, not intimidation or force. The resolution urges law enforcement to prosecute those who commit or encourage such violence. Finally, it calls on all leaders to cease using dehumanizing rhetoric and promote civil discourse.

The "Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act" expands Medicare coverage to include FDA-approved multi-cancer early detection screening tests starting in 2028. It defines the criteria for these tests, sets payment guidelines, and establishes age and frequency limitations for coverage. The bill ensures that existing cancer screening coverage remains unaffected and allows for waivers of limitations based on recommendations from the United States Preventive Services Task Force.

The No Tariffs on Groceries Act restricts the President's authority to impose new duties or taxes on articles of food, including ingredients and agricultural supplies. Under this Act, any new food tariff can only take effect after Congress explicitly passes a law approving the President's specific request. This legislation ensures that new taxes on essential food items require direct Congressional authorization.

The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025 mandates that the Secretary of Transportation establish a rule requiring AM broadcast radio receivers to be installed as standard equipment in new passenger motor vehicles. This requirement aims to ensure public access to AM radio signals, which are often used for emergency alerts. The bill also directs a GAO study on the effectiveness of AM radio within the national emergency alert system compared to other technologies. Finally, the Act preempts state and local laws on this matter and includes a sunset provision eight years after enactment.

The Stop CMV Act of 2025 aims to establish a national framework for screening newborns for congenital Cytomegalovirus (CMV). This legislation authorizes federal funding for states to implement testing programs and improve data collection systems related to CMV. Furthermore, the bill mandates the expansion of research efforts through the NIH to improve CMV diagnostics, prevention, and treatment.

This Act, the Ensuring Patient Access to Critical Breakthrough Products Act, aims to speed up Medicare coverage for innovative, FDA-approved "breakthrough devices." It establishes a process for manufacturers to gain a four-year transitional coverage period for these devices, ensuring patients have timely access while long-term coverage decisions are finalized. The bill also allocates funding to CMS to manage these expedited reviews and allows for oversight of provider billing practices related to these new technologies.

The **988 LGBTQ+ Youth Access Act of 2025** addresses the high rates of suicide risk among LGBTQ youth by strengthening specialized support through the national crisis hotline. This bill mandates that dedicated resources and services, such as a specific dialing option, must be maintained for LGBTQ individuals contacting 988. Furthermore, it requires that at least 9 percent of appropriated funds for the hotline be specifically reserved to ensure these specialized services for LGBTQ youth remain fully operational.

The Pay Our Troops Act of 2026 ensures that active duty military personnel and essential civilian support staff continue to receive their pay if Congress has not yet passed the full budget for fiscal year 2026. This act provides automatic continuing appropriations from the Treasury to prevent a lapse in military salaries due to budget delays. The funding automatically terminates once a new budget or continuing resolution is passed, or on January 1, 2027, whichever comes first.

The Bipartisan Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program Expansion Act increases the federal share of grant funding for certain public safety activities from 50% to 60%. This change aims to reduce the financial burden on states for purchasing essential equipment. Additionally, the Act authorizes $60 million annually for this program from fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

The FAIR Act of 2025 invalidates pre-dispute arbitration agreements and class action waivers for employment, consumer, antitrust, and civil rights claims. This law restores the right for individuals to pursue these disputes in court or through collective legal action. The provisions apply to all covered disputes arising on or after the date the Act is enacted.

The SEED Act of 2025 expands the existing educator expense tax deduction to include early childhood educators. This legislation amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow those working in early childhood education to deduct unreimbursed work expenses "above the line." This change applies to expenses paid for in tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.

This resolution officially recognizes suicide as a serious public health crisis in the United States, highlighting the urgent need for prevention efforts across all demographics. It expresses strong support for designating September as "National Suicide Prevention Month" and September 10th as "World Suicide Prevention Day" to raise awareness. The measure calls for prioritizing comprehensive, tailored strategies to improve access to mental health and suicide prevention services nationwide.