Legislative Activity

The EATS Act of 2025 significantly updates eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by removing previous restrictions that often disqualified students. This legislation explicitly includes bona fide students enrolled at least half-time in recognized educational programs as eligible participants for food assistance. These changes take effect on January 2, 2026.

The Restoring Essential Healthcare Act repeals an outdated ban that prevented Medicaid from making payments to certain healthcare providers. This legislation ensures that these previously prohibited entities will now be reimbursed for medical services rendered between the enactment of the original ban and the passage of this Act. In short, it restores payment eligibility and retroactively covers past services.

The Mental Health for Latinos Act of 2025 mandates the creation of a comprehensive, culturally sensitive outreach and education strategy to improve mental health and substance abuse support specifically for Hispanic and Latino communities. This plan requires collaboration with community groups to ensure materials address diverse linguistic and cultural needs across different age groups. The Secretary must report annually to Congress on the strategy's effectiveness in improving health outcomes for these populations.

The EACH Act of 2025 aims to ensure equal access to abortion coverage by requiring all federally funded health programs and facilities to cover abortion services. This legislation prohibits federal interference with state or private insurance coverage of abortion and repeals Section 1303 of the Affordable Care Act. Ultimately, the bill seeks to eliminate financial and insurance barriers to abortion care, particularly for low-income individuals relying on programs like Medicaid.

The Build More Housing Near Transit Act of 2025 incentivizes the construction of new housing near public transit by awarding extra points on federal capital investment grants. These extra points are given to applicants whose jurisdictions have adopted "pro-housing policies," such as reducing parking minimums or streamlining approval processes for multi-family housing. The Secretary must consult with HUD to ensure these local policies are expected to result in measurable increases in housing, particularly for low-income residents.

This resolution officially commends Petty Officer 3d Class Scott Ruskan for his heroic actions during the devastating central Texas floods of July 2025. It specifically recognizes him for personally rescuing 165 individuals and coordinating triage efforts under hazardous conditions. Furthermore, the bill extends deep gratitude to all federal, state, and volunteer responders who risked their lives during this major natural disaster.

This resolution expresses support for designating July 10th as Journeyman Lineworkers Recognition Day. It honors the essential and dangerous work performed by these skilled professionals, especially their heroic efforts in restoring power after major disasters. The day serves to recognize their service and remember those who have lost their lives performing this vital work.

This resolution strongly condemns Russia for the abduction and forced "Russification" of Ukrainian children, highlighting these actions as grave violations of international law. It emphasizes that these children must be safely returned to Ukraine before any final peace agreement to end the war is considered. The document also underscores the heightened risks of trafficking, violence, and trauma faced by Ukrainian children due to the ongoing invasion.

The Bridge Corrosion Prevention and Repair Act of 2025 establishes new federal requirements to combat bridge rust and decay on federally funded projects by mandating the use of certified contractors and qualified training programs for corrosion control work. The bill also makes federal grant funding explicitly available for corrosion control work on rail bridges. Furthermore, it directs the Secretary of Transportation to conduct a comprehensive study on the efficacy and maintenance of weathering steel bridges within 18 months.

This resolution formally recognizes and celebrates the history, culture, and significant contributions of Caribbean Americans to the United States. It highlights the deep roots and ongoing influence of the Caribbean diaspora across all sectors of American life. The bill encourages the nation to observe National Caribbean American Heritage Month and affirms that this diversity enriches the country.

The PFAS National Drinking Water Standard Act of 2025 immediately establishes the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) final rule on PFAS as official federal law. This action codifies the specific National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for PFAS as it existed on June 25, 2024. Essentially, the bill bypasses standard procedures to enact the EPA's established PFAS drinking water standards into law right away.

This resolution formally recognizes the constitutional right to peaceful protest while strongly condemning violence and illegal acts committed during demonstrations. It criticizes the federal government's deployment of military forces during recent events, arguing the actions were an overreach that bypassed proper legal and state authority. Ultimately, the bill asserts the importance of transparency in law enforcement and denounces rhetoric that escalates community tensions.

This bill establishes a pilot program for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to test whether allowing canine handlers to keep their working dogs at home is effective compared to traditional central kenneling. The program must run for at least two years across various ports of entry, with handler participation being voluntary. Upon completion, CBP must report findings to Congress comparing the two methods regarding cost, performance, and animal/handler well-being, along with recommendations for future policy.

The Women’s Health Protection Act of 2025 establishes a federal statutory right to access abortion services, prohibiting medically unnecessary restrictions that impede care before fetal viability. This Act protects the right of patients to travel across state lines to receive reproductive healthcare and allows providers to offer services free from state interference that conflicts with established medical standards. It preempts conflicting state and local laws and provides robust enforcement mechanisms for individuals and the Attorney General to challenge violations.

This resolution commemorates the 90th birthday of the Dalai Lama by designating July 6, 2025, as a "Day of Compassion." It strongly reaffirms U.S. support for the human rights, religious freedom, and cultural preservation of the Tibetan people. Furthermore, the resolution asserts that the selection of the next Dalai Lama is solely the right of the Tibetan Buddhist community, rejecting any interference by the People's Republic of China.

The Financing Lead Out of Water Act of 2025 (Flow Act) modifies tax-exempt bond rules to encourage the replacement of privately-owned lead water pipes. This legislation clarifies that using these bonds for qualified lead service line replacement does not count as prohibited private business use. This change allows public water systems to finance necessary lead pipe removal to meet federal drinking water standards.

The Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2025 aims to strengthen existing federal background check systems to prevent prohibited persons from acquiring firearms. This bill primarily mandates that most private firearm transfers must be facilitated through a licensed dealer who will conduct a background check. The legislation includes specific exceptions for family gifts, law enforcement, and temporary transfers under emergency circumstances.

This resolution officially designates the Friday before Memorial Day as **National Poppy Day** to honor U.S. veterans. It recognizes the poppy as a long-standing symbol of remembrance for those who died in service, inspired by World War I. The bill encourages all citizens to wear a red poppy on this day to show appreciation for our fallen service members.

The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2025 aims to streamline and modernize the prior authorization process within Medicare Advantage plans. This bill mandates the adoption of electronic prior authorization systems and significantly increases transparency regarding approval rates and decision times starting in 2027. Furthermore, it establishes new enrollee protections and grants the Secretary authority to enforce faster decision timeframes for medical services.

The Stronger Communities through Better Transit Act establishes a new federal grant program to provide operating support for high-quality public transit services. This funding is specifically targeted to improve mobility and environmental outcomes, with a requirement that the majority of funds benefit underserved communities or areas of persistent poverty. The Act also increases the federal share for rural transit operating assistance up to 80%.