Legislative Activity

The Hands Off Our Social Security Act is designed to safeguard the functionality and integrity of the Social Security Administration (SSA). This bill prohibits the SSA from tampering with benefits, engaging in unauthorized data mining, or privatizing services. Furthermore, it prevents the agency from closing local offices or reducing staff without explicit approval from Congress. Ultimately, the Act ensures that essential services and communication channels remain accessible to beneficiaries.

The Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2025 establishes a structured process for distributing up to 2,000 additional, federally funded residency positions annually between fiscal years 2026 and 2032. This distribution prioritizes hospitals serving in underserved areas, those already training above their limit, and those committed to primary care and general surgery training. The bill also mandates a study and report by the Comptroller General on effective strategies to increase diversity within the health professional workforce.

This proposed constitutional amendment would eliminate immunity from criminal prosecution for federal officials, including the President, based on their official duties. It also explicitly prohibits the President from issuing a self-pardon for any federal crimes. If ratified, these changes would take effect immediately.

The Franchisee Freedom Act establishes a private right of action allowing franchisees to sue for damages and seek relief when franchisors violate specific federal regulations or provisions of this Act. Furthermore, this legislation explicitly protects a franchisee's right to associate, communicate, and join trade groups with other franchisees without fear of retaliation from the franchisor. This ensures franchisees have legal recourse and the freedom to organize.

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.

This bill amends the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to explicitly clarify that time taken off for an employee's own organ donation surgery qualifies as a serious health condition. This ensures both private and federal sector workers receive FMLA protection for recovery from organ donation. The legislation also specifies how federal employees must substitute existing paid leave when taking FMLA time for this purpose.

The Living Donor Protection Act of 2025 prohibits life, disability, and long-term care insurance companies from denying coverage or increasing premiums solely because an individual is a living organ donor. This legislation ensures that living donors are not financially penalized for their altruistic act. Additionally, the bill requires the Secretary of HHS to update educational materials to accurately reflect the insurance protections afforded to living donors.

The Ally's Act mandates that certain private health insurance plans must cover auditory implant devices, related supplies, and necessary services for qualifying individuals. This coverage must be comparable to other medical and surgical benefits regarding cost-sharing and treatment limitations. Furthermore, plans cannot deny coverage if a physician or qualified audiologist determines the required hearing items or services are medically necessary. These new requirements take effect for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.

The Stop NOAA Closures Act places a temporary moratorium on the closure or restriction of access to any National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) facilities. This freeze remains in effect until 180 days after key officials submit a required report to Congress detailing the criteria and process for any future facility changes. After the moratorium lifts, any major facility action will still require a 30-day advance notice and justification report to Congress, except in cases of immediate emergency threatening staff safety.

The Asunción Valdivia Heat Illness, Injury, and Fatality Prevention Act of 2025 mandates that employers protect workers from dangerous heat stress by establishing comprehensive safety standards. This Act requires the Secretary of Labor to create evidence-based rules covering engineering controls, administrative procedures, required training, and paid rest breaks to prevent heat-related illness. Furthermore, the law establishes strict enforcement mechanisms, whistleblower protections, and specific timelines for the implementation of these new federal heat protection standards.

The CARE for Kids Act of 2025 streamlines access to free and reduced-price school meals for vulnerable children. It expands automatic direct certification eligibility for children in foster care, kinship guardianship, or receiving adoption assistance. The bill also ensures that a child's meal eligibility status is maintained when transferring between school districts or when entering the care of a relative. These changes aim to reduce administrative burdens and ensure consistent food access for children facing housing or custody instability.

The Student Loan Bankruptcy Improvement Act of 2025 aims to reform the bankruptcy process for student loan borrowers. This bill seeks to lower the current, overly difficult standard required to discharge student loan debt in bankruptcy proceedings. By making these changes, Congress intends to provide struggling borrowers with a genuine opportunity for a financial fresh start.

The Child Care for Working Families Act establishes comprehensive federal programs to ensure access to high-quality, affordable child care and universal preschool for young children. The legislation creates an entitlement program for child care, mandates that provider reimbursement rates cover actual costs and ensure living wages for staff, and establishes free, universal preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds. Additionally, it provides dedicated funding to stabilize childcare providers and extend the operating hours and compensation for Head Start staff.

The Sport Fish Restoration, Recreational Boating Safety, and Wildlife Restoration Act of 2025 extends the timeline for current Sport Fish Restoration funding allocation rules until 2031 and removes the spending cap for Interstate Fisheries Commission activities. The bill also updates boating infrastructure priorities to specifically include funding for alternative marine fuel facilities for larger vessels. Finally, it significantly reduces the federal excise tax rate on portable, electronically-aerated bait containers from 10 percent to 3 percent.

The Weather-Safe Energy Act of 2025 establishes a new digital tool, the Weather-Safe Energy Platform, to provide high-resolution weather and water data for electricity grid planning and operations. This initiative mandates research into extreme weather impacts on the grid and provides technical assistance to utilities and regulators. Ultimately, the goal is to enhance the resilience of the nation's electricity system against severe weather events.

This resolution formally recognizes the significant and persistent wage disparity faced by Black women in the United States. It highlights that despite existing equal pay laws, Black women earn substantially less than their male counterparts, leading to massive lifetime earnings losses. Congress uses this measure to emphasize the urgent need to address both racial and gender discrimination to achieve true pay equity.

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.

The Wild Horse and Burro Protection Act of 2025 aims to reform the management of wild horses and burros on federal lands by phasing out the use of helicopters in roundups over two years. This legislation mandates increased transparency through camera requirements on any remaining aircraft used during this transition. Furthermore, it directs the GAO to report on humane, non-aircraft population management alternatives and their economic impacts.

The Pharmacy Benefit Manager Reform Act of 2025 aims to increase transparency and accountability across the prescription drug supply chain. It mandates fairer pharmacy network access for Medicare beneficiaries and imposes strict new financial reporting and service fee requirements on Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) working with Medicare and private health plans. Furthermore, the bill establishes new federal mechanisms to accurately track drug acquisition costs in Medicaid and explicitly bans the practice of "spread pricing" in state Medicaid contracts.

This bill reauthorizes key programs under the Kay Hagan Tick Act to combat vector-borne diseases like Lyme disease through 2030. It extends funding for the national strategy and regional centers focused on these illnesses. Additionally, the legislation continues enhanced support for local health departments to improve disease surveillance and response capabilities.