Legislative Activity

The Children Don't Belong on Tobacco Farms Act amends child labor laws to prohibit individuals under 18 from having direct contact with tobacco plants or dried tobacco leaves. This change ensures that agricultural work involving direct handling of tobacco falls under federal child labor protections. The bill specifically updates exemptions to reflect this new restriction on youth employment in tobacco agriculture.

The Pink Tax Repeal Act prohibits businesses from charging different prices for substantially similar consumer products or services based solely on the buyer's gender. This legislation empowers the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to enforce the ban as an unfair business practice. State Attorneys General are also authorized to file lawsuits to stop violations and seek restitution for affected residents.

The Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act mandates that group health plans and insurance policies provide comprehensive coverage for medically necessary treatment related to congenital anomalies or birth defects affecting the eyes, ears, teeth, mouth, or jaw. This coverage must include services needed to restore normal function and appearance, including necessary dental and orthodontic support. Plans must apply cost-sharing rules no more restrictive than those for other medical benefits, excluding purely cosmetic procedures.

The Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act of 2025 declares that practices attempting to change an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity for payment constitute an unfair and deceptive business practice. Citing professional consensus on the ineffectiveness and harm of such "conversion therapy," the bill prohibits its provision and advertising. Enforcement authority is granted to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and the law allows both the U.S. Attorney General and State Attorneys General to file civil actions against violators.

The VA Employee Fairness Act of 2025 modifies the collective bargaining rules for employees of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) by streamlining existing statutes. This act removes outdated subsections related to bargaining and renumbers the remaining relevant section. Importantly, these changes do not affect the Secretary of Veterans Affairs' existing authority regarding incentive pay or expedited hiring processes.

This resolution expresses the support of Congress for designating July 16, 2025, as "Glioblastoma Awareness Day." It highlights the devastating impact and slow progress in treating glioblastoma, the deadliest common brain tumor. The bill urges increased public awareness, research funding, and collaboration to develop better treatments and improve patient outcomes.

The Reproductive Data Privacy and Protection Act restricts law enforcement from using intercepted communications or compelled records that contain reproductive or sexual health information to investigate or prosecute individuals seeking or providing related care. This bill mandates specific sworn statements in wiretap applications and court orders, and in demands for electronic records, affirming that sensitive health details will not be used for such purposes. The Act broadly defines reproductive and sexual health information to ensure comprehensive protection.

The PFAS Alternatives Act aims to protect firefighters by funding research and development for next-generation turnout gear that eliminates harmful PFAS chemicals. The bill establishes grants through NIOSH to create safer, PFAS-free protective equipment and separate funding for training programs on the proper care of this new gear. Ultimately, this legislation seeks to reduce occupational illness and injury among fire and EMS personnel.

The Save Healthcare Workers Act aims to protect hospital personnel by making assault against them a federal crime with severe penalties. It also establishes a new federal grant program to help hospitals implement crucial safety measures, such as violence prevention training and physical security upgrades. This legislation seeks to reduce workplace violence in healthcare settings across the nation.

The PREVAIL Act aims to strengthen American innovation and economic leadership by reforming patent review processes and enhancing patent protections. It updates rules for the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) to ensure fairness and prevent procedural abuse in patent challenges. Furthermore, the bill secures USPTO funding by eliminating fee diversion and expands support for small businesses and universities within the patent system.

The TRUST Act ensures that complaints filed against judges remain active even if the judge resigns, retires, or passes away during the review process. This legislation prevents the dismissal of judicial misconduct investigations solely because the subject judge is no longer in office. The goal is to mandate that special committees complete their investigations and file final reports regardless of judicial vacancies.

Anna's Law of 2025 establishes a new grant program to fund trauma-informed training for law enforcement and EMTs responding to sexual assault cases. This training aims to educate first responders on the effects of trauma to improve victim interactions and reduce re-traumatization. Agencies accepting the grants must ensure new recruits receive eight hours of training, while current staff receives four hours annually. The bill also mandates reporting on the program's effectiveness and maintaining a public directory of qualified trainers.

The Better CARE for Animals Act of 2025 significantly strengthens enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act by clarifying definitions and expanding the scope of investigations. It grants the Attorney General explicit authority to file civil actions seeking penalties up to $10,000 per day, and mandates that collected fines help cover temporary animal care costs. The bill also requires the Secretary of Agriculture and the Attorney General to establish a formal agreement for coordinated enforcement.

The Assault Weapons Ban of 2025 comprehensively defines and bans the manufacture, sale, and transfer of specific semiautomatic assault weapons and large capacity ammunition feeding devices. The bill grandfathers existing weapons but imposes new requirements for their secure storage and mandates dealer involvement for future private transfers. It also allows federal grant money to be used by states for buy-back programs targeting these banned items.

This resolution commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Fall of Saigon and recognizes the profound contributions of Vietnamese Americans to the United States. It honors those who fled the communist regime after April 30, 1975, and reaffirms American commitment to democracy and human rights. The bill encourages all citizens to observe this anniversary and remember the sacrifices made in the pursuit of freedom.

The Equality Act comprehensively expands federal civil rights protections against discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity across key areas of American life. It amends existing laws to prohibit discrimination in public accommodations, housing, credit, employment, and federal funding. The purpose of the bill is to provide consistent, explicit, and comprehensive remedies for individuals facing bias in these essential sectors.

The Next Generation Pipelines Research and Development Act establishes new federal programs to advance pipeline safety, efficiency, and modernization through research, demonstration projects, and coordination across energy and transportation agencies. The bill creates an Advanced Pipeline Materials and Technologies Demonstration Initiative and a Joint Research and Development Program to fund innovative solutions for leak detection, material science, and smart pipeline systems. It also mandates the creation of a National Pipeline Modernization Center and a specialized measurement program at NIST, subject to appropriations.

The Arctic Refuge Protection Act officially repeals the previous law authorizing oil and gas leasing in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. This legislation simultaneously designates approximately 1.56 million acres within the Refuge as protected wilderness under the National Wilderness Preservation System. The Secretary of the Interior is now required to manage this newly designated land according to strict wilderness preservation standards.

The West Bank Violence Prevention Act of 2025 declares extreme settler violence and displacement in the West Bank a threat to U.S. national security interests. This Act mandates the President to impose sanctions, including asset freezes and visa bans, on foreign individuals responsible for undermining peace and stability in the region. The Treasury Department must report to Congress on the implementation of these sanctions every 90 days.

This bill amends Medicare rules to cap the out-of-pocket coinsurance amount beneficiaries must pay for certain services provided in an Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC). If the standard ASC coinsurance exceeds the annual inpatient hospital deductible, the beneficiary's cost will be limited to that deductible amount. The Secretary will cover the difference owed to the ASC.