Legislative Activity

The HEATS Act ensures that the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) continues to provide essential assistance payments even during a federal government shutdown. This legislation automatically draws necessary funds from the Treasury to cover LIHEAP obligations if discretionary funding lapses. The goal is to prevent interruptions in energy assistance for vulnerable households during periods of government funding uncertainty.

The Tribal Housing Continuity Act of 2025 ensures continued funding for critical housing programs serving tribal nations during lapses in discretionary appropriations. This Act appropriates \$1.6 billion to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to cover necessary salaries and expenses under the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996. These funds allow HUD to process essential administrative actions and funding opportunities, maintaining support for tribal housing projects.

This bill, the Special Diabetes Program for Indians Reauthorization Act of 2025, ensures continued funding for critical diabetes programs serving Native American communities. It extends the authorization for the Special Diabetes Program for Indians through fiscal year 2030. The legislation secures an annual appropriation of \$160 million for these essential services through that period.

This resolution expresses support for designating October 1st as "National Latino and Latina Physician Day." It aims to recognize the vital contributions of Latino and Latina physicians to the U.S. healthcare system. Furthermore, the bill highlights the critical need to increase the number of Latino and Latina doctors to better serve the nation's growing diverse population.

The Beneficiary Enrollment Notification and Eligibility Simplification 2.0 Act (BENES 2.0 Act) mandates that the Social Security Administration proactively inform individuals approaching retirement age about their Medicare eligibility. This is achieved by including a standardized, comprehensive notice about Medicare basics, penalties, and coordination with other insurance within their Social Security statements starting at age 60. The goal is to ensure beneficiaries receive critical enrollment information early enough to avoid late enrollment penalties. The required notice content will be developed in consultation with various stakeholder groups and reviewed regularly for updates.

This resolution officially supports the designation of the third annual "National Community Health Worker Awareness Week" to recognize the vital role of Community Health Workers (CHWs). It highlights how CHWs serve as trusted cultural bridges connecting diverse communities to essential health and social services. The bill emphasizes the need for sustainable funding to support this proven workforce, which improves health outcomes nationwide.

The Urban Indian Health Parity Act ensures that urban Indian organizations providing healthcare services under contract with the Indian Health Service can receive the same enhanced federal medical assistance matching funds (FMAP) currently available to tribes. This change expands access to federal healthcare dollars for these vital community organizations. The bill aims to achieve parity in federal funding for urban Indian healthcare providers.

The Waste and Illegal Property Eradication (WIPE) Act authorizes the Department of Defense (DoD) to use portable, expeditionary waste disposal systems for destroying seized contraband, counterfeit goods, and unauthorized equipment. This legislation specifically prohibits the DoD from using open-air burn pits for these materials. The Act funds the acquisition of these new disposal systems by reallocating existing funds designated for open-air burn pit operations.

The Health Records Enhancement Act establishes a system allowing designated individuals or immediate family members to supplement the health records of deceased veterans held by the DoD and VA. This process permits the addition of post-mortem health observations or relevant details to the existing official records. The goal is to ensure a more complete historical health record for deceased service members.

The Mobile Cancer Screening Act establishes a grant program to fund the creation and operation of mobile screening units, such as vans, to increase access to vital cancer screenings in rural and underserved communities. These grants will help organizations purchase vehicles, acquire necessary technology, and cover operational costs, prioritizing applicants who can significantly reduce screening gaps and provide immediate follow-up care. The Secretary must report to Congress on the program's impact on patient outcomes and screening rates within four years of enactment.

The Clinical Trial Modernization Act aims to increase diversity and accessibility in medical research by funding outreach to underrepresented populations. It updates anti-kickback laws to allow sponsors to cover participant expenses and provide necessary digital health tools to encourage enrollment. Furthermore, the bill exempts up to \$2,000 annually in payments received by participants from federal income tax.

This act officially expands Joshua Tree National Park by adding approximately 20,149 acres of Bureau of Land Management land under the National Park Service's jurisdiction. It also renames the Cottonwood Visitor Center to the Dianne Feinstein Visitor Center. Finally, the bill includes a minor technical correction regarding conservation funding in a previous act.

The Physician and Patient Safety Act establishes new federal regulations to guarantee due process rights for physicians facing restrictions or loss of hospital privileges. This ensures doctors receive a fair hearing and appeal process before any adverse action is taken against their ability to practice. Furthermore, the Act prohibits forcing physicians to waive these appeal rights as a condition of employment and mandates confidentiality for the review process.

The Critical Minerals and Manufacturing Support Act significantly enhances the advanced manufacturing tax credit for battery production by increasing incentives for domestic and allied sourcing. This legislation raises the credit rate for electrode materials and tightens sourcing requirements, mandating that a rising percentage of critical minerals and component value originate from the U.S. or free-trade partners. Furthermore, it explicitly disqualifies components tied to "foreign entities of concern" from receiving these federal manufacturing incentives.

The Protecting Outdoor Concerts Act of 2025 directs the FAA to establish new rules for temporarily restricting aircraft and drone access over large outdoor concerts or music festivals expecting 30,000 or more attendees daily. These restrictions can be implemented if deemed necessary for public safety, air traffic management, or preventing dangerous overcrowding. The FAA must align these new concert restrictions with existing regulations for major air shows and sporting events.

This Act establishes the **César E. Chávez and the Farmworker Movement National Historical Park** by renaming and expanding the existing César E. Chávez National Monument. The new park will preserve and interpret nationally significant resources connected to Chávez and the farmworker movement in California and Arizona. Additionally, the bill directs a study for the potential designation of the 1966 Delano to Sacramento march route as a National Historic Trail.