Legislative Activity

The Supporting Our Seniors Act establishes a temporary Commission on Long-Term Care composed of 12 appointed members. This Commission is tasked with studying the long-term care system and providing annual policy recommendations to Congress and the President. Its focus areas include affordability, caregiver support, aging in place, and workforce development. The Act authorizes necessary funding for the Commission's operations over its ten-year lifespan.

The HOME Act of 2025 establishes federal prohibitions against unconscionably excessive rental and sale prices during declared affordable housing crises. It mandates investigations into housing price manipulation and excessive purchases by large investors, while also creating a new HUD unit to monitor market fairness. Furthermore, the Act directs federal agencies to review anti-competitive behaviors and implement renter protections through new rules for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac investments.

The Reducing Drug Prices for Seniors Act mandates that Medicare Part D coinsurance payments for seniors be calculated based on the drug's negotiated **net price** rather than its higher list price. This change aims to lower out-of-pocket costs for beneficiaries during the cost-sharing phase of their coverage. This new calculation method will take effect for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.

The Provider Training in Palliative Care Act allows healthcare professionals who received federal scholarships or loan repayment funds to defer their required service obligations for up to one year. This deferral is specifically granted to permit them to pursue specialized training in palliative care. The bill amends the Public Health Service Act to facilitate this temporary pause in service commitments.

The Hire Student Veterans Act expands the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) to incentivize employers for hiring veterans actively using federal educational assistance benefits. This legislation modifies eligibility requirements, allowing employers to claim the tax credit for hiring veterans utilizing benefits like the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Furthermore, it removes the standard minimum employment period requirement for these specific veteran hires, potentially allowing employers to claim the credit sooner.

The Veterans Jobs Opportunity Act establishes the new **Veteran Small Business Start-up Credit** to incentivize entrepreneurship among veterans and their spouses. This credit allows eligible veteran-owned small businesses operating in underserved communities to claim a tax credit of up to $7,500 annually based on qualified start-up expenditures. The provision aims to support veteran business creation by offering a direct financial benefit during the initial years of operation.

The Extreme Heat Emergency Act of 2025 amends federal law to officially recognize extreme temperature events, such as severe heat waves and deep freezes, as qualifying conditions for a "major disaster" declaration. This change aims to make areas affected by extreme weather eligible for federal disaster relief funding. The Act specifies that no new appropriations or additional funds are authorized to carry out its provisions.

The STEM RESTART Act establishes a new grant program under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) to help unemployed or underemployed mid-career workers re-enter high-demand, above-entry-level Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) jobs. These competitive "RESTART grants" will fund businesses to create "returnship" programs that offer on-the-job training, mentorship, and a clear path to full-time employment. The bill prioritizes programs that serve rural workers and ensures these opportunities lead to well-paying roles that supplement, rather than replace, existing staff.

This Senate resolution expresses the view that the Trump Administration's drastic staff reductions, funding freezes, and agency dismantlements have harmed communities and increased costs for American families. It argues these actions disrupt essential services like healthcare, benefits, and research without targeting actual waste. The resolution calls for a shift in focus toward protecting families, lowering costs, and supporting veterans, research, and small businesses.

The Combat Action Recognition and Evaluation (CARE) for Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) Crews Act of 2025 mandates the military departments to establish an official status identifier for RPA crews. This new designation will grant drone operators conducting combat operations recognition equivalent to that currently given to pilots flying manned aircraft in combat zones. The goal is to formally acknowledge the dangerous nature of remotely piloted combat missions.

This resolution formally condemns Hamas for its premeditated and brutal terrorist attacks against Israel on October 7, 2023. It demands that Hamas immediately release all remaining hostages and allow them access to necessary medical care. The document further affirms that taking hostages is a clear violation of international law.

The Expanding Access to Palliative Care Act establishes a new five-year pilot program for community-based palliative care managed by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation. This model aims to improve quality of life and coordinate care for seriously ill Medicare beneficiaries outside of traditional hospital settings. The program will offer comprehensive support, including pain and symptom management, while coordinating with existing providers. Success will be measured by comparing participant outcomes, such as emergency room use and hospital admissions, against non-participants.

The Improving Access to Transfusion Care for Hospice Patients Act of 2025 directs the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMI) to test a new payment model for blood transfusions for hospice patients. This model would allow blood transfusions to be paid for separately from the standard Medicare hospice per diem payment. The CMI must evaluate whether this change impacts patient utilization of hospital services and the overall quality of care.

This resolution officially recognizes May as Jewish American Heritage Month to celebrate the significant contributions of Jewish Americans throughout U.S. history. It calls on leaders to use this month to educate the public about Jewish heritage and actively counter the current rise in antisemitism. The measure emphasizes the importance of ensuring the safety and dignity of the Jewish American community.

The Healthcare Cybersecurity Act of 2025 aims to bolster cybersecurity across the nation's healthcare sector by enhancing coordination between CISA and HHS. This legislation mandates the creation of a sector-specific risk management plan, the identification of high-risk assets, and the provision of specialized training for healthcare owners and operators. Ultimately, the bill seeks to reduce the growing threat of cyberattacks targeting critical patient data and health services.

The One Stop Shop for Small Business Licensing Act of 2025 ensures the continued public availability of the Small Business Administration's (SBA) website dedicated to business licensing and permitting requirements. This legislation mandates that the SBA Administrator must keep the designated online resource accessible to everyone without charge. The Act secures this vital resource for small businesses looking to navigate federal licensing processes.

The Tax Relief for New Businesses Act simplifies tax treatment for new businesses by combining start-up and organizational expenditures under a single set of rules. This legislation significantly increases the immediate deduction limit for these initial costs from $\$5,000$ to $\$50,000$, with the phase-out threshold raised to $\$150,000$. It also introduces special rules for how these new deductions affect Net Operating Loss (NOL) calculations for partnerships and S corporations. These changes are effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.

The Lowering Costs for Caregivers Act of 2025 aims to ease the financial burden on individuals caring for family members. This bill expands eligibility for contributions to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) by allowing parents to contribute on behalf of an individual or their spouse. Furthermore, it permits the use of Flexible Spending Arrangements (FSAs) and Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs) to cover medical expenses for parents and in-laws. Finally, the Act updates Archer MSA rules to include parents in the definition of covered individuals.

The Specialty Physicians Advancing Rural Care (SPARC) Act establishes a new federal loan repayment program to incentivize specialty physicians and certain non-physician specialty providers to serve in rural health shortage areas. Participants must commit to six years of full-time service in exchange for having a portion of their educational debt repaid annually. This initiative aims to significantly bolster the availability of specialized medical care across underserved rural communities.

The Pershing County Economic Development and Conservation Act addresses three main areas: resolving complex federal/private land checkerboard patterns in Pershing County to potentially increase local tax revenue, designating over 130,000 acres of BLM land as protected wilderness areas, and transferring 10 acres of federal land into trust status for the Lovelock Paiute Tribe while prohibiting gaming on that parcel. Overall, the bill seeks to streamline land management, expand conservation, and support tribal interests in the region.