Legislative Activity

The Federal Retirement Fairness Act amends title 5 of the United States Code, allowing civilian service in a temporary position after December 31, 1988, to be creditable under the Federal Employees Retirement System. This change applies to current employees and Members of the United States Postal Service, and requires the Office of Personnel Management to notify eligible individuals and issue implementing regulations.

The "Due Process Continuity of Care Act" aims to provide Medicaid coverage for individuals in custody awaiting charges in a medical institution, removing the existing inmate limitation on benefits. It authorizes the Secretary to award planning grants to states to support providing Medicaid assistance to eligible individuals and to prepare an application that meets specific requirements. The Act requires states to develop plans for assessing health treatment needs, increasing healthcare provider participation, and ensuring quality of care for patients in custody. It allocates $50,000,000 for these planning grants.

The 9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act of 2025 amends the Public Health Service Act to improve the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program by expanding the types of healthcare providers who can conduct mental health evaluations, modifying provider credentialing, clarifying enrollment calculations, and extending the time frame for adding health conditions for WTC responders. The act adjusts the funding formula for fiscal years 2026 through 2090 and requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to report to Congress on the program's budget, including projected needs through 2090 and recommendations for changes to the funding formula. It also stipulates that remaining funds in the Supplemental Fund, Special Fund, and Pentagon-Shanksville Fund will revert to the Treasury.

The CHAMPVA Children's Care Protection Act of 2025 amends the eligibility requirements for the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA). This act increases the maximum age for eligible children to receive medical care under the program to 26 years old, regardless of their marital status. This change does not affect benefits for children incapable of self-support and takes effect for medical care provided on or after the enactment of this act.

The "Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025" extends the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000, providing continued financial support to states and counties with federal lands through 2026. It extends secure payments, distribution of payments, and the authority for special projects on federal land. Additionally, it extends the Resource Advisory Committee pilot program and makes several technical corrections to the original Act.

The "I CAN Act" is comprehensive legislation designed to remove existing practice and billing barriers for various Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs)—including Nurse Practitioners, CRNAs, and CNMs—within Medicare and Medicaid. It aims to expand patient access to care by allowing these qualified professionals to supervise, order, and bill for services to the full extent of their state-defined scope of practice. Furthermore, the bill enhances transparency and accountability for Medicare's local coverage decisions affecting APRN services. Overall, this act seeks to integrate APRNs more fully into federal healthcare programs, improving efficiency and service delivery.

The Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino Act authorizes the creation of the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino on the National Mall. It ensures the museum's exhibits and programs accurately represent the diverse cultures, histories, events, and values of Hispanic and Latino communities, seeking guidance from diverse sources. The Act also mandates regular reports to Congress on the museum's efforts to meet these diversity requirements.

The "All Access Act of 2025" ensures Members of Congress can access any public building during regular hours by showing their official ID. Access outside of normal business hours requires a 12-hour advance notice to the building head. This act defines "Member of Congress" as a Representative or Senator.

The "Alternatives to PAIN Act" amends Medicare Part D to improve access to non-opioid pain management drugs by waiving deductibles and ensuring they are placed on the lowest cost-sharing tier starting in 2026. The Act also prohibits the use of step therapy and prior authorization requirements for these drugs, further easing access for patients. These changes aim to provide more accessible alternatives for pain management, reducing reliance on opioids.

The Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act of 2025 expands public safety officer benefits to include deaths and disabilities caused by exposure-related cancers, presuming that certain cancers diagnosed within 15 years of service are line-of-duty injuries if the officer served for at least 5 years. It defines "exposure-related cancer" and allows for updates to the list based on medical evidence, while also permitting individuals to petition for additions. The Act also clarifies "line of duty action" and applies retroactively to claims dating back to January 1, 2020, with a three-year window for filing claims based on these amendments.

The Fair Play for Women Act aims to bolster Title IX enforcement in athletics by increasing transparency, enhancing training, and establishing clear accountability measures for educational institutions. It mandates detailed reporting on athletic opportunities, participation, and funding, broken down by sex and race, for both colleges and K-12 schools. The Act also requires annual Title IX training for athletic staff and athletes, and establishes a public database of Title IX coordinators. Finally, the Department of Education is empowered to impose civil penalties on institutions found to be non-compliant with Title IX.

The "Protect US National Security Act" ensures that federal funds cannot be used to eliminate the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) as an independent entity. It asserts that only an act of Congress can eliminate USAID. The Secretary of State must certify compliance with this requirement to Congress within 30 days of the act's enactment and annually for 5 years.

The Taxpayer Data Protection Act limits access to the Treasury Department's payment systems to Treasury employees or contractors with satisfactory performance reviews and security clearances. It sets specific criteria for individuals accessing the system, including conflict of interest restrictions, training, and ethics agreements. The Act also mandates the Treasury Department's Inspector General to investigate and report to Congress on any unauthorized system use.

The "Love Lives On Act of 2025" amends titles 10 and 38 of the United States Code to improve benefits and services for surviving spouses. This act modifies Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) rules, allowing surviving spouses who remarry to still receive benefits. Additionally, it ensures continued Survivor Benefit Plan annuity payments for certain remarried surviving spouses and expands TRICARE eligibility to include remarried widow/widowers whose subsequent marriage ended.

The Right to Contraception Act establishes a federal right for individuals to access and use contraception without government interference. It prohibits federal and state governments from enacting laws that restrict access to contraceptives or the provision of related services. The Act provides clear enforcement mechanisms, allowing individuals and the Attorney General to sue to strike down any rule that violates these protections.

The NO BAN Act amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to limit the President's power to suspend or restrict the entry of foreign nationals based on nationality. It requires the President to provide Congress with specific evidence justifying any such restrictions, ensuring they are narrowly tailored and time-limited. The bill also expands nondiscrimination provisions in immigration law and allows those harmed by violations to sue the government. Additionally, the Act mandates detailed reports to Congress on visa applicants affected by any restrictions.

The "Health Care Workforce Innovation Act of 2025" establishes a program supporting innovative, community-based training for allied health professionals, particularly in underserved and rural areas. Eligible applicants, such as Federally Qualified Health Centers and rural health clinics, can receive funding to launch or expand healthcare partnerships, improve workforce readiness, and encourage disadvantaged students to pursue healthcare careers. Priority is given to programs increasing access to care in underserved communities and demonstrating cost-effective, replicable models. The bill authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 2026-2028, with grants or contracts capped at $2,500,000 per grant period.

The "Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act" reauthorizes and expands programs aimed at supporting the mental health of healthcare providers. It requires annual reports on education and awareness initiatives, broadens eligibility for entities receiving funds, and extends funding for mental health support programs through 2030. The Act prioritizes reducing administrative burdens on healthcare workers to improve access to mental health services.

The Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act of 2025 ensures that monetary penalties from False Claims Act cases are deposited into the Crime Victims Fund through fiscal year 2029. This excludes payments to whistleblowers and reimbursements to the government. This will increase the amount of money available to help victims of crimes.

The "Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act of 2025" extends increased Medicare payment support for physicians and practitioners through 2025. It increases payment rates by 6.62% for services provided from April 1, 2025, to January 1, 2026. The bill also updates a section of the Social Security Act to include the years 2021 through 2025 for conforming changes.