Legislative Activity

The "Affordable and Safe Prescription Drug Importation Act of 2025" amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to allow individuals, pharmacies, and wholesale distributors to import qualifying prescription drugs from certified foreign sellers in countries like Canada, the UK, and EU member states. This aims to lower drug costs for Americans by increasing access to more affordable medications from other countries while maintaining safety standards. The Act directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish regulations and certification processes, monitor drug safety, and prevent manufacturers from price discrimination. It also establishes penalties for selling adulterated or counterfeit drugs and requires regular reports to Congress on the program's implementation and impact.

Anna's Law of 2025 aims to improve the handling of sexual assault cases by expanding trauma-informed training for law enforcement and emergency medical personnel. The law establishes a grant program to support evidence-based, victim-centered training that increases understanding of trauma's impact and promotes trauma-informed responses. This training includes strategies for avoiding re-traumatization and is required for both new recruits and current professionals, with the goal of enhancing support and outcomes for survivors. The Secretary will maintain a list of qualified trainers and report annually to Congress on the program's effectiveness.

The Online Consumer Protection Act requires social media platforms and online marketplaces to create and enforce clear terms of service and consumer protection policies, including content moderation practices and avenues for users to report issues and appeal decisions. These platforms must also establish consumer protection programs, appoint consumer protection officers, and submit annual filings to the FTC detailing their compliance measures. The FTC is empowered to enforce the Act, and individuals and state attorneys general can bring civil actions for violations, ensuring accountability and consumer redress. The Act also clarifies that Section 230 of the Communications Act of 1934 does not apply to violations of this Act and does not override state or local laws.

The Water Intelligence, Security, and Cyber Threat Protection Act directs the EPA to create a program that supports water systems' participation in the Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center (Water ISAC). This program aims to offset membership costs, improve data collection and threat analysis, and enhance resources for monitoring and preparedness within the water sector. The Act authorizes \$10,000,000 for both 2026 and 2027 to implement these provisions.

The Tar Sands Tax Loophole Elimination Act clarifies the definition of "crude oil" for excise tax purposes, including oil derived from tar sands and other unconventional sources. It authorizes the Secretary to classify other fuel feedstocks as crude oil if they pose a significant discharge risk and aligns the definition with the Oil Pollution Act of 1990. This change ensures that these previously untaxed sources are subject to the same excise taxes as conventional crude oil. The amendments made by this act will take effect immediately upon enactment.

The "Mentoring to Succeed Act of 2025" authorizes competitive grants for youth mentoring programs, supporting initiatives that help young people succeed in education and the workforce. These programs will focus on developing cognitive and social-emotional skills, providing workforce readiness training, and fostering positive relationships through structured mentoring and career exploration. The Act prioritizes serving high-need youth in underserved communities and requires program evaluation and reporting to ensure effectiveness. Additionally, the Secretary of Labor is required to conduct a study on mentoring programs to identify successful strategies and assess their impact on academic performance and job readiness.

This bill recognizes the significant contributions of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) to the U.S. healthcare system, particularly in providing anesthesia and pain management for over 150 years. It acknowledges their crucial role in rural healthcare and the military, and supports the recognition of CRNAs during National CRNA Week. The bill encourages the full utilization of CRNAs in healthcare settings.