Legislative Activity

The Energy Consumer Protection Act of 2026 strengthens federal oversight of energy markets by enhancing penalties for market manipulation. This act grants the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) the authority to prohibit individuals or entities who violate energy trading rules from participating in the buying or selling of electricity or natural gas. Furthermore, it criminalizes the willful submission of false information to federal or private price reporting agencies concerning natural gas transactions.

This bill strengthens consumer protection by expanding the national Do Not Call registry to cover all phone lines, including business and cell numbers. It lowers the threshold for violations, making a single illegal robocall actionable. Furthermore, the legislation updates the definition of automatic dialing equipment to close loopholes used by robocallers.

The ALS Better Care Act aims to improve care for individuals with ALS by establishing new Medicare coverage for essential ALS-related services starting in 2027. This includes creating a new, single payment system for providers delivering specialized care, such as therapy and nursing support. Additionally, the bill mandates a report to address current challenges in staffing and administering ALS clinical trials.

This resolution recognizes the vital, 150-year contribution of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) to public health and the Armed Forces. It designates the week of January 18–24, 2026, as "National CRNA Week" to raise public awareness. The bill encourages full utilization and recognition of CRNAs across the healthcare system.

The Affordable CHOICE Act establishes a federally administered public health insurance option to be offered through Health Insurance Marketplaces starting in 2027. This plan aims to increase competition and affordability by offering bronze, silver, and gold coverage levels with premiums and provider reimbursement rates negotiated by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. The legislation ensures the public option operates on a level playing field with existing private plans while providing a sustainable, self-funded model for consumer health coverage.

The Stop Unfair Medicaid Recoveries Act prohibits states from imposing new liens on an individual's home for Medicaid benefits already paid. This legislation also stops states from initiating or continuing efforts to recover the costs of correctly paid Medicaid benefits from an individual's estate. Furthermore, existing liens related to these recoveries must be withdrawn shortly after the law is enacted.

The Part-Time Worker Bill of Rights Act aims to strengthen protections and expand benefits for part-time and temporary employees. The legislation eliminates restrictive hours-of-service requirements for FMLA leave and prohibits discrimination based on hours worked regarding pay, benefits, and promotion opportunities. Additionally, it mandates that employers offer available work hours to existing staff before hiring new employees or contractors.

The Medical Device Recall Improvement Act of 2025 establishes new federal requirements for medical device recalls, focusing on standardized electronic notifications and enhanced patient outreach. It mandates the creation of a standard electronic format for recall information, requiring manufacturers to submit details quickly for FDA review. Crucially, the bill requires manufacturers to ensure that affected patients are notified about the risks associated with certain implanted, life-sustaining, or life-supporting devices. Finally, it establishes a publicly accessible database for all medical device recall notifications.

This resolution strongly condemns the Iranian government for its ongoing, state-sponsored persecution of the Baha'i religious minority, which violates international human rights laws. It documents systematic abuses, including economic restrictions, denial of education, and arbitrary arrests, noting that these actions may constitute a crime against humanity. The resolution calls on Iran to immediately release all imprisoned Bahais and urges the U.S. President and Secretary of State to condemn these violations and impose sanctions on responsible officials.

The Safe Hydration is an American Right in Energy Development Act of 2025 amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to establish new testing and reporting requirements for hydraulic fracturing (fracking) operations. This bill prohibits fracking injection unless operators agree to test nearby underground drinking water sources according to a set schedule and submit results to the EPA. The EPA is required to create a publicly accessible database of all submitted test results.

The Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act of 2025 mandates that certain new medical devices must be designed to be fully usable by individuals who are blind or have low vision. This ensures that users can access information and operate life-saving equipment independently and privately, similar to sighted users. The FDA is tasked with establishing specific nonvisual accessibility standards for these covered devices within a set timeline. Devices failing to meet these standards after the effective date will be deemed adulterated.

The Future Generations Protection Act aims to combat climate change by immediately banning greenhouse gas emissions from new power plants and halting the approval of most new Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminals. It also establishes a nationwide ban on hydraulic fracturing starting in 2029 and generally prohibits the export of domestically produced crude oil and natural gas, with limited exceptions for oil swaps and historical trade relationships. Furthermore, the Act mandates that the energy transition prioritize environmental justice, fairness for fossil fuel workers, and strong labor union involvement.

This resolution honors Dr. Paul Farmer by urging the U.S. government to adopt a 21st-century global health solidarity strategy to end preventable deaths worldwide. It calls for significantly increased U.S. aid, focused on strengthening local health systems through "accompaniment," while simultaneously taking action to stop economic injustices that drain resources from developing nations. Ultimately, the bill demands that U.S. development policy prioritize global health equity alongside addressing historical harms like slavery and colonialism.

The Transparency, Readability, Understandability, Truth, and Helpfulness in Labeling Act mandates clear front-of-package labeling for foods high in added sugars, sodium, or saturated fat. These labels must use a prominent "High in" warning icon to help consumers make healthier choices quickly. Furthermore, the law requires a specific warning on labels if a product contains non-nutritive (artificial) sweeteners, especially for products marketed to children. These requirements aim to align food labeling with current dietary guidelines and public health concerns.

The Franchisee Freedom Act establishes a private right of action allowing franchisees to sue for damages and seek relief when franchisors violate specific federal regulations or provisions of this Act. Furthermore, this legislation explicitly protects a franchisee's right to associate, communicate, and join trade groups with other franchisees without fear of retaliation from the franchisor. This ensures franchisees have legal recourse and the freedom to organize.

The Price Gouging Prevention Act of 2025 establishes federal prohibitions against selling goods or services at "grossly excessive prices," particularly following an "exceptional market shock." The bill grants enforcement authority to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and allows State Attorneys General to bring actions against violators. Furthermore, it mandates that companies experiencing a market shock must provide detailed financial and pricing strategy disclosures in subsequent SEC filings.

The Cosmetic Hazardous Ingredient Right to Know Act of 2025 significantly updates cosmetic regulation by mandating comprehensive ingredient disclosure, especially for fragrances and flavors, on both product labels and brand owner websites. This law requires detailed, machine-readable online ingredient lists and specific hazard warnings on packaging if certain harmful chemicals are present. Importantly, this federal act preserves the authority of states to enact stricter ingredient bans or transparency requirements.

The Cosmetic Supply Chain Transparency Act of 2025 enhances cosmetic regulation by requiring detailed ingredient and supply chain information sharing between brand owners and suppliers. This law mandates the FDA to create a public list of harmful, nonfunctional chemical traces that suppliers must eventually test for and certify. Importantly, this federal legislation preserves the right of states to enact stricter ingredient or transparency rules than those established here.

The Toxic-Free Beauty Act of 2025 establishes new federal standards for cosmetic safety by banning the intentional addition of specific harmful chemicals, such as formaldehyde and certain parabens, in products sold in the U.S. It also sets maximum allowable limits for certain contaminants like 1,4 dioxane and lead. Importantly, this federal legislation does not preempt stricter state laws regarding cosmetic ingredients. These new requirements will take effect for products shipped interstate starting January 1, 2027.

The Cosmetic Safety for Communities of Color and Professional Salon Workers Act of 2025 aims to enhance cosmetic safety through targeted research into health disparities affecting communities of color and salon workers. The bill mandates improved access to safety data sheets in multiple languages for professional products and establishes two new National Resource Centers to empower these communities and workers. Finally, it brings synthetic hair braids under FDA cosmetic regulation, requiring new safety standards and labeling.