Legislative Activity

The "MIDWIVES for Service Members Act of 2025" directs the Department of Defense to establish a five-year pilot program within the TRICARE program to provide services from certified midwives to covered beneficiaries. The Secretary of Defense must submit an implementation plan and annual reports to Congress assessing the program's cost, quality of care, patient satisfaction, and overall effectiveness. The reports will also include recommendations on whether to make the program permanent.

The Local Food Recycling and Regenerative Opportunities Act introduces a tax credit to encourage individuals to reduce food waste. It allows a credit for 30% of the cost of qualified residential food recycling appliances (up to $300) and organic waste services (up to $120) used at a taxpayer's primary US residence. This credit aims to promote local management and diversion of organic waste from landfills, and is effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, and does not apply after December 31, 2031.

The "Women and Underrepresented Minorities in STEM Booster Act of 2025" establishes a grant program within the National Science Foundation (NSF) to increase the participation of women, underrepresented minorities (including LGBTQ+ individuals and those with disabilities) in STEM fields. These grants will fund various activities such as workshops, mentoring, internships, and outreach programs. The bill allocates \$15 million annually from 2026 to 2030 to support this initiative.

The "Expanding Access to Fertility Care for Servicemembers and Dependents Act" ensures that active service members and their dependents eligible for TRICARE receive assisted reproductive services as part of their medical care. This coverage applies regardless of service-connected disabilities, serious illnesses, or the ability to conceive naturally. The Act defines key terms such as "appropriate period" of unprotected sex and specifies which "assisted reproductive services" are covered.

The "Fairness for Servicemembers and their Families Act of 2025" mandates the Secretary to review the maximum coverage amount under Servicemembers Group Life Insurance and Veterans Group Life Insurance, beginning January 1, 2026, and every five years after. The Secretary will compare the current maximum coverage to $500,000, adjusted for changes in the Consumer Price Index over the preceding five years. The results of these reviews will be submitted to the House and Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs, to potentially guide coverage increases.

The "Abortion Data and Outreach to Unlock and Leverage Abortion Support Act" or the "Abortion DOULAS Act" aims to improve access to abortion doula care by directing the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study the benefits of such care and its coverage. This includes assessing the impact on individuals' well-being and care quality, as well as the role of doulas in providing support. The Act also requires a report on state Medicaid approaches to abortion doula care, with recommendations for increasing access, particularly in underserved areas, and integrating doula care into Medicaid plans.

The BAH Restoration Act aims to restore the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) to cover 100% of service members' housing costs. This will be done by amending title 37 of the United States Code, ensuring that the monthly BAH is equivalent to the determined monthly cost of adequate housing based on pay grade, dependency status, and location. The Secretary of Defense will determine the specific housing costs in each area.

The Care Across Generations Act aims to improve care for both children and older adults by establishing a competitive grant program. These grants will be awarded to long-term care facilities to operate or contract with qualified child care facilities and coordinate activities between the two. Grant recipients must evaluate the effectiveness of their programs and report their findings, which will then be used to inform policy recommendations to Congress. This act seeks to foster multigenerational connections and provide comprehensive care solutions.

The Health Equity and Rare Disease Act of 2025, or HEARD Act of 2025, aims to improve health equity in the research, diagnosis, and treatment of rare diseases, particularly within minority populations. It directs the NIH and CDC to expand research, data collection, and awareness campaigns, while also promoting diversity in clinical trials and healthcare professions. The act also establishes grant programs for physician training and support for Tribal epidemiology centers, and requires reports to Congress on federal efforts and Medicare barriers. Finally, the act aims to address disparities in access to care and improve outcomes for individuals with rare diseases.

The "Equal and Uniform Treatment in the Military Act" seeks to eliminate discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, gender identity, or sexual orientation within the Department of Defense. It ensures that all members of the Armed Forces have the right to serve and advance based on merit, fitness, capability, and performance. The bill defines key terms such as "gender identity" and "sex" to provide clarity and protect individuals from discriminatory practices. This act aims to promote equality and inclusion in the military, ensuring that service members are judged solely on their ability to meet occupational standards.

The Buffalo Soldiers Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2025 authorizes the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the Buffalo Soldier regiments, recognizing their dedicated service to the United States. Following the award ceremony, the medal will be given to the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of African American History and Culture for display and research. The Secretary of the Treasury is permitted to create and sell bronze duplicates of the gold medal. Funds from the sales will be deposited back into the Mint's Public Enterprise Fund.

The Flight 293 Remembrance Act mandates the Secretary of Defense to identify and document all non-combat military plane crashes since 1984, and earlier if possible, and create a public database of the deceased members of the Armed Forces. It ensures that families of these service members receive comprehensive assistance, including guidance on benefits, access to resources, and connection to support networks. The Act also establishes a dedicated point of contact within the Department of Defense to aid families and requires a report to Congress on the progress and effectiveness of these efforts. Finally, the Act ensures nondiscrimination in the provision of assistance to families.

The "Colonel Young Oak Kim Congressional Gold Medal Act" authorizes the posthumous presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to Colonel Young Oak Kim, recognizing his distinguished military service, leadership, and extensive humanitarian work. This includes his service in World War II and the Korean War, as well as his founding of numerous community organizations in Los Angeles. The Act directs the Secretary of the Treasury to create the gold medal, which will be displayed at the Smithsonian Institution after the award presentation. It also allows for the creation and sale of bronze duplicates of the medal to cover production costs.

This bill directs the Secretary of Defense to establish a compensation fund for current and former military firefighters, and their survivors, who have become ill due to PFAS exposure during their service. Firefighters employed at a military site where PFAS was present are presumed to have been exposed. The fund will provide compensation for disability or death resulting from occupational illnesses, as well as necessary medical benefits.