Legislative Activity

The Rural Hospital Support Act strengthens the financial stability of rural healthcare providers by permanently extending key Medicare payment programs, including the Medicare-dependent hospital (MDH) and low-volume hospital programs. The bill also updates payment calculation formulas for sole community and Medicare-dependent hospitals to reflect more recent cost data, ensuring these facilities receive fair and sustainable reimbursement.

The Keep Our PACT Act ensures federal support for public education by establishing mandatory funding increases for Title I programs and special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). By providing a decade-long roadmap for increased investment, the bill aims to fulfill long-standing federal commitments to school districts and students with disabilities. This legislation designates these funds as emergency spending to ensure consistent, reliable resources for schools across the country.

The Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act amends the Social Security Act to provide Medicare coverage for FDA-approved multi-cancer early detection (MCED) screening tests starting in 2028. This legislation establishes a formal coverage and payment framework for these innovative blood-based tests while ensuring they complement, rather than replace, existing cancer screening protocols.

This resolution designates February 3-7, 2025, as "National School Counseling Week" to recognize the vital role school counselors play in students' academic, social, and emotional development. It aims to raise awareness of the challenges students face and the importance of adequately supporting school counseling programs. The resolution encourages Americans to participate in events that highlight the importance of school counselors in helping students succeed.

The PSA Screening for HIM Act mandates that group and individual health insurance plans provide coverage for prostate cancer screenings without cost-sharing for high-risk men aged 40 and older. By removing financial barriers for African-American men and those with a family history of the disease, this legislation aims to improve early detection and survival rates.

The Small Business Technological Act of 2025 expands the permitted uses of Small Business Administration 7(a) loans to include the purchase of business software, cloud computing services, and artificial intelligence tools. This legislation enables small businesses to leverage modern technology to streamline operations, such as payroll, accounting, and sales, without altering existing rules regarding research and development or working capital.

The Charitable Act renews and expands tax incentives for charitable giving by allowing individuals who do not itemize deductions to claim a deduction for charitable contributions during the 2026 and 2027 tax years. Under this provision, non-itemizers can deduct contributions up to one-third of their standard deduction amount. Additionally, the bill removes specific accuracy-related penalties associated with these deductions.

The Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act extends and strengthens critical support programs designed to address mental health and substance use disorders among health care professionals. This legislation reauthorizes vital education initiatives and grant programs through 2029, while expanding eligibility to organizations focused on reducing administrative burdens on the workforce.

This resolution expresses disapproval of any pardons granted to individuals convicted of assaulting Capitol Police officers. It serves as a formal condemnation of such pardons.

This resolution expresses the Senate's view that the U.S. should remain committed to the Paris Agreement, support policies at all levels of government to reduce global warming pollution, and encourage actions by businesses, investors, and individuals to combat climate change. It recognizes the economic benefits of clean energy investments and the need for collective efforts to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement.

The United States-Taiwan Expedited Double-Tax Relief Act aims to reduce double taxation for residents of Taiwan and the U.S. by lowering withholding rates on cross-border income and establishing clear tax residency rules. Additionally, the bill authorizes the President to negotiate a formal tax agreement with Taiwan, ensuring congressional oversight and public transparency throughout the process. This legislation seeks to boost bilateral trade and investment while ensuring reciprocal tax benefits for both nations.

The Preventing Algorithmic Collusion Act of 2025 aims to curb anti-competitive behavior by prohibiting the use of pricing algorithms that rely on nonpublic competitor data. The bill mandates transparency by requiring businesses to disclose the use of such algorithms to customers and workers, while granting the FTC and the Attorney General authority to audit and penalize non-compliant entities. Additionally, it establishes a legal presumption of price-fixing when multiple parties use the same algorithm to set prices in the same market.

The Child Care Workforce and Facilities Act of 2025 establishes a competitive grant program to expand access to quality, affordable child care in underserved "child care deserts." By providing federal matching funds, the legislation supports states and tribal entities in developing the early childhood workforce and constructing or renovating child care facilities. These grants aim to increase provider retention, improve compensation, and enhance the availability of care during nontraditional hours.

The Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act of 2025 seeks to expand Medicare coverage to include all services that doctors of chiropractic are legally authorized to perform under their state licenses. By removing the current restriction that limits coverage solely to manual spinal manipulation, the bill aligns Medicare with other federal and private health programs. To provide services beyond spinal manipulation, chiropractors will be required to complete a designated educational documentation program.

The Saving the Civil Service Act protects the merit-based federal hiring system by placing strict limits on the ability of agencies to move civil service positions into the excepted service. It requires employee consent for job transfers, caps the number of positions that can be reclassified during a presidential term, and mandates annual reporting to Congress. These measures ensure that federal employment remains grounded in professional standards rather than political appointments.

The Recover Fraudulent COVID Funds Act extends the statute of limitations for prosecuting pandemic-related fraud to 10 years. This legislation ensures that federal authorities have more time to pursue criminal charges, civil forfeiture actions, and False Claims Act lawsuits against those who misused COVID-19 relief funds.

The Lumbee Fairness Act grants federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, making the tribe and its members eligible for all federal Indian programs and services. The bill authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to verify the tribal roll and take land into trust for the tribe's benefit. Additionally, it clarifies jurisdictional arrangements between the state and the tribe while ensuring the tribe receives the same federal support as other recognized tribes.

The Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act authorizes the presentation of Congressional Gold Medals to the 1980 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team in recognition of their historic victory. This legislation honors the team’s extraordinary achievement, which served as a defining moment in American sports and a source of national inspiration during the Cold War. The medals will be permanently displayed at three prominent institutions dedicated to Olympic and hockey history.

The Washington, D.C. Admission Act provides for the admission of the State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth, while maintaining a smaller federal district to serve as the seat of the U.S. government. This legislation establishes the framework for the transition, including the transfer of property, the restructuring of local and federal authorities, and the granting of full congressional representation to the new state's residents. It also creates a transition commission to ensure the orderly shift of legal, financial, and administrative responsibilities.