Legislative Activity

This joint resolution expresses Congress's disapproval of a recent rule issued by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) concerning adherence to the text of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). By invoking the Congressional Review Act, this resolution immediately nullifies the proposed HHS policy. Consequently, the new rule regarding APA adherence will have no legal effect.

This Act mandates the Department of Veterans Affairs to expand essential services, including telehealth and mail-order pharmacy benefits, to eligible veterans residing in the Freely Associated States. It also requires the VA to provide beneficiary travel payments to these veterans and submit regular progress reports to Congress. Additionally, the bill extends a current limitation on pension payments by two months.

This bill extends the legislative authority for the National Emergency Medical Services Memorial Foundation to establish its commemorative work in the District of Columbia. Specifically, it revises a deadline within the original authorization, changing the relevant expiration or extension date tied to a seven-year period to November 3, 2032. This grants the Foundation additional time to complete the memorial establishment process.

This resolution expresses unwavering support for the United States-Japan alliance in the face of escalating political, economic, and military pressure from the People's Republic of China. It condemns China's coercive actions against Japan following statements regarding Taiwan's security. The resolution reaffirms the U.S. commitment to Japan's defense, including the Senkaku Islands under Article V of the mutual security treaty. Finally, it commends Japan for its efforts to maintain regional peace and stability while increasing its defense capabilities.

The Medicare Investment and Gun Violence Prevention Act restores the federal tax on firearm transfers and manufacturing to \$200 per firearm. Additionally, it allocates \$1.7 billion in new funding to the Medicare Part A Hospital Insurance Trust Fund for fiscal year 2026.

The Seniors Deserve SMARTER Care Act of 2025 aims to protect Medicare beneficiaries by prohibiting the implementation of the Wasteful and Inappropriate Services Reduction (WISeR) model. This legislation prevents the Department of Health and Human Services from introducing the WISeR model or any substantially similar payment and service delivery system under Medicare.

This Act establishes an advisory committee to study and report on the economic and market vulnerabilities facing the United States due to potential military escalation by the People's Republic of China toward Taiwan. Chaired by the Secretary of the Treasury, the committee will include regulators and private sector experts to foster communication and preparation. It is required to conduct comprehensive studies every three years, assessing potential costs and market impacts, and submit recommendations to the Financial Stability Oversight Council.

This joint resolution seeks to disapprove the interim final rule from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services that removes the automatic extension for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs). If enacted, this disapproval would nullify the rule, preventing the removal of the automatic extension.

The International Human Rights Defense Act of 2025 establishes a permanent program within the Department of State, led by a dedicated Special Envoy, to protect and promote the human rights of LGBTQI people globally. This bill mandates the creation of a comprehensive U.S. Global Strategy to address international discrimination and violence against this community. Furthermore, it authorizes foreign assistance to support local organizations and requires detailed reporting on LGBTQI human rights abuses in annual State Department reports.

The ECCHO Act establishes a new federal crime for intentionally coercing a minor under 18 to commit harmful acts, including self-harm, violence against others or animals, arson, or specific online offenses like swatting. This legislation defines coercion broadly to include manipulation, threats, and intimidation used to force a child into these prohibited actions. Penalties vary based on the severity of the coerced act, with life imprisonment possible for coercing suicide or homicide. The Act also updates existing federal laws to incorporate this new offense and ensure comprehensive enforcement.

The SAFE Act directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to review and update federal sentencing guidelines for offenses involving child sexual abuse material. This update must account for the actual harm to victims, modern technology, and the spectrum of offender culpability. The Commission is required to develop new guidelines that specifically address factors like the use of multiple online channels, involvement in prohibited sexual conduct against a child, and the impact on the victim. Importantly, the Act prohibits lowering the existing base offense level for these crimes.

Ally's Act mandates that private health insurance plans cover essential hearing devices, including auditory implants and their related services, for qualifying individuals. This coverage must begin for plan years starting January 1, 2026. The law ensures that cost-sharing and treatment limitations for these hearing benefits are no more restrictive than those for other medical services. Furthermore, coverage cannot be denied if a physician or qualified audiologist determines the device is medically necessary.

This resolution honors the extraordinary life, leadership, and enduring legacy of Dr. Jane Goodall. It recognizes her groundbreaking scientific contributions to primatology and her tireless global advocacy for wildlife conservation and environmental education. The resolution pays tribute to her dedication to protecting chimpanzees and inspiring humanity to live in greater harmony with the natural world.

The Stop Sextortion Act criminalizes threatening to distribute child sexual abuse material, even if the material does not exist, to intimidate or coerce victims. This legislation establishes severe penalties for making such threats, mirroring those for actual distribution. Furthermore, the Act increases maximum prison sentences by ten years for crimes involving the use of child sexual abuse material to threaten or harm an individual.

The Scam Compound Accountability and Mobilization Act addresses the growing threat of transnational cyber-enabled fraud originating from criminal operations, often involving human trafficking victims in Southeast Asia. This bill mandates the creation of a comprehensive U.S. strategy to counter these scam compounds and hold the responsible criminal organizations accountable. Furthermore, it establishes new authorities for imposing sanctions on facilitators and requires a review of legal tools to ensure victims can receive financial redress from seized assets.

This resolution strongly condemns white supremacy, hate, and antisemitism, specifically targeting the promotion of these dangerous ideologies by Nick Fuentes. It further condemns Tucker Carlson and Kevin Roberts for platforming and defending Fuentes's documented antisemitic and Holocaust-denying statements. The resolution affirms the nation's commitment to fighting antisemitism and urges all leaders to reject these hateful views.

This resolution strongly condemns the pardon of former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández, detailing his extensive involvement in a major drug-trafficking conspiracy. It outlines how Hernández used his presidential power to facilitate the smuggling of hundreds of tons of cocaine into the U.S. while protecting criminal associates. The resolution asserts that the pardon undermines the rule of law and damages U.S. credibility in combating international drug trafficking.

The SAFE Chips Act of 2025 establishes strict new export controls on advanced integrated circuits to foreign adversary countries. This law mandates a license for the export or transfer of these specified high-performance chips, with a policy to deny all such applications. The bill specifically defines "advanced integrated circuit" based on technical performance thresholds or existing export control classifications, excluding those not designed for data center use.

The Medicare-X Choice Act of 2025 establishes a new, low-cost public health insurance option, the Medicare Exchange plan, available nationwide on the ACA marketplaces starting in 2028. The bill also creates a national reinsurance program to lower individual market premiums and expands premium tax credit eligibility by removing the 400% income cap and fixing the "family glitch." Furthermore, it grants Medicare the authority to negotiate prescription drug prices and increases funding for antitrust enforcement in healthcare markets.

This resolution celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and recognizes its transformative impact on ensuring a free, appropriate public education for children with disabilities. It honors the millions who have benefited from IDEA and reaffirms commitment to its principles. *Note: The provided text also includes details about a separate "Housing for All" program, which is not addressed in this summary as the primary focus of the resolution appears to be IDEA.*