Legislative Activity

The "Manifest Modernization Act of 2025" amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to require more detailed manifest information for vessels, vehicles, and aircraft entering the U.S. It mandates public disclosure of specific manifest details, including cargo classification under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule, country of origin, and the last country the cargo transited. The Act broadens the definition of "aircraft" and applies to arrivals in the U.S. 30 days after enactment.

This bill suspends the production of pennies and nickels for 10 years, while allowing the Treasury Secretary to continue making them for coin collectors under specific guidelines. It also requires the Comptroller General to study the effects of this suspension, including potential savings and the impact of rounding cash transactions, and report findings to Congress within three years to determine if the suspension should continue, become permanent, or be reversed. Pennies and nickels will remain legal tender during this time.

This bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish drug adherence guidelines, using AI and machine learning, to achieve a 90% adherence rate for Medicare Part B and D drugs. These guidelines will prioritize the use of generic and biosimilar drugs when appropriate.

The DEBT Act mandates the Secretary of the Treasury to testify before Congress, specifically the House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee, between 21 and 60 days before the debt limit is reached or before employing "extraordinary measures" to prevent a default. During this appearance, the Secretary must detail the extraordinary measures to be taken, their estimated costs, and any subsequent changes in funding obligations resulting from raising the debt limit. This aims to increase transparency and congressional oversight regarding actions taken to manage the debt limit.

The Healthy Technology Act of 2025 amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, allowing AI and machine learning technologies to prescribe drugs. To do so, the AI must be authorized by state law and approved by the FDA.

The "Paws Off Act of 2025" mandates warning labels on food products containing xylitol, highlighting its toxicity to dogs. The Food and Drug Administration is directed to implement this labeling requirement through an interim rule within 6 months and a final rule within 1 year.

The JFK Act of 2025 mandates the public disclosure of all unclassified assassination records and information related to President John F. Kennedy's assassination, overriding any conflicting laws or prior restrictions. It requires covered Federal officials to release all unredacted records within 30 days of enactment. The Attorney General is directed to petition courts to unseal any relevant records, and such requests are automatically deemed to meet the legal standard for disclosure.

The Maintaining Innovation and Safe Technologies Act requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue guidance by January 1, 2027, clarifying Medicare payments for remote monitoring devices utilizing artificial intelligence. This includes devices like continuous glucose monitors that transmit data to healthcare providers for patient care. The guidance aims to address how Medicare will handle payments for these innovative technologies.