Legislative Activity

This bill establishes the Innovative Therapies Centers of Excellence Act of 2025, directing the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to designate at least five medical facilities as specialized hubs for cutting-edge treatments. These Centers of Excellence must focus on research, training partnerships, and clinical evaluation of innovative therapies for covered conditions like PTSD and chronic pain. The legislation specifically names substances such as MDMA and Psilocybin as part of the therapies to be explored, supported by dedicated annual funding.

The Reentry Act of 2025 allows incarcerated individuals to receive medical assistance through Medicaid during the 30 days immediately preceding their release. This legislation also mandates a comprehensive report from MACPAC analyzing current healthcare standards within correctional facilities. The report will examine the impact of this coverage change and offer recommendations for improving healthcare access for those transitioning back into the community.

The Protect America's Workforce Act nullifies a specific Executive Order concerning exclusions from federal labor-management relations programs, immediately voiding its legal power and halting federal spending to enforce it. This legislation also ensures that all existing collective bargaining agreements between federal agencies and unions remain valid until their original expiration dates.

This bill restricts the use of federal funds to carry out large-scale removals of employees within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Specifically, it prohibits using federal money for terminations if 3% or more of the total HHS workforce, or 3% or more of any individual sub-agency's staff, are removed within a 60-day period. This measure aims to prevent sudden, mass layoffs across the department and its major divisions.

The Sarah Katz Caffeine Safety Act mandates clearer caffeine labeling for restaurant chains and packaged foods, requiring warnings for items exceeding 150mg of caffeine. It also directs the FDA and NIH to conduct urgent safety reviews concerning caffeine consumption in the general population and vulnerable groups. Furthermore, the bill establishes a public education campaign on safe caffeine use and requires a GAO study on the marketing of caffeinated beverages, particularly toward youth.

The Reducing Medically Unnecessary Delays in Care Act of 2025 aims to establish stricter federal standards for prior authorization decisions made by Medicare contractors and private Medicare plans. This bill mandates that coverage denials must be based on clear, evidence-based clinical criteria developed with input from practicing physicians. Furthermore, it requires plans to post their authorization rules online, provide advance notice of changes, and publicly report approval and denial statistics. Finally, all final denials of care must be reviewed and issued by a qualified, board-certified physician.

The America's Red Rock Wilderness Act focuses on designating numerous specific tracts of land across Utah as official Wilderness Areas, granting them the highest level of federal protection. This legislation aims to preserve the unique ecological, geological, and cultural values of these diverse landscapes from development. It also establishes administrative provisions for managing these new areas, including boundary definitions, water rights, and the continuation of existing uses like livestock grazing. Ultimately, the bill significantly expands protected wilderness in Utah while safeguarding critical natural and historical resources.

The Raise the Age Act of 2025 generally prohibits Federal Firearms Licensees from selling certain semiautomatic centerfire rifles or shotguns capable of holding magazines over five rounds to anyone under 21, with exceptions for qualified military or government personnel. The bill also maintains the existing minimum age of 18 for general firearm purchases, excluding the newly restricted categories. Finally, it mandates that the FBI Director report on the operational procedures of its public access line within 90 days of enactment.

The Paycheck Fairness Act significantly strengthens federal equal pay protections by broadening definitions of sex discrimination, tightening employer defenses against pay disparities, and increasing penalties for violations. It also prohibits employers from using salary history in hiring decisions and mandates new data collection by the EEOC to better enforce anti-discrimination laws. Furthermore, the bill establishes new training and outreach programs to combat systemic wage bias.

This bill officially ratifies the Equal Rights Amendment, declaring it a valid part of the U.S. Constitution. It specifically removes any previously imposed deadlines for state ratification. If three-fourths of the states have approved the amendment, this law confirms its official status regardless of past time constraints.

The Innovative FEED Act of 2025 establishes a new regulatory category for "zootechnical animal food substances" intended to modify animal digestive byproducts or reduce foodborne pathogens without treating disease. This bill mandates that these new substances must undergo the standard food additive approval process with the FDA, requiring petitioners to provide extensive data on their intended effects. Approval is contingent upon proving the substance achieves its claimed function under proposed use conditions, and all resulting animal food must carry a specific disclaimer stating it is not for disease treatment.

The Air America Act of 2025 recognizes the sacrifices of former Air America employees who served the U.S. Government between 1950 and 1976. This Act authorizes a one-time monetary award, up to $40,000 plus potential additional amounts, for qualifying service members or their survivors. The CIA Director is responsible for administering these payments, which are capped at a total of $60 million, and establishing the application procedures. Decisions made by the Director regarding these awards are final and not subject to judicial review.

The Preventing Illegal Weapons Trafficking Act of 2025 mandates the creation of a federal strategy to intercept and seize illegal machinegun conversion devices entering or moving within the U.S. It also enhances penalties by allowing the forfeiture of proceeds derived from illegal machine gun trafficking. Furthermore, the Attorney General must now specifically report on crimes involving these conversion devices in the annual firearms trafficking report.

The Major Richard Star Act ensures that military retirees with combat-related disabilities can receive both their military retirement pay and VA disability compensation concurrently without reduction. This law removes previous restrictions that caused military retirement pay to be offset by VA disability payments for these specific cases. The changes take effect on the first day of the month following the Act's enactment.

The HELPER Act of 2025 establishes a new FHA mortgage insurance program to assist first responders, educators, and law enforcement officers in purchasing homes. This program offers eligible first-time homebuyers 100% financing with no down payment required. Instead of monthly premiums, borrowers pay an upfront FHA insurance premium at closing.

The Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act creates an exception to income limits for certain federal agriculture disaster payments. This exception applies to individuals or businesses where at least 75% of their average adjusted gross income is derived from farming, ranching, or forestry. Consequently, these deeply involved agricultural producers will not be subject to standard payment caps on specific disaster assistance programs.

The Maintaining and Enhancing Hydroelectricity and River Restoration Act establishes a new federal tax credit to incentivize investments in improving existing hydroelectric facilities. This credit covers 30% of the cost for property that enhances fish passage, water quality, dam safety, or facilitates the removal of obsolete river obstructions. Furthermore, the bill allows taxpayers to elect direct payment or transferability for this new credit.

The Safe Vehicle Access for Survivors Act mandates that providers of connected vehicle services must quickly terminate an abuser's remote access to a survivor's vehicle upon request, without imposing fees or requiring co-owner consent. This legislation requires providers to secure the survivor's information, offer clear instructions for regaining sole control, and establish specific notification procedures for all actions taken. The FCC is tasked with creating detailed regulations to ensure survivor safety and data confidentiality within two years of the bill's enactment.

The Military Spouse Hiring Act amends the Internal Revenue Code to expand eligibility for the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC). This change allows employers to claim the tax credit for hiring qualified military spouses. A qualified military spouse is defined as someone certified as being married to a member of the U.S. Armed Forces.

This bill allows the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to grant an extension of up to six additional years for certain hydropower projects licensed before March 13, 2020, to commence construction. Licensees must apply for this extension, which will be granted in up to three consecutive two-year periods. Furthermore, the legislation provides a mechanism for FERC to reinstate licenses whose construction deadlines expired after December 31, 2023.