Legislative Activity

This bill amends the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 to temporarily exclude certain False Claims Act recoveries from being deposited into the Crime Victims Fund through fiscal year 2029. It also mandates a comprehensive audit by the Department of Justice Inspector General on the Fund's sustainability and the impact of recent legislative changes. The resulting report will provide recommendations for improving the Fund's effectiveness and oversight.

The Reproductive Coercion Prevention and Protection Act of 2025 addresses reproductive coercion as a form of intimate partner violence that undermines reproductive autonomy. This bill amends federal law to define reproductive coercion, which includes sabotaging contraception or forcing pregnancy decisions. Crucially, it establishes a new federal civil cause of action allowing victims to sue perpetrators when the abuse involves interstate or foreign commerce. This new right ensures victims can seek damages and relief in federal court for this specific type of domestic violence.

The Buy Now, Pay Later Protection Act of 2025 aims to enhance consumer safeguards for "buy now, pay later" (BNPL) loans. It amends the Truth in Lending Act to apply specific credit card protections, such as dispute resolution rights, to these short-term installment loans. Furthermore, the bill subjects BNPL lenders to direct federal supervision by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The CFPB is required to issue implementing rules within one year of enactment.

This bill, the Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act, officially authorizes Congress to award Congressional Gold Medals to the 1980 U.S. Men's Olympic Ice Hockey Team for their historic "Miracle on Ice" victory. The medals will be struck by the Treasury and permanently displayed at specific national sports museums. The Act also permits the sale of duplicate bronze medals to cover production costs.

The Protect America's Workforce Act nullifies a specific Executive Order issued in March 2025 concerning exclusions from federal labor-management relations programs. This legislation ensures that any existing collective bargaining agreements between federal agencies and employee unions remain fully in effect until their stated expiration dates. The Act also prohibits the use of federal funds to implement the overturned Executive Order.

The Labor Enforcement to Securely Protect Workers (LETS Protect Workers) Act significantly increases civil penalties for violations across major federal labor laws, including child labor, wage and hour, and workplace safety standards. It strengthens enforcement mechanisms for mine safety violations and retaliation against miners, while also establishing new penalties for employer unfair labor practices under the National Labor Relations Act. Furthermore, the bill enhances enforcement for health plan parity and makes certain recordkeeping failures under OSHA and FLSA continuing violations.

The CARE for First Responders Act expands crisis counseling assistance to include emergency responders and public safety telecommunicators following major disasters. The bill establishes a comprehensive mental health program providing 24/7 confidential support, including a dedicated hotline and peer counseling. Additionally, it creates a grant program to fund mobile crisis units offering on-site mental health services to first responders during disaster response.

The Junk Fee Prevention Act aims to protect consumers by establishing federal rules against excessive and hidden fees across several industries. It mandates clear, upfront disclosure of total prices for event tickets and short-term lodging, while also prohibiting deceptive mandatory fees. Furthermore, the bill ends early termination fees for communications services and requires airlines to publicly report detailed data on ancillary fees.

The STOP Scams Against Seniors Act amends existing law to allow federal Byrne JAG grant funds to be used by states and local governments to establish and operate elder justice task forces. These task forces will focus on combating financial exploitation, scams, and fraud targeting individuals aged 60 and older. The legislation also mandates detailed reporting on the task forces' activities, case outcomes, and victim support provided.

The Affordable Clean Water Infrastructure Act amends federal law to allow states to provide greater financial assistance, such as principal forgiveness, for wastewater projects that address affordability concerns. This legislation specifically targets helping communities afford wastewater services by expanding the use of water pollution control revolving loan funds. It also sets minimum requirements and provides extra support for rural, small, and tribal water systems.

The Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act aims to overhaul immigration detention by establishing mandatory, high standards based on ABA guidelines and increasing transparency through rigorous, unannounced inspections. The bill prohibits the use of private, for-profit detention facilities within three years and ends the mandatory detention of most noncitizens, prioritizing release or community-based alternatives. Furthermore, it establishes new due process rights, including timely custody hearings, a presumption of release, and prohibitions on detaining children or using solitary confinement.

The College Athletics Reform Act establishes comprehensive federal standards for college athletics, primarily by securing Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights for college athletes and prohibiting restrictions on their ability to earn compensation or obtain professional representation. The bill also introduces new regulations for sports agents, mandates significant expansion of financial and participation data disclosure by institutions, and establishes a new Commission to study and recommend future governance structures for college sports. Finally, it amends broadcasting law to exempt certain large athletic association media agreements from antitrust scrutiny.

The Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act focuses primarily on improving pediatric drug development and ensuring patient access to necessary treatments. This legislation mandates new research requirements for molecularly targeted pediatric cancer drugs, strengthens FDA enforcement of pediatric study completion, and extends incentives for developing drugs for rare pediatric diseases. Additionally, the bill updates organ transplant network functions and establishes an Abraham Accords Office within the FDA to enhance international regulatory cooperation.

The John Lewis Every Child Deserves a Family Act prohibits discrimination based on religion, sex, or marital status in federally funded child welfare services. This aims to increase the number of stable, family-like placements for children, especially for LGBTQ youth who are overrepresented in foster care. The bill mandates federal guidance, training, and data collection to improve safety and well-being outcomes for all children involved in the system.

This bill, the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act, updates how Medicare physician payments are adjusted annually starting in 2026. It mandates that the annual update to the Medicare physician fee schedule conversion factor will be directly tied to the estimated percentage increase in the Medicare Economic Index (MEI). This change ensures physician payment updates reflect economic changes measured by the MEI for 2026 and beyond.

The Global Respect Act aims to promote and protect the human rights of LGBTQI individuals worldwide. It mandates the President to identify and report foreign persons responsible for human rights violations against LGBTQI people, leading to their inadmissibility to the United States. Furthermore, the Act requires enhanced tracking and reporting of violence and discrimination targeting individuals based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or sex characteristics in the annual human rights reports.

This bill directs the Secretary of Defense to establish a pilot program creating partnerships between military installations and qualified basic needs banks. The goal of this program is to provide essential diapers and diapering supplies to military families in need. The Secretary must also seek collaboration with the National Diaper Bank Network for technical assistance and program evaluation.

The Alzheimer’s Screening and Prevention Act of 2025 (ASAP Act) amends Medicare to cover early detection screening tests for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias starting in 2028. This coverage applies to FDA-cleared tests, including genomic sequencing and other equivalent diagnostic methods, designed to detect pre-symptomatic or early-stage conditions. The bill ensures these screenings are added to the list of covered medical services under Medicare.

The Restoring Food Security for American Families and Farmers Act of 2025 aims to strengthen domestic food security by repealing specific sections of a prior reconciliation act. This action effectively revives the original laws that were previously amended by the repealed provisions. The bill seeks to revert existing agricultural and food-related statutes to their pre-amendment status.

This bill, the International Human Rights Defense Act of 2025, establishes a permanent Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBTQI+ Peoples within the Department of State. It codifies U.S. policy to actively combat international criminalization, violence, and discrimination against LGBTQI+ individuals worldwide. The legislation also mandates enhanced reporting on these abuses in annual human rights reports and authorizes assistance to support related protection efforts abroad.