Legislative Activity

The Nucleic Acid Standards for Biosecurity Act aims to enhance national security by updating guidelines for synthetic DNA production. It mandates research to improve the accuracy and reliability of nucleic acid screening tools used in biomanufacturing. The bill also establishes a stakeholder consortium to develop best practices and roadmaps for these critical biosecurity measures.

The PEER Support Act aims to formally recognize and strengthen the profession of peer support specialists who use their lived experience to help others in recovery. The bill establishes a new Office of Recovery within SAMHSA, led by an individual with lived recovery experience. Furthermore, it mandates the official classification of peer support specialist roles in the federal job system and directs a review of state criminal background check processes for these specialists.

The Building Capacity for Care Act establishes a federal program to provide loans, loan guarantees, and grants for improving and expanding mental health and substance use disorder treatment facilities. This funding prioritizes projects that increase inpatient bed capacity in underserved or high-need areas. Furthermore, the bill creates a dedicated Trust Fund, financed by revenue from the loan program, to support community mental health services block grants.

This bill amends the Grand Ronde Reservation Act, affirming the validity of the 1986 Grand Ronde Hunting and Fishing Agreement unless superseded by future agreements between the Grand Ronde Community and Oregon. It clarifies that any new agreements cannot infringe upon the rights of the Grand Ronde Community or other tribes and that the hunting, fishing, trapping, and animal gathering rights of the Grand Ronde Community in future agreements derive solely from the authority of Oregon. The bill also allows for the review of applications to modify the Consent Decree by the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon. This amendment does not determine or affect the treaty or sovereign rights of any Indian Tribe.

The Gambling Addiction Recovery, Investment, and Treatment Act establishes new federal funding mechanisms to combat gambling addiction across the nation. This bill allocates dedicated grants to states based on existing substance abuse funding formulas to support local addiction efforts. Additionally, it authorizes specific funding for the National Institute on Drug Abuse to conduct vital research into gambling addiction.

The "HOPE and Mental Wellbeing Act of 2025" mandates Medicare and Medicaid to cover the first three annual primary care visits without cost-sharing. These visits encompass outpatient mental and behavioral health services, general medical care, and care coordination for physical and mental health conditions.

The "Universal Right To Vote by Mail Act of 2025" seeks to establish a uniform standard for mail-in voting across the United States by removing additional requirements for voting by mail in federal elections. It requires election officials to contact voters to resolve signature discrepancies or missing signatures on mail-in ballots, ensuring these ballots are counted if the issues are corrected promptly. This act aims to increase voter participation and convenience while maintaining the option for in-person voting. States must comply with these requirements for federal elections starting in 2026.