Legislative Activity

The Responsible Opportunity for Under-21 Trucking Engagement (ROUTE) Act creates a limited exception allowing eligible drivers aged 18 to 20, who already hold an intrastate CDL, to operate commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce. This operation is strictly confined to a 150 air-mile radius of their normal reporting location. The bill mandates specific rest and duty hour requirements for these younger drivers.

This bill officially designates the United States Postal Service facility located at 521 Thorn Street in Sewickley, Pennsylvania, as the "Mary Elizabeth Bettie Cole Post Office Building." This change ensures all future federal references use the newly established name for the building.

The Rural Residency Planning and Development Act of 2025 establishes new grant programs to boost physician training in underserved areas. These programs will fund the creation of new rural residency programs and provide technical assistance to applicants and current grantees. The goal is to increase the number of physicians practicing in rural communities across primary care, high-need specialties, and maternal health.

The Forced Abortion Prevention and Accountability Act establishes a new federal crime prohibiting the knowing and intentional administration of abortion-inducing drugs to a pregnant woman without her informed consent. This legislation creates severe criminal penalties, including up to 25 years in prison, for those who violate this prohibition or attempt to do so. Furthermore, it grants victims the right to file a civil lawsuit to recover damages for physical and psychological injuries resulting from forced abortions.

The Energy Choice Act places federal restrictions on state and local governments, preventing them from enacting regulations that prohibit or limit energy service based on its type or source. This means local governments cannot ban or restrict access to energy services sold in interstate commerce. The legislation aims to ensure consistent access to various energy sources across jurisdictions.

The Emergency Savings Enhancement Act of 2025 aims to improve retirement savings flexibility by increasing the mandatory cash-out limit for retirement plans from \$2,500 to \$5,000. It also raises the annual contribution limit for Roth contributions to employer plans from \$2,500 to \$5,000. These changes are designed to enhance participant options regarding smaller vested balances and Roth savings.

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.

This bill, the Retirement Simplification and Clarity Act, amends tax code to allow participants aged 50 and older to roll over employer contributions from their 401(k) plan directly into an individual retirement annuity before retirement. It also updates the required written explanation provided to taxpayers regarding rollover rules to ensure it is concise and clearly outlines key tax implications and options. These provisions are set to take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

This act grants the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) exclusive authority to approve or deny applications for natural gas and LNG export/import facilities, mandating that such actions be considered consistent with the public interest. The legislation clarifies that it does not limit the President's existing authority to impose sanctions through trade restrictions.

This bill establishes the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States. The capsule, created by the Architect of the Capitol and filled with items chosen by the four congressional leadership offices, will be sealed in the Capitol Visitor Center. It is mandated to remain sealed until July 4, 2276, when it will be presented to the 244th Congress.

The Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act aims to address the critical shortage and high turnover among Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) who assist individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The bill mandates that the Office of Management and Budget review and revise the Standard Occupational Classification system to establish a distinct code for DSPs. This change will allow for more accurate labor market data collection to better support these essential workers. The Act does not authorize any new funding.

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 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 Fight Illicit Pill Presses Act amends the Controlled Substances Act to regulate equipment used in illicit drug manufacturing. This legislation requires manufacturers and distributors of tableting and encapsulating machines, and their critical parts, to apply permanent serial numbers to these items. The bill also prohibits the removal or alteration of these required serial numbers.

The Firearm Access During Shutdowns Act ensures that essential firearm-related government operations continue without interruption during a federal shutdown. This legislation specifically mandates the continuation of the FBI's NICS background check system and related processing at the ATF, Department of Commerce, and Department of State. By deeming these functions essential for protecting life and property, the bill prevents delays in firearm transfers and export licensing during lapses in appropriations.

The REPO for Ukrainians Implementation Act of 2025 formally recognizes international calls to repurpose frozen Russian sovereign assets to aid Ukraine. This bill grants the President authority to transfer non-confiscated Russian assets into the Ukraine Support Fund, where they must be invested in U.S. government debt. Furthermore, the Secretary of State is mandated to obligate at least $250 million from the fund to Ukraine every quarter. The Act also requires the President to report on the location of these Russian assets globally and directs diplomatic efforts to encourage allies to contribute quarterly.

The School Food Modernization Act aims to improve school meal programs by providing financial assistance for facility upgrades and equipment purchases through loan guarantees and grants. It also establishes a new grant program to fund third-party training for school food service staff on nutrition standards and efficiency. Finally, the bill requires reports to Congress on program implementation and a study on how states use administrative funds for workforce training.

The FASTER Act establishes a FEMA grant program to fund fire departments in creating home safety and fall prevention initiatives for older adults. These grants will help departments conduct home safety assessments, install safety modifications like grab bars, and provide related community paramedicine services. The goal is to reduce the high rate of debilitating and costly falls among seniors through proactive community intervention.

The FARMS Act temporarily pauses the calculation of the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) for H-2A agricultural visa workers for up to two years. This allows the Secretary of Labor to continue using the existing AEWR if a reliable new calculation method cannot be determined. The goal is to maintain wage stability for temporary foreign agricultural workers during this period.

The "If You See It, Squish It Act of 2025" mandates the Secretary of Agriculture to launch a national awareness campaign about the invasive spotted lanternfly. This campaign must include public service announcements encouraging the public to kill any lanternflies they encounter. The goal is to educate citizens on the threat this pest poses to local agriculture.