Legislative Activity

This resolution expresses strong support for designating a specific week in October 2025 as "Careers in Energy Week." It aims to honor the vital contributions of the energy workforce and highlight the numerous rewarding career opportunities available across the sector. Furthermore, the bill encourages educational partnerships to promote necessary skills and prepare the future workforce for the evolving energy industry.

This resolution expresses the support of Congress for designating October 5 through October 11, 2025, as "National 4-H Week." It recognizes 4-H as a vital youth development organization that empowers nearly six million young people through hands-on learning in areas like science, health, and civic engagement. The bill celebrates 4-H's role in fostering confident, compassionate leaders across the nation.

This resolution reaffirms the deep, long-standing friendship and vital strategic partnership between the United States and Germany. It celebrates shared democratic values, significant economic ties, and crucial cooperation on global security challenges, including support for Ukraine. The bill highlights the historical contributions of German Americans and the importance of continued bilateral engagement.

This resolution expresses the sense of Congress that all future U.S. trade agreements must require partner nations to provide reasonable access and collaboration for the search and recovery of missing U.S. service members. It directs that cooperation on accounting for Prisoners of War/Missing in Action (POW/MIA) be a mandatory component of international trade partnerships. The goal is to streamline and accelerate efforts to bring closure for families of personnel missing from past conflicts.

The HEALTH Act of 2025 permanently updates Medicare rules for Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) regarding telehealth. This legislation permanently recognizes audio-only calls as reimbursable telehealth services and removes geographic location requirements for patients receiving care from these clinics. Furthermore, it ensures permanent payment parity for these telehealth visits, treating them as standard outpatient services for billing purposes.

This resolution expresses support for designating the week of September 14, 2025, as "Celebrate Community Week." It recognizes the collaborative, nationwide volunteer efforts of four major international service organizations: Kiwanis, Lions Clubs, Optimist, and Rotary International. The bill applauds these groups for their commitment to community service and for instilling these values in young people.

The United States Grain Standards Reauthorization Act of 2025 aims to modernize grain inspection by prioritizing the adoption of new grading technology for improved accuracy and efficiency. It extends key operational authorizations and funding mechanisms for the grain inspection system through 2030. The bill also mandates annual reporting on technology evaluation and efficiency improvements for the grain export industry.

The Counseling for Career Choice Act updates federal education funding to strengthen career guidance and counseling programs in schools. This legislation mandates that these programs align student options with current local workforce needs and requires counselors to provide personalized planning, financial literacy awareness, and exposure to real-world experiences like apprenticeships. Furthermore, the Act encourages strong partnerships between schools and local workforce development boards to ensure students have access to up-to-date career information and support.

The Growing Opportunities in Agriculture Act (GO Ag Act) establishes a new competitive grant program to fund the creation of innovative, high-quality agricultural education programs in high schools. These grants, limited to $100,000 per entity, are intended to develop new curricula, support work-based learning, and fund leadership training. Recipients must report annually on program performance, with a total authorization of $5 million through FY 2028.

The Creating Opportunities to Thrive and Advance (COTA) Act amends the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to enhance career guidance services. This legislation mandates that states actively promote high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand career paths, particularly those involving skilled trades. Furthermore, it requires increased public awareness campaigns for relevant Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs.

The GIVE MILK Act aims to address low dairy consumption among Americans, particularly children, by emphasizing milk's essential role in providing key nutrients like calcium and Vitamin D. This legislation specifically grants participants in the WIC program the direct choice of selecting their preferred type of milk—including whole, low-fat, reduced-fat, or nonfat—when receiving benefits. The Secretary of Agriculture is required to update regulations to implement this new participant choice.

The Medicare Orthotics and Prosthetics Patient-Centered Care Act aims to enhance protections for Medicare beneficiaries receiving custom braces and artificial limbs. This bill ensures that payment will not be made for certain devices shipped directly to a patient without required training from a qualified practitioner. Additionally, it expands exemptions from competitive bidding for certain providers and clarifies access to replacement custom orthotic devices.

The Federal Prisons Accountability Act of 2025 seeks to increase oversight of the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) by changing how its Director is selected. This bill mandates that the Director of the BOP must now be appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, similar to other high-ranking DOJ officials. Furthermore, the legislation establishes a fixed 10-year term for the Director, limiting service to a single term. These changes aim to bring greater accountability to the leadership of the large federal prison system.

The EMS Counts Act addresses the critical undercounting of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This bill mandates that the Secretary of Labor update occupational classifications to explicitly recognize dual-role firefighter-EMTs and firefighter-paramedics. By accurately counting all EMS practitioners, this legislation aims to improve federal planning for emergency response and disaster preparedness.

The Solid American Hardwood Tax Credit Act amends the existing energy-efficient home improvement credit to include a new category for "natural carbon sink expenditures." This allows homeowners to claim a tax credit for installing qualifying items like flooring, windows, and millwork made from domestically grown and processed deciduous hardwood. The bill also extends the deadline for claiming this energy credit through the end of 2035.

This resolution officially recognizes and celebrates the 60th anniversary of SkillsUSA, a leading organization dedicated to preparing students for skilled careers through Career and Technical Education (CTE). Congress commends SkillsUSA for empowering over 440,000 students annually in personal, workplace, and technical skills. The bill encourages communities to support the organization's vital mission of developing America's future workforce.

The Community Services Block Grant Improvement Act of 2025 aims to strengthen federal efforts to combat poverty by updating the core goals and operational rules of the Community Services Block Grant program. The bill revises definitions, sets a specific annual funding authorization through Fiscal Year 2032, and tightens requirements for state plans and local agency governance, including mandating tripartite boards. Ultimately, these changes seek to ensure grant funds are effectively used by local entities to promote the self-sufficiency of low-income individuals and families.

The "Simplifying Veterans Assistance Act of 2025" aims to improve the grant application process for entities seeking to provide comprehensive services to homeless veterans. It requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide clear guidance, best practices, and informational sessions to potential applicants. This will help ensure that more organizations can effectively access resources to support homeless veterans.

The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025 expands milk options available to students in the National School Lunch Program by allowing schools to offer organic or non-organic whole milk. This legislation provides greater flexibility for schools in providing fluid milk choices while maintaining accommodations for students with special dietary needs. Importantly, the saturated fat content of these offered milk options will not count toward the meal's overall saturated fat limits.

The "Orphan Well Grant Flexibility Act of 2025" amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005, clarifying that states are not required to measure methane emissions to be eligible for grants for plugging and remediating orphaned wells. It enables states to use grant funding for data collection related to methane emissions but does not mandate it. The Act also directs the Secretary of the Interior to partner with the National Academies to study the impact of the orphaned well grant program on economic development and housing trends, requiring a report to Congress. This study must be completed using existing funds.