Legislative Activity

The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2025 aims to streamline and modernize the prior authorization process within Medicare Advantage plans. This bill mandates the adoption of electronic prior authorization systems and significantly increases transparency regarding approval rates and decision times starting in 2027. Furthermore, it establishes new enrollee protections and grants the Secretary authority to enforce faster decision timeframes for medical services.

The Drug Deal Disclosure Act requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to create a public, searchable database of federal agreements with drug manufacturers regarding pricing and special treatment provisions. The bill mandates transparency for these agreements, prohibiting redactions based on political sensitivity or reputational harm. Additionally, it requires the CBO and GAO to conduct a joint analysis on the economic and budgetary impacts of these agreements on the U.S. healthcare system.

The High Court Gift Ban Act establishes strict limits on gifts accepted by federal judicial officers, prohibiting any gift valued over $50 or exceeding $100 in total annual value from a single source. The bill includes specific exemptions for personal hospitality, professional events, and family gifts, while mandating enforcement through the Judicial Conference and potential civil or criminal penalties for violations.

This resolution designates July 10th as Journeyman Lineworkers Recognition Day to honor the essential, high-risk work performed by these skilled professionals. It pays tribute to the lineworkers who provide critical service during emergencies and recognizes those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

The Residential Recovery for Seniors Act expands Medicare Part A coverage to include three levels of residential substance use disorder treatment. By establishing clear clinical standards and a new prospective payment system, this legislation ensures seniors have access to essential, evidence-based addiction recovery services.

This resolution officially designates June as Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month. It highlights the widespread impact of Alzheimer's disease, including rising prevalence, significant caregiver strain, and health disparities. The measure encourages public education, advocacy for research and support services, and support for those affected by the disease.

The 21st Century Federal Writers’ Project Act establishes a grant program under the National Endowment for the Arts to document the diverse history, culture, and lived experiences of the American people. Modeled after the original 1930s initiative, this program will employ writers, photographers, and documentary artists to create a comprehensive, publicly accessible record of contemporary American life. The resulting works will be archived by the Library of Congress and distributed to the public to foster national unity and preserve our shared heritage.

This resolution officially designates June as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month to honor the history, struggles, and triumphs of the community. It recounts key moments in the fight for equality, from early uprisings to landmark legal victories. The bill affirms that LGBTQIA+ rights are human rights and encourages national recognition of the ongoing pursuit of full equality for all.

The SAFE Training for OB-GYNs Act establishes a federal grant program to help residency programs expand training in reproductive healthcare for professionals whose education is restricted by state abortion laws. This funding will support training programs and reimburse travel expenses for providers seeking necessary care education out of state. The program is authorized with $10 million annually from fiscal years 2027 through 2031.

The LIFT the BAR Act repeals decades-old restrictions that barred many lawfully present noncitizens from accessing essential federal public benefits. This legislation restores eligibility for programs like SNAP, Medicaid, CHIP, and housing assistance for qualified noncitizens. The bill also updates terminology, replacing "alien" with "noncitizen" throughout relevant statutes.

The Latonya Reeves Freedom Act of 2026 aims to strengthen the right of individuals eligible for long-term services and supports (LTSS) to live in the most integrated community setting possible. It prohibits discrimination by public entities and insurers against those who qualify for institutional placement but desire community-based services. The Act mandates comprehensive planning, self-evaluation, and enforcement mechanisms to speed up the transition of individuals out of institutions and ensure maximum control over their supports.

This bill seeks to disapprove the rule submitted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding the 2027 Benefit and Payment Parameters for the Affordable Care Act and the Basic Health Program. If enacted, this disapproval would render the specified CMS rule without any legal force or effect.

This resolution commemorates the 10th anniversary of the tragic Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, honoring the 49 lives lost and expressing support for all affected. It recognizes the bravery of first responders and reaffirms the nation's unity against hate and terrorism. The bill also highlights ongoing efforts toward gun safety and mental health legislation.

The Keep Public Funds in Public Schools Act of 2026 aims to redirect funding by eliminating federal tax incentives for private school scholarships. Specifically, it repeals the tax credit for contributions to scholarship-granting organizations and removes the income exclusion for certain scholarship amounts received. These changes are set to take effect starting in 2027.

This resolution recognizes Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) as a serious eating disorder with significant health consequences. It calls for urgent national action to advance awareness, improve early identification, and ensure equitable access to multidisciplinary care and research for those affected.

The Timeshare Transparency Act aims to protect consumers by establishing mandatory disclosure requirements for all timeshare purchases. This includes providing buyers with a complete, itemized cost breakdown and clear options for ending ownership. The Act also grants buyers a 14-day right to cancel the agreement without penalty, with enforcement handled by the Federal Trade Commission.

The Double the Wage for Overtime Act of 2026 amends the Fair Labor Standards Act to increase the required overtime pay rate for covered employees from time-and-a-half to double their regular rate of pay. This means employees will earn twice their normal hourly wage for all hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek. This change will take effect 180 days after the bill is enacted.

The Improving Mentorship in STEM Higher Education Act authorizes the National Science Foundation to establish a demonstration program providing competitive grants to improve mentorship skills and practices for STEM faculty and researchers. Special consideration for these grants will be given to minority-serving and emerging research institutions. The bill also expands National Science Foundation reporting requirements to include processes for addressing harassment and scientific misconduct.

The **Alice Cogswell and Anne Sullivan Macy Act** amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to significantly improve services for children who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, visually impaired, or deafblind. The bill mandates better identification, specialized instruction—including access to American Sign Language and Braille—and increased training for qualified personnel across all three disability areas. It ensures these students receive comprehensive support tailored to their unique communication and access needs from early intervention through school age.

This bill expresses support for designating June 5, 2026, as "National Gun Violence Awareness Day" and the entire month of June 2026 as "National Gun Violence Awareness Month." The designations aim to honor the nearly 47,000 people killed by gunfire each year and raise public awareness about the devastating impact of gun violence. The resolution encourages the public to wear orange on that day and focus on community efforts to promote gun safety.