Legislative Activity

The Advancing GETs Act of 2025 aims to modernize the electric grid by incentivizing the adoption of Grid-Enhancing Technologies (GETs) through a shared savings program managed by FERC. The bill also mandates annual reporting on transmission congestion costs to improve transparency and requires the Department of Energy to create a public application guide and clearinghouse for GETs deployment. Ultimately, this legislation seeks to increase grid capacity, reliability, and efficiency using existing infrastructure.

The Tax Fairness for Workers Act restores key federal tax deductions for employees, effective after 2024. This legislation makes union dues fully deductible "above the line," meaning they reduce Adjusted Gross Income without itemizing. Additionally, it allows itemizers to deduct certain other job-related business expenses that were previously limited.

The STOP Bullying Act aims to combat widespread bullying in K-12 schools by providing federal grants to states to establish dedicated Anti-Bullying Task Forces. These task forces, composed of diverse stakeholders including students, parents, and educators, must study current anti-bullying policies and report actionable recommendations to reduce harassment. The bill emphasizes the need for safe learning environments for all students, regardless of background or identity.

The Religious Workforce Protection Act aims to support religious workers facing long green card backlogs by allowing extensions of their nonimmigrant status beyond the usual five-year limit until their permanent residency application is processed. It also modifies job flexibility rules for certain delayed applicants and exempts religious workers who left the U.S. due to the five-year R-1 visa limit from the mandatory one-year foreign residence requirement before reapplying.

The No Tax Breaks for Union Busting (NTBUB) Act aims to disallow businesses from deducting federal income taxes for expenses incurred while attempting to influence employees regarding union organization or activities. This change is intended to stop companies from subsidizing anti-union campaigns through tax write-offs. The bill also establishes new, significant reporting requirements and penalties for businesses and third-party consultants who engage in these influence expenditures.

The Federal Firearm Licensee Act significantly overhauls federal regulation of gun dealers by mandating enhanced physical security, stricter inventory tracking, and increased record-keeping requirements. The bill repeals outdated restrictions on the ATF, increases licensing fees, and establishes new regulations for online firearm transfer facilitators. Furthermore, it strengthens enforcement by increasing penalties for compliance failures and mandating more frequent inspections for high-risk dealers.

The IDEA Full Funding Act establishes mandatory, increasing funding levels for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) programs through fiscal year 2035. This legislation sets specific appropriation targets based on student counts and national average spending to ensure greater financial support for special education services. Furthermore, the bill requires that these new IDEA appropriations adhere to "cut-as-you-go" budget offset rules.

The Protecting Options for Seniors Act of 2025 addresses significant under-projection of Medicare Advantage (MA) local area growth caused by recent wage index reclassifications. This bill mandates a specific adjustment to MA payment rates starting in 2026 for areas experiencing rapid wage index increases exceeding 20 percent. While providing targeted financial boosts to these areas, the Act ensures the overall national benchmark average remains neutral. Furthermore, it requires increased transparency by mandating the separate reporting of Part A and Part B payments to area hospitals in annual public notices.

The Defending American Diplomacy Act prohibits the Secretary of State from implementing any reorganization of the State Department without specific statutory authorization from Congress and the submission of a detailed plan. This plan must thoroughly analyze the impact on foreign policy goals, operations, and personnel. If the Secretary proceeds without authorization, specific funding restrictions against the Department of Government Efficiency and official travel for high-level appointees will take effect.

This bill restricts the use of federal funds to carry out large-scale removals of employees within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Specifically, it prohibits using federal money for terminations if 3% or more of the total HHS workforce, or 3% or more of any individual sub-agency's staff, are removed within a 60-day period. This measure aims to prevent sudden, mass layoffs across the department and its major divisions.

The CARE Act of 2025 mandates that the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) test a new payment model for emergency services. This model will allow Medicare to pay ground ambulance providers for emergency responses, even when a patient does not ultimately require transport under Medicare Part B. The five-year demonstration aims to evaluate the impact of covering these non-transport emergency responses on patient access and resource utilization.

The Armenian Genocide Education Act establishes a program managed by the Librarian of Congress to develop and share educational resources combating denial of the 1915-1923 Armenian Genocide. This initiative will create online materials, train educators, and encourage the integration of accurate history into school curricula. The Act authorizes $2 million annually for five years to support these educational efforts aimed at promoting awareness and preventing future atrocities.

This Act mandates the Secretary of Labor to establish an interim and then a final standard requiring comprehensive workplace violence prevention plans for employers in the healthcare and social service sectors. These plans must be developed with employee input and detail risk assessments, hazard controls, reporting procedures, and annual training. Furthermore, the bill amends the Social Security Act to require Medicare-funded hospitals and skilled nursing facilities not covered by OSHA to comply with these new federal workplace violence prevention standards. The legislation also establishes clear definitions for workplace violence and includes strong anti-retaliation protections for employees who exercise their rights under the Act.

The Hot Foods Act of 2025 removes the general federal ban on using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to purchase hot, ready-to-eat foods. This legislation clarifies that hot foods are now eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits, while also setting a new rule that limits SNAP-participating retailers to deriving no more than 50% of their gross sales from these ready-to-eat hot items. The act updates existing statutes to reflect this expanded purchasing power for recipients.

This resolution supports the designation of May 2025 as "National Myositis Awareness Month." The bill aims to raise public awareness about myositis, a group of rare, chronic autoimmune muscle diseases that cause significant pain and disability. By recognizing this month, Congress encourages education on the challenges faced by patients and supports increased research efforts for these complex conditions.

This resolution expresses the sense of Congress in support of designating a specific week in April 2025 as "National Water Week." The bill emphasizes the critical need for clean, safe drinking water and sanitation access across all U.S. communities, including rural and Tribal lands. It highlights the importance of federal investment in water infrastructure, research, and addressing challenges like aging systems and supply chain issues. Ultimately, this is a symbolic measure to raise awareness about vital water issues without enacting new laws or funding.

The COMPLETE Care Act aims to improve mental healthcare access by providing Medicare incentives for primary care providers to integrate behavioral health services into their practices between 2027 and 2029. This legislation offers increased Medicare payments for specific integrated services during those years, ensuring these bonuses do not trigger cuts elsewhere in the Medicare budget. Additionally, the bill mandates technical assistance to help primary care offices successfully adopt these new integrated care models.

The Transgender Health Care Access Act aims to improve access to gender-affirming care by addressing critical gaps in medical education and provider capacity. The bill establishes grant programs to develop and implement comprehensive training curricula for medical professionals across various settings, including rural areas. Furthermore, it provides funding to expand the ability of community health centers to deliver culturally competent and necessary care to transgender individuals. Ultimately, this legislation seeks to ensure that healthcare providers are adequately trained and equipped to meet the medical needs of the transgender population.

The Nutrition CARE Act of 2025 addresses the critical need for comprehensive eating disorder treatment under Medicare. This bill expands Medicare coverage to include essential medical nutrition therapy services for beneficiaries diagnosed with an eating disorder, starting January 1, 2026. It establishes initial and ongoing annual coverage limits for these crucial dietitian-led services, requiring a referral from a physician or psychologist. By covering this vital component of care, the Act aims to improve health outcomes and reduce the significant economic burden associated with these serious mental illnesses.

This resolution officially recognizes and supports the goals of Social Work Month and World Social Work Day, honoring the vital contributions of social workers nationwide. It highlights their essential role in promoting health, social justice, and community well-being across various critical sectors. While not creating new law, the document emphasizes the immense value and growing need for these professionals in addressing national challenges. Ultimately, Congress is expressing gratitude and encouraging public awareness of the social work profession.