Legislative Activity

The New York-New Jersey Watershed Protection Act of 2025 establishes a new program to coordinate the restoration and protection of fish and wildlife habitats across the New York-New Jersey Watershed. This legislation creates a competitive grant program to fund local restoration projects, with special consideration for communities facing environmental injustice. The Act authorizes $20 million annually through fiscal year 2031 to support these science-based conservation efforts.

The Indoor Air Quality and Healthy Schools Act of 2025 establishes a comprehensive federal program, managed by the EPA Administrator, to assess, reduce, and prevent exposure to indoor air contaminants in all buildings, with a special focus on schools and childcare facilities. The Act mandates the creation of science-based guidelines for contaminants of concern and supports technical assistance, training, and voluntary "Healthy Building Certifications." It also directs the development of model building codes and a national assessment of air quality in educational settings to ensure healthier indoor environments nationwide.

The Community Mental Wellness and Resilience Act of 2025 establishes a new federal grant program to fund local initiatives focused on strengthening community mental wellness and resilience. This program offers planning grants followed by larger competitive program grants to established coordinating networks utilizing a public health approach. A mandatory 20% of funds are set aside to ensure support reaches rural areas.

The Medicaid Bump Act increases the federal matching rate to 90% for state spending increases on Medicaid behavioral health services above a 2019 baseline. States must use these federal funds to supplement, not supplant, existing state spending and invest in service improvements. The bill also mandates an annual report from HHS detailing state payment rates and utilization data for these services.

The Medicare Mental Health Inpatient Equity Act of 2025 eliminates the outdated 190-day lifetime limit for inpatient psychiatric hospital services covered by Medicare. This crucial change ensures that beneficiaries will no longer face a cap on the total number of days Medicare will cover for necessary inpatient psychiatric care. The provision takes effect for services received on or after January 1, 2027.

The Offshore Energy Modernization Act of 2025 establishes national goals for offshore wind development, aiming for 30 GW by 2030 and 50 GW by 2035. The bill streamlines permitting by funding environmental reviews and creates the Offshore Power Administration to support necessary transmission infrastructure. It also establishes a compensation fund for affected communities and sets domestic content and labor standards for future projects.

The Reentry Act of 2025 allows incarcerated individuals to receive medical assistance through Medicaid during the 30 days immediately preceding their release. This legislation also mandates a comprehensive report from MACPAC analyzing current healthcare standards within correctional facilities. The report will examine the impact of this coverage change and offer recommendations for improving healthcare access for those transitioning back into the community.

This resolution expresses strong support for designating May 15, 2025, as "Prader-Willi Syndrome Awareness Day." The aim is to raise public awareness about this rare genetic disorder and promote critical research efforts. By recognizing the challenges faced by those with PWS, the bill encourages greater education, improved diagnosis, and the development of better treatments.

The SAFE Bet Act of 2025 establishes a federal framework for sports betting, generally prohibiting it unless a state opts into a federally regulated program that meets strict standards for consumer protection and game integrity. The bill mandates federal oversight, restricts aggressive marketing tactics like VIP programs, and requires operators to fund gambling disorder treatment. Furthermore, it creates mechanisms for national self-exclusion and clarifies the physical location rules for determining where an online bet legally occurs.

This bill supports the designation of April 5, 2025, as "Barth Syndrome Awareness Day" to raise awareness, encourage early diagnosis, and promote research for this rare and life-threatening genetic disorder. It recognizes the challenges in diagnosis and treatment, while also acknowledging the role of the Orphan Drug Act and the importance of patient perspectives. The bill aims to advance research, develop new treatments, and improve regulatory pathways for ultra-rare diseases like Barth syndrome.

The "Weatherization Enhancement and Readiness Act of 2025" amends the Energy Conservation and Production Act to increase weatherization funding and program efficiency. It establishes a "Weatherization Readiness Program" to address structural and safety issues in low-income homes, preparing them for weatherization. The bill increases the average weatherization cost per dwelling to $12,000 and reauthorizes the weatherization assistance program through 2030. It allocates $50 million annually from 2026-2030 for the Weatherization Readiness Program.

The Scientific Integrity Act mandates that federal agencies that fund, conduct, or oversee scientific research establish and enforce scientific integrity policies. These policies aim to protect scientists from political interference, ensure the open communication of scientific findings, and establish clear processes for reporting and addressing scientific misconduct. The Act requires agencies to appoint Scientific Integrity Officers, provide regular training, and report on misconduct complaints, with oversight from the Office of Science and Technology Policy and Congress. It also protects the rights of federal employees and contractors to share their findings and prevents the suppression or distortion of scientific data.