Legislative Activity

The Protect Our TEETH Act mandates that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must seek a rapid evidence review from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine before proposing new national safety limits for fluoride in drinking water. The EPA must consider the findings of this review when finalizing any rule changes. This ensures a transparent, expert-backed assessment informs decisions regarding public water fluoridation standards.

The Healing Partnerships for Survivors Act establishes new federal grants to foster stronger collaborations between health providers, behavioral health programs, disability services, and sexual assault organizations. These funds aim to create coordinated, trauma-informed systems of care that improve comprehensive support for survivors of sexual assault, including adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. The grants will support activities like direct services, specialized training, and culturally relevant wellness options.

The Gun Safety Incentive Act aims to promote responsible firearm ownership by establishing voluntary best practices for safe storage developed by the Attorney General. It mandates clear safe storage warnings on newly manufactured firearms and expands existing federal law to require safe storage information for all firearm purchases, including rifles and shotguns. Furthermore, the Act establishes a grant program to help states and Tribes distribute free safe storage devices and creates a tax credit for businesses selling these devices.

The Stop NOAA Closures Act places a temporary moratorium on the closure or restriction of access to any National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) facilities. This freeze remains in effect until 180 days after key officials submit a required report to Congress detailing the criteria and process for any future facility changes. After the moratorium lifts, any major facility action will still require a 30-day advance notice and justification report to Congress, except in cases of immediate emergency threatening staff safety.

The Incorporating National Support for Unprecedented Risks and Emergencies Act (INSURE Act) establishes a federal catastrophic property loss reinsurance program managed by the Treasury Secretary to provide backup coverage for primary insurers. This program phases in coverage for perils like wind, wildfire, and flood, requiring participating insurers to offer "all-perils" policies and engage in loss prevention partnerships. The Act also mandates studies on creating a relocation fund for uninsurable properties and assessing the feasibility of including earthquake coverage in standard policies. Finally, it launches a pilot program for multi-year property insurance policies with restrictions on mid-term premium increases related to reassessed disaster risk.

The Black Farmers and Socially Disadvantaged Farmers Increased Market Share Act establishes a new grant program to help food hubs increase market access for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. The bill also introduces an "Agriculture Hub Credit" tax incentive to encourage related spending. Furthermore, it strengthens civil rights accountability for USDA employees, grants new equitable relief powers to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, shifts the burden of proof in agency appeals, and creates an independent Office of the Civil Rights Ombudsperson.

The STOP Shells Act strengthens U.S. export controls by requiring the Secretary of Commerce to apply licensing rules to subsidiaries of foreign entities already on restricted lists, provided U.S. interests own a controlling stake. Before listing an entity, the Secretary must assess the impact of applying the Foreign Direct Product Rule on national security. Any subsequent waivers to these new licensing requirements must be justified to Congress within two days.

The Climate Change Health Protection and Promotion Act of 2025 establishes a new Office of Climate Change and Health Equity within HHS to coordinate federal efforts against climate-related health threats. This office is tasked with developing a comprehensive national strategic action plan to prepare the U.S. health sector for climate impacts, with a special focus on vulnerable communities. The Act also creates a science advisory board and mandates regular expert reports to ensure the national strategy is based on the best available science and continuously updated.

This resolution declares a health and safety emergency disproportionately affecting children due to prior administration directives that promoted fossil fuels and suppressed climate science. Congress asserts that these actions harm children's fundamental rights to life and a stable environment by worsening climate change impacts. The bill demands the current administration cease policies that increase greenhouse gases and restore access to suppressed climate research. Ultimately, it calls for aligning all energy and climate laws with the duty to protect the rights and future of young people.

The Removing Burdens From Organ Donation Act mandates that hospitals electronically notify organ procurement agencies when a patient is declared deceased or near death. This law also grants these agencies electronic access to the potential donor's health records upon the update of the death status. Exemptions are available for hospitals facing significant hardship, cybersecurity attacks, or disaster situations. The Secretary must also issue guidance on best practices for implementing these new electronic notification procedures.

The Asunción Valdivia Heat Illness, Injury, and Fatality Prevention Act of 2025 mandates that employers protect workers from dangerous heat stress by establishing comprehensive safety standards. This Act requires the Secretary of Labor to create evidence-based rules covering engineering controls, administrative procedures, required training, and paid rest breaks to prevent heat-related illness. Furthermore, the law establishes strict enforcement mechanisms, whistleblower protections, and specific timelines for the implementation of these new federal heat protection standards.

The Stop ICE from Kidnapping U.S. Citizens Act strictly prohibits U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from using any federal funds for civil immigration enforcement activities involving U.S. citizens. Specifically, this bill bans ICE from spending money to detain or transport any citizen of the United States. This measure ensures federal funds are not used to wrongfully target or remove American citizens.

The Veteran Burial Timeliness and Death Certificate Accountability Act addresses significant delays in obtaining death certificates for veterans who die from natural causes, often due to VA medical staff delays. This bill mandates that VA medical providers must certify a veteran's death within 48 hours or allow the local medical examiner to step in. Furthermore, the VA must annually report on its compliance with this new timely certification requirement.

The Farmers First Act of 2025 significantly strengthens support for agricultural producers by enhancing the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network. This legislation increases annual funding for the network and mandates the inclusion of dedicated crisis lines within supported programs. Furthermore, it formalizes partnerships between grant recipients and various healthcare providers to ensure comprehensive access to mental health and substance use treatment for farmers and ranchers.

The Child Care for Working Families Act establishes comprehensive federal programs to ensure access to high-quality, affordable child care and universal preschool for young children. The legislation creates an entitlement program for child care, mandates that provider reimbursement rates cover actual costs and ensure living wages for staff, and establishes free, universal preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds. Additionally, it provides dedicated funding to stabilize childcare providers and extend the operating hours and compensation for Head Start staff.

The Uterine Cancer Study Act of 2025 mandates a comprehensive federal study to investigate the potential link between the use of chemical hair straighteners and the risk of developing uterine cancer. This research must specifically examine disparities in cancer rates among women of color. The study will ultimately recommend whether the FDA should require additional safety testing for these hair products.

The Uterine Fibroid Intervention and Gynecological Health Treatment Act of 2025 aims to improve the detection and treatment of uterine fibroids. It mandates federal research to develop evidence-based early detection strategies and establishes grant programs for states to fund screening, education, and intervention services, prioritizing vulnerable populations. Furthermore, the bill allocates funding for research into pain management related to fibroid surgery and other uterine conditions.

The Stephanie Tubbs Jones Uterine Fibroid Research and Education Act of 2025 aims to significantly increase federal research, public education, and provider awareness regarding uterine fibroids. The bill mandates expanded research coordination across federal agencies and authorizes funding to study the condition, which disproportionately affects minority women. It also requires the creation of public awareness campaigns detailing non-hysterectomy treatment options and mandates data collection on Medicaid/CHIP spending for fibroid treatments.

The Tribal Access to Clean Water Act of 2025 aims to address the critical lack of safe and reliable water infrastructure on Tribal lands and for the Native Hawaiian Community. This bill expands eligibility for federal water and sanitation funding, authorizes significant new appropriations across the Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services (IHS), and provides crucial technical assistance to help these communities access and manage these resources. Ultimately, the Act seeks to fulfill the federal trust responsibility by ensuring all Tribal residents have access to clean, safe drinking water and adequate sanitation systems.

The Congressional Oversight Access Act prohibits federal employees from using physical force or detaining a Member of Congress who is conducting official oversight activities on federally controlled property. This protection applies when the Member identifies themselves and is not posing a clear and immediate physical danger. The Act ensures Congress can monitor federal operations while still respecting necessary security screenings.