Legislative Activity

This resolution expresses the strong support of Congress for designating September 2025 as "Hawaiian History Month." The designation aims to recognize the rich history, culture, and significant contributions of Native Hawaiians to the nation. Furthermore, it reaffirms the Federal government's trust responsibility to support the well-being and cultural vitality of the Native Hawaiian community.

This resolution officially recognizes the significant economic and cultural importance of coffee to the United States, highlighting its role in supporting millions of jobs and contributing billions to the economy. It expresses strong support for designating September 29, 2025, as "National Coffee Day." The measure also acknowledges the complex global supply chain and domestic growers essential for meeting American demand.

The Tropical Plant Health Initiative Act establishes a dedicated federal initiative to protect vital tropical crops like coffee, bananas, and mangoes from devastating pests and diseases. This law authorizes new research and extension grants focused on developing science-based solutions for these specific agricultural threats. Furthermore, it extends the program's funding authorization through the year 2030.

The RTCP Revitalization Act aims to significantly increase and guarantee funding for geographically disadvantaged farmers and ranchers through the Commodity Credit Corporation. This legislation removes previous administrative hurdles and eliminates annual payment caps for individual producers when program demand is high. The bill establishes mandatory, increasing funding levels for this support program through fiscal year 2031 and beyond.

The Rural Behavioral Health Improvement Act of 2025 aims to enhance behavioral healthcare access in rural areas by modifying Medicare coverage rules. This bill specifically removes the existing exclusion that prevents Medicare payment for services provided in facilities primarily focused on treating mental diseases. This significant change is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027.

This bill, the Promoting American Competition in Aquaculture Research Act, reauthorizes critical federal aquaculture assistance programs with dedicated funding set through Fiscal Year 2030. It also updates the administrative rules for these awards by clarifying how indirect (overhead) costs are calculated. The legislation ensures continued support for American aquaculture research and competitiveness.

The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act aims to strengthen the Social Security system through two main avenues. Title I mandates the creation of a new Consumer Price Index for Elderly Consumers to be used for calculating future cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs). Title II modifies contribution rules by counting a small portion of wages and self-employment income earned above the current base limit after 2025, and it adjusts the benefit formula to potentially increase benefits based on these surplus earnings. These changes are designed to ensure COLAs more accurately reflect senior spending and to increase revenue for the system.

The Keep Seniors Fed Act makes technical amendments to the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 regarding how income is calculated for food assistance eligibility. Specifically, it mandates that income received under Title II of the Social Security Act must now be counted when determining eligibility for benefits. These changes will take effect 90 days after the bill is signed into law.

This resolution formally commemorates the 69th anniversary of the continuous operations of the Mauna Loa Observatory (MLO). It recognizes the MLO's critical, world-leading role in monitoring atmospheric composition, particularly tracking global carbon dioxide levels. The bill reaffirms Congressional support for the observatory's vital scientific work and honors its cultural significance to Hawaii.

The Ensuring Outpatient Quality for Rural States Act allows for cost-of-living adjustments to payments for hospital outpatient services provided in Alaska and Hawaii, starting in 2026. This change specifically targets the non-labor related portion of service costs, recognizing the higher operating expenses in these states. Crucially, these adjustments do not need to be budget neutral.

The Essential Air Service Reliability Act of 2025 updates the Essential Air Service (EAS) program by requiring airlines seeking federal subsidies to submit contingency plans for non-weather-related service disruptions. This legislation also shifts the selection criteria for subsidy recipients to prioritize the proposed rate of compensation. These changes aim to ensure more reliable air service to smaller communities by mandating operational backups.

The Remove the Stain Act officially rescinds the 20 Medals of Honor awarded to U.S. soldiers for actions during the Wounded Knee Massacre of 1890. This legislation aims to preserve the integrity of the nation's highest military honor by voiding awards given for the killing of predominantly unarmed Native Americans. While the recognition is revoked and names will be removed from the official rolls, recipients will not be required to return the physical medal or forfeit any associated benefits.

The Parity for Native Hawaiian Veterans Act of 2025 aims to improve benefits for Native Hawaiian veterans. This bill updates the definition used for VA direct housing loans to align with existing Native American housing law. Furthermore, it mandates that the VA must reimburse Native Hawaiian health systems for care provided to eligible veterans and eliminates cost-sharing requirements for Native Hawaiian veterans receiving VA medical care.

The GHOST Act of 2025 establishes a new Federal Interstate Firearm Parts Reporting System to track the shipment of specific gun components, including barrels, slides, and bolts, across state or international lines. Shippers must pre-register these covered components with the Attorney General, detailing sender, recipient, and shipping method, and later confirm delivery. The system allows for retroactive registration but imposes significant penalties for knowingly circumventing these tracking requirements.

The PATCH Act, or Protecting Access To Care in Hawaii Act, ensures that physicians in Hawaii receive fair compensation for their services. Starting in 2026, this bill mandates a minimum work geographic index of 1.5 for calculating Medicare payments for physicians' services furnished in the state. This adjustment is a direct increase to the payment formula and will not be offset by budget neutrality requirements.

The Stop Illegal Campaign Coordination Act amends campaign finance law to broaden the definition of "coordinated expenditures." This bill stipulates that spending by outside groups is considered coordinated if it is "materially consistent" with guidance, even if indirect, from a candidate or political party committee. The legislation outlines specific factors the Federal Election Commission must consider when determining this consistency.

This bill expresses support for designating February 2025 as "Hawaiian Language Month" or "'Olelo Hawai'i Month" to recognize and celebrate the Hawaiian language (lelo Hawaii). It acknowledges the historical suppression of lelo Hawaii and the ongoing revitalization efforts. The bill also commits to preserving, protecting, and promoting the use, practice, and development of lelo Hawaii, urging all people in the United States to participate in celebrating lelo Hawaii Month.

The "Continued Rapid Ohia Death Response Act of 2025" aims to combat the spread of Rapid Ohia Death, a disease affecting Ohia trees in Hawaii, through collaborative efforts between the Department of Interior, the Department of Agriculture, and the State of Hawaii. It directs continued research into the disease's spread, management of ungulates in affected areas, and financial aid for prevention and restoration efforts. The Act also provides support to the Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry for ongoing research.

The Strengthening Pathways to Health Professions Act aims to encourage more individuals to enter the healthcare field by providing significant tax relief. This bill specifically makes certain loan repayments and scholarships received through various Public Health Service and state programs tax-free income. These changes apply to programs designed to increase the number of health professionals serving in underserved areas.

This bill recognizes the 125th anniversary of Okinawan immigration to the United States and the significant contributions of Okinawan Americans to various sectors of American society. It reaffirms the cultural ties between the United States and Okinawa. The bill also encourages the people of the United States to commemorate this anniversary with appropriate programs and activities.