Legislative Activity

The Having Overdose Protection Equipment (HOPE) Act amends existing federal grant guidelines to explicitly allow states and tribes to use funds from the 21st Century Cures Act for acquiring, stocking, and maintaining public access opioid overdose reversal kits. This legislation defines these kits as containing the necessary reversal medication and clear administration instructions. The bill aims to increase the availability of life-saving overdose reversal tools in public settings.

The Pakistan Freedom and Accountability Act expresses strong U.S. support for democracy and human rights in Pakistan, citing concerns over military influence and recent election interference. This legislation directs the President to identify and impose sanctions on Pakistani officials responsible for undermining democratic processes or committing serious human rights abuses. The Act emphasizes the need for civilian control over the military and sets an expiration date for its provisions in September 2030.

The Endometrial Cancer Research and Education Act of 2025 aims to address rising rates and racial disparities in endometrial cancer. This bill mandates the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to intensify research and ensure equitable inclusion of African-American women in clinical trials. Furthermore, it directs the CDC to launch targeted public education campaigns, specifically focusing on informing African-American women about risks and available treatments.

This resolution expresses support for designating September 9, 2025, as "National Firearm Suicide Prevention Day." The goal is to raise awareness about the growing crisis of firearm suicides across the United States. It emphasizes that safe and secure firearm storage is a critical component of suicide prevention efforts. The resolution encourages professionals to discuss gun safety and suicide prevention with their patients.

The Local School Foods Expansion Act of 2025 transforms the existing pilot project into a permanent, federally funded program for procuring domestically grown, unprocessed fruits and vegetables for schools. This bill expands participation to 14 states and mandates dedicated annual funding of $25 million through fiscal year 2030. It also enhances requirements for states to support small, local, and socially disadvantaged farmers while strengthening program evaluation and reporting.

The Deceptive Downsizing Prohibition Act of 2025 aims to stop companies from secretly shrinking the size or quantity of consumer products while keeping the packaging the same, a practice known as "deceptive downsizing." This Act prohibits manufacturers from misleading consumers through this practice unless they provide clear, conspicuous notice of the reduced size on the product's principal display panel. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is tasked with writing the necessary regulations and enforcing compliance using its existing authority against unfair or deceptive business practices.

The HCBS Worker Protection Act of 2025 removes a federal payment limitation for certain home and community-based services (HCBS) waivers under Medicaid. This change grants states greater flexibility in receiving federal matching funds for these essential community services.

The Sickle Cell Disease Comprehensive Care Act enables states to establish specialized Medicaid health homes focused exclusively on individuals with sickle cell disease starting in 2026. If a state adopts this program, it must provide mandatory dental and vision coverage to enrolled patients, regardless of standard state Medicaid policies. States implementing these health homes will also be required to report on patient outcomes, access to care, and expenditures.

The Empowering Striking Workers Act of 2025 establishes a pathway for workers involved in a strike or lockout to receive unemployment insurance benefits after a mandatory 14-day waiting period. This legislation also exempts striking workers from the standard requirement to actively search for new employment while they are unable to work due to the labor dispute.

This resolution formally recognizes suicide as a serious public health crisis in the United States and expresses strong support for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. It highlights the critical role of the 988 service in providing immediate, life-saving support to those in mental health distress. Furthermore, the resolution supports the designation of September 8th as "988 Day" to promote awareness of this essential resource.

The HIV Prevention Now Act secures **\$2.165 billion** in dedicated funding for the CDC's National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and Tuberculosis Prevention for Fiscal Year 2026. This appropriation is specifically earmarked to support the center's prevention programs and activities. This funding is supplemental to, and cannot be transferred from, other existing appropriations.

The Quiet Communities Act of 2025 addresses the growing public health crisis caused by noise pollution by reestablishing the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Noise Abatement and Control. This office will be tasked with researching noise impacts, supporting state and local noise control efforts through technical assistance and grants, and conducting a specific study on aircraft noise. The Act authorizes \$25 million annually through Fiscal Year 2030 to fund these critical national noise reduction initiatives.

The BOP Release Card ID Act of 2025 mandates that the Bureau of Prisons issue a REAL ID-compliant photo identification card to all departing federal prisoners, valid for at least 18 months. This federal release card must be accepted for identity verification when accessing major federal benefits like Social Security, Medicaid, and SNAP. Furthermore, the BOP must establish agreements with states to help former inmates use this card to obtain standard state identification. The Attorney General will also issue guidance to states on creating similar release ID programs for state prisoners.

The PrEP and PEP are Prevention Act mandates that essential HIV prevention services, including FDA-approved medications like PrEP and PEP, must be covered at no cost to the patient across private insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, and the Federal Employees Health Benefits program. This law eliminates financial barriers such as deductibles, copays, and prior authorization requirements for these preventive treatments and necessary related care. The goal is to ensure universal, barrier-free access to critical HIV prevention tools.

This resolution affirms strong Congressional support for the independence of the Federal Reserve System, its Chairman, and the Board of Governors. It emphasizes that the Fed must be free from political pressure to effectively manage monetary policy and maintain financial stability. The bill specifically warns against any executive interference that could undermine the Fed's integrity or global trust in the U.S. financial system.

The Tipped Worker Protection Act aims to eliminate the lower minimum wage for tipped employees by phasing out the tip credit system, ensuring all workers eventually receive the standard federal minimum wage. The bill also establishes strict new rules regarding tip pooling, mandates employee voting to create or change pooling systems, and prohibits employers from keeping any portion of employee tips. Furthermore, it clarifies what constitutes a tip, including certain mandatory service charges, and updates penalties for illegal tip retention.

The Restore Trust in Congress Act establishes strict new rules prohibiting Members of Congress and their immediate families from owning or trading specific financial assets, referred to as "covered investments," while in office. Covered individuals must divest existing prohibited holdings within a set timeframe or face significant financial penalties, including fines and forfeiture of profits. The legislation aims to eliminate conflicts of interest arising from personal financial trading while serving in federal office.

The Union Participation for All Act completely repeals the section of the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959 that prohibited certain individuals from holding office in labor organizations. This legislation removes a long-standing ban, opening up leadership positions within unions to a wider range of people. The bill also makes minor conforming amendments to ensure other reporting requirements align with the repeal.

The Protect Patients from Costly Care Act aims to reverse recent changes to Medicaid cost-sharing requirements and the Drug Price Negotiation Program. This bill effectively deletes specific sections from a previous reconciliation act that altered these healthcare provisions. By repealing these changes, the Act restores the original rules regarding Medicaid cost-sharing and the exclusion of orphan drugs from price negotiations.

The Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act seeks to federally decriminalize cannabis by removing it from the Controlled Substances Act, which will retroactively apply to past offenses. The bill establishes an Opportunity Trust Fund, financed by new cannabis taxes, to reinvest in communities harmed by prohibition. Furthermore, it mandates the expungement of non-violent federal cannabis convictions and opens up Small Business Administration (SBA) programs to legitimate cannabis businesses.