Legislative Activity

The "Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act" expands Medicare coverage to include FDA-approved multi-cancer early detection screening tests starting in 2028. It defines the criteria for these tests, sets payment guidelines, and establishes age and frequency limitations for coverage. The bill ensures that existing cancer screening coverage remains unaffected and allows for waivers of limitations based on recommendations from the United States Preventive Services Task Force.

The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025 mandates that the Secretary of Transportation establish a rule requiring AM broadcast radio receivers to be installed as standard equipment in new passenger motor vehicles. This requirement aims to ensure public access to AM radio signals, which are often used for emergency alerts. The bill also directs a GAO study on the effectiveness of AM radio within the national emergency alert system compared to other technologies. Finally, the Act preempts state and local laws on this matter and includes a sunset provision eight years after enactment.

The Protecting Veteran Access to Telemedicine Services Act of 2025 allows authorized Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare professionals to prescribe and dispense controlled medications to eligible veterans via telemedicine. This provision removes the prior requirement for an initial in-person visit before prescribing these medications remotely. The VA is required to establish specific regulations detailing the process for this telemedicine delivery while ensuring compliance with existing federal drug control laws.

The SEED Act of 2025 expands the existing educator expense tax deduction to include early childhood educators. This legislation amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow those working in early childhood education to deduct unreimbursed work expenses "above the line." This change applies to expenses paid for in tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.

This bill, the Congressional Tribute to Constance Baker Motley Act of 2025, posthumously awards the Congressional Gold Medal to the pioneering civil rights attorney and federal judge, Constance Baker Motley. The legislation recognizes her historic achievements, including her role in *Brown v. Board of Education* and her service as the first African-American woman appointed as a federal judge. The Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to strike the medal, and provisions are made for selling bronze duplicates to cover production costs.

The Reauthorizing Support and Treatment for Officers in Crisis Act of 2025 extends crucial federal funding for programs supporting law enforcement officers in crisis. This bill specifically reauthorizes existing support and treatment initiatives for an additional five years, running from 2025 through 2029. It ensures continued resources are available for officers needing mental health and wellness assistance.

The American Franchise Act aims to protect the traditional franchise business model by clarifying the definition of a "joint employer." This legislation establishes that a franchisor is only considered a joint employer if it exercises "substantial direct and immediate control" over the essential terms of employment for a franchisee's workers. This change specifically targets liability risks associated with maintaining brand standards, ensuring franchisors are not automatically held responsible for local labor practices. The new standard applies prospectively to future legal proceedings.

The Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025 directs the FAA to update regulations to encourage aviation workers to seek mental health support without fear of stigma. The bill mandates annual reviews of the medical clearance process and allocates funding to hire more Aviation Medical Examiners. Furthermore, it requires the FAA to implement recommendations from a recent mental health task force and launch a public awareness campaign to reduce stigma.

The Rural Health Clinic Location Modernization Act of 2025 updates the criteria for clinics to qualify as Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) under Medicare. This legislation revises the definition of an "urban area," setting a new population threshold of 50,000 people to determine eligibility. These changes to the location standards will take effect starting January 1, 2027.

The Modernizing Rural Physician Assistant and Nurse Practitioner Utilization Act of 2025 updates Medicare payment requirements for facilities not directly directed by a physician. It mandates that these facilities must have formal arrangements with Physician Assistants (PAs) or Nurse Practitioners (NPs) whose practice adheres to state laws and regulations. These changes are set to take effect on January 1, 2027.

The Advancing Toward Impact Aid Full Funding Act establishes a new, increasing schedule of authorized appropriations for key Impact Aid programs through fiscal year 2031. This legislation specifically sets funding levels for federal property acquisition, basic payments to heavily impacted school districts, payments for children with disabilities, and construction activities. The goal is to gradually increase federal support for these essential educational services.

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.

The Feed Hungry Kids Act establishes a fixed threshold of 25 percent for calculating a school's "Identified Student Percentage" starting in the school year beginning on or after July 1, 2025. This change directly impacts how schools qualify for certain federal nutrition programs. The bill standardizes this key metric for future program eligibility.

The Bipartisan Premium Tax Credit Extension Act extends the enhanced financial assistance available for purchasing health insurance through the Marketplace. This legislation pushes the expiration date for these boosted premium tax credits, including those for higher earners, from the end of 2025 through the end of 2026. Essentially, it ensures continued, robust subsidies for Marketplace health coverage.

The Naomi Schwartz and Susan Rose Safe Parking Act of 2025 amends federal law to officially designate "safe parking" as an eligible activity under the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Program. This allows states to use ESG funds to operate secure overnight parking locations for individuals experiencing homelessness in vehicles. These designated sites must connect residents with re-housing services and supportive assistance to help them transition into stable housing.

The Wildfire Emergency Preparedness Act of 2025 aims to significantly enhance national readiness for wildfires and wildland-urban interface fires. It establishes a national training plan and grant program for structural firefighters, creates a new high-level Under Secretary for Fire Coordination within the Department of Agriculture, and boosts firefighter health and safety research. Furthermore, the Act authorizes supplemental funding for local departments to purchase protective gear and receive specialized training.

The Local Farmers Feeding our Communities Act establishes a new program to support local food producers and strengthen regional food security. This initiative requires the Secretary of Agriculture to fund agreements that ensure nutritious, locally sourced food is purchased and distributed widely, prioritizing small and beginning farmers. Funds must be used to buy minimally processed local products and provide technical assistance to producers. The program is backed by mandatory funding starting in Fiscal Year 2026.

The Proven Forest Management Act of 2025 updates how the National Forest System is managed, prioritizing environmental benefits like fire fuel reduction and biodiversity improvement. While managers must generally coordinate with affected groups, they can waive certain environmental goals if the cost is deemed too high. The Act also establishes an expedited approval process for smaller projects focused on reducing forest fuels.

The Veterans Scam And Fraud Evasion Act of 2025, or VSAFE Act, establishes a dedicated Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion Officer within the Department of Veterans Affairs. This Officer will be responsible for developing strategies to prevent, report, and respond to fraud targeting veterans and their families. The Act also mandates improved communication, training, and coordination across federal agencies to better protect veterans' benefits and identities. Finally, this bill makes a minor technical adjustment to extend the expiration date of certain existing limits on pension payments.

The SAVES Act establishes a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) pilot program to award grants to nonprofit organizations that provide service dogs to eligible veterans. These grants, up to $\$2,000,000$ each, will fund the training and provision of service dogs for veterans with qualifying conditions like PTSD or TBI. The bill also extends the expiration date for certain limits on veterans' pension payments until February 2033.