Legislative Activity

The "Reentry Act of 2025" amends Title XIX of the Social Security Act to allow states to provide Medicaid coverage to inmates in the 30 days before their release. It also requires the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission to submit a report to Congress analyzing health and safety standards in correctional facilities, the impact of this change, and recommendations for further action.

The "ABC Act" aims to simplify and streamline the processes, procedures, forms, and communications within Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, and Social Security programs for family caregivers. It mandates a comprehensive review of these programs to reduce administrative burdens, improve communication, enhance website accessibility, and ensure employee understanding of caregiver support. The Act requires regular reports to Congress and encourages states to adopt similar simplification measures.

The COMPLETE Care Act aims to improve access to behavioral healthcare by providing financial incentives for integrating these services into primary care settings through Medicare. It increases Medicare payments for specific behavioral health services provided in primary care settings from 2027-2029 and requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to offer technical assistance to primary care practices integrating behavioral health services. The bill allocates funding from 2025 through 2029 to support these technical assistance efforts.

The "Hot Foods Act of 2025" amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, allowing SNAP benefits to be used for hot and ready-to-eat foods. It broadens the scope of eligible food items under SNAP and modifies retailer eligibility requirements, permitting more stores to accept SNAP if hot food sales do not exceed 50% of their gross sales. This change also updates the language regarding where SNAP-eligible food can be consumed to include "home or immediate consumption".

The "SCREENS for Cancer Act of 2025" reauthorizes and amends the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) to broaden its services, enhance support activities, and reduce disparities in cancer rates. It emphasizes prevention, detection, and control of breast and cervical cancer, ensuring alignment with evidence-based recommendations. The Act authorizes $235 million annually from 2026 through 2030 and requires a GAO study to assess the program's reach and identify barriers to access. Reporting frequency is adjusted to every 5 years and includes data on the preceding years.

The Safer Skies Act of 2025 expands security screening requirements for air carrier operations that operate under specific regulations, conduct passenger-carrying operations for compensation, offer individual seats in advance, provide publicly available schedules, operate airplanes with more than nine passenger seats, and do not use TSA-managed checkpoints. This act mandates that these operations comply with security screening standards outlined in federal regulations and requires the TSA Administrator to revise rules and policies to ensure compliance.

The LEOSA Reform Act amends title 18 of the US Code to modify the Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990, and to improve the Law Enforcement Officer Safety Act regarding where qualified law enforcement officers can carry firearms, what constitutes ammunition, and who can provide firearms training and certification. It allows qualified current and retired law enforcement officers to carry firearms in certain federal facilities and updates firearm training standards.

The "Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act" enables individuals with valid concealed carry permits or the legal right to carry concealed firearms in their home state to do so across state lines, provided they are not federally prohibited from possessing firearms and carry a valid photo ID. This law respects private and state/local government restrictions on firearms, protects individuals from unwarranted arrest, and allows legal action for violations of these rights. It also permits concealed carry in National Parks and other federal lands open to the public and clarifies that handguns include magazines and ammunition.

The "Brake for Kids Act of 2025" directs the Secretary of Transportation to launch a national public safety campaign educating the public on the dangers of illegally passing stopped school buses. This campaign will utilize various media platforms, including television, radio, and social media, and will be funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The goal is to raise awareness and prevent accidents involving children near school buses.

The Firearm Due Process Protection Act aims to protect individuals' Second Amendment rights by ensuring due process in firearm-related matters. It allows individuals affected by Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act violations to take legal action, shifting the burden of proof to the government to justify denying firearm ownership. Additionally, it mandates the FBI to provide annual reports to Congress on the challenges to the accuracy of NICS records. The Act reinforces the importance of due process in protecting the right to bear arms.

The "Let Pregnancy Centers Serve Act of 2025" prohibits federal, state, and local governments receiving federal funds from discriminating against entities that offer support to women facing unexpected pregnancies or provide alternatives to abortion. It allows legal action against those who violate conscience rights related to abortion alternatives and ensures that if one part of the act is deemed unconstitutional, the rest remains valid. This bill aims to protect organizations that do not participate in abortions and provide resources related to pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting.

The Air America Act of 2025 authorizes the Director of the CIA to award payments to former employees of Air America and affiliated companies who supported the U.S. government between 1950 and 1976, or to their survivors. Eligible individuals or their survivors could receive up to $40,000 for five years of qualifying service, with additional amounts for longer service, with a cap on total awards at $60 million. The Act establishes application procedures, limitations on attorney fees, and prohibits judicial review of the Director's decisions, while also requiring regular reports to Congress on the status of the award payments. This act does not qualify anyone for federal benefits like retirement, disability, or death benefits.

This bill designates the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Toms River, New Jersey, as the "Leonard G. 'Bud' Lomell, VA Clinic" in honor of World War II hero Leonard G. Bud Lomell. Lomell was a D-Day veteran who received the Distinguished Service Cross, Purple Heart, and Silver Star for his courageous service. He was also the first director of the Ocean County Veterans Service Bureau and a respected member of the Toms River community.

The "Shifting Limits on Thresholds Act of 2025" or the "SLOT Act of 2025" amends the Internal Revenue Code, increasing the tax reporting threshold for slot machine winnings to $5,000 from a single play. This threshold will be adjusted for inflation after 2026. These changes apply to payments made after December 31, 2025.

The Major Richard Star Act allows eligible combat-disabled veterans to receive both their retirement pay and disability compensation. This eliminates the previous offset that reduced retirement pay for those receiving disability compensation. The changes apply to payments beginning the month after enactment.

The HELPER Act of 2025 amends the National Housing Act to establish an FHA mortgage insurance program for first responders, including law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics, EMTs, and teachers. This program allows the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to insure mortgages up to 100% of the appraised value for eligible first-time homebuyers, waiving down payment requirements but requiring an up-front mortgage insurance premium. Mortgagors must meet specific eligibility criteria, including being a first-time homebuyer, completing a housing counseling program, and meeting employment and good standing requirements as a first responder. The bill authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 2026 through 2032 and requires reauthorization of the program after 5 years.

The "Children's Hospital GME Support Reauthorization Act of 2025" extends funding for graduate medical education programs at children's hospitals through 2030. It stipulates that hospitals providing gender-altering procedures and drugs to minors will not receive payments, defining these procedures while providing specific exceptions. The act allocates \$124,000,000 and \$261,000,000 for each fiscal year from 2026 through 2030 and defines "sex" as determined at birth.

The "Credit for Caring Act of 2025" introduces a tax credit for eligible working family caregivers to help offset expenses related to caring for a qualified spouse or relative with long-term care needs. This credit covers 30% of qualified expenses over $2,000, with a maximum credit of $5,000, and includes costs for assistance, technology, home modifications, transportation, and respite care. The credit is reduced for higher-income taxpayers and adjusted for inflation after 2025 and goes into effect after 2024.

The "Rights for the Transportation Security Administration Workforce Act" mandates the transition of TSA personnel management systems to align with Title 5 of the U.S. Code, ensuring TSA employees receive similar rights and protections as other federal employees, including collective bargaining rights. It protects current pay and benefits during the transition, requires consultation with employee representatives, and addresses concerns related to employee well-being, safety, and diversity. The Act also calls for reports and plans to improve recruitment, address workplace harassment, and update background check requirements.

The 25th Anniversary of 9/11 Commemorative Coin Act directs the Treasury Secretary to produce gold and silver coins to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the National September 11 Memorial and Museum. The coins' designs will represent the courage and resilience of those affected, with at least one coin bearing the inscription "Never Forget." Surcharges from the sale of these coins will be donated to the National September 11 Memorial and Museum to support its operations and maintenance. The Act ensures that the coin production does not create any net cost to the Federal Government.