Legislative Activity

The Women Veterans Cancer Care Coordination Act establishes dedicated Regional Breast Cancer and Gynecologic Cancer Care Coordinators within the VA system to streamline care for eligible women veterans receiving community treatment for these cancers. These coordinators will link veterans with VA and community providers, monitor health outcomes, and ensure comprehensive support. Additionally, the bill extends the expiration date for certain limits on veterans' pension payments until September 30, 2032.

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 National Infrastructure Bank Act of 2025 establishes a new, mixed-ownership federal corporation chartered to finance major infrastructure projects across the nation. This legislation authorizes the Bank to raise substantial capital and issue significant loans to spur economic growth while prioritizing projects in disadvantaged communities. Furthermore, the bill grants the Bank and its specific investors favorable tax exemptions to encourage participation and operation.

The Indian Programs Advance Appropriations Act of 2025 establishes a system of advance appropriations for key Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Bureau of Indian Education (BIE), and Indian Health Service (IHS) programs starting in fiscal year 2026. This legislation mandates that budget requests must include forward-looking funding estimates for the subsequent fiscal year to improve agency planning and transparency. Furthermore, the bill requires annual reporting to Congress on resource adequacy for these critical services after consultation with Tribal nations.

The Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act aims to strengthen the U.S. healthcare system by recapturing unused employment-based immigrant visas from 1992 through 2024. This legislation specifically reserves up to 40,000 of these visas for professional nurses and physicians, ensuring they are not subject to annual country caps. The bill also mandates expedited processing for these healthcare professionals without imposing premium processing fees, while requiring employers to attest that hiring these workers will not displace U.S. employees.

The PART Act aims to combat catalytic converter theft by requiring new vehicles to have traceable identifying markers on these parts. It establishes a federal grant program to help entities stamp identifying numbers onto existing converters. Furthermore, the bill imposes strict record-keeping requirements on businesses that buy used converters and creates new federal criminal penalties for stealing or trafficking stolen catalytic converters.

This bill, the ESP, Paraprofessional, and Education Support Staff Family Leave Act, updates eligibility requirements for certain school employees under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). It adjusts how paraprofessionals and education support staff meet the required hours of service by using a percentage of expected monthly hours worked during the school year. Furthermore, the bill mandates clear guidelines for calculating FMLA leave entitlement for these employees to account for non-standard school schedules.

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 Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act aims to integrate Puerto Rico into the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) structure, aligning it with other territories like Guam. The bill mandates a transition period where Puerto Rico must submit a plan of operation to the Secretary of Agriculture for approval to join SNAP. During this transition, existing block grant funding may continue for up to five years while the territory moves toward full participation under federal SNAP rules.

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.

This bill amends current law to mandate the exclusion of the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) when calculating the gross household income for eligible members of the Armed Forces. This change specifically impacts the determination of eligibility for benefits tied to the basic needs allowance. By removing the housing stipend from income calculations, the legislation aims to provide a more accurate assessment of a service member's actual financial need.

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 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 FEMA Act of 2025 establishes the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as an independent, cabinet-level agency to lead a unified, all-hazards approach to national emergency management. The bill enacts sweeping reforms across Public Assistance, Individual Assistance, and Mitigation programs to accelerate recovery, streamline funding, and reduce bureaucratic hurdles for disaster survivors and communities. Furthermore, it mandates significant new transparency measures, including public data reporting and GAO oversight, to ensure accountability for federal disaster spending.

This bill seeks to amend federal law to provide hazard pay for federal employees carrying out prescribed burns and for smokejumpers. It officially recognizes that performing prescribed burns and parachute jumping for firefighting duties involve unusual physical hardship or hazard comparable to fighting active wildfires. The Office of Personnel Management is tasked with implementing the necessary regulations to ensure this hazard pay takes effect promptly.

The Save our Safety-Net Hospitals Act of 2025 modifies how states calculate Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) payments under Medicaid to ensure hospitals receive appropriate supplemental funding. This bill updates eligibility criteria by changing which patient costs are included in the DSH calculation formula. Furthermore, it allows states to use previously unspent federal DSH funds to increase payments for certain past rate years, provided they adhere to existing allotment caps.

The Middle Mile for Rural America Act updates the timeline for expanding essential middle mile internet infrastructure into rural areas. This legislation shifts the designated period for these expansion projects under the Rural Electrification Act from 2018–2023 to the new timeframe of 2026 through 2031. This change ensures continued focus and potential funding for critical rural broadband development in the coming years.

This Act establishes a mandatory supply fee for Medicare drug plans to pay long-term care pharmacies for specific prescriptions dispensed in 2026 and 2027. The bill mandates a $30 fee per prescription in 2026, increasing in 2027, with penalties for non-payment. Additionally, the GAO is required to study the financial sustainability of the current payment structure for these essential pharmacies. This legislation aims to ensure continued access to medications for patients in long-term care settings.

The Counseling for Career Choice Act updates federal education funding to strengthen career guidance and counseling programs in schools. This legislation mandates that these programs align student options with current local workforce needs and requires counselors to provide personalized planning, financial literacy awareness, and exposure to real-world experiences like apprenticeships. Furthermore, the Act encourages strong partnerships between schools and local workforce development boards to ensure students have access to up-to-date career information and support.

The Protecting Health Care and Lowering Costs Act of 2025 repeals specific prior reconciliation health provisions. This bill significantly expands eligibility for the Premium Tax Credit by eliminating the 400% Federal Poverty Level income cap. It also updates the subsidy calculation formula to ensure a smoother, linear adjustment of assistance across various income levels.