Legislative Activity

The SHINE for Autumn Act of 2025 aims to significantly improve federal support for state-level stillbirth research and data collection. It authorizes grants for states to enhance surveillance, track risk factors, and build local capacity for analyzing stillbirth data, provided the information remains de-identified. Furthermore, the bill mandates the development of standardized guidelines and educational materials regarding stillbirth awareness and risk factors, developed in consultation with experts and bereaved families.

The Prevent Youth Suicide Act mandates that schools serving grades 6 through 12 establish comprehensive, evidence-based suicide prevention and postvention protocols to maintain federal funding. These rules require biennial staff training, clear referral systems for at-risk students, and the adoption of a trauma-informed approach. The Secretary of Education is tasked with creating these regulations, providing resources, and monitoring compliance.

This Act addresses the unjust detention of U.S. nationals and their family members by the People's Republic of China. It mandates the development of a diplomatic action plan by the Secretary of State to secure releases and hold accountable Chinese officials responsible for these detentions. Furthermore, the bill calls for increased reporting to Congress and outlines specific policy actions to condemn China's use of detention and exit bans as leverage.

The Delivering Digitally to Our Veterans Act of 2025 modernizes how the Department of Veterans Affairs communicates with veterans by expanding outreach methods beyond traditional calling and mail to include texts and electronic messaging. This legislation specifically updates the Solid Start program and allows veterans to opt-in for digital correspondence regarding their educational assistance benefits. Additionally, the Act extends the expiration date for certain existing limits on pension payments.

The Medical Student Education Authorization Act of 2025 establishes a new federal grant program to bolster primary healthcare in medically underserved communities. This funding, administered by HRSA, will support public medical colleges that train students committed to practicing in high-need areas like rural or Tribal regions. Grants will focus on developing community-based training, increasing faculty capacity, and providing direct student support to improve the primary care workforce pipeline.

This constitutional amendment seeks to grant Congress and the states the authority to regulate contributions and expenditures in political campaigns. It specifically allows for the establishment of public financing systems to offset the influence of private money in elections. The amendment ensures that any regulations enacted must not infringe upon the freedom of the press.

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 **988 LGBTQ+ Youth Access Act of 2025** addresses the high rates of suicide risk among LGBTQ youth by strengthening specialized support through the national crisis hotline. This bill mandates that dedicated resources and services, such as a specific dialing option, must be maintained for LGBTQ individuals contacting 988. Furthermore, it requires that at least 9 percent of appropriated funds for the hotline be specifically reserved to ensure these specialized services for LGBTQ youth remain fully operational.

The Fusion Advanced Manufacturing Parity Act amends the existing advanced manufacturing production credit to specifically include components used for fusion energy. This provides a temporary 25% tax credit on the sale price of qualifying fusion energy components, beginning after 2025. The credit is scheduled to phase out completely by the end of 2034. The bill also expands the list of eligible materials qualifying for the broader advanced manufacturing credit.

The HUD-USDA-VA Interagency Coordination Act mandates that the Departments of Housing and Urban Development, Agriculture, and Veterans Affairs formally agree to share relevant housing research and market data. This legislation requires the three agencies to submit a joint report to Congress detailing plans for improving interagency coordination on housing programs. Before submission, the proposed coordination plan must undergo a 30-day public review period.

The Stop CMV Act of 2025 aims to establish a national framework for screening newborns for congenital Cytomegalovirus (CMV). This legislation authorizes federal funding for states to implement testing programs and improve data collection systems related to CMV. Furthermore, the bill mandates the expansion of research efforts through the NIH to improve CMV diagnostics, prevention, and treatment.

The Financial Exploitation Prevention Act of 2025 allows registered investment companies to temporarily postpone the redemption of securities for "specified adults" if they reasonably suspect financial exploitation is occurring. This measure requires companies to collect emergency contact information for these accounts and establish internal procedures for handling potential exploitation cases. The Act mandates the SEC to report to Congress with recommendations for further legislative changes to protect vulnerable security holders.

The FAMILY Act establishes a national Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance program administered by a new office within the Social Security Administration. This program provides monthly benefits to eligible individuals who take time off for qualified caregiving reasons, including serious health conditions or victims of violence. The Act also sets forth detailed eligibility requirements, benefit calculation formulas, and job protection guarantees for employees utilizing the leave. Finally, it creates a funding mechanism to support existing state-level paid leave programs that meet federal standards.

The Dam Assessment and Mitigation Support (DAMS) Act updates the National Dam Safety Program by removing an outdated rule for dam rehabilitation and standardizing how states prioritize repairs for high-hazard dams. This legislation requires states to adopt the federal risk-based system if they lack their own, and it extends federal funding authorization for the program through 2031.

The Credit Access and Inclusion Act of 2025 aims to improve consumer credit profiles by allowing more on-time rent, utility, and telecom payments to be reported to credit agencies. This change permits landlords and service providers to share positive payment history, potentially boosting credit scores for responsible consumers. Consumers retain the right to opt-out of this expanded reporting. The bill also mandates a GAO study on the impact of this new data on consumer credit scores.

The Saving the American Dream Act mandates that key federal housing agencies collaborate to share research and data through a formal agreement. This legislation requires these agencies to jointly submit a comprehensive report to Congress outlining policy solutions for improving housing finance coordination, reducing mortgage costs, and addressing barriers to new home construction. The goal is to ensure federal housing policy is based on coordinated, evidence-based analysis.

The Pay Our Troops Act of 2026 ensures that active duty military personnel and essential civilian support staff continue to receive their pay if Congress has not yet passed the full budget for fiscal year 2026. This act provides automatic continuing appropriations from the Treasury to prevent a lapse in military salaries due to budget delays. The funding automatically terminates once a new budget or continuing resolution is passed, or on January 1, 2027, whichever comes first.

This resolution formally recognizes and celebrates the 180th anniversary of the United States Naval Academy. It honors the institution's history, its mission to instill honor and courage in future leaders, and the significant achievements of its distinguished alumni. Congress reaffirms its commitment to supporting the Academy as it continues to prepare leaders for the Navy and Marine Corps.

The Territorial Response and Access to Veterans’ Essential Lifecare (TRAVEL) Act of 2025 authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to assign existing physicians as traveling doctors to provide essential healthcare services in U.S. territories and possessions for up to one year. These traveling physicians will receive special relocation or retention bonuses in addition to their regular salary. Furthermore, the bill extends the expiration date for certain limits on veterans' pension payments until December 31, 2032.

This bill authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to acquire or build a new, cloud-based inventory management system for VHA medical facilities. Before implementation, a pilot program must be conducted, and a detailed modernization report must be submitted to Congress. Additionally, the Act extends the expiration date for certain limits on veterans' pension payments until the end of 2032.