Legislative Activity

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.

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.

This resolution formally commemorates the invaluable service of the Marquis de Lafayette to the United States during the Revolutionary War and recognizes the bicentennial of his farewell tour. It celebrates his military bravery, crucial diplomatic efforts that secured French support, and lifelong commitment to liberty. The bill serves as a formal expression of national gratitude for his foundational role in securing American independence.

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 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 Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act limits how consumer reporting agencies can share a consumer's report when it is requested in connection with a residential mortgage loan. Reports can only be shared with entities directly involved in the consumer's current mortgage or those providing a firm offer of credit or insurance. The Act also mandates a study by the GAO regarding the use and impact of "trigger leads" derived from credit checks.

The Agriculture Skills Preparation for Industry Recruitment Efforts (ASPIRE) Act establishes a new grant program managed by the Secretary of Agriculture to fund specialized workforce training in agriculture. These grants will enable eligible schools to partner with industry to develop hands-on programs, internships, and technical workshops. The goal is to enhance the agricultural workforce by ensuring training directly meets industry needs and supports worker recruitment.

The Stop the Rate Hikes Act limits electric utilities to requesting a retail rate increase only once per year. This measure aims to provide consumers with greater stability by restricting how frequently utility companies can seek to raise electricity rates.

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 Federal Receivership Fairness Act grants courts the authority to determine the tax liability of a receivership estate, streamlining the resolution of tax disputes during court-supervised asset management. This allows the appointing court to settle federal, state, and local tax issues owed by the estate, with specific exceptions for previously adjudicated matters. The bill outlines procedures for receivers to request tax determinations and clarifies the government's waiver of sovereign immunity regarding these rulings.

The Home Health Stabilization Act of 2025 aims to ensure continued access to Medicare home health services by pausing automatic payment reductions scheduled for 2026 and 2027. This is achieved by mandating a positive adjustment to the standard payment rate to fully offset proposed cuts. Furthermore, the bill clarifies that these temporary payment increases will not negatively impact future rate calculations for providers.

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.

The Uyghur Policy Act of 2025 formally condemns the People's Republic of China's repression and cultural erasure of Uyghurs and other minorities in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. It directs the U.S. government to prioritize protecting Uyghur identity, demanding immediate access to detention facilities, and coordinating international pressure to secure the release of political prisoners. Furthermore, the Act mandates strengthening State Department efforts, including Uyghur language training and public diplomacy funding, to counter transnational harassment and raise global awareness of these human rights abuses.

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.

This Act prohibits discrimination against individuals based on disability or age in federal jury service. It amends federal law to ensure that a disability cannot be used as a basis for exclusion from a jury unless the individual cannot perform the essential functions of service even with a reasonable accommodation. The legislation updates existing jury qualification standards to reflect this nondiscrimination principle.

This bill establishes a new grant program administered by the Secretary of Agriculture to help specialty crop producers become more competitive. These grants will assist eligible entities in purchasing advanced mechanized or automated equipment and providing necessary training for its use. Recipients must provide matching funds equal to at least 50 percent of the total project cost. The covered technology ranges widely, including harvesting tools, sorting machinery, traceability systems, and advanced IoT and robotic equipment.

The SkyFoundry Act of 2025 establishes a new program managed by the Department of the Army to rapidly develop, test, and mass-produce small unmanned aircraft systems (drones). This initiative mandates the creation of an Innovation Hub for R&D and a Production Hub capable of manufacturing one million drones annually. The bill directs the use of expedited contracting methods and leverages domestic manufacturing through the Defense Production Act to ensure rapid fielding of these critical defense systems.

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 Protecting Young Minds Online Act mandates the Center for Mental Health Services to develop and implement a national strategy. This strategy will specifically address the impact of new technologies, such as social media, on the mental health of children. The goal is to equip local communities with the resources needed to manage these effects.

The Train More Nurses Act mandates a comprehensive review of federal grant programs supporting the nursing workforce. The resulting report must provide Congress with specific recommendations to improve these programs. Key goals include increasing nursing faculty, facilitating experienced nurses' transition to teaching, and creating clearer pathways for LPNs to become RNs.