Legislative Activity

The Safeguarding Medicaid Act mandates that all applicants and recipients of Medicaid across all states and territories must undergo asset testing, removing existing exemptions for age, blindness, or disability. This legislation requires states to incorporate resource eligibility checks alongside income verification for most applicants, with limited exceptions for continuous coverage groups. Furthermore, the bill establishes federal tracking of savings resulting from these new asset verification requirements and mandates regular public reporting from states on their eligibility review processes.

The Forest Conservation Easement Program Act of 2025 establishes a comprehensive new program to restructure forest conservation easements under existing farm law. This Act creates two primary easement types: Forest Land Easements for working forests and Forest Reserve Easements for species protection. The bill also repeals the existing Healthy Forests Reserve Program but ensures all prior agreements under that program remain fully honored. Funding is authorized through 2029 to support sustainable forest management and habitat restoration across eligible private and tribal lands.

The Fair and Open Competition Act (FOCA Act) ensures fair competition on federally funded construction projects by prohibiting the government from mandating or barring contractors from entering into agreements with labor unions. This promotes open bidding, reduces taxpayer costs, and prevents discrimination based on union membership. The law requires federal agencies to remain neutral regarding project labor agreements for both direct contracts and federal grants.

This bill extends the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) through December 31, 2026. It specifically pushes back both the program's funding authority and its overall expiration date. This action ensures the continued operation and financing of the NFIP for an additional three years.

The Choice in Automobile Retail Sales Act of 2025 repeals the EPA's recent multi-pollutant emissions standards for light-duty and medium-duty vehicles. Furthermore, this Act prohibits the EPA from issuing future tailpipe emission regulations that mandate specific technologies or limit the availability of new motor vehicles based on engine type. The EPA must update existing rules within 24 months to comply with these new restrictions.

The SAFE Orbit Act establishes the framework for the Department of Commerce to manage civil space situational awareness and space traffic coordination. This involves gathering and publicly sharing unclassified data on objects in orbit while providing basic services for free. The bill also elevates the existing Office of Space Commerce into a new, directly reporting Bureau led by a Senate-confirmed Assistant Secretary. Finally, it grants liability protection to government entities and contractors involved in providing or receiving this space traffic information.

The End Taxpayer Funding of Gender Experimentation Act of 2025 prohibits the use of any federal money for gender transition procedures, including for federal employees and at federal facilities. This ban also extends to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace, preventing individuals from using federal premium tax credits or cost-sharing reductions to cover plans that include these procedures. The law strictly defines "gender transition procedures" while excluding treatments for certain disorders of sex development or procedures necessary to prevent imminent death.

The Freedom to Haul Act of 2025 prohibits the EPA from implementing or enforcing the Phase 3 heavy-duty vehicle emission rules. Furthermore, the bill prevents the EPA from issuing tailpipe emission regulations that mandate specific technologies or limit the availability of new motor vehicles based on engine type. This ensures manufacturers retain flexibility in meeting pollution standards.

The Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act of 2025 amends the Clean Air Act to prohibit states from receiving waivers to set new vehicle emission standards that restrict the sale or use of new cars with internal combustion engines. This legislation invalidates any existing or future state standards that directly or indirectly limit traditional gasoline-powered vehicles. Furthermore, the bill mandates the revocation of any previously granted waivers that conflict with this new restriction.

The Scientific EXPERT Act of 2025 establishes a formal process for externally led, science-focused drug development meetings (ELSFDD) aimed at accelerating treatments for rare diseases. These meetings will bring together researchers, patient groups, and industry experts to resolve complex scientific hurdles in drug development and trial design. An independent Foundation will organize these sessions, and the FDA must participate and publicly report on how the resulting scientific input influences final drug approval decisions.

This bill ensures that veterans have the option to receive and submit a physical, paper copy of the VA travel reimbursement form (Form 10-3452) by mail or at any VA medical facility. It mandates that the Department of Veterans Affairs must provide these physical copies upon request to accommodate veterans who cannot or prefer not to use digital submission methods. This guarantees accessible avenues for veterans seeking reimbursement for travel expenses related to their VA care.

This resolution supports the Local Radio Freedom Act, opposing any new performance fees on local radio stations for playing music. It emphasizes the mutually beneficial relationship between the radio and recording industries, where radio provides free publicity and essential local services. The resolution warns that new fees would harm local radio stations, small businesses, and the communities they serve. Ultimately, it asserts that Congress should not impose any new charges on local radio for broadcasting sound recordings.

The Disaster Management Costs Modernization Act allows the President to redirect excess funds from disaster relief grants towards preparedness and mitigation activities. These excess funds, defined as the difference between the allocated and actual spending on management costs, can be used to enhance disaster resilience and cover management expenses related to disaster preparedness. The bill mandates a report to Congress on the adequacy of current management cost allocations based on recent disaster experiences. This act aims to optimize the use of disaster relief funds and improve community resilience.

This resolution designates February 27, 2025, as "Rare Disease Day" to raise awareness, encourage early diagnosis, and support research for the thousands of rare diseases affecting millions of Americans. It acknowledges the progress made through the Orphan Drug Act and FDA approvals, while also highlighting the significant unmet needs in treatment and research for rare diseases. The resolution supports ongoing efforts to develop effective treatments, diagnostics, and cures.

The Pay Our Coast Guard Act ensures that Coast Guard members receive equitable pay and benefits compared to other Armed Forces. Crucially, it establishes automatic appropriations to continue paying active and essential civilian personnel during a funding lapse that specifically affects only the Coast Guard while the Department of Defense remains funded. This measure guarantees essential operational continuity and support for service members and their families during such shutdowns.

The "Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act" streamlines the Medicaid and CHIP enrollment process for out-of-state providers, allowing them to furnish services to individuals under 21 more efficiently. By reducing excessive screening and enrollment requirements, the bill aims to improve access to care for children. Enrolled providers will have a 5-year enrollment period, and the changes will take effect three years after enactment.

This resolution celebrates Black History Month, acknowledging the historical injustices and significant contributions of African Americans to the United States. It recognizes Black History Month as a time for reflection, commemoration, and learning from the past. The resolution encourages the celebration of Black History Month and emphasizes the importance of moving forward as a united nation with liberty and justice for all.

The "Broadband Buildout Accountability Act" shields the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program from the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), with a specific exception for 5 U.S. Code § 552, to balance transparency and program efficiency.

This joint resolution nullifies the Environmental Protection Agency's rule regarding national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants in rubber tire manufacturing. By disapproving the rule, the resolution prevents the EPA from enforcing stricter emission standards in the rubber tire manufacturing industry.

The Leveling the Playing Field 2.0 Act enhances U.S. trade laws to counteract unfair trade practices by foreign countries. It strengthens the ability of the International Trade Commission to address successive instances of unfair trade, expands countervailing duty authority, and prevents duty evasion. The Act also counters currency undervaluation and sets clear guidelines for implementation and applicability.