Legislative Activity

The Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act restructures and updates the existing Marine Debris Act to enhance NOAA's ability to fund marine debris projects. This legislation also modifies the structure and expands the scope of the Marine Debris Foundation, explicitly including outreach and funding opportunities for Indian Tribes. Finally, the Act reauthorizes the marine debris program through fiscal year 2029 and standardizes key definitions within the law.

This joint resolution expresses Congress's disapproval of a recent rule issued by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) concerning adherence to the text of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). By invoking the Congressional Review Act, this resolution immediately nullifies the proposed HHS policy. Consequently, the new rule regarding APA adherence will have no legal effect.

The Schedules That Work Act aims to provide employees, particularly those in retail, food service, and warehouse sectors, with greater stability and predictability in their work hours. It grants employees the right to request schedule changes for caregiving, education, or other needs, and requires employers to discuss these requests in good faith. Furthermore, the Act mandates advance notice of schedules, predictability pay for last-minute changes, and a minimum rest period between shifts.

The Sunset Section 230 Act mandates the full repeal of Section 230 of the Communications Act of 1934, effectively removing the liability protections currently afforded to online service providers for user-generated content. The bill includes comprehensive conforming amendments to various federal laws to account for this change. These provisions are set to take effect two years after the date of enactment.

The Part-Time Worker Bill of Rights Act aims to expand protections for part-time and temporary workers. It eliminates the hours-of-service requirement for FMLA leave, making eligibility based only on 90 days of employment. Furthermore, the bill prohibits discrimination against these workers regarding pay, scheduling, and benefits compared to their full-time counterparts. It also mandates that employers must offer available hours to existing employees before hiring new staff.

The Shadow Docket Sunlight Act of 2025 mandates that the Supreme Court provide written explanations and disclose the votes of participating justices for emergency orders concerning preliminary injunctive relief or stays thereof. These explanations must address key legal standards, such as the likelihood of success on the merits and irreparable harm. The bill also establishes a reporting requirement for the Federal Judicial Center to assess compliance with these new transparency measures.

The Essential Caregivers Act of 2025 establishes a resident's right to designate at least one "essential caregiver" who must be granted in-person access to the resident in healthcare facilities, even during periods of restricted visitation. This right is designed to prevent the isolation and decline seen during the COVID-19 pandemic by ensuring family support remains available. Facilities can only deny access under strict, time-limited conditions if the caregiver violates agreed-upon safety protocols.

The FDA Modernization Act 3.0 mandates the FDA to update federal regulations by replacing references to "animal tests" with the broader term "nonclinical tests." This action ensures regulatory consistency following recent legislative changes regarding drug development methods. The required interim final rule will take effect immediately upon publication.

This Act establishes the **Accountability for Federal Law Enforcement Act** to create direct employer liability for federal law enforcement agencies when their officers violate an individual's constitutional or legal rights. It allows civil actions against the United States for officer misconduct, regardless of whether an official policy caused the violation or if the officer has individual immunity. This measure waives sovereign immunity for claims against federal agencies under these circumstances.

This Act amends the charter for the Foundation of the Federal Bar Association to modernize its governance structure. It grants the corporation's bylaws greater authority to define membership, board composition, and officer procedures. The bill also imposes strict financial restrictions, prohibiting political activity and stock issuance, while removing the requirement for the principal office to be located in the District of Columbia.

The Background Check Completion Act of 2025 mandates that a completed background check must occur before any firearm transfer can take place. This law removes the previous "default proceed" provision that allowed transfers after three business days if the check was incomplete. It also updates related federal laws to align with this new, stricter requirement.

The Honor Our Promise to Veterans Act of 2025 is a comprehensive legislative package designed to improve the quality, transparency, and accessibility of veteran healthcare. The bill overhauls the VA’s community care system with stricter oversight and appointment deadlines, while simultaneously strengthening internal operations through enhanced staffing, recruitment, and education initiatives. Additionally, it establishes a long-term framework for modernizing VA infrastructure to ensure facilities are better equipped to meet the evolving needs of all veterans.

This resolution strongly condemns white supremacy, hate, and antisemitism, specifically targeting the promotion of these dangerous ideologies by Nick Fuentes. It further condemns Tucker Carlson and Kevin Roberts for platforming and defending Fuentes's documented antisemitic and Holocaust-denying statements. The resolution affirms the nation's commitment to fighting antisemitism and urges all leaders to reject these hateful views.

The Right to Read Act of 2025 aims to strengthen literacy and information access by defining and supporting "effective school libraries" staffed by certified librarians. It amends federal education law to require states and districts to ensure equitable access to these libraries, culturally diverse materials, and evidence-based reading instruction for all students. The bill also authorizes new funding for literacy programs and establishes national data collection on school library resources. Finally, it provides liability protections for school staff acting on established right-to-read policies and affirms students' First Amendment rights within school libraries.

The ACO Assignment Improvement Act of 2025 aims to enhance beneficiary assignment under the Medicare Shared Savings Program. Beginning in 2026, the bill mandates the inclusion of primary care services provided by nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and clinical nurse specialists when assigning Medicare beneficiaries to an Accountable Care Organization (ACO). This change broadens the scope of providers considered for ACO assignment.

The PBM Price Transparency and Accountability Act aims to increase fairness and oversight in prescription drug pricing across Medicaid and Medicare Part D. It mandates transparent payment models for Medicaid, prohibiting abusive spread pricing by Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs). Additionally, the bill establishes new network access standards for Medicare pharmacies and imposes strict compensation and reporting requirements on PBMs to ensure accountability to Medicare plans.

This resolution celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and recognizes its transformative impact on ensuring a free, appropriate public education for children with disabilities. It honors the millions who have benefited from IDEA and reaffirms commitment to its principles. *Note: The provided text also includes details about a separate "Housing for All" program, which is not addressed in this summary as the primary focus of the resolution appears to be IDEA.*

This Act establishes a process for the FAA to create new rules mandating airline compensation for flight cancellations and significant delays within the airline's control. It requires the formation of a committee to develop recommendations, including specific cash compensation amounts, free rebooking, and coverage for amenities like meals and lodging. The Secretary of Transportation must then issue proposed and interim final rules to implement these passenger protections, including an immediate interim compensation of $750 for airline-caused disruptions.

The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act aims to update and index the Social Security lump sum death payment. This bill sets the fixed payment amount at \$2,900, effective January 1, 2026.

This resolution strongly condemns the Government of Iran for its ongoing, state-sponsored persecution of the Baha'i religious minority. It highlights decades of systematic human rights abuses, including imprisonment, job discrimination, and violence against Baha'is. The resolution urges the Iranian government to immediately release all religious prisoners and reverse discriminatory policies. Furthermore, it calls on the U.S. President and Secretary of State to condemn these actions and utilize existing authorities to impose sanctions on responsible Iranian officials.