Legislative Activity

The Endometriosis CARE Act aims to improve the understanding and management of endometriosis through increased research funding and data collection at the NIH. The bill also mandates studies to identify barriers to treatment access and requires the development of public education campaigns and provider information resources. Furthermore, it calls for a comprehensive study on disparities in endometriosis prevalence, detection, and treatment outcomes.

The Federal Food Administration Act of 2025 establishes a new independent agency, the Federal Food Administration, within the Department of Health and Human Services to oversee food safety and nutrition. This Act transfers all food-related regulatory authority from the FDA to this new Administration, led by a Commissioner of Foods. The new agency is mandated to implement a risk-based inspection program for food facilities and promote public health through research and timely action on food products.

This concurrent resolution commends state and local governments for championing reproductive rights as human rights following the overturning of *Roe v. Wade*. It declares that denying abortion care leads to severe health risks and highlights the criminalization of pregnancy outcomes across the U.S. The resolution urges states to repeal abortion restrictions and affirm that reproductive rights are fundamental human rights.

The Our Parks Act aims to increase public access to federal lands by eliminating entrance fees at National Parks and National Wildlife Refuges on all Federal holidays. This legislation directs the Secretary of the Interior to waive any normally charged admission fees on these designated days.

The CARE for First Responders Act expands crisis counseling assistance to include emergency responders and public safety telecommunicators following major disasters. The bill establishes a comprehensive mental health program providing 24/7 confidential support, including a dedicated hotline and peer counseling. Additionally, it creates a grant program to fund mobile crisis units offering on-site mental health services to first responders during disaster response.

The Justice for Breonna Taylor Act aims to prohibit the use of no-knock warrants by federal law enforcement officers, requiring them to announce their presence before entry. Furthermore, it conditions federal funding for state and local law enforcement agencies on their compliance with the same no-knock warrant prohibition. This legislation seeks to increase accountability and safety during warrant executions.

This bill, the Protecting Families from AI Data Center Energy Costs Act, directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to convene a technical conference on strategies to shield residential and small commercial utility customers from rising energy costs driven by large loads like AI data centers. Following the conference, FERC must submit a report to Congress detailing recommendations and best practices. The goal is to ensure utility costs remain manageable for everyday families and small businesses.

This resolution, the RESPECT Resolution, encourages states and localities to adopt best practices to advance equity in the legal cannabis market and repair harms caused by the War on Drugs, especially for communities of color. It recommends specific actions such as expunging past cannabis convictions, creating equitable licensing priorities, and reinvesting tax revenue into affected communities. Furthermore, the bill directs the President to advocate at the United Nations to remove cannabis from international drug control treaties.

The HELP Copays Act requires that financial assistance provided by non-profit organizations and drug manufacturers must count toward a patient's deductible, copayments, and out-of-pocket maximums for prescription drugs. This change ensures that patient assistance dollars directly reduce the amount a patient must pay before their coverage fully kicks in. The legislation specifically applies to specialty drugs and those subject to utilization management. These provisions will take effect for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.

The Make Housing Affordable and Defend Democracy Act aims to increase housing accessibility through several tax incentives while simultaneously rescinding significant funding previously allocated for immigration enforcement. Key provisions establish new tax credits for first-time homebuyers, builders of starter homes, and the conversion of commercial buildings into affordable rentals. Additionally, the bill introduces a Renter Tax Credit for those spending over 30% of their income on rent, with an option for monthly advance payments.

The Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act aims to overhaul immigration detention by establishing mandatory, high standards based on ABA guidelines and increasing transparency through rigorous, unannounced inspections. The bill prohibits the use of private, for-profit detention facilities within three years and ends the mandatory detention of most noncitizens, prioritizing release or community-based alternatives. Furthermore, it establishes new due process rights, including timely custody hearings, a presumption of release, and prohibitions on detaining children or using solitary confinement.

This bill designates the United States Postal Service facility located at 2407 State Route 71, Suite 1, in Spring Lake, New Jersey, as the "James J. Howard Post Office." It ensures that any reference to this facility will officially recognize it as the James J. Howard Post Office.

The Artificial Intelligence Civil Rights Act of 2025 establishes comprehensive federal rules to prevent discrimination caused by automated decision-making systems in critical areas like employment, housing, and credit. It mandates independent safety checks, public reporting for high-risk findings, and clear contractual standards between algorithm creators and users. The law empowers the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and grants individuals a private right of action to enforce these new civil rights protections against algorithmic bias.

This joint resolution authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to arrange unique, one-time displays on the National Mall and the Washington Monument to celebrate the United States Semiquincentennial. It specifically mandates the nightly illumination of the Washington Monument from December 31, 2025, through July 4, 2026. Additionally, it permits special visual displays, including projections, on the Monument for five nights between December 31, 2025, and January 5, 2026. All associated costs must be covered by existing National Park System funds.

This resolution commemorates World AIDS Day and recognizes significant progress made in combating HIV/AIDS globally and domestically through programs like PEPFAR and the Ryan White Act. It highlights ongoing challenges, particularly disparities in impact, while encouraging continued robust funding for research, prevention, and treatment efforts worldwide. The resolution supports the goal of ending the HIV epidemic by 2030 through zero new transmissions and zero discrimination.

This Act, the "Ban AI Denials in Medicare Act," prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services from implementing the WISeR Model or any substantially similar model that uses prior authorization under traditional Medicare. Furthermore, it amends the authority of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation to prevent the testing of any new model that requires prior authorization for services covered under Medicare Part A or Part B.

The Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act focuses primarily on improving pediatric drug development and ensuring patient access to necessary treatments. This legislation mandates new research requirements for molecularly targeted pediatric cancer drugs, strengthens FDA enforcement of pediatric study completion, and extends incentives for developing drugs for rare pediatric diseases. Additionally, the bill updates organ transplant network functions and establishes an Abraham Accords Office within the FDA to enhance international regulatory cooperation.

This Act, the Fairness for 9/11 Families Technical Fix Act, makes specific adjustments to payment rules within the United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund. It ensures that "Havlish Settling Judgment Creditors"—certain 9/11 victims involved in a specific court settlement—receive previously withheld funds. Furthermore, it guarantees their eligibility for future payments from the Fund, treating them equally with other claimants.

The John Lewis Every Child Deserves a Family Act prohibits discrimination based on religion, sex, or marital status in federally funded child welfare services. This aims to increase the number of stable, family-like placements for children, especially for LGBTQ youth who are overrepresented in foster care. The bill mandates federal guidance, training, and data collection to improve safety and well-being outcomes for all children involved in the system.

The BOOST Act of 2025 establishes a universal adult assistance program providing qualifying U.S. residents aged 19 to 67 with a monthly cash payment of $250, administered by the Social Security Administration. To fund this, the bill simultaneously imposes a new federal income tax of 2.5% on adjusted gross income exceeding $30,000 for individuals or $60,000 for joint filers. These assistance payments are explicitly excluded from being counted as income for federal benefit or tax purposes.