Legislative Activity

The Restore Trust in Congress Act establishes strict new rules prohibiting Members of Congress and their immediate families from owning or trading specific financial assets, referred to as "covered investments," while in office. Covered individuals must divest existing prohibited holdings within a set timeframe or face significant financial penalties, including fines and forfeiture of profits. The legislation aims to eliminate conflicts of interest arising from personal financial trading while serving in federal office.

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 resolution expresses the strong support of Congress for designating September 22nd as "National Military and Veterans Suicide Awareness Day." The goal is to formally recognize the sacrifices of service members and veterans while raising crucial awareness about the mental health challenges and suicide risks they face. By establishing this day, the resolution aims to reduce stigma and encourage greater focus on providing necessary support and resources to this population.

The Safeguarding the Use of the National Guard Act (SUN Act) enhances Congressional oversight of the President's domestic deployment of National Guard and reserve forces. It requires the President to submit a detailed report to Congress within 15 days outlining the legal justification, goals, costs, and impact of any domestic deployment. This reporting requirement is waived only when reserve forces are deployed specifically following a Presidential declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Act for a natural disaster.

The Shielding Students from Wildfire Smoke Act directs the EPA to commission a comprehensive study on how K-12 schools and childcare facilities currently manage wildfire smoke exposure for children. This review will assess existing policies, identify gaps in protection, and recommend actionable strategies to Congress for improving safeguards, especially for resource-limited settings.

The High Occupancy Vehicle Lane Exemption Reauthorization Act extends the federal regulations governing High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) facilities. Specifically, this bill pushes back the expiration date for these existing HOV facility rules from September 30, 2025, to September 30, 2031. This ensures the current federal guidelines remain in effect for an additional six years.

The Reproductive Rights are Human Rights Act of 2025 establishes that reproductive rights are fundamental human rights based on international commitments. This bill mandates that the State Department must include a detailed, required section on the status of reproductive rights in every country within its annual human rights reports. These reports must cover access to contraception, abortion services, and instances of reproductive coercion or discrimination against marginalized groups. The Act aims to ensure robust U.S. monitoring and accountability regarding global reproductive health and autonomy.

The Reproductive Freedom for Veterans Act mandates that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) must now provide abortion care, counseling, and related medication as part of the medical services offered to eligible veterans and certain other beneficiaries. This legislation formally amends existing VA health care provisions to include these reproductive health services.

The Protecting Health Care and Lowering Costs Act of 2025 repeals specific prior reconciliation health provisions. This bill significantly expands eligibility for the Premium Tax Credit by eliminating the 400% Federal Poverty Level income cap. It also updates the subsidy calculation formula to ensure a smoother, linear adjustment of assistance across various income levels.

The EATS Act of 2025 significantly updates eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by removing previous restrictions that often disqualified students. This legislation explicitly includes bona fide students enrolled at least half-time in recognized educational programs as eligible participants for food assistance. These changes take effect on January 2, 2026.

The Keep USGS Strong Act ensures the continued vital scientific work of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) by exempting it from federal hiring freezes and workforce reduction mandates. This legislation recognizes the USGS's critical role in monitoring natural hazards, managing water resources, and providing essential scientific data for public safety and resource management. The bill protects current staffing levels and property leases, safeguarding the agency's ability to serve the nation.

This bill, the National Fire Academy Reporting Act, mandates that the Administrator of the National Academy for Fire Prevention and Control submit an annual report to Congress. This report must detail the courses and programs offered, including attendance breakdowns by department type and firefighter status. It also requires specific reporting on course cancellations and the allocation of financial assistance and student aid.

The EACH Act of 2025 aims to ensure equal access to abortion coverage by requiring all federally funded health programs and facilities to cover abortion services. This legislation prohibits federal interference with state or private insurance coverage of abortion and repeals Section 1303 of the Affordable Care Act. Ultimately, the bill seeks to eliminate financial and insurance barriers to abortion care, particularly for low-income individuals relying on programs like Medicaid.

The Ally's Act mandates that certain private health insurance plans must cover auditory implant devices, related supplies, and necessary services for qualifying individuals. This coverage must be comparable to other medical and surgical benefits regarding cost-sharing and treatment limitations. Furthermore, plans cannot deny coverage if a physician or qualified audiologist determines the required hearing items or services are medically necessary. These new requirements take effect for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.

The Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2025 enhances efforts to combat human trafficking both within the United States and internationally. The act focuses on prevention education, survivor support, and international cooperation, while increasing funding authorizations for key anti-trafficking programs. It prioritizes resources for areas with high trafficking rates, improves data collection, and ensures that foreign assistance aligns with counter-trafficking goals. This legislation aims to protect vulnerable populations, empower survivors, and hold perpetrators accountable.

The Supporting Upgraded Property Projects and Lending for Yards (SUPPLY) Act establishes a new federal insurance program, managed by HUD, to specifically back second mortgages used for financing the construction of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). This legislation also directs the FHFA to allow Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to purchase and securitize these newly insured ADU construction loans, subject to risk oversight. The goal is to increase the availability of financing for property owners looking to add secondary housing units.

The Preservation and Reinvestment Initiative for Community Enhancement Act (PRICE Act) establishes a new competitive grant program to improve manufactured housing communities serving low- and moderate-income residents. These funds can be used for essential infrastructure repairs, resident health and safety upgrades, and community enhancement projects. Priority will be given to projects that ensure the long-term affordability and stability of the housing.

The Veteran Burial Timeliness and Death Certificate Accountability Act addresses significant delays in obtaining death certificates for veterans who die from natural causes, often due to VA medical staff delays. This bill mandates that VA medical providers must certify a veteran's death within 48 hours or allow the local medical examiner to step in. Furthermore, the VA must annually report on its compliance with this new timely certification requirement.

This bill establishes new pilot projects and a dedicated program to significantly improve subseasonal to seasonal forecasts for atmospheric rivers, which are crucial for water management in the West. The legislation directs NOAA to advance the science behind these moisture-laden storms, focusing on better modeling for mountainous terrain and storm track prediction. The ultimate goal is to create more accurate, actionable forecasts and warnings to reduce the damage caused by these major weather events.

This bill officially designates the United States Postal Service facility located at 1157 West Mission Avenue in Escondido, California, as the "Captain E. Royce Williams Post Office Building." The legislation ensures that all federal records and documents will henceforth use this new official name for the location.