Legislative Activity

The Barriers to Suicide Act of 2025 establishes a new grant program through the Department of Transportation to fund the installation of suicide deterrents like nets and barriers at high-risk locations such as bridges and rail stations. The bill also amends existing law to explicitly allow National Highway System funds to be used for these safety barriers on bridges. Finally, it mandates a study on the effectiveness of suicide prevention measures for structures other than bridges.

The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2025 aims to streamline and modernize the prior authorization process within Medicare Advantage plans. This bill mandates the adoption of electronic prior authorization systems and significantly increases transparency regarding approval rates and decision times starting in 2027. Furthermore, it establishes new enrollee protections and grants the Secretary authority to enforce faster decision timeframes for medical services.

The DeOndra Dixon INCLUDE Project Act of 2025 establishes a comprehensive, federally coordinated research program focused on Down syndrome, managed by the NIH. This initiative, the INCLUDE Project, mandates research across the lifespan, focusing on co-occurring conditions like Alzheimer's, improving clinical trial inclusion, and investigating underlying biology. The Act requires regular reporting to Congress on all funded research to ensure coordination and maximize impact on the quality of life for individuals with Down syndrome.

This resolution strongly condemns Hamas for its premeditated and brutal terrorist attacks against Israel on October 7, 2023. It details the resulting casualties and the ongoing hostage crisis, emphasizing the severe mistreatment of those held captive. The bill demands that Hamas immediately release all remaining hostages and allow them safe return.

The Water Affordability, Transparency, Equity, and Reliability Act of 2025 establishes a dedicated federal Trust Fund, financed by an increase in the corporate tax rate, to support water infrastructure and affordability programs nationwide. The bill mandates a comprehensive EPA report analyzing water affordability, civil rights compliance, and public participation in water planning. It also significantly increases funding for household water well systems and revises state revolving loan fund rules to expand eligible projects, including lead line replacement and PFAS contamination cleanup. Finally, the Act creates new job training grants for the water sector and enhances drinking water assistance for colonias.

The Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act mandates that group health plans and insurance policies provide comprehensive coverage for medically necessary treatment related to congenital anomalies or birth defects affecting the eyes, ears, teeth, mouth, or jaw. This coverage must include services needed to restore normal function and appearance, including necessary dental and orthodontic support. Plans must apply cost-sharing rules no more restrictive than those for other medical benefits, excluding purely cosmetic procedures.

The ACES Act mandates a comprehensive study by the National Academies to investigate the prevalence and mortality rates of various cancers among active duty fixed-wing aircraft crew members due to potential service-related exposures. This legislation also extends the expiration date for certain limitations on veteran pension payments by one month. The study will analyze specific cancer types and utilize data from the VA, DoD, and other federal sources.

The PFAS Alternatives Act aims to protect firefighters by funding research and development for next-generation turnout gear that eliminates harmful PFAS chemicals. The bill establishes grants through NIOSH to create safer, PFAS-free protective equipment and separate funding for training programs on the proper care of this new gear. Ultimately, this legislation seeks to reduce occupational illness and injury among fire and EMS personnel.

The Assault Weapons Ban of 2025 comprehensively defines and bans the manufacture, sale, and transfer of specific semiautomatic assault weapons and large capacity ammunition feeding devices. The bill grandfathers existing weapons but imposes new requirements for their secure storage and mandates dealer involvement for future private transfers. It also allows federal grant money to be used by states for buy-back programs targeting these banned items.

The Better CARE for Animals Act of 2025 significantly strengthens enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act by clarifying definitions and expanding the scope of investigations. It grants the Attorney General explicit authority to file civil actions seeking penalties up to $10,000 per day, and mandates that collected fines help cover temporary animal care costs. The bill also requires the Secretary of Agriculture and the Attorney General to establish a formal agreement for coordinated enforcement.

The Equality Act comprehensively expands federal civil rights protections against discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity across key areas of American life. It amends existing laws to prohibit discrimination in public accommodations, housing, credit, employment, and federal funding. The purpose of the bill is to provide consistent, explicit, and comprehensive remedies for individuals facing bias in these essential sectors.

The Agriculture Resilience Act of 2025 establishes aggressive national goals for the agricultural sector to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, mandating rapid changes in farming practices, research funding, and land management. It significantly reforms federal conservation and insurance programs to prioritize soil health, climate adaptation, and the development of resilient food systems. The bill also boosts support for on-farm renewable energy, strengthens local food infrastructure, and standardizes food labeling to reduce waste. Overall, it directs substantial federal resources toward transforming agriculture to meet ambitious climate targets while supporting farmers through new incentives and research.

The West Bank Violence Prevention Act of 2025 declares extreme settler violence and displacement in the West Bank a threat to U.S. national security interests. This Act mandates the President to impose sanctions, including asset freezes and visa bans, on foreign individuals responsible for undermining peace and stability in the region. The Treasury Department must report to Congress on the implementation of these sanctions every 90 days.

The Ukraine Support Act formally declares unwavering U.S. support for Ukraine's sovereignty, condemns Russian aggression, and establishes mechanisms for economic recovery and security assistance. The bill mandates severe, contingent sanctions and export controls against Russia if its aggression continues. Furthermore, it extends and modifies security assistance authorities, including loan and lease programs, while increasing oversight through required reporting to Congress.

The Closing the Bump Stock Loophole Act of 2025 seeks to amend federal gun laws by banning devices and modifications that significantly increase the rate of fire of semiautomatic firearms, effectively treating them like machineguns. The bill specifically prohibits the manufacture, sale, or possession of such accessories and modified firearms after 120 days of enactment. Existing owners of previously modified firearms must register them under the National Firearms Act within that same timeframe to legally keep them.

The American Family Act fundamentally overhauls the Child Tax Credit by replacing the annual lump sum with a system of advance, refundable monthly payments delivered directly to families. These monthly allowances vary based on the child's age, with higher amounts provided for younger children. The bill also establishes a separate, smaller credit for other dependents and outlines procedures for annual renewal and reconciliation of advance payments when filing taxes.

The PEER Support Act aims to formally recognize and strengthen the profession of peer support specialists who use their lived experience to help others in recovery. The bill establishes a new Office of Recovery within SAMHSA, led by an individual with lived recovery experience. Furthermore, it mandates the official classification of peer support specialist roles in the federal job system and directs a review of state criminal background check processes for these specialists.

The Raise the Wage Act of 2025 establishes a phased increase of the federal minimum wage, culminating in a \$17.00 per hour rate five years after enactment, followed by automatic annual adjustments tied to median wage growth. This bill also phases out the lower minimum wage for tipped employees and workers under 20, ensuring they eventually earn the standard federal minimum wage. Furthermore, it sets a schedule to eliminate subminimum wages for individuals with disabilities and prohibits the issuance of new special certificates allowing for lower pay.

This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that paraprofessionals and education support staff deserve fair compensation, comprehensive benefits, and improved working conditions. It highlights the critical role these essential workers play in supporting millions of students nationwide. Ultimately, the bill calls for livable wages, job security, safe workplaces, and meaningful input into school policies for these staff members.

The Ellie Helton, Lisa Colagrossi, Kristen Shafer Englert, Teresa Anne Lawrence, and Jennifer Sedney Focused Research Act, or "Ellies Law," addresses the high incidence and devastating impact of brain aneurysms in the U.S. The bill authorizes $20 million annually from Fiscal Year 2026 through 2030 for the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). This dedicated funding is specifically intended to supplement existing research efforts focused on unruptured intracranial aneurysms across diverse populations.