United States · United States Congress · 16 September 2025
Pay Our Troops Act of 2026 This bill provides continuing appropriations for military pay for any period during which interim or full-year appropriations for FY2026 are not in effect (i.e., a government shutdown). Specifically, the bill provides FY2026 continuing appropriations for the pay and allowances of (1) members of the Armed Forces, including reserve components, who perform active service during the period; and (2) civilian personnel and contractors of the Department of Defense (and the Department of Homeland Security in the case of the Coast Guard) who are providing support to such members of the Armed Forces. If a government shutdown occurs, the bill provides the continuing appropriations until the earlier of (1) the enactment into law of specified appropriations legislation, or (2) January 1, 2027.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 2025
Ensuring Patient Access to Critical Breakthrough Products Act This bill provides for Medicare coverage of medical devices that are approved under the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Breakthrough Devices Program. (Under the program, manufacturers work with the FDA to expedite the review and approval of certain medical devices that provide for more effective treatment or diagnosis of life-threatening or irreversibly debilitating human diseases or conditions.) The bill allows designated medical breakthrough devices to be temporarily covered under Medicare during a four-year transitional period. Manufacturers must apply to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to receive this designation. Qualifying devices must (1) have received priority review from the FDA, (2) received premarket approval (if applicable) based on clinical data that includes data from Medicare beneficiaries, (3) already generally qualify for Medicare coverage, and (4) not present an undue risk of harm that outweighs potential clinical benefits for Medicare beneficiaries. The CMS must approve or deny applications within six months of receipt and must provide an explanation in the case of a denial. In addition, the CMS must make permanent coverage decisions before the end of the transitional period upon a timely request to do so, as specified. The bill provides funds through FY2030 for the CMS to implement the bill.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 2025
Supporting Early-childhood Educators' Deductions Act of 2025 or the SEED Act of 2025 This bill expands eligibility for the above-the-line federal tax deduction for certain eligible educator expenses to include early childhood educators. (An above-the-line tax deduction is subtracted from gross income to calculate adjusted gross income.) Under current law, kindergarten through grade 12 teachers, instructors, counselors, principals, or aides in schools that provide elementary or secondary education are allowed an above-the-line tax deduction of up to $300 (in 2025 and adjusted annually) for certain unreimbursed professional development and classroom expenses. (Other conditions apply.) The bill expands eligibility for the tax deduction for such educator expenses to include early childhood educators in schools that provide early childhood (pre-kindergarten) education.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 2025
Reforming and Enhancing Sustainable Updates to Laboratory Testing Services Act of 2025 or the RESULTS Act This bill requires the use of particular data from the private sector to inform Medicare payment rates for certain widely available laboratory tests. Specifically, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) must contract with an entity that maintains a database of claims data for clinical diagnostic laboratory tests that (1) are not advanced diagnostic tests, and (2) were furnished by more than 100 providers and suppliers of such services over a specified six-month period (i.e., widely available tests). The database must meet specified requirements, such as having data that is representative of the entire country and from more than 50 private payors and claims administrators. The contracted entity must be a nonprofit entity that is not affiliated with any government agency, any insurance issuer or provider, or any other organization in the health care sector. Beginning January 1, 2028, the CMS must use the information obtained from the database to inform Medicare payment rates for these widely available laboratory tests. The bill additionally specifies processes for determining payment rates for laboratory tests that are not advanced diagnostic tests, are not widely available, and lack adequate claims data. The CMS must use certain existing processes to set appropriate rates. The bill also delays scheduled payment reductions for laboratory tests until 2028 and allows for judicial and administrative review of payment rates.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 2025
Heroes Earned Affordable Lifts Act or the HEAL Act This bill modifies the administration of the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) beneficiary travel benefit available to individuals traveling for vocational rehabilitation, required counseling, or for examination, treatment, or care. The bill increases the mileage reimbursement rate for beneficiary travel to or from VA facilities in connection with vocational rehabilitation, required counseling, or for the purpose of examination, treatment or care. Specifically, the bill raises the rate from 41.5 cents per mile to the rate for a privately owned automobile when no government vehicle is available (currently 70 cents per mile). The bill prohibits the VA from requiring a deductible for beneficiary travel for examination, treatment, or care. The bill also provides that veterans service organizations and veterans service agencies that provide transportation for examinations, treatment, or care to veterans may be allowed expenses of travel upon the same basis as such veteran beneficiaries.
United States · United States Congress · 4 September 2025
Bipartisan Premium Tax Credit Extension Act This bill extends for one year, through 2026, temporary changes enacted by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) and the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) that generally expand eligibility for and increase the amount of the premium tax credit. Currently, eligible taxpayers may be able to claim the premium tax credit, which applies toward the cost of obtaining health insurance through health insurance exchanges. To be eligible for the premium tax credit, a taxpayer’s household income must meet or exceed 100% of the federal poverty level (FPL) and, after 2025, may not exceed 400% of the FPL (maximum income limit). For 2021-2025, the ARPA and IRA eliminated the maximum income limit, which generally expands eligibility for the premium tax credit. Further, under current law, the amount of the premium tax credit is (1) generally the plan premium (conditions apply), minus (2) the taxpayer’s household income multiplied by the applicable percentage. The applicable percentage is a specific percentage that varies depending on which of six income ranges (adjusted for inflation after 2025) the taxpayer’s household income falls within. For 2021-2025, the ARPA and IRA lowered the applicable percentages and eliminated the adjustment of the applicable percentages for inflation, which generally increases the amount of the premium tax credit. The bill extends for one year, through 2026, the elimination of the 400% maximum income limit, the lower applicable percentages, and the elimination of the inflation adjustment for the applicable percentages.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2025
Spotted Lanternfly Research and Development Act This bill includes combatting the spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) as a Department of Agriculture (USDA) high-priority research and extension area and reauthorizes other USDA research and extension initiatives. The bill specifically allows grants for developing and disseminating research-based tools and treatments to combat the spotted lanternfly, which is an invasive species native to Asia that feeds on a wide range of crops and plants (e.g., grapes, apples, hops, walnuts, and hardwood trees). Further, the bill reauthorizes USDA grants to support competitive specialized research and extension activities, including high-priority areas, through FY2030. The bill also specifically reauthorizes through FY2030 the Pulse Crop Health Initiative; the Comprehensive Food Safety Training Network; pollinator protection research and extension grants; increased USDA capacity and infrastructure to address and conduct research on colony collapse disorder and other pollinator issues; and a USDA-conducted nationwide honey bee pest, pathogen, health, and population status surveillance program.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2025
Countering Threats and Attacks on Our Judges Act This bill allows funds awarded by the State Justice Institute to be used to establish, implement, and operate a judicial threat and intelligence resource center. The State Justice Institute is a private, nonprofit corporation established by federal law to support and improve the administration of justice in state courts.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2025
Supporting Apprenticeship Colleges Act of 2025 This bill directs the Department of Education to award grants to institutions of higher education that sponsor construction and manufacturing-oriented registered apprenticeship programs for (1) expanding or supporting outreach to high schools, local businesses, local workforce development boards, and apprenticeship intermediaries; and (2) providing advising and support services to students who are enrolled in these apprenticeship programs.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2025
This bill reauthorizes through FY2030 activities of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to address vector-borne diseases (e.g., diseases spread by bites from ticks or mosquitoes). These activities include (1) a national strategy, (2) grants for regional centers of excellence, and (3) cooperative agreements with state, local, and tribal health departments to increase capacity for preventing and responding to vector-borne diseases.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2025
Trafficking Survivors Relief Act of 2025 This bill establishes a process to vacate convictions and expunge arrest records for certain criminal offenses committed by victims of human trafficking that directly result from or relate to having been a trafficking victim. It defines the offenses eligible to be vacated or expunged and sets forth procedures for filing a motion. The Government Accountability Office must assess the impact of this process, including the number of human trafficking survivors who file motions to vacate convictions or expunge records. The bill permits certain grants for legal representation to be used to seek post-conviction relief. Finally, the bill allows a defendant to establish that the offenses were committed under duress by demonstrating that he or she was a victim of human trafficking at the time of the offense.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2025
This resolution commends and congratulates Petty Officer Third Class Scott Ruskan for his bravery and heroic efforts to rescue 165 victims during the July 2025 catastrophic flooding in central Texas. It also extends gratitude to all members of the Coast Guard, other federal and state agencies, first responders, and volunteers who risked their lives to protect and rescue others.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2025
This resolution expresses support for the designation of Journeyman Lineworkers Recognition Day. (A journeyman lineworker is a person who builds and maintains electrical power systems.)
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2025
Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2025 This bill expands Medicare coverage of intensive behavioral therapy for obesity. Specifically, the bill allows coverage for therapy that is provided by (1) a physician who is not a primary care physician; or (2) other health care providers (e.g., physician assistants and nurse practitioners) and approved counseling programs, if provided upon a referral from, and in coordination with, a physician or primary care practitioner. Currently, such therapy is covered only if provided by a primary care practitioner. The bill also allows coverage under Medicare's prescription drug benefit of drugs used for the treatment of obesity or for weight loss management for individuals who are overweight.
![Official portrait of Rep. Kean, Thomas H. [R-NJ-7]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/k000398_200.jpg)