Gus Bilirakis

The Beagle Liberation Act of 2026 requires research facilities that receive federal funding to make reasonable efforts to place retired research dogs and cats up for adoption rather than euthanizing them. The law applies to any organization using dogs or cats for research, testing, breeding, or educational purposes, though it allows euthanasia only when a licensed veterinarian certifies that the animal has a terminal medical condition, poses a public health risk, or cannot reasonably adapt to home life. The bill stems from Congress's earlier effort to reduce animal testing in drug development and reflects the reality that as alternative testing methods become more common, more research animals become available for adoption. The Department of Health and Human Services, working with the Department of Agriculture, must issue regulations within one year to implement the law. The bill does not provide specific funding amounts or create a right for individuals to sue facilities for violations.

This bill makes permanent the authority of the Food and Drug Administration to award priority review vouchers to pharmaceutical companies that develop treatments for rare diseases affecting children. Priority review vouchers allow companies to move their drug applications to the front of the FDA's review line, which typically accelerates the approval process from ten months to six months. The legislation removes an expiration date on this voucher program, which was previously set to sunset, ensuring the incentive remains available indefinitely to encourage continued investment in pediatric rare disease treatments. The bill directly affects pharmaceutical companies and pediatric patients with rare diseases by maintaining a key incentive that helps bring lifesaving treatments to market faster. This measure has no direct federal funding requirements, as it operates through the existing FDA review process.

This bill would create a temporary premium discount for Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in prescription drug plans (Part D) during 2027. The discount amount would be based on average premium reductions seen in a previous Medicare demonstration program that ran from 2025 through 2026. The Health and Human Services Secretary would calculate the credit based on actual premium data and then require drug plan sponsors to reduce what they charge enrollees by that amount, with the federal government reimbursing the sponsors for the difference. The legislation affects millions of Medicare beneficiaries who use Part D drug plans, though no specific funding amount is specified in the bill text itself. The credit is described as temporary and would apply only to 2027 enrollment.

This bill directs Congress to commission and install a statue of Roberto Clemente, the legendary Puerto Rican baseball player and humanitarian, in the U.S. Capitol or on its grounds. The Joint Committee on the Library has up to two years from enactment to obtain the statue, with preference given to artists from Puerto Rican and underrepresented communities. The statue will be funded through the Capitol Preservation Fund, with spending capped at $500,000. The bill honors Clemente's accomplishments as a Hall of Famer who won the 1971 World Series MVP and also his humanitarian work, including his death in 1972 while attempting to deliver earthquake relief supplies to Nicaragua.

Homeowners Premium Tax Reduction Act of 2026This bill establishes a new deduction of up to $10,000 claimed against gross income (above-the-line tax deduction) for annual policy premiums paid or incurred for homeowners insurance on an individual's principal residence.

The FIREWALL Act prohibits federal funding from going to individuals and entities that purchase fiber-optic cable from companies owned or controlled by countries of concern, primarily targeting foreign adversaries like China and Russia. The restriction applies to federal funds administered through the Federal Communications Commission and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. The prohibition takes effect 90 days after the bill becomes law and applies to any fiber-optic cable purchases made on or after that date, including both solid-core and hollow-core fiber varieties. The bill uses the existing definition of "covered nations" from federal law to determine which countries are considered countries of concern. This legislation is intended to protect U.S. telecommunications infrastructure from potential security risks by ensuring federal funding does not support the purchase of critical communications equipment from adversarial nations.

Medicaid RAC Improvement Act of 2026This bill establishes additional requirements for and expands the scope of Medicaid Recovery Audit Contractors (RACs). RACs identify improper Medicaid payments to providers, collect overpayments, and reimburse underpayments. Current law requires state Medicaid programs to establish a RAC program; however, states may apply to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for an exception. The bill prohibits the CMS from granting exceptions after December 31, 2028. The CMS must inform states that have an approved RAC exception that the exception will not be renewed after this date, and it must also inform these states of the current expiration date of their excepted status. The bill also expands the scope of RACs to include a review of payments to Medicaid managed care organizations, prepaid inpatient health plans, and prepaid ambulatory health plans. In addition, the bill expands the period of review for RACs to include the four-year period prior to the fiscal year at issue.Finally, the bill establishes reporting requirements relating to the effectiveness of RACs, including annual reports with state-specific data on collected overpayments. The CMS must also conduct a study and establish a related demonstration program to increase the number of states with a RAC program.

This bill establishes a temporary, bipartisan Commission on Sustaining Medicare and Social Security to study and recommend reforms to both programs. The 11-member commission will include government officials and outside experts appointed by congressional leadership, and must submit a report to Congress within one year examining alternative cost-of-living indexes, premium formulas, program sustainability reforms, and fraud prevention measures. The commission will terminate within 60 days of submitting its report, and Congress has authorized up to $2 million in funding for the commission's operations. Commission members will serve without pay but can receive travel reimbursement, and the commission will have authority to hold hearings, request data from federal agencies, and hire staff support.

H.Res. 1203 is a House resolution recognizing the 200th anniversary in 2026 of the Exodus of Missolonghi, a pivotal event during the Greek War of Independence when the city’s defenders and civilians broke a siege by choosing sacrifice over surrender. The resolution honors the people of Missolonghi and commemorates how the event inspired “philhellenes,” including Americans who helped support and even fought for the Greek cause, helping draw international attention and resources to the independence struggle. It also links the Exodus to broader historical and cultural movements, including Romanticism, and to shared U.S.-Greek ties based on democratic ideals and support for liberty. The measure encourages educational, cultural, and commemorative activities to mark the anniversary and increase public awareness of the event’s historical and moral significance. As a resolution, it does not provide new federal funding or set government action timelines beyond promoting commemoration efforts.

This resolution congratulates the people of Greece as they celebrate the 205th anniversary of the War of Greek Independence. The resolution also expresses support for the principles of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law to which the people of the United States and Greece are committed.

Ensuring Medicaid Continuity for Children in Foster Care Act of 2026This bill allows states to receive federal Medicaid payment for services provided to foster care children in qualified residential treatment programs (i.e., programs with trauma-informed treatment models that address the needs of children with serious emotional or behavioral disorders or disturbances).

The END 7-OH Act would classify synthetic 7-hydroxymitragynine as a Schedule I controlled substance under federal law, placing it in the same legal category as drugs like heroin and LSD. The bill specifically targets synthetic versions of this chemical compound while explicitly exempting naturally occurring 7-hydroxymitragynine found in kratom, a plant whose leaves are commonly used in dietary supplements and traditional medicines. This legislation would affect manufacturers, distributors, and users of products containing synthetic 7-hydroxymitragynine, making possession and sale of these synthetic forms illegal under federal law. The bill does not specify funding or implementation timelines. The measure was introduced on March 19, 2026, and referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee and Judiciary Committee for consideration.

This bill adjusts Medicare payment rates for certain expensive surgical procedures performed in doctors' offices rather than hospital-based surgical centers. Specifically, it targets procedures that involve high-cost medical supplies (over $500) and can be performed in either ambulatory surgical centers or physician offices. Starting in 2027, when these "specified high supply cost surgical procedures" are performed in office-based facilities, Medicare will reimburse them at 90 percent of what would be paid in an ambulatory surgical center, and patients' out-of-pocket costs will be capped at the annual hospital deductible. The bill affects physicians operating office-based surgical facilities and their Medicare patients undergoing these procedures, and it requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to annually review and update which procedures qualify, with the new payment structure beginning in 2027 and continuing indefinitely.

H.R. 7027, the Restore Veterans’ Compensation Act of 2026, would change how the Department of Defense offsets certain separation-related payments when a service member later receives Veterans Affairs disability compensation or military retirement pay. Under current law, separation pay, special separation benefits, and some voluntary separation incentives can be “recouped” by reducing later disability benefits; the bill would eliminate that recoupment so disability compensation is not reduced because of those payments. For people who later receive retired or retainer pay, the bill limits recoupment deductions and sets rules such as capping deductions at 25 percent per month unless the member agrees to a faster repayment, requiring 90 days’ notice before deductions begin, and allowing hardship waivers in hardship cases. The changes would take effect at the start of the first month after enactment, and retirement-related deductions would be governed by the new limits in that month and future months.

This bill links U.S. military aid to Armenia with progress by Azerbaijan on several key issues, including withdrawing forces from Armenian territory, releasing Armenian prisoners, stopping hostilities, and protecting Armenian cultural sites in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Within 180 days of the bill's enactment and annually thereafter, the Secretary of Defense must certify to Congress whether Azerbaijan has taken meaningful steps on these matters. If the Secretary cannot make this certification, the Defense Department must review U.S. security assistance to Armenia and submit a report identifying gaps in Armenia's defense capabilities and recommending ways to strengthen military cooperation. Additionally, if certification cannot be made, the President loses authority to waive certain restrictions on aid to former Soviet republics under existing law. The bill effectively uses security assistance and aid restrictions as leverage to encourage Azerbaijan to resolve longstanding disputes with Armenia over the contested Nagorno-Karabakh region.

H.R. 6484, the Kids Online Safety Act introduced in December 2025, requires social media platforms to implement safeguards protecting minors under 17 and children under 13 from online harms including violence, sexual exploitation, illegal substance distribution, and financial fraud. Platforms must provide easy-to-use safety features such as communication limits and usage controls, furnish parents with management tools, disclose safety practices to users, and respond to harm reports within 10 days. The Federal Trade Commission will enforce the law as violations of unfair or deceptive practices, while state attorneys general can also bring civil actions, and platforms must undergo annual independent audits of their child safety measures submitted to the FTC within 30 days. The bill also creates a Kids Online Safety Council to advise Congress on emerging online risks and establishes a new oversight structure while preserving existing legal protections and allowing states to enforce their own safety laws.

The VISIT USA Act would transfer $160 million from the Travel Promotion Fund to Brand USA, a nonprofit organization that markets the United States as a travel destination internationally. The bill directs the Treasury Department to make this transfer within 30 days of enactment, using unobligated balances from visa fees collected under the visa waiver program before October 1, 2025. This transfer would be exempt from existing limits on how much money can be moved from the Travel Promotion Fund in a single transaction. The legislation, introduced by Representatives Bilirakis, Castor, and Titus, affects international tourism promotion and benefits the travel and tourism industry by providing Brand USA with additional funding to attract visitors to the United States.

H.R. 4837 requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to expand its existing informed consent requirements to cover a broader range of medications used to treat veterans. Currently, the VA's informed consent directive only applies to long-term opioid therapy for pain, but this bill would extend those same requirements to antipsychotics, stimulants, antidepressants, anxiolytics, and narcotics. This means veterans would need to receive and sign written informed consent documentation before starting these medications, ensuring they understand the benefits, risks, and alternatives. The bill affects all veterans receiving care through the VA health system and does not include specific funding amounts or implementation timelines, leaving those details to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to determine.

Student Compensation and Opportunity through Rights and Endorsements Act or the SCORE ActThis bill provides a framework for the compensation of student athletes for the use of their name, image, or likeness (NIL). This includes addressing certain elements of the court approved agreement to settle the In re College Athlete NIL Litigation (i.e., House settlement).Specifically, the bill statutorily prohibits institutions, conferences, or interstate intercollegiate athletic associations (e.g., the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)) from restricting the ability of a student athlete to enter an NIL agreement.The bill also requires institutions of higher education that generate $20 million or more in annual revenue from the institution's intercollegiate athletics activities to (1) provide counseling and medical benefits to student athletes, and (2) establish and maintain at least 16 varsity sports teams.Further, the bill authorizes interstate intercollegiate athletic associations to establish rules with respect to athletic eligibility, transfers, recruitment, and the disclosure of NIL agreements.Under the bill, student athletes may not be considered employees of an institution, conference, or interstate intercollegiate athletic association.The bill also preempts state laws with respect to compensation, payments, benefits, employment status, eligibility, and academic standards applicable to student athletes.Compliance with the provisions of this bill is considered lawful under federal and state antitrust laws.

Repair Abuses of MSP Payments Act or the RAMP Act This bill restricts the private right of action against insurance plans that do not provide appropriate primary payment in cases in which Medicare is a secondary payer. Current law allows for a private right of action against primary plans that do not provide appropriate primary payment in cases in which Medicare is a secondary payer; this provision applies to group health plans, workers' compensation plans, automobile or liability insurance plans, and no-fault insurance plans. The bill limits this provision to group health plans.

H.Res. 507 is a symbolic resolution expressing Congressional support for designating June 10 as "FSGS Awareness Day" to recognize focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, a rare kidney disease that causes scarring and can lead to kidney failure. The resolution highlights that FSGS affects a significant portion of chronic kidney disease patients, disproportionately impacts African Americans due to genetic factors, and costs the healthcare system approximately $2 billion annually in direct medical expenses. The bill acknowledges that patients often face lengthy diagnostic delays averaging five to seven years and lack access to specialized nephrology care, while noting that new clinical trials offer hope for future FDA-approved treatments. The resolution applauds patient advocacy organizations, researchers, and healthcare providers working to raise awareness and develop new therapies, and recognizes community fundraising efforts like the Tampa Pig Jig event that has supported FSGS research since 2011. This is a non-binding resolution with no funding or regulatory requirements; it simply expresses Congressional support for raising awareness about this serious disease.

The END CELLS Act strengthens federal law to crack down on contraband cell phones and wireless devices in prisons and jails. The bill makes it illegal to bring phones into detention facilities, to help inmates obtain them, or for inmates to possess them, with violations enforced through civil fines up to $50,000 per violation (capped at $1 million total per incident) or criminal fines of up to $50,000. The law applies to all U.S. correctional, detention, and penal facilities and covers any wireless device capable of sending or receiving communications, including components that enable devices to connect to networks. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment and gives federal authorities a two-year window to pursue violations through the Federal Communications Commission's enforcement process.

The Coastal Broadband Deployment Act would exempt broadband and communications infrastructure projects located entirely within floodplains from two major federal environmental review requirements: the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). The bill applies to projects that require Federal Communications Commission approval or oversight and would allow these communications facilities to be deployed or modified without preparing the environmental assessments and historical preservation reviews normally required by federal law. This exemption is intended to streamline the permitting process for coastal broadband expansion by reducing regulatory requirements for projects in flood-prone areas. The legislation does not provide specific funding or establish implementation timelines, but would take effect upon enactment.

Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act of 2025This bill provides for Medicare coverage of certain audiology services. Specifically, the bill expands coverage to include diagnostic and treatment services that are furnished by audiologists and that would otherwise be covered if provided by a physician, including incidental services, regardless of whether such services are provided pursuant to a referral from, or under the supervision of, a physician or other health care practitioner.

Consensual Donation and Research Integrity Act of 2025This bill requires certain entities that acquire human bodies and sell for profit a whole human body or human body part to register with the Department of Health and Human Services.Registered entities must comply with record-keeping, labeling, packaging, and disposition requirements.The registration and related requirements do not apply tothe Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (a public-private partnership that links the professionals involved in the U.S. donation and transplantation system) or its members;the preparation, transportation, and final disposition of human bodies or body parts by funeral service professionals; andschools of medicine, dentistry, and mortuary science and other research and training entities that do not sell whole human bodies or body parts for profit.