Andrea Salinas

Nucleic Acid Standards for Biosecurity Act

Nucleic Acid Standards for Biosecurity Act This bill explicitly requires the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to support the development of best practices and technical standards for nucleic acid synthesis. Nucleic acids, including deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA) carry genetic information within cells. Nucleic acid synthesis is the process of designing and creating custom nucleic acids; it is used in the development of medications and agricultural products. However, this technology also poses a risk of misuse (e.g., the intentional or unintentional creation of dangerous biological agents). The bill requires NIST to carry out measurement research to support the development and improvement of biosecurity best practices and technical standards related to nucleic acid synthesis. This effort must address specified topics including nucleic acid synthesis screening, operational security, and conformity assessment. (A 2023 executive order titled Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence directed NIST to develop and refine similar specifications and best practices for use by synthetic nucleic acid providers. NIST's work on this topic is ongoing.) In carrying out this effort, NIST must convene stakeholders to develop and periodically update consensus priorities and best practices for synthetic nucleic acid screening mechanisms. Within a specified period, NIST must submit a summary of the stakeholder group’s findings to Congress. NIST must also take steps to advance risk management best practices and technical standards for engineering biology and biomanufacturing, including with respect to risks associated with the use of artificial intelligence.

NO PROFIT Act

The proposal would require sitting U.S. Presidents to pay federal income tax on the increase in value of their investments and assets each year, rather than only when those assets are sold. This would affect Presidents' personal finances by requiring annual tax payments on unrealized gains from stocks, real estate, and other property holdings. The change would be handled through the tax code and reviewed by the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Expressing support for the designation of May 2026 as "Mental Health Awareness Month".

Congress would formally recognize May 2026 as "Mental Health Awareness Month" to encourage public attention to mental health issues and support for people struggling with mental illness and substance abuse. The designation aims to promote education, reduce stigma, and highlight the importance of mental health services for all Americans. This is a symbolic measure that doesn't create new programs or funding, but signals congressional support for mental health awareness efforts.

KOMBUCHA

The proposal would prevent the federal government from taxing or regulating low-alcohol kombucha as an alcoholic beverage, even though it contains some alcohol. This would primarily benefit kombucha producers and consumers by keeping the drink exempt from the excise taxes and regulations that apply to beer, wine, and other alcoholic products. The change would clarify the tax treatment of kombucha, which is a fermented tea beverage that typically contains less than 1% alcohol by volume.

Quantum Instrumentation for Science and Engineering Act

This bill would likely provide funding and support for developing quantum computing equipment and tools that scientists and engineers need for research and practical applications. The legislation aims to strengthen America's quantum technology capabilities by investing in the infrastructure and instruments required to advance quantum science across universities, national laboratories, and private companies. This could help the U.S. stay competitive in quantum computing, which experts believe will transform fields like medicine, cybersecurity, and materials science.

Rural Health Care Facilities Revitalization Act

This bill aims to improve healthcare services in rural areas by providing funding and support to help rural hospitals and clinics stay open and upgrade their facilities and equipment. It would affect rural communities that often struggle to access quality medical care, as well as healthcare workers and hospitals in farming regions. The legislation likely includes grants, loans, or other financial assistance to help these facilities serve their patients better.

Soil CARE Act of 2026

Soil Conservation And Regeneration Education Act of 2026 or the Soil CARE Act of 2026 This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a training program for soil health management in Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) programs. Under the bill, soil health management means land management methods used to increase and balance soil health, such as microbial biomass and macrofauna, for the purpose of improving biological functions, including forming and stabilizing soil structure, cycling nutrients, controlling pests and disease, and degrading or detoxifying contaminants. The training program must (1) provide education, resources, and technical support to NRCS personnel and third-party providers on the rapidly evolving methodologies, science, and practices for improving soil health; and (2) assist NRCS personnel and third-party providers in supporting agricultural producers in understanding and implementing soil health management systems that regenerate farmland. The training program must be available twice every two years in each NRCS region and include both an online curriculum and in-person training workshops. The training program must be developed and delivered through cooperative agreements with entities with soil health management systems expertise and experience working with and training producers. The bill includes minimum curriculum requirements for the training program, including specific units on soil health and diversified production systems. USDA must review and update the training program curriculum and materials every two years.

ICE and CBP Constitutional Accountability Act

This bill would create new legal accountability measures for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents, likely allowing people to sue these agencies for constitutional violations and establishing oversight mechanisms for their operations. The legislation aims to address concerns about civil rights abuses and ensure that immigration enforcement officials follow constitutional protections like due process and protection against unreasonable searches. It would primarily affect immigrants and people detained by these agencies, as well as the agencies themselves through increased legal liability and oversight requirements.

Domestic Organic Investment Act of 2025

This bill would likely provide financial support and incentives to help American farmers transition to or expand organic farming practices, which avoid synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. The measure aims to boost the domestic organic food industry by making it easier and more affordable for farmers to meet organic certification requirements and invest in organic production methods. Farmers, agricultural businesses, and consumers seeking locally-grown organic products would be the primary beneficiaries.

Home-Based Telemental Health Care Act of 2025

The legislation would allow mental health providers to offer therapy and counseling services to patients through video calls and other remote technology from their homes, rather than requiring them to work only from traditional office settings. This change would make mental health care more accessible and convenient for patients who struggle to travel to appointments, while giving therapists more flexibility in how they work. The bill would apply to various mental health professionals including psychologists, counselors, and social workers who treat patients covered by Medicare and other insurance programs.

Mental Health Professionals Workforce Shortage Loan Repayment Act of 2025

This bill would help pay back student loans for mental health professionals like therapists, counselors, and psychiatrists who work in areas where there's a shortage of mental health services. By reducing the financial burden of education debt, the bill aims to encourage more mental health workers to practice in underserved communities and help address the nationwide shortage of mental health care providers. The program would primarily benefit both the mental health professionals who receive loan forgiveness and patients in rural or low-income areas who struggle to access mental health treatment.

Rural Partnership and Prosperity Act

The legislation aims to strengthen economic opportunities and development in rural communities by supporting agricultural partnerships and local business growth. It would likely provide resources, incentives, or policy changes to help farmers and rural entrepreneurs improve their operations and increase prosperity in areas outside major cities. Rural residents, agricultural workers, and small business owners would be the primary beneficiaries of these proposed changes.

Latino Youth Mental Health Empowerment Act

The proposal would establish new mental health programs and services specifically designed to support Latino young people, including funding for counseling, crisis support, and community-based mental health initiatives. It aims to address mental health disparities in Latino communities by increasing access to culturally appropriate care and training more mental health professionals who understand Latino youth experiences. The bill would affect Latino teenagers and young adults, mental health providers, schools, and community organizations serving these populations.

National Guard Proper Use Act

National Guard Proper Use Act This bill prohibits, in accordance with the Posse Comitatus Act, members of the Armed Forces and members of the National Guard from being ordered to enforce immigration laws. Generally, the Posse Comitatus Act prohibits the use of the military for civil law enforcement purposes.

Mental Health Services for Students Act of 2025

This bill would expand mental health services available to students in schools, likely by increasing funding, requiring schools to hire more counselors and therapists, or improving access to mental health treatment for young people. The legislation aims to help students struggling with depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions get the support they need during the school day. Students, parents, and school districts would be the primary groups affected by these changes.

Mental Health for Latinos Act of 2025

The legislation would expand mental health services and support specifically for Latino communities, addressing gaps in access to culturally appropriate mental health care. It would likely increase funding for mental health programs, training for providers who understand Latino cultural backgrounds, and outreach efforts to help Latino individuals and families get the mental health treatment they need. The bill affects Latino patients, mental health providers, and healthcare organizations serving these communities.

Bubble Tax Modernization Act of 2025

The proposal would update how the federal government taxes certain financial transactions and corporate structures that currently exploit outdated tax rules, potentially closing loopholes that allow some large companies and investment firms to reduce their tax bills. The changes would affect corporations, investment funds, and financial institutions that use complex strategies to minimize taxes owed to the government. By modernizing these tax rules, the legislation aims to ensure fairer tax treatment across different types of businesses and potentially increase federal tax revenue.

Roadless Area Conservation Act of 2025

This bill would protect millions of acres of undeveloped federal forest land from road construction and logging, preserving wilderness areas and wildlife habitats for future generations. The legislation affects timber companies, outdoor recreation businesses, environmental groups, and communities that depend on or use national forests. The bill has been sent to congressional committees that handle agriculture and natural resources policy for review.

Farmers Feeding America Act of 2025

Farmers Feeding America Act of 2025 This bill reauthorizes The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), increases funding for the program, and provides additional delivery options for geographically isolated states (i.e., Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam). TEFAP is a federal program that helps supplement the diets of people with low income by providing them with emergency food assistance at no cost. Through TEFAP, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) purchases a variety of commodities and makes those food products (e.g., canned, frozen, dried, and fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs, meat, dairy, and whole-grain and enriched grain products) available to state distributing agencies. The bill increases funding for purchasing commodities under the program. Further, the bill directs USDA to coordinate with geographically isolated states to (1) establish alternative delivery options for allocated commodities, and (2) allow for the states to order commodities through the USDA Department of Defense Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program. USDA may also provide geographically isolated states the ability to directly purchase domestically grown food in lieu of receiving a portion of the commodities. Under this option, USDA may distribute as cash to the state up to 20% of the cash value of the commodities that are allocated to the state under TEFAP. Further, USDA may consider additional factors beyond lowest price in determining winning bids for contracts for fresh produce packages (including product variety and transportation distance).

Expressing support for the designation of May 2025 as "Mental Health Awareness Month".

This resolution declares mental health a national priority and supports the designation of Mental Health Awareness Month.

PEER Support Act

The PEER Support Act would establish or expand programs that use trained peers—people with lived experience in mental health or substance abuse recovery—to help others going through similar challenges. This would affect patients seeking mental health treatment, people recovering from addiction, healthcare providers, and potentially employers offering employee wellness programs. The bill aims to make mental health and addiction support more accessible and relatable by having people who have successfully recovered help guide others through their own recovery journeys.

To amend the Grand Ronde Reservation Act to address the hunting, fishing, trapping, and animal gathering rights of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community, and for other purposes.

This bill provides a process by which the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon and Oregon may negotiate to amend or replace the existing agreement defining the tribe's hunting, fishing, trapping, and animal gathering rights. The current agreement, which was made effective by a January 12, 1987, consent decree by the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon, serves as the exclusive and final determination of the tribe's hunting, fishing, trapping, and gathering rights. This bill instead allows a December 2, 1986, agreement between the United States, Oregon, and the tribe (known as the Grand Ronde Hunting and Fishing Agreement) to define the tribe's rights until and unless it is amended or replaced upon mutual agreement of the tribe and Oregon. The bill allows the tribe and Oregon to return to the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon to request the modification or termination of the January 12, 1987, consent decree. The bill prohibits a new or amended agreement from (1) affecting the other rights of the tribe or any other Indian tribe, (2) limiting Oregon from entering into separate agreements with other tribes to address the authority to take species within the geographic scope of the agreement, or (3) being used in a civil or criminal action to modify any treaty or other right of a tribe.

HOPE and Mental Wellbeing Act of 2025

Helping Out Patients for Emotional and Mental Wellbeing Act or the HOPE and Mental Wellbeing Act of 2025 This bill provides for coverage under Medicare and Medicaid of three primary care visits per year without cost-sharing.

Universal Right To Vote by Mail Act of 2025

Universal Right To Vote by Mail Act of 2025 This bill expands voting by mail in federal elections. Specifically, the bill prohibits states from imposing on eligible voters additional conditions or requirements to cast ballots by mail in federal elections, except states may impose a deadline for requesting the ballot and related voting materials and for returning a ballot. The bill also requires states to provide individuals with notice and opportunity to cure discrepancies or defects with their absentee or mail-in ballots.