Andrea Salinas

Sponsor · 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.

Sponsor · 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.

Sponsor · Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Workforce, and Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Cosponsor · Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Cosponsor · Combating Illicit Xylazine Act This bill regulates xylazine under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). Xylazine, also known as tranq , is a nonopioid sedative and pain reliever that is approved for use in animals. Recently, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has reported an increase in trafficking of fentanyl mixed with xylazine. This bill adds xylazine, including its salts, isomers, and salts of isomers, to schedule III of the CSA.

Cosponsor · Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Cosponsor · Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.

Cosponsor · National Law Enforcement Officers Remembrance, Support and Community Outreach Act. [ sic ] This bill temporarily directs the Department of the Interior to award a grant to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund for the expenses associated with operating and enhancing the community outreach, public education, and officer safety and wellness programs of the National Law Enforcement Museum.

Cosponsor · Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Cosponsor · Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.

Cosponsor · Governing Unaccredited Representatives Defrauding VA Benefits Act or the GUARD VA Benefits Act This bill imposes fines on individuals for soliciting, contracting for, charging, or receiving any unauthorized fee or compensation with respect to the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of any claim for Department of Veterans Affairs benefits. The attempted commission of such offenses is also punishable by fine.

Cosponsor · This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment providing that the rights protected and extended by the Constitution are the rights of natural persons only. Artificial entities, such as corporations, shall have no rights under the Constitution and are subject to regulation. The amendment requires federal, state, and local governments to (1) regulate, limit, or prohibit election contributions and expenditures, including a candidate's own contributions and expenditures, to ensure equal access of citizens to the political process, regardless of economic status; and (2) require that any permissible contributions and expenditures be publicly disclosed. Additionally, the judiciary is prohibited from construing the spending of money to influence elections to be speech under the First Amendment.

Cosponsor · Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Cosponsor · Goldie's Act This bill expands enforcement provisions under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). Specifically, the bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to document and record detailed descriptions of violations of the act observed during inspections and investigations. USDA must provide a copy of all records documenting violations to state, local, and municipal animal control or law enforcement officials within 24 hours of such inspections or investigations. Inspections must be held at least once a year of each research facility, the premises of each animal dealer, and each exhibitor of animals.

Cosponsor · Holocaust Education and Antisemitism Lessons Act This bill directs the U. S. Holocaust Memorial Museum to study and report on Holocaust education efforts in states, local educational agencies (LEAs), and public elementary and secondary schools. Among other elements, the study must (1) determine whether states and LEAs require Holocaust education as part of the curriculum taught in public elementary and secondary schools, (2) identify the standards and requirements relating to Holocaust education, and (3) identify the types of instructional material used to teach students about the Holocaust.

Cosponsor · Protecting Access to Ground Ambulance Medical Services Act of 2025 This bill extends the specialized rate increase for Medicare payment of ground ambulance services in rural areas for an additional three years (until January 1, 2028).

Cosponsor · Dental Care for Veterans Act This bill expands eligibility for veterans for dental care provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Specifically, the bill makes all veterans who are enrolled in the VA health care system eligible for VA-provided dental services. Currently, only veterans who have a service-connected dental issue or meet other narrow criteria are eligible for certain dental services. The bill phases in eligibility over four years based upon existing eligibility, degree of service-connected disability or other disability, prisoner of war status, award of a Purple Heart, financial need, or VA health care eligibility.

Cosponsor · Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Cosponsor · Fairness to Freedom Act of 2025 This bill establishes a right to legal representation in certain immigration proceedings (e. g. , removal and immigration bond hearings) at the government's expense for individuals who cannot afford representation. The bill also establishes various entities to facilitate such legal representation.

Cosponsor · Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Cosponsor · American Dream and Promise Act of 2025 This bill provides certain non-U. S. nationals ( aliens under federal law) with a path to receive permanent resident status and contains other immigration-related provisions. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or the Department of Justice (DOJ) shall provide conditional permanent resident status for 10 years to a qualifying individual who entered the United States as a minor and (1) is deportable or inadmissible, (2) has deferred enforced departure (DED) status or temporary protected status (TPS), or (3) is the child of certain classes of nonimmigrants.

Cosponsor · Alternatives to Prevent Addiction In the Nation Act or the Alternatives to PAIN Act This bill reduces cost-sharing and prohibits the imposition of certain utilization requirements under the Medicare prescription drug benefit for certain non-opioid pain management drugs. Specifically, the bill requires such drugs to be covered without a deductible and to be placed on the lowest cost-sharing tier (if any). The bill also prohibits the imposition of prior authorization requirements (i. e.

Cosponsor · Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Cosponsor · Animal Cruelty Enforcement Act of 2025 This bill establishes a new section in the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the Department of Justice to enforce federal laws concerning animal cruelty.

Cosponsor · Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.

Cosponsor · Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.

Cosponsor · Saving the Civil Service Act This bill generally prohibits changes to the classification of positions in the competitive service and excepted service unless certain conditions are met. (Competitive service positions are subject to competitive examination while excepted service positions are appointed under one of five schedules. Competitive service positions have notice and appeal requirements for adverse actions that are not applicable to most excepted positions, including those of a confidential, policy-determining, policy-making, or policy-advocating character under Schedule C. ) On October 21, 2020, President Donald Trump issued an executive order that placed executive agency positions that are of a confidential, policy-determining, policy-making, or policy-advocating character, and that are not normally subject to change as a result of a presidential transition, under a new Schedule F in the excepted service.

Cosponsor · Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Cosponsor · Love Lives On Act of 2025 This bill extends entitlement for various benefit programs and services for surviving spouses of deceased members of the Armed Forces or veterans. The bill provides that the remarriage of a surviving spouse must not bar the furnishing of dependency and indemnity compensation or special pension benefits to such spouse. Additionally, the Department of Defense may not terminate the payment of an annuity for a surviving spouse under the Survivor Benefit Plan solely because the surviving spouse remarries. The bill also expands the definition of a dependent under TRICARE to include a remarried widow or widower whose subsequent marriage has ended due to death, divorce, or annulment.

Cosponsor · Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Cosponsor · Creating Resources for Every American To Experiment with Artificial Intelligence Act of 2025 or the CREATE AI Act of 2025 This bill establishes a national program to provide U. S. researchers, educators, and students with access to artificial intelligence (AI) data, computational resources, educational tools and services, and testbeds. The program, to be known as the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR), must be established by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to improve U.

Cosponsor · Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act This bill expedites payment of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits and eligibility for Medicare coverage for those with metastatic breast cancer (i. e. , breast cancer that has spread to other sites in the body). Specifically, the bill eliminates the 5-month waiting period for SSDI benefits and the subsequent 24-month waiting period for Medicare coverage for individuals with metastatic breast cancer.

Cosponsor · Committee Hearings Held

Cosponsor · Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Cosponsor · Safe Schools Improvement Act This bill requires states to direct their local educational agencies (LEAs) to establish policies that prevent and prohibit bullying and harassment of elementary and secondary school students. In particular, these policies must prohibit bullying and harassment based on race, color, national origin, disability, religion, or sex. Sex includes sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics (including intersex traits). Further, LEAs must provide (1) students, parents, and educational professionals with annual notice of the conduct prohibited in their disciplinary policies; (2) students and parents with grievance procedures that target such conduct; and (3) the public with annual data on the incidence and frequency of that conduct at the school and LEA level.

Cosponsor · Protect Our Letter Carriers Act of 2025 This bill requires or authorizes certain actions related to the U. S. Postal Service (USPS). The bill requires the Department of Justice to appoint an assistant U.

Cosponsor · Keeping Our Field Offices Open Act This bill temporarily prohibits the closure or consolidation of, or other limitation of access to, Social Security Administration (SSA) offices and stations, and sets forth procedural requirements for future changes to office and station availability. Specifically, the bill prohibits through at least January 21, 2029, the closure or consolidation of, or other limitation of access to, SSA field offices, hearing offices, and resident stations. On or after that date, SSA must submit a report to Congress justifying its process for selecting stations and offices to be closed, consolidated, or limited. The prohibition is lifted 180 days after the submission of such report.

Cosponsor · Protecting Americans’ Social Security Data Act This bill prohibits political appointees and special government employees from accessing Social Security data systems that contain personally identifiable information about Social Security beneficiaries. Specifically, political appointees and special government employees may not access systems maintained by the Social Security Administration (SSA) that issue or record Social Security account numbers, that are used to determine eligibility for or to pay Social Security benefits, or that otherwise contain personally identifiable information about individuals receiving or applying for benefits. The bill also establishes a civil right of action for an individual whose information was negligently accessed or disclosed in violation of these provisions. The individual may bring suit against the United States if the violator was a U.

Cosponsor · ASSUMING FIRST SPONSORSHIP - Ms. Houlahan asked unanimous consent that she may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 1742, a bill originally introduced by Representative Sherrill, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII. Agreed to without objection.

Cosponsor · Social Security Expansion Act This bill increases Social Security benefits, expands Social Security payroll taxes, and makes other changes to the Social Security program. Specifically, the bill changes the way Social Security benefits are calculated by increasing the primary insurance amount applicable to average monthly earnings that fall below a specified amount, and increasing bend points for individuals who become eligible for Social Security after 2025. (Bend points are dollar amounts at which earnings are segmented for the purpose of calculating an individual’s primary insurance amount. The share of an individual’s earnings that are replaced by Social Security decreases at each escalating bend point.

Cosponsor · American Consumer Awareness of National Source Act or the American CANS Act This bill revises country-of-origin labeling requirements for canned goods. Under current country-of-origin labeling requirements, every article of foreign origin entering the United States must be legibly marked with the English name of the country of origin of the article (with certain exemptions). This bill requires country-of-origin labeling for any agricultural product packaged in a can to (1) appear on the front label of the can; or (2) be stamped, embossed, or printed on the top of the can.

Cosponsor · American Teacher Act This bill establishes grants to increase the minimum salary of public elementary and secondary school teachers. It also authorizes a national campaign regarding the value of the teaching profession. First, the bill directs the Department of Education (ED) to award four-year grants to state educational agencies (SEAs) and, through them, subgrants to local educational agencies to establish a minimum annual salary of $60,000 (to be adjusted annually for inflation) for these teachers. Second, the bill directs ED to award grants to eligible SEAs to provide cost-of-living adjustments to the annual base salary of teachers.

Cosponsor · Prevent Tariff Abuse Act This bill prohibits the President from exercising authorities under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose duties, tariff-rate quotas, or other quotas on imports entering the United States. (IEEPA provides the President with broad authority to regulate various economic transactions following a declaration of a national emergency. )

Cosponsor · Prevent Family Fire Act of 2025 This bill establishes a new business tax credit on the sale of a safe firearm storage device on or before December 31, 2032. The amount of the tax credit is 10% of the retail sales price (up to a maximum price of $400 and excluding separately stated sales tax) of a safe firearm storage device. The tax credit is allowed only on the first retail sale of a safe firearm storage device for a use other than resale or long-term lease. The bill defines safe firearm storage device as a device that is (1) designed and marketed to deny unauthorized access to a firearm or ammunition or render such items inoperable; and (2) is secured by a combination lock, key lock, or lock based on biometric information.

Cosponsor · Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Cosponsor · Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act of 2025 This bill expands Medicare coverage of chiropractic services to include all services provided by chiropractors, rather than only subluxation corrections through manual manipulation of the spine.

Cosponsor · Washington, D. C. Admission Act This bill provides for the establishment of the State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth, and its admission into the United States. The state is composed of most of the territory of the District of Columbia (DC), excluding a specified area that encompasses the U.

Cosponsor · Capitol Remembrance Act This bill requires the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) to design and install in a prominent location in the U. S. Capitol a permanent exhibit that depicts the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. To the extent possible, the AOC must preserve property that was damaged during the attack and include it in the exhibit.

Cosponsor · Equal Access to Contraception for Veterans Act This bill prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs from requiring payment from a veteran for any contraceptive item that is required to be covered by health insurance plans without a cost-sharing requirement.

Cosponsor · Improving Menopause Care for Veterans Act of 2025 This bill requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study and report on the medical services furnished by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for veterans experiencing perimenopause, genitourinary syndrome of menopause, and menopause stages. The VA must also report to Congress on a strategic plan to (1) implement any recommendations GAO makes in its report, (2) improve the quality of menopause care, and (3) improve the access of veterans to menopause care.