Delaware Congressional Bills

in committee · Delaware · House Jul 17, 2025

HR 4543: Medicaid Breast Cancer Access to Treatment Act

This bill requires Medicaid programs to cover specific treatments for individuals with breast or cervical cancer. It adds a new provision to Medicaid rules that explicitly includes these patients in mandatory coverage, ensuring states must provide necessary care. The bill also mandates that Medicaid cover breast reconstruction surgery following a medically necessary mastectomy. These changes directly affect Medicaid beneficiaries diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer who need these specific treatments. The policy update removes gaps in existing coverage for these critical cancer care services.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Maxine Waters (D) · 30 co-sponsors

in committee · Delaware · House Jul 17, 2025

HR 4479: To amend the National Housing Act to direct the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to establish a program to insure certain second liens secured against property for the purpose of financing the construction of an accessory dwelling unit, and for other purposes.

This bill establishes a program to insure second mortgages (loans taken out after the primary mortgage) for financing accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on single-family properties. The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development must create the program within two years, setting loan limits (up to 30% of a standard mortgage amount or 100% of the property's after-construction value, with potential increases based on 50% of projected rental income) and requiring borrowers to own the property and apply for insurance. It also allows Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to purchase and securitize these insured loans, unless the Federal Housing Finance Agency determines market risks require a prohibition. The program requires the Secretary to submit annual reports to Congress on its implementation starting one year after enactment.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · Delaware · House Jul 17, 2025

HR 4508: BURDEN Act

The BURDEN Act requires Members of Congress to certify monthly that they meet work and community engagement requirements under Medicaid and SNAP (food assistance) rules, as if they were program participants. Specifically, lawmakers must submit written proof they engaged in community activities under Medicaid rules and complied with SNAP work requirements. This certification is mandatory for any congressional member to enroll in federal health benefits (FEHBP). The bill directly affects only sitting Members of Congress, imposing these welfare program standards on themselves as a condition for health coverage. It does not change existing rules for the public but targets congressional eligibility for federal health benefits.

in committee · Delaware · Senate Jul 16, 2025

SCONRES 18: A concurrent resolution recognizing a health and safety emergency disproportionately affecting the fundamental rights of children due to the Trump administration's directives that unleash fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change, while suppressing climate change science.

This Senate concurrent resolution (SCONRES 18) expresses Congress's view that Trump administration policies - such as expanding fossil fuel extraction, blocking renewable energy, and suppressing climate science - create a health and safety emergency disproportionately harming children. It specifically criticizes executive orders that increase greenhouse gas emissions, weaken environmental protections, and restrict access to climate data, citing scientific evidence linking these actions to worsened air quality, extreme weather impacts, and long-term health risks for children. The resolution demands the administration reverse these policies, restore the EPA’s mission, and publicly republish climate science data. As a symbolic congressional statement, it does not change law but aims to highlight the disproportionate impact on children’s fundamental rights and health.

Topics ✓ Energy ✗ Environment

in committee · Delaware · House Jul 16, 2025

HCONRES 44: Recognizing a health and safety emergency disproportionately affecting the fundamental rights of children due to the Trump administration's directives that unleash fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change, while suppressing climate change science.

HCONRES 44 is a symbolic resolution recognizing a health and safety emergency for children linked to the Trump administration's climate policies. It claims these policies - unleashing fossil fuel production, blocking renewable energy, and suppressing climate science - disproportionately harm children through increased air pollution, extreme weather, and denied access to climate data. The resolution calls for reversing these policies, restoring the EPA's mission, and ensuring climate action aligns with protecting children's rights. It does not enact new laws or change policy, but serves as a formal congressional statement of concern.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

in committee · Delaware · Senate Jul 16, 2025

SRES 324: A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the actions of the Trump Administration that drastically and indiscriminately reduce staff at Federal agencies, freeze vast swaths of critical Federal funding, and dismantle Federal agencies are destructive and harmful to communities across the United States and have raised costs for American families.

SRES 324 is a non-binding Senate resolution expressing concern over actions taken by the Trump Administration. It criticizes policies that drastically reduced federal agency staff, froze critical funding, and dismantled agencies, stating these actions harm communities and raise costs for families. The resolution specifically highlights impacts on programs serving 32 million patients through health centers, Social Security/Medicare access, veterans' services, small business support, and medical research. It does not create new policy but formally states the Senate’s view that these actions are destructive and harmful. The resolution lists 12 specific areas affected, including housing assistance, disability education programs, and foreign aid reductions.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

in committee · Delaware · Senate Jul 16, 2025

S 2298: Asunción Valdivia Heat Illness, Injury, and Fatality Prevention Act of 2025

S 2298, the Asunción Valdivia Heat Illness, Injury, and Fatality Prevention Act of 2025, requires employers to prevent heat-related harm to workers. It mandates the Secretary of Labor to create binding standards within one year of enactment, including requirements for employers to provide cool water, scheduled rest breaks, shade, heat illness training, and engineering controls (like ventilation) to reduce heat exposure. These standards directly affect workers in high-heat occupations (e.g., construction, agriculture) and their employers, who must implement specific protective measures like hydration plans, cooling equipment, and supervisor training on recognizing heat illness symptoms. The bill also includes whistleblower protections for workers reporting safety violations and requires ongoing data collection to assess the standards' effectiveness.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Alex Padilla (D) · 27 co-sponsors

in committee · Delaware · House Jul 16, 2025

HR 4425: Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act

The Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act creates federal funding programs to improve training for health professionals in palliative and hospice care. It authorizes $15 million annually for 2026-2030 to support grants for education programs that train doctors, nurses, social workers, and other health professionals in palliative care. The bill prioritizes programs serving rural or medically underserved areas, pediatric patients, and racial/ethnic minority populations. It establishes specific training requirements including interprofessional team-based care, patient and family engagement, and integration with primary care settings. The legislation also includes provisions to disseminate information about palliative care benefits to patients, families, and health professionals.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Delaware · House Jul 16, 2025

HR 4456: Stop ICE from Kidnapping U.S. Citizens Act

This bill prohibits U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from using federal funds to detain or transport U.S. citizens during civil immigration enforcement actions. It directly affects ICE operations by blocking funding for any activity that would hold or move citizens outside the U.S. under immigration laws. The key mechanism is a specific funding restriction in the bill text, stating no funds may be used for detaining or transporting citizens. This applies to all civil immigration enforcement activities defined under the Immigration and Nationality Act. The bill does not create new enforcement powers but limits how existing funds can be spent.

Topics ✗ Immigration

Pramila Jayapal (D) · 58 co-sponsors

in committee · Delaware · House Jul 16, 2025

HR 4445: Public Health and Bio-Preparedness Workforce Loan Repayment Reauthorization Act of 2025

This bill extends the Public Health and Bio-Preparedness Workforce Loan Repayment Program through fiscal years 2026 to 2030, replacing the previous 2023-2025 funding period. It directly affects public health workers (such as epidemiologists, laboratory staff, and emergency response personnel) who have federal student loans. The key provision reauthorizes existing funding to help these workers repay student debt by providing federal reimbursements. This maintains a critical workforce retention tool for agencies like the CDC and state health departments without creating new benefits or altering eligibility. The change is procedural, solely adjusting the program's funding timeline.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Delaware · Senate Jul 15, 2025

S 2295: Child Care for Working Families Act

This bill creates a federal program providing child care assistance to working families with children under age 6 through direct child care certificates that parents can use to pay for high-quality child care services. States must develop plans with payment rates covering provider costs and wages, sliding fee scales based on family income (with no copayment for families earning under 85% of state median income), and policies prioritizing vulnerable children including those with disabilities, experiencing homelessness, or from low-income families. The program requires providers to meet quality standards, prohibit suspensions/expulsions, and implement quality improvement activities while ensuring accessibility for underserved populations. It is funded through significant federal appropriations for fiscal years 2026-2031.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Patty Murray (D) · 43 co-sponsors

in committee · Delaware · Senate Jul 15, 2025

S 2285: Uterine Cancer Study Act of 2025

This bill mandates a study by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in coordination with the FDA and NIH, to examine the potential link between chemical hair straighteners and uterine cancer, with specific focus on higher incidence rates among women of color. The study will review existing research, analyze impacts across racial groups, break down results by product types (like dyed or bleached straighteners), and assess whether the FDA should require additional safety testing for these products. It directly affects women, particularly women of color, who may face elevated risks from hair straightening products. The study must begin within 180 days of enactment and conclude with a report to Congress within two years.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Delaware Congressional Bills

Bill results