Congress considered a wide range of legislative priorities this week, focusing on healthcare expansion, defense policy, and regulatory frameworks for emerging technologies. In the House, significant attention was given to the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2023 and the SAFE Drugs Act of 2025, while the Senate advanced measures related to national defense and the streamlined consideration of executive nominations.
Bills introduced: Notable new legislation includes H.R. 4818, the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2023, sponsored by Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH). The bill would expand Medicare coverage to include prescription drugs for chronic weight management and allow additional types of healthcare providers to offer intensive behavioral therapy for obesity; it was referred to the House Committees on Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means. H.R. 6509, the SAFE Drugs Act of 2025, sponsored by Rep. Rudy Yakym (R-IN), would increase the monthly limit for compounding copies of commercially available drugs and mandate FDA reporting for large-scale facilities; it was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. H.J.Res. 29, introduced by Rep. Andrew Ogles (R-TN), proposes a constitutional amendment to limit presidents to three terms; it was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. S. 573, sponsored by Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR), would prohibit federal funds from being used to purchase goods or services from certain Chinese companies; it was referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. S. 571, sponsored by Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), would increase the child tax credit and make it fully refundable; it was referred to the Senate Committee on Finance.
Debated and reported: S.Res. 817 was debated in the Senate, with the chamber considering a motion to allow the en bloc consideration of various presidential nominees for the Departments of Defense, Energy, State, and other agencies. Supporters, such as sponsor Sen. John Thune (R-SD), argued the measure would improve efficiency by allowing the Senate to vote on groups of nominees simultaneously. The Senate also continued debate on H.R. 6500, with a cloture motion considered to limit further discussion and move toward a final vote. In the House, H.R. 4818 underwent committee-level discussion regarding the fiscal implications and clinical benefits of expanding Medicare coverage for anti-obesity medications.
Votes taken: The Senate voted 50-45 to agree to a cloture motion on S.Res. 817, successfully limiting debate on the resolution. The Senate also voted 89-4 to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to H.R. 6500, allowing the bill to move forward. In the House, H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act, passed with a vote of 327-75. H.R. 400, the Veterans Mental Health Screening Act, passed the House with a vote of 415-2. H.J.Res. 26, a resolution to overturn a Department of Labor H-2A wage rule, passed the House 225-201. Additionally, H.R. 258, the No Visas for Hamas Act, passed the House 252-174.
Provisions unrelated to the bill: No unrelated provisions were identified in this week's records.
What happens next: H.R. 4818 and H.R. 6509 await further consideration in their respective House committees. S.Res. 817 moves toward a final vote in the Senate to implement en bloc voting procedures. H.R. 8800, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027, has passed the House and now awaits action in the Senate Committee on Armed Services. H.R. 82 and other House-passed measures have been received in the Senate and referred to the appropriate committees for review.