The Senate, on a party-line vote (no Republicans voted for it), failed to advance Senator Merkley’s Congressional Review Act (CRA), S.J. Res. 196, a resolution of disapproval to repeal the Department of Education’s finalized rule that caps federal student loans and overhauls the student loan system. The resolution was officially introduced on June 4, and NASN endorsed this resolution.

However, a bipartisan provision was added to the House FY 2027 Labor-HHS Appropriations bill that would prevent any of the bill’s funds from being used to administer student aid in a way that does not recognize nursing as a professional degree.  

Keep the pressure up on Congress and tell them that nursing is a professional degree in our Action Center!

FDA Allows ZYN to Market Reduced-Risk Claim 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized 20 ZYN nicotine pouch products to carry a modified-risk claim that using them instead of cigarettes lowers the risk of major smoking-related diseases, including lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, and emphysema. The authorization applies only to specific products made by Swedish Match USA and does not mean nicotine pouches are safe or approved for quitting smoking. 

The FDA based its decision on scientific evidence showing nicotine pouches expose users to significantly fewer toxic chemicals than combustible cigarettes. Studies also found that adult smokers who completely switch to these products can substantially reduce their exposure to harmful substances, with some reducing or quitting smoking altogether. 

Swedish Match is required to conduct post-market studies and monitor consumer use and understanding of the products. The authorization is valid for five years and may be withdrawn if it no longer benefits public health, including if youth use increases. The FDA continues to emphasize that quitting all tobacco and nicotine products remains the healthiest choice. 

According to the Campaign for Tobacco Free-Kids, “The FDA’s decision is deeply troubling given the extensive scientific evidence that flavored tobacco products appeal to kids and the fact that nicotine pouches were the only category of tobacco product that saw an increase in youth use last year. The FDA is sanctioning a flavored tobacco product that is already increasing in popularity with kids and repeating the mistakes it made with Juul that resulted in the youth e-cigarette epidemic.” 

The ruling comes as nicotine pouches become one of the fastest-growing smoke-free nicotine products worldwide. While public health experts view them as a lower-risk alternative for adult smokers, regulators continue to caution that they are not risk-free and should not be used by people who do not already use tobacco. 

The FDA continues to emphasize that quitting all tobacco and nicotine products remains the healthiest choice. However, for adults who smoke and cannot or do not quit, completely switching to FDA-authorized nicotine pouches may offer a significantly less harmful alternative to smoking. 

State Affiliate Leadership Meets to Strategize on Legislative Agendas 

NASN’s State Affiliate leadership arrived early at NASN’s Annual Conference for the Leadership Summit to share their insights, strategize and learn from each other's successes. During this conference, Piper Largent, Director of Government Affairs, updated the Affiliate leadership on the new resources NASN has developed to support the Affiliates’ work. These include the newly launched Action Center, Policy Pulse, Policy Map, and other grassroots support.

Sage Bauer, NASN's State Affiliate Advocacy consultant, also provided a presentation on how to engage Affiliate members in advocacy. Finally, states met in small groups to discuss their successes, obstacles and resources needed from NASN on a variety of subjects including the upcoming state legislative sessions in 2027. 

State Legislation News

Delaware HB 425 Raises Stipend for Nationally Certified School Nurses, School Counselors, and School Social Workers

In the very early morning hours of July 1, after a long legislative day into night, in one of its final acts for the 153rd General Assembly, the Delaware State Senate passed the final hurdle for HB 425, a bill that increased an additional salary stipend on the state portion of compensation for educators holding national certifications in school nursing, school counseling, and school social work. The bill, brought to the floor by Speaker of the House Melissa Minor-Brown (D), a registered nurse and Representative since 2018, passed multiple milestones including both education and finance committees in the House and the Senate, to see a unanimous final vote in the Delaware Senate at 4:17am on July 1, 2026.  

This legislation was originally introduced on May 19, 2026, after continued efforts and presentations to lawmakers by nationally certified school nurses across the state. Speaker Minor-Brown took up the cause and was able to propose written legislation that raised the salary stipend for nationally certified specialists. The aforementioned specialists included in the legislation are those who have an above-and-beyond certification to the practice laws that already exist for specialty educators in Delaware. The existing stipend for nationally certified teachers is 12% on the state portion of the educator salary, with other nationally certified specialists, including school nurses, previously receiving 6%. HB 425 created equity for nationally certified school nurses, counselors, and social workers, who have achieved the elevated designation from nationally recognized credentialing bodies, by raising the stipend for these specialists to the same 12%. Delaware currently has 155 nationally certified school nurses eligible to receive the stipend. 

Arizona Governor Vetoes Bill Restricting Vaccine and Mask Requirements 

On June 19, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs vetoed HB 2086, legislation that would have prohibited state and local governments as well as many private businesses from requiring vaccinations or masks for any disease or virus. 

In her June 19 veto message, Governor Hobbs stated that Arizona already has "robust exemptions" for vaccination requirements and argued that the bill would unnecessarily restrict the state's ability to respond to future public health emergencies. She concluded that existing law already protects individual choice while preserving flexibility to address emerging public health threats. 

Since the 19th, no further legislative action to override the veto has been announced and it is unlikely that such an effort would be successful. 

California Considers Expanding CPR and AED Instruction in High Schools 

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