Legislation

This bill makes permanent the Department of Veterans Affairs' pilot program, allowing the VA to contract with non-VA physicians for disability examinations. It ensures that qualified contract physicians can conduct examinations across state lines, streamlining the process for veterans seeking benefits. The bill also requires a report to Congress on the program's impact on cost, timeliness, and thoroughness of examinations.

This bill recognizes May as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, celebrating the significant contributions of these communities to the history and diversity of the United States. It acknowledges key milestones and the ongoing importance of these groups in various sectors, while also addressing historical discrimination and recent legislative efforts to combat hate crimes.

This bill condemns Iran's non-compliance with international nuclear obligations, citing undeclared nuclear materials and insufficient cooperation with the IAEA. It urges Iran to adhere to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons Safeguards Agreement and allow IAEA inspectors access to nuclear sites. The bill calls for diplomatic and economic measures to hold Iran accountable and states that if these efforts fail, Congress should authorize the use of military force against Iran. It also prioritizes diplomatic measures with the United Kingdom, France, and Germany to trigger snapback proceedings under United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 before the mechanism expires in October 2025.

This bill requires the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness to report to Congress on the cost of living adjustments (COLA) calculations for Armed Forces members and Department of Defense civilian employees stationed in California's 19th Congressional District. The report will assess the accuracy of current COLA calculations, evaluate the inclusion of military commissaries and exchanges, and advise on the advisability of increasing COLA in certain high-cost areas within the district. The goal is to ensure that military personnel and DoD civilians are adequately supported financially, especially in high-cost areas like California.

This bill recognizes the 60th anniversary of SkillsUSA and its contributions to workforce development through career and technical education. It acknowledges SkillsUSA's role in equipping students with essential skills through partnerships between education, government, business, and industry. The bill supports SkillsUSA's mission to empower students as skilled professionals and leaders.

The "Regulatory Integrity for Gulf Energy Development Act of 2025" ensures continuity of offshore oil and gas permits by maintaining the terms of expired permits until new ones are issued. It allows the Secretary of Interior and/or Commerce to coordinate with other agencies to uphold permit terms and stipulates that compliance with existing biological opinions satisfies certain environmental regulations until updated opinions are approved. This act aims to streamline offshore energy development while adhering to federal laws and safety standards.

The Interstate Paid Leave Action Network Act of 2025 (IPLAN Act) aims to create an interstate agreement between states with paid family and medical leave programs. This network will streamline benefit delivery, reduce administrative burdens, and coordinate state programs, benefiting both employees and employers. The Act establishes the IPLAN, defines its duties, and authorizes grants to a national intermediary and eligible states to support the development and implementation of the interstate agreement. Ultimately, the IPLAN Act seeks to create more consistency and efficiency in paid leave programs across state lines.

This bill congratulates Gregg Popovich on his retirement after a record-setting career as head coach of the San Antonio Spurs. It recognizes his numerous achievements, including leading the Spurs to five NBA championships and holding the record for the most coaching wins in NBA history. The bill also acknowledges his contributions to the San Antonio community and his service in the United States Air Force. Finally, it directs the Clerk of the House to send a copy of the resolution to Coach Popovich.

This bill recognizes the importance of motherhood and Mother's Day, celebrating mothers' sacrifices and role in raising the next generation. It acknowledges various forms of motherhood while affirming that mothers are women, rejecting terms that diminish the significance of motherhood. The bill expresses support for policies recognizing mothers and encourages the celebration of Mother's Day.

Anna's Law of 2025 aims to improve the handling of sexual assault cases by expanding trauma-informed training for law enforcement and emergency medical personnel. The law establishes a grant program to support evidence-based, victim-centered training that increases understanding of trauma's impact and promotes trauma-informed responses. This training includes strategies for avoiding re-traumatization and is required for both new recruits and current professionals, with the goal of enhancing support and outcomes for survivors. The Secretary will maintain a list of qualified trainers and report annually to Congress on the program's effectiveness.

The "Restoring WIFIA Eligibility Act" amends the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014, to specify that repaid financial aid to non-federal entities using non-federal funds will be considered non-federal financial assistance under certain federal regulations. This change affects how these funds are classified and managed under the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990.

The "Claiming Age Clarity Act" aims to modernize the Social Security Administration's language by January 1, 2027. It replaces terms like "early eligibility age" with "minimum monthly benefit age" and "full retirement age" with "standard monthly benefit age." The act also changes "delayed retirement credit" to referencing a "maximum monthly benefit age," to simplify understanding of benefit eligibility.

The BE GONE Act amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to include sexual assault and aggravated sexual abuse in the definition of aggravated felonies. This change would mean immigrants convicted of these crimes would be subject to deportation.

The Green Federal Fleet Act mandates that federal agencies can only purchase or lease zero-emission non-tactical passenger vehicles, with exceptions made if using such a vehicle isn't technically feasible. A zero-emission vehicle is defined as one that produces no exhaust emissions of pollutants or greenhouse gases, other than water vapor. This requirement applies to all branches of the Federal Government and does not apply to purchases or leases made before the enactment of this law.

The "Renewable Energy Certificate Study Act of 2025" mandates a study by the Comptroller General on federal agencies' use of renewable energy certificates (RECs). This study will assess the impact of REC demand on renewable energy investments and evaluate federal agencies' progress toward renewable energy goals, considering various compliance methods like RECs, power purchase agreements, and onsite renewables. The study will analyze the costs and risks associated with each approach and recommend improvements to the REC market's impact on federal renewable energy investments. A report with findings and recommendations will be submitted to Congress.

The "Ernest Peltz Accrued Veterans Benefits Act" ensures that veterans' pension payments approved before their death, but issued afterward, are paid to their surviving spouse, children, dependent parents, or estate. If no application is filed within a year of the veteran's death, the pension will be paid to the veteran's estate, unless subject to escheat. This act applies to veterans who die on or after the date of enactment.

The PREP Act reduces the maximum probationary period for initial federal government appointments to 6 months for those with prior civil service experience and 12 months for all other appointees. This change applies to positions under 5 U.S.C. 3321, initial appointments in the excepted service, and the Senior Executive Service. The act also amends 5 U.S.C. 9510 regarding the Internal Revenue Service, adjusting provisions related to probationary periods.

The "Strengthening America's Turning Point Act" renames Saratoga National Historical Park as Saratoga National Battlefield Park. This act mandates that all references to the park in federal documents, maps, laws, and regulations be updated to reflect the new name.

This concurrent resolution authorizes the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for a ceremony honoring the United States Army Rangers Veterans of World War II with the Congressional Gold Medal. The ceremony is scheduled for June 26, 2025, and physical preparations will be managed by the Architect of the Capitol.

The "RESEARCHER Act" aims to improve the financial stability of graduate and postdoctoral researchers by directing federal research agencies to develop and implement policies that address issues such as low stipends, healthcare access, housing affordability, food insecurity, and family care costs. It mandates the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to create policy guidelines, requires federal agencies to align with these guidelines, and orders data collection and studies to assess and address financial instability among these researchers. Additionally, the Act requires regular reporting to Congress on the implementation and effectiveness of these measures.