Legislation

This resolution strongly condemns the recent violent attacks and threats targeting personnel and facilities of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). It highlights a significant increase in assaults and death threats against federal officers. Furthermore, the measure expresses deep appreciation for the courage and essential service provided by ICE and CBP personnel.

This resolution expresses the sense of Congress recognizing the strategic value of the long-standing partnership between the United States and India, founded on shared democratic values and mutual interests. It highlights the deep cooperation across defense, technology, counterterrorism, and economic ties. The bill encourages the expansion of this relationship to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The Rural Partnership and Prosperity Act establishes new grant programs to coordinate federal, nonprofit, and private investments in rural areas. It creates the Rural Partnership Program to fund comprehensive development projects and a separate Technical Assistance Grant program to help rural organizations manage grants and plan development. Furthermore, the Act reforms the existing Rural Partners Network to streamline federal assistance and reduce administrative burdens for rural communities.

The Legislative Branch Agencies Clarification Act overhauls leadership appointment and removal processes for the Librarian of Congress and the Director of the Government Publishing Office, shifting authority away from Senate confirmation. This bill also establishes a Deputy Librarian and Deputy Director for both agencies, and separates the Copyright Office from the Library of Congress's oversight, placing the Register of Copyrights as its head. Finally, it integrates the Government Publishing Office under the Congressional Accountability Act and mandates a new human capital management system for the GPO.

The Protect Military and Federal Employees from Unfair Bank Fees Act prohibits financial institutions from charging insufficient funds fees and credit card late fees to federal employees and military personnel during periods of government shutdowns. This protection applies to "covered persons" who work without pay due to a lapse in appropriations. The goal is to shield these individuals from unnecessary financial penalties during federal funding gaps.

The VA CBA Act of 2025 affirms the validity of existing collective bargaining agreements within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This legislation specifically nullifies Executive Orders 14251 and 14343 as they apply to the VA. The Act ensures that current labor agreements remain in effect for their full term.

The Whole-Home Repairs Act of 2025 establishes a pilot program administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide grants and forgivable loans for essential home repairs. These funds will go to local implementing organizations to assist eligible homeowners and landlords of affordable rental units with accessibility, habitability, and efficiency upgrades. The program aims to preserve affordable housing and ensure safe living conditions while maximizing coordination with existing federal, state, and local repair resources. This pilot program is authorized to operate until October 1, 2031.

This bill mandates the U.S. Postal Service to create and sell a "Veterans Medical Debt Relief Stamp." All proceeds from the sale of this special stamp will be transferred directly to the Department of Veterans Affairs. The VA must then use these funds exclusively to pay down medical debt, including copayments and coinsurance, owed by veterans for VA and Community Care Program services.

The National Resilience and Recovery Fund Act establishes a dedicated federal fund, financed by new excise taxes on crude oil and imported petroleum products, to support FEMA's disaster mitigation and resilience grant programs. The bill also imposes a new windfall profits tax on large oil extractors and importers when oil prices exceed historical averages. Finally, it introduces a new 13% severance tax on crude oil and natural gas extracted from the Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf, offset by a credit for federal royalties paid.

The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025 mandates that the Secretary of Transportation establish a rule requiring AM broadcast radio receivers to be installed as standard equipment in new passenger motor vehicles. This requirement aims to ensure public access to AM radio signals, which are often used for emergency alerts. The bill also directs a GAO study on the effectiveness of AM radio within the national emergency alert system compared to other technologies. Finally, the Act preempts state and local laws on this matter and includes a sunset provision eight years after enactment.

This bill, the American Manufacturers over Argentine Bailouts Act, prohibits the use of the Exchange Stabilization Fund to provide financial support to Argentina. Instead, it directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a tariff relief program using those funds to provide financial assistance to eligible small and medium-sized U.S. manufacturers. This relief is intended to offset negative financial impacts experienced by these manufacturers due to tariffs imposed between January 20, 2025, and January 20, 2029.

The Government Shutdown Efficiency Act grants the President authority to sell federal real property during a lapse in appropriations to fund essential, non-furloughed federal employees. Funds from these sales can also be used for the purchase of Greenland, but sales to designated foreign adversary countries are strictly prohibited. Employees paid through these sales will not receive subsequent back pay.

The Appraisal Industry Improvement Act aims to strengthen the appraisal profession by setting new competency and education standards for appraisers handling FHA-insured mortgages. It also updates requirements for appraisal management companies and expands the national registry to include state credentialed trainee appraisers. Furthermore, the bill authorizes grants to support appraiser workforce development and expands representation on the Appraisal Subcommittee.

This bill mandates an annual increase in compensation rates for veterans with service-connected disabilities and for the survivors of certain disabled veterans. Effective December 1st each year, these rates will automatically rise by the same percentage as the Social Security Act benefit increase. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs is required to publish these adjusted compensation and dependency/indemnity rates annually.

This Act mandates the inclusion of Puerto Rico in the annual National Survey on Drug Use and Health, starting in fiscal year 2026. This ensures that vital substance use and health data is collected specifically for the territory.

The Medicare Advantage Integrity Act of 2025 aims to adjust Medicare Advantage benchmark payment levels to ensure fairer geographic adjustments. This legislation establishes a minimum geographic adjustment floor for calculating payments starting in 2026. Furthermore, it mandates that at least 50% of any resulting payment increase must be dedicated to covering basic patient benefits.

This bill amends the Bank Secrecy Act to exempt transactions involving cash reward payments made by crime stopper organizations from standard currency transaction reporting requirements. This change specifically applies to payments made by these nonprofit organizations in exchange for crime-related information. The goal is to streamline reporting for these specific reward transactions.

The Sgt. Walter F. Hartnett IV Green Star Veterans Service Act establishes the "Green Star Service Flag" to honor the next of kin of veterans who died by suicide on or after September 11, 2001. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs is required to design and designate this flag for eligible next of kin to display. The Act also sets regulations for manufacturing and selling the authorized flag.

This bill requires the Secretaries of Veterans Affairs and Education to submit a joint report to Congress concerning childcare for veteran families. The report must assess the current availability, accessibility, and affordability of childcare options. It will also identify existing gaps and evaluate barriers, such as cost and distance, preventing veteran families from accessing necessary care.

The Veterans Bill of Rights Act mandates that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provide every veteran with a comprehensive, published Bill of Rights detailing their entitlements. This bill outlines specific rights regarding fair treatment, access to quality healthcare, privacy, and transparent claims processing. While establishing these standards, the Act explicitly states it does not create any new enforceable legal rights against the United States. The VA must also establish a public reporting mechanism for compliance and address veteran complaints within 30 days.