Legislation

The Fair Aviation in Restrictions and Emergencies (FARE) Act prevents the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) from halting commercial flights during a funding lapse unless all comparable private jet flights are also grounded in the same area. This ensures commercial operations continue unless specific, essential private flights are also restricted. Exceptions exist for flights related to public safety, government business, medical needs, and emergency relief.

The Right to Representation for Department of Veterans Affairs Workers Act of 2025 grants eligible VA employees the right to have a representative present during any examination that they believe could lead to disciplinary action. This representation must be requested by the employee and will occur during duty time if applicable. The bill specifically defines which VA employees are covered by this new right.

The Archie Cavanaugh Migratory Bird Treaty Amendment Act clarifies federal law regarding authentic Alaska Native articles of handicraft. This bill amends the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to permit the possession and sale of these handicrafts, even if they contain nonedible migratory bird parts. The exception applies unless the bird part was taken illegally or wastefully. The Act also requires the State Department to establish procedures with treaty partners to reflect this clarification.

The Keep Healthcare Affordable Act extends and enhances premium tax credits under the Internal Revenue Code through 2030. This legislation increases the affordability assistance amounts and modifies eligibility rules for higher-income taxpayers. Specifically, it raises the maximum household income percentage for credit eligibility up to 1000 percent through 2029.

The Bringing Assistance for Rural Needs During Shutdowns Act designates services provided by the Farm Services Agency (FSA) as essential during a government shutdown. This ensures that FSA officers and employees can continue their work, recognizing their services as necessary for protecting human life and property.

The Filipino Veterans Fairness Act of 2025 aims to improve veterans benefits for certain individuals who served in the forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Scouts. This legislation amends existing law to expand eligibility criteria and mandates that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs consider alternative documentation when verifying service. Furthermore, the Act requires an annual report to Congress detailing the number of applicants and approvals for these benefits.

This resolution expresses the sense of Congress that the United States officially recognizes the State of Israel has committed genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza. It details extensive evidence supporting this finding, including mass casualties, systematic destruction of infrastructure, and severe humanitarian crisis. Consequently, the bill calls for the immediate halt of all U.S. military and financial assistance to Israel until compliance with international court orders is verified. Furthermore, it demands the U.S. use its leverage to support international investigations and ensure robust funding for humanitarian aid through UNRWA.

This Act authorizes the construction of a new Department of Veterans Affairs hospital in the Rio Grande Valley sector of Texas, pending Congressional appropriations. Upon construction, the facility will be officially named the Sgt. Alfredo Freddy Gonzalez Memorial Veterans Hospital.

The Stuck On Hold Act mandates that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) implement automated systems to inform callers of their estimated wait times on customer service lines. If the wait exceeds ten minutes, callers must be offered an automated callback option. The VA is also required to issue guidance aimed at reducing average wait times to ten minutes or less.

The Veterans Transition Support Act of 2025 expands the existing Solid Start program to enhance outreach to specific separating service members. This legislation mandates proactive contact between 210 and 120 days before separation to inform members about transitional health care and provide disability claim assistance resources. The program must also incorporate suicide prevention resources into its outreach efforts for these veterans.

This bill authorizes the presentation of a single Congressional Gold Medal to the service members of the Military Assistance Command Vietnam-Studies and Observations Group (MACVSOG). This award recognizes their high-risk, covert operations and profound sacrifices conducted in denied areas of Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. The medal will be presented on behalf of Congress and ultimately housed at the Smithsonian Institution. The Act also permits the creation and sale of bronze duplicates of the medal.

The Veterans Healthcare Improvement Act mandates that the Comptroller General review the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical care budget submissions for fiscal years 2026 through 2028. Following each review, the Comptroller General must report the findings to relevant Congressional committees. This process aims to increase transparency and oversight of the VA's medical care funding requests.

The Helping Homeless Veterans Act of 2025 aims to restructure existing programs supporting homeless and special needs veterans. The bill modifies several sections related to treatment, housing assistance, and supportive services for veterans. Notably, it establishes a dedicated funding level of $\$420,000,000$ annually for financial assistance programs for very low-income veteran families in permanent housing starting in fiscal year 2027.

The Every Veteran Counts Act of 2025 mandates the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish a comprehensive, publicly accessible database of anonymized veteran demographic data, including sensitive categories like sexual orientation and gender identity. This legislation requires the VA to continuously collect, maintain, and annually update this machine-readable data to better inform policy and outreach. Furthermore, the Secretary must report to Congress within one year on the progress and challenges of implementing a modernized VA data strategy.

This resolution expresses support for designating a week in November 2025 as "National Caregiving Youth Week" to recognize children under 18 who care for family members. It highlights the significant challenges these youth face balancing caregiving with their own well-being and education. The bill also calls for urgent national research to better understand and support this underserved population.

The UNLOCK Housing Act aims to increase the supply of affordable housing by allowing local governments and tribes to use federal funds for the direct construction of new residential housing for low- and moderate-income persons. This amendment to the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 expands the eligible uses of these funds. The legislation permits this construction activity with or without the involvement of nonprofit organizations.

The Veterans’ Sentinel Act mandates the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to annually evaluate statistical trends of veteran suicides and attempted suicides occurring on VA property and develop prevention recommendations. It establishes a working group to collect and analyze comprehensive data on these incidents, including root cause analysis and behavioral health autopsy information. This group will also work to unify and improve the VA's data collection processes for on-campus veteran suicides. The Secretary must report on the working group's progress and findings to Congress annually.

This bill officially renames the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Newton, New Jersey, to the "Anthony 'Tony' J. Gallopo VA Clinic." Upon enactment, all official references to the facility must use this new designation.

The Veterans Earned Education Act expands the eligibility for service members to transfer Post-9/11 educational assistance benefits to their dependents. This change modifies existing service requirements, specifically adding pathways for individuals who have completed at least 17 years of service or who are retired under specific Armed Forces chapters to transfer these educational benefits. The legislation broadens the scope of who can transfer these earned benefits to family members.

This bill temporarily extends and modifies the enhanced premium tax credit for health insurance through 2027. It also introduces significant changes to Medicare Advantage risk adjustment by requiring the use of two years of diagnostic data starting in 2026. Finally, the legislation aims to reduce fraudulent enrollment in health plans by increasing civil and criminal penalties for agents and brokers and establishing new consumer protection and oversight processes.