Legislation

The Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act aims to stop federal payments made in error to deceased individuals. This is achieved by requiring the Social Security Administration (SSA) to improve information sharing with the government's "Do Not Pay" working system. These coordination efforts and related changes will officially take effect on December 28, 2026.

The Gold Star Family Education Parity Act terminates the authority for the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program (DEA) on August 1, 2029. Individuals who lose eligibility due to this cutoff will be automatically transitioned to receive educational assistance under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. This ensures continued educational support for eligible survivors and dependents.

The VA Funding and Workforce Protection Act ensures that congressionally appropriated funds for the Department of Veterans Affairs cannot be unilaterally withheld or transferred without explicit new authorization from Congress. This legislation also provides significant protections for VA personnel by exempting the agency from presidential hiring freezes for a four-year period and establishing strict notification requirements before layoffs or removals of probationary employees can occur. Finally, the Secretary of the VA must regularly certify compliance with these new funding and personnel mandates to relevant Congressional committees.

The Family Notification of Death, Injury, or Illness in Custody Act of 2025 establishes mandatory, standardized procedures for law enforcement and correctional facilities to promptly and compassionately notify next-of-kin when an individual in custody dies, is seriously injured, or becomes seriously ill. This Act requires detention agencies to collect emergency contact information upon intake and mandates specific timeframes—such as notification within 12 hours of death—for communicating critical medical and death details. Furthermore, it ensures that next-of-kin receive autopsy results and have input regarding the disposition of remains.

The Staff Sergeant John D. Martek Purple Heart Restoration Act allows certain veterans who suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) traceable to enemy action after December 7, 1941, to be awarded the Purple Heart medal. This applies if the veteran has a service-connected disability due to the TBI or official military confirmation of the injury's cause. The respective military branches must establish a process for these veterans to apply for and receive the award, regardless of when the injury occurred.

The Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2025 updates federal housing tax credit allocations to reflect current economic realities and boosts minimum state allotments. It reforms tenant eligibility rules to stabilize tenancy and enhance protections for vulnerable residents, including victims of abuse. The bill also provides disaster relief for property owners, increases incentives for housing the extremely low-income, and directs greater resources toward Native American and rural housing needs. Finally, it streamlines administrative processes and signals a future focus on data transparency and discouraging restrictive local zoning.

The Protecting Our Supreme Court Justices Act of 2025 increases the maximum prison sentence for obstructing justice by picketing or parading near federal buildings. Specifically, this bill raises the maximum penalty under 18 U.S.C. § 1507 from one year to five years in prison. This legislation aims to enhance protections against interference with federal operations, particularly concerning Supreme Court Justices.

The VA Home Loan GRACE Act of 2025 modernizes how the VA guarantees home loans for veterans, particularly when multiple veterans share a loan, by adjusting maximum guarantee calculations. It also establishes significant civil penalties for veterans who knowingly provide false information on required loan certification forms. These changes aim to enhance the resiliency and clarity of the VA home loan program.

The Pecos Watershed Protection Act withdraws specific federal lands in New Mexico from future mining and leasing to protect the watershed. It also officially designates approximately 11,599 acres of Forest Service land as the Thompson Peak Wilderness Area, managed under the Wilderness Act. Existing valid rights, including pre-existing grazing, are preserved within both the withdrawn area and the new wilderness.

The GREATER Act establishes a formal partnership between the Small Business Administration (SBA), the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), and the Delta Regional Authority (DRA). This agreement mandates these agencies to coordinate efforts to expand rural entrepreneurship and support small businesses specifically within the Appalachian and Delta regions. The partnership requires regular reporting to Congress on assistance provided and future collaboration plans.

The Sarvis Creek Wilderness Completion Act officially designates approximately 6,817 acres of land within the Routt National Forest as an addition to the existing Sarvis Creek Wilderness. This legislation ensures that established wilderness protections immediately apply to the newly added acreage upon enactment. Furthermore, the Act explicitly preserves existing Tribal treaty rights while allowing the Secretary of Agriculture to permit traditional cultural uses by Indian Tribes in the area. The Secretary also retains authority to manage wildfires, insects, and diseases within the new wilderness addition.

The Carnivals are Real Entertainment Act establishes a specific P visa pathway for temporary workers employed by traveling carnivals, circuses, and associated concession providers. This new classification ensures essential mobile entertainment staff can enter the U.S. while adhering to existing H-2B temporary worker program regulations. The law mandates that the Secretaries of Homeland Security and Labor develop and finalize the necessary rules within one year of enactment.

The Paula Bohovesky and Joan D’Alessandro Act amends federal sentencing guidelines to ensure that convictions for sexual offenses against minors under 18 count toward specific sentencing enhancements. This change adjusts the rules under 18 U.S.C. § 3559(d)(1)(A) regarding when certain sentencing triggers are met. The goal is to strengthen how prior offenses against children impact current sentencing decisions.

The Pell Grant Flexibility Act updates the Higher Education Act to better support students with disabilities. This bill allows eligible students with disabilities to be treated as full-time for Pell Grant calculation purposes, even with a reduced course load. This change ensures they can receive a higher grant amount based on full-time status, provided they meet a minimum credit threshold.

The Military Moms Act aims to improve maternal healthcare access and support for military families. It expands TRICARE coverage rules to recognize pregnancy and pregnancy loss as qualifying life events for enrollment changes. The bill also mandates a comprehensive report detailing maternal health access within military facilities and the TRICARE network. Finally, it requires the creation of a centralized, dedicated maternal health resource guide on the Military OneSource website.

The Invest to Protect Act of 2025 establishes a new, streamlined grant program within the Department of Justice to support small local and Tribal law enforcement agencies (under 175 officers). These funds are specifically designated for officer training, mental health resources, and recruitment/retention bonuses. The law mandates a rapid application process and includes strict accountability measures, such as audits and public reporting of bonuses. Congress is authorized to appropriate up to $50 million annually for this program through fiscal year 2031.

The Religious Workforce Protection Act aims to support religious workers facing long green card backlogs by allowing extensions of their nonimmigrant status beyond the usual five-year limit until their permanent residency application is processed. It also modifies job flexibility rules for certain delayed applicants and exempts religious workers who left the U.S. due to the five-year R-1 visa limit from the mandatory one-year foreign residence requirement before reapplying.

The District of Columbia Electronic Transmittal of Legislation Act allows the Chairman of the D.C. Council to transmit D.C. Acts and Charter Amendments to the federal government in electronic format. This legislation ensures that Congress must accept these electronic submissions as valid for meeting all statutory deadlines. Essentially, this modernizes the official submission process between the District and the federal government.

The Department of Homeland Security Climate Change Research Act directs the Under Secretary for Science and Technology to review existing federal research on climate change impacts to homeland security operations. This review will assess effects on emergency preparedness and disaster funding structures. Based on these findings, the Under Secretary is authorized to conduct new research and development to mitigate climate change impacts on DHS missions, requiring annual reporting to Congress.

The FIGHTER Act of 2025 aims to provide tax relief to service members by excluding their regular active duty compensation from federal gross income. This change is effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2024. To offset the resulting revenue loss, the bill mandates that the U.S. DOGE Service implement cost-saving measures equal to the lost federal revenue.