Legislation

The Veterans TBI Adaptive Care Opportunities Nationwide Act of 2025 establishes a new Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) grant program to fund supplemental neurorehabilitation approaches for veterans suffering from chronic mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI). This program will award grants to eligible entities to develop and test patient-centered, non-medication therapies aimed at improving mental health outcomes and reducing suicidality. The goal is to advance innovative, integrated treatments for mTBI and associated conditions outside of traditional VA pathways.

The Returning Unspent COVID Funds Act rescinds unobligated balances from several previous COVID-19 relief laws upon enactment. These returned funds are directed to the Treasury's general fund exclusively for reducing the national deficit. The President retains the authority to waive this rescission for specific accounts with prior notification to Congress.

This resolution condemns the Chinese Communist Party's severe persecution of religious minority groups, including Christians, Muslims, and Buddhists. It specifically denounces the detention of Pastor "Ezra" Jin Mingri and Zion Church leaders amid a broader campaign to "sinicize" religion. The measure reaffirms the United States' global commitment to promoting religious freedom and calls for the immediate release of all wrongfully detained religious practitioners in China.

The Veterans’ Cremation Certainty Act of 2025 establishes a new option for eligible veterans to receive direct payment for the cost of direct cremation services. This benefit allows veterans to elect direct payment to a named provider instead of receiving existing burial or funeral allowances. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs is required to implement regulations for this new direct payment process within 120 days of enactment.

The MAMDANI Act, or Moving American Money Distant from Anti-National Interests Act, would immediately rescind all unobligated federal funds currently available to New York City. Furthermore, the bill prohibits the obligation or spending of any new federal funds for the city as long as Zohran Mamdani serves as mayor.

The No Nuclear Testing Without Approval Act prohibits the United States from conducting any explosive nuclear testing unless a foreign state tests first or a technical need is certified. If testing is proposed, the President must submit a detailed notification to Congress at least 180 days in advance. Ultimately, Congress must enact a joint resolution of approval into law, which requires a two-thirds affirmative vote in the Senate.

The Student Veteran Work Study Modernization Act establishes a five-year pilot program to expand eligibility for the VA work-study allowance to veterans pursuing certain educational or training programs at a half-time enrollment level. This allows more student veterans to benefit from work-study opportunities without meeting the current three-quarter-time enrollment requirement. Additionally, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs is required to submit annual reports detailing participation and outcomes for veterans in the work-study program.

The Restoring Access for Detainees Act aims to reinstate and expand free communication services for individuals in civil immigration detention. It mandates the provision of free phone calls, including 200 free outgoing minutes monthly, specifically for contacting family and legal counsel. Furthermore, the bill ensures private, unmonitored communication opportunities with attorneys and certain government officials upon arrival in custody.

The Violent Juvenile Offender Accountability Act of 2025 amends federal law to allow for the direct criminal prosecution of juveniles aged 16 and older in district court. This direct prosecution applies specifically when the juvenile is alleged to have committed serious violent offenses, such as homicide, aggravated assault, or aggravated sexual abuse. The bill removes the requirement for an Attorney General motion to initiate these criminal proceedings for these specific, severe crimes.

The USS Frank E. Evans Act mandates the Secretary of Defense to add the names of the 74 crew members lost when the USS Frank E. Evans sank on June 3, 1969, to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. This action must be completed within one year of the Act becoming law. The Secretary is required to consult with relevant authorities regarding space on the Memorial Wall for these additions.

The Beef Origin Labeling Accountability Act mandates the reinstatement of mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) for beef. It requires the U.S. Trade Representative and the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a WTO-compliant method for bringing back these labels. Furthermore, the Act requires regular progress reports to Congress and directs consultations to resolve existing World Trade Organization disputes related to previous labeling requirements.

The Restoring Inpatient Mental Health Access Act of 2025 aims to temporarily expand Medicaid coverage for services provided in Institutions for Mental Diseases (IMDs). This legislation modifies existing law to allow for federal financial participation in these services until January 1, 2027. The changes are designed to restore or increase access to inpatient mental health care for eligible individuals during this period.

The Home for the Brave Act of 2025 ensures that veterans' disability compensation and dependency/indemnity compensation are not counted as household income by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This change will positively affect eligibility and the calculation of housing assistance benefits for veterans and their families.

The Territorial De Minimis Exemption Act establishes an $800 duty-free import limit for articles originating from covered U.S. territories, including the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. It also expands the existing bona fide gift exemption to include the Northern Mariana Islands. Furthermore, the bill requires the President to consult with relevant Secretaries to avoid negatively impacting territory commerce when making broad trade policy changes.

The USS Frank E. Evans Act mandates that the Secretary of Defense add the names of the 74 crew members lost when the USS Frank E. Evans sank on June 3, 1969, to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. This inclusion must be completed within one year of the Act becoming law. The bill also exempts this specific addition from standard regulations governing commemorative works.

The Defense Biotechnology Strategy Act mandates that the Secretary of Defense submit a comprehensive strategy to Congress within one year. This strategy must outline the Department of Defense's approach to leveraging emerging biotechnologies for national security. It requires detailed plans for integrating biotechnology into defense manufacturing, procurement, and international partnerships, particularly with NATO allies.

The Fair Credit for Farmers Act of 2025 aims to provide financial relief and reform loan processes for farmers and ranchers. It mandates a two-year deferment of principal and interest payments on direct farm loans for eligible borrowers, while also waiving guarantee fees for covered producers on certain loans. Furthermore, the bill introduces significant reforms to farm loan administration, including stricter requirements for adverse decision letters and limitations on using a principal residence as loan collateral. Finally, it shifts the burden of proof in certain appeals to the agency for low-income appellants.

The Securing Assurance for Federal Employees Act (SAFE Act) prohibits Executive agencies from initiating or carrying out any reduction in force (RIF) during a government shutdown caused by a lapse in funding. Any RIF action taken during such a period will be considered legally void. This provision is designed to protect federal employees from job loss during funding crises.

The Emergency Relief for Hungry Families Act of 2025 temporarily exempts certain retail food stores from standard equal treatment requirements during specific budget shortfalls. This allows stores to offer incentives to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants when benefits are delayed or reduced. These temporary incentives will not be considered violations of existing federal regulations.

This Act establishes the **Strategic Task Force on Scam Prevention**, an interagency group led by the FTC and DOJ, to combat fraud. The task force is charged with developing and implementing a national strategy that includes public education, industry coordination, and enhanced enforcement actions. It will also coordinate with international partners and report annually on its efforts to reduce financial losses from scams.