Legislation

This resolution expresses concern over China's growing influence in Panama, particularly through infrastructure projects and the management of key ports. It urges Panama to expel Chinese officials and terminate agreements that allow Chinese entities to control strategic infrastructure. The resolution also calls on the U.S. government to utilize the Neutrality Treaty to counter foreign influence, provide support to Panama, and explore a U.S.-Panama partnership to restore operational control of the Panama Canal. It seeks to safeguard the Panama Canal's neutrality, Western Hemisphere security, and U.S. national interests.

The Arsenal Workload Sustainment Act establishes a five-year pilot program favoring defense procurement actions with non-public partners who have public-private partnerships with Army arsenals, including a price preference of 20%. It also encourages partnerships utilizing the Army's Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence and a minimum level of work performed by Department of Defense employees. The Secretary of Defense must report to Congress on the program's progress, challenges, and future outlook.

This bill amends the Grand Ronde Reservation Act to clarify the hunting, fishing, trapping, and animal gathering rights of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community. It ensures the 1986 Grand Ronde Hunting and Fishing Agreement remains in effect unless modified by mutual consent between the tribe and Oregon, while protecting the rights of other tribes. Future agreements will derive authority solely from the State of Oregon, and the bill allows for court review of changes to a related Consent Decree. This amendment does not impact existing treaty or sovereign rights of any Indian Tribe.

The START Act of 2025 amends Title 38 of the U.S. Code, Section 1703(a)(2), to establish that the referral period for veterans to receive care from non-VA providers under the Community Care Program begins on the date of the veteran's first appointment with that provider. This ensures a standardized and valid referral timeframe for veterans seeking community care.

The BAH Restoration Act aims to restore the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) to cover 100% of service members' housing costs. This will be done by amending title 37 of the United States Code, ensuring that the monthly BAH is equivalent to the determined monthly cost of adequate housing based on pay grade, dependency status, and location. The Secretary of Defense will determine the specific housing costs in each area.

The Veteran Education Assistance Adjustment Act increases the annual stipend for books, supplies, and equipment for veterans under the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program from $1,000 to $1,400. Beginning in 2026, this stipend will be subject to annual increases based on the Consumer Price Index.

This bill disapproves and invalidates the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's rule regarding overdraft lending practices of very large financial institutions. The rule, found in the Federal Register, is nullified by this disapproval.

The "Stop Fentanyl Money Laundering Act of 2025" aims to combat fentanyl and narcotics trafficking by enhancing financial institutions' ability to detect and report money laundering activities. It authorizes the Treasury Secretary to impose special measures against financial institutions involved in illicit fentanyl financing, mandates updated advisories on identifying Chinese professional money laundering networks, and requires guidance for reporting suspicious transactions linked to transnational criminal organizations involved in narcotics trafficking. The Act also calls for a comprehensive report on lessons learned from past drug crises to inform strategies for addressing the opioid crisis.

This bill authorizes the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for a ceremony on April 23, 2025, to remember victims of the Holocaust. The Architect of the Capitol will oversee the preparations for the event.

The TREAT PTSD Act mandates the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense to provide stellate ganglion block (SGB) to veterans and members of the Armed Forces diagnosed with PTSD who elect to receive it after being fully informed of its risks and benefits. It allows the treatment to be furnished through VA or military medical facilities, or qualified healthcare providers. The bill also requires updating the VADOD Clinical Practice Guideline for PTSD management to include SGB as a therapy option.

The Financial Privacy Act of 2025 aims to increase transparency and oversight of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network's (FinCEN) data collection practices. It mandates the Secretary of the Treasury to provide annual reports to Congress detailing the types and volume of financial reports collected, agency access protocols, and any instances of denied access. The Act also requires annual review and revision of these protocols to better tailor information collection to legitimate objectives, prevent unauthorized disclosures, and protect the legal rights of U.S. persons. Finally, the act repeals section 5327 of title 31, United States Code, 7 years after the enactment of this Act.

The "FACT Act" renames the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee to the Fraud Prevention and Accountability Committee and extends its operation until December 31, 2026, to continue overseeing federal spending and preventing fraud. The Act also updates references to reflect changes in the U.S. Code.

The "Mamas and Babies in Underserved Communities Act of 2025" aims to improve maternal health outcomes and reduce disparities in underserved communities by providing grants to healthcare providers. These grants will support the expansion and enhancement of maternal health services, including prenatal, postnatal care for infants, and postpartum care for mothers. Priority is given to entities serving minority, low-income, or medically underserved areas, particularly those led by community members. The act allocates necessary funds from 2026 to 2030 to facilitate these improvements.

The FISH Act of 2025 transfers authority over anadromous and catadromous fish species from the Secretary of Commerce to the Secretary of the Interior. It redefines anadromous and catadromous species within the Endangered Species Act of 1973. The Act allows for reconsideration of certain past administrative decisions and addresses administrative and legal details related to the transfer, ensuring continuity in existing legal documents, proceedings, and lawsuits. It also defines key terms like "function" and "office" to clarify the scope and implementation of the transfer.

The "Las Cruces Bataan Memorial Clinic Act" designates the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Las Cruces, New Mexico, as the Las Cruces Bataan Memorial Clinic. Any reference to this clinic in any document will now refer to it as the Las Cruces Bataan Memorial Clinic.

The "More Behavioral Health Providers Act of 2025" expands the Medicare health professional shortage area bonus program to include mental health and substance use disorder service providers. This act increases Medicare payments to physicians in health professional shortage areas by 10% and to physicians and other practitioners in mental health professional shortage areas by 15% for related services. The changes aim to increase access to mental health and substance use disorder treatment.

The Children's Health Insurance Program Permanency Act (CHIPP Act) permanently extends funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and other related programs. It also makes permanent several programs and demonstration projects under the Social Security Act, such as the Pediatric Quality Measures Program and the Express Lane Eligibility Option. Additionally, the act provides states with the option to increase children's eligibility for Medicaid and CHIP by allowing them to cover children whose family income exceeds the state's current maximum income level.

The "United States Commission on International Religious Freedom Reauthorization Act of 2025" reauthorizes funding for the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) through fiscal year 2028. This extension ensures the continuation of USCIRF's work in monitoring and advocating for religious freedom around the world.

The Stop Electronic Stalking Act of 2025 amends federal stalking laws to include the use of unauthorized geotracking devices. This bill defines a geotracking device as any electronic or mechanical tool used to remotely monitor a person's location without their consent. By including this, the law aims to modernize stalking definitions to address technological advancements.

The Veteran Appeals Transparency Act of 2025 requires the Board of Veterans Appeals to publish weekly updates on the Department of Veteran Affairs website, the docket dates of cases assigned to a Board member for decision that week. The notice must state that the assignment does not guarantee a decision will be made that week. This requirement does not apply to cases that have been advanced or remanded by the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.