Legislation

The Modernizing All Veterans and Survivors Claims Processing Act mandates the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to begin tracking and annually reporting on the causes of veteran deaths. It also requires the VA to develop and implement a plan for using automation tools to streamline and speed up the processing of veterans' claims. Furthermore, the bill establishes new technology requirements to ensure automatic updates regarding children's benefits and correct document labeling within VA systems.

This bill centralizes the authority for establishing federal manufactured home construction and safety standards under the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). It requires any other federal agency to obtain the Secretary's explicit approval before implementing new or updated standards. The Secretary can reject proposed standards based on cost concerns or conflicts with existing safety regulations.

The Protecting American Research and Talent Act prohibits the use of federal funds for fundamental research collaborations between U.S. universities and designated "covered entities." Agencies may grant exceptions only if necessary for U.S. national security and if the university meets strict international student enrollment criteria. The bill also mandates annual reporting to Congress detailing compliance and any granted waivers.

This bill reaffirms the existing trust status of specific lands taken into trust by the United States for the benefit of an Indian Tribe under the Act of June 18, 1934. It confirms that if a Tribe was federally recognized on the date the land was taken into trust, that land status is officially recognized now. Essentially, this legislation locks in the trust status for these past land transfers to eligible Tribes.

The HEAL Act updates how the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reimburses veterans for using personal vehicles for appointments, aligning the mileage rate with the GSA standard. This legislation explicitly bans the VA from charging veterans any travel deductibles for necessary care. Furthermore, it expands the list of approved providers who can offer transportation services to veterans.

The TWISTER Act aims to enhance tornado and windstorm safety by expanding the goals of the existing Tornado Warning Improvement and Extension Program. This legislation directs the program to focus on developing innovative forecasts and warnings for fast-developing storms, tornadoes in unexpected areas, and dangerous nighttime events. Ultimately, the bill seeks to improve the nation's ability to track and warn the public about severe wind events.

The Courthouse Affordability and Space Efficiency (CASE) Act of 2025 aims to reduce federal construction costs by implementing strict new space-sharing requirements for all new courthouse designs. This legislation freezes new construction unless designs adhere to specific ratios for courtrooms based on the number of active and senior judges. Furthermore, the GSA must ensure existing space within a complex is fully utilized before new construction is permitted.

This bill primarily focuses on extending the authorization for the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs by one year. It pushes the expiration dates for the core programs and several related pilot activities from fiscal year 2025 to fiscal year 2026. This ensures continued federal research and development funding opportunities for small businesses.

The Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2025 aims to increase attorney accountability in federal court by making sanctions mandatory for filing improper or frivolous paperwork. If a violation of court rules is found, judges **shall** require the attorney to reimburse the opposing party for reasonable expenses and attorney fees. This measure is designed to curb abusive litigation practices without hindering the development of new legal arguments or claims.

The Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship Opportunity Act modifies the existing scholarship program to better support veterans pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math. This bill revises priority categories for applicants and mandates that recipients must exhaust their primary educational assistance benefits before using the STEM scholarship funds. Additionally, the Act extends the expiration date for certain limitations on veterans' pension payments.

The Pay Our Border Patrol and Customs Agents Act ensures that essential U.S. Border Patrol Agents and Customs and Border Protection officers who must work during a government shutdown in fiscal year 2026 will receive their salaries. This legislation appropriates necessary funds from the Treasury to cover these payments during the lapse in appropriations. The goal is to guarantee that critical border security personnel are paid even if the government temporarily closes.

This bill authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to acquire or build a new, cloud-based inventory management system for VHA medical facilities. Before implementation, a pilot program must be conducted, and a detailed modernization report must be submitted to Congress. Additionally, the Act extends the expiration date for certain limits on veterans' pension payments until the end of 2032.

The Protect Elections from Deceptive AI Act prohibits the knowing distribution of materially deceptive, AI-generated audio or visual media of federal candidates close to an election with the intent to influence the outcome. This ban includes exceptions for legitimate news reporting, satire, and parody, provided proper disclosures are made. Candidates whose likeness is used deceptively can sue for immediate removal of the content and damages.

The Water Resources Technical Assistance Review Act directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a comprehensive review of the technical assistance the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides for clean water infrastructure projects. This review will examine what assistance is available, how partners are selected, and whether the aid effectively meets community needs without duplication. Following the report, the EPA Administrator must submit annual plans to Congress detailing steps taken to implement the GAO's recommendations.

The SAFE Ride Act of 2025 establishes a new federal grant program administered by NHTSA to enhance electric bike (e-bike) safety across the nation. To qualify for funding, states must demonstrate commitment to key safety measures, including enforcing shared system rules, promoting helmet use, and collecting comprehensive accident data. The Act also tasks the Secretary of Transportation with developing national recommendations for helmet use for minors and creating public safety education curricula.

The Thriving Community Gardens Act expands how schools can use existing health and wellness funds to support student well-being. This includes funding for nutrition education, structured physical education, and the creation and maintenance of school or community gardens. The bill also requires the Secretary of Education to collect data on these garden projects and share best practices publicly and regularly.

The DC CRIMES Act of 2025 significantly reforms the treatment of youth offenders by lowering the age eligibility for youth offender status to under 18. It also mandates the creation of a public website managed by the Attorney General to transparently report detailed, monthly juvenile crime statistics. This legislation streamlines facility planning for youth services and requires the sharing of previously protected juvenile records to populate the new data portal.

The Permanent OPTN Fee Authority Act modernizes the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) by updating communication requirements and mandating a public transparency dashboard. Crucially, it authorizes the collection of registration fees from members based on transplant candidates to fund OPTN operations. The bill also requires quarterly public reporting on fee collection and usage, subject to a future GAO review.

This joint resolution expresses Congress's disapproval of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) final rule that extended compliance deadlines for pollution standards in the Oil and Natural Gas Sector. By invoking the Congressional Review Act, this measure immediately nullifies the EPA's rule, preventing it from taking legal effect. Essentially, Congress is overturning the EPA's decision to delay stricter emissions requirements for oil and gas operations.

The Reauthorizing Support and Treatment for Officers in Crisis Act of 2025 extends crucial federal funding for programs supporting law enforcement officers in crisis. This bill specifically reauthorizes existing support and treatment initiatives for an additional five years, running from 2025 through 2029. It ensures continued resources are available for officers needing mental health and wellness assistance.