Legislative Activity

The "Rural Veterinary Workforce Act" allows veterinarians working in underserved rural areas to be exempt from paying federal income tax on student loan repayment assistance received from federal or state programs. This bill aims to incentivize veterinary professionals to practice in rural communities, addressing the shortage of veterinary services in these areas. The change applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

This resolution focuses on protecting Iranian political refugees, particularly female former political prisoners, residing in Ashraf-3, Albania, from the Iranian regime's threats and actions. It condemns Iran's destabilizing activities and support for terrorism, while emphasizing the need for the refugees' rights to freedom of expression and assembly. The resolution calls for the U.S. government to support Albania in safeguarding these refugees in accordance with international law and opposes Iran's misuse of INTERPOL to target dissidents. It also highlights support for Mrs. Maryam Rajavi's Ten-Point Plan for the Future of Iran, which advocates for universal rights and equality.

This resolution supports the designation of May 29, 2025, as "Mental Health Awareness in Agriculture Day" to bring attention to mental health challenges within the agricultural community. It aims to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness among farmers and farmworkers, who face unique stressors and have higher suicide rates. The resolution promotes the use of available resources like the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network and encourages the prioritization of mental well-being in agriculture.

The Mississippi River Basin Fishery Commission Act establishes a commission to oversee and coordinate fishery management across the Mississippi River Basin's 31 states, multiple federal agencies, and 2 Canadian provinces. The commission will develop strategies for conserving fishery resources, controlling invasive species, and advising agencies on fishery-related issues. The Act also creates a grant program to fund eligible projects related to interjurisdictional fisheries management and sustainability in the Mississippi River Basin. Finally, the Act authorizes appropriations for the establishment, management, and implementation of the commission's activities.

The "Home-Based Telemental Health Care Act of 2025" aims to improve mental health and substance use services for underserved rural populations by providing grants to telemental health provider networks. These grants will facilitate home-based telemental health services, support infrastructure improvements like broadband access, and develop quality assessment metrics. The Act allocates \$10 million per fiscal year from 2025-2029 for this program and requires regular reports to Congress on its impact.

The Major Richard Star Act allows veterans with combat-related disabilities to receive both veteran's disability compensation and military retired pay concurrently, without reduction. This act amends Title 10 of the United States Code to ensure that disability retirees with combat-related disabilities are not subject to reductions in retired pay due to receiving veteran's disability compensation. These changes will take effect the first day of the month following the enactment of the Act.

The PARC Act ensures that all National Park System units that charge an entrance fee must accept cash as a form of payment. This guarantees that individuals have access to these parks, regardless of their payment method.

The "Physicians for Underserved Areas Act" amends the Social Security Act to improve how Medicare residency slots are redistributed when a hospital closes. It refines the criteria for assessing a hospital's ability to utilize and fill these redistributed slots, ensuring slots are allocated where they can be used effectively to train new physicians. These changes aim to optimize the distribution of residency positions following hospital closures.

The "Military Spouse Hiring Act" amends the Internal Revenue Code to include employers who hire qualified military spouses as eligible for the work opportunity tax credit. A qualified military spouse is certified by a local agency as married to a member of the U.S. Armed Forces. This expansion of the work opportunity credit applies to amounts paid after the law's enactment for individuals starting work after that date.

The "Choice in Automobile Retail Sales Act of 2025" repeals the EPA's multi-pollutant emissions standards for light and medium-duty vehicles. It also amends the Clean Air Act to prevent regulations from mandating specific technologies in vehicles or limiting vehicle availability based on engine type. The EPA must revise existing regulations to comply with these changes within 24 months.

The HELPER Act of 2025 establishes a new FHA mortgage insurance program to help first responders, including law enforcement, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, and teachers, become homeowners. It allows 100% financing (no down payment) for first-time homebuyers who qualify and eliminates monthly insurance premiums. The bill defines eligibility criteria, including housing counseling, employment requirements, and good standing as a first responder. It also authorizes appropriations for the program and requires reauthorization after 5 years.

The Resident Education Deferred Interest Act or REDI Act amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to allow borrowers participating in a medical or dental internship or residency program to defer their student loan payments. During the deferment period, borrowers will not be required to make principal payments, and interest will not accrue on the loan.

The "Traveler's Gun Rights Act" clarifies the definition of "State of residence" for firearm purchases, particularly for military personnel and those without a fixed residence. It allows active duty military members and their spouses to purchase firearms in the state of their permanent duty station or where they commute from, and individuals without a physical residence to use the location of their private mailbox or post office box. The bill also updates background check requirements to accommodate these new definitions, ensuring accurate identification of firearm transferees.

The "Honor Our Living Donors Act" ensures that organ donation reimbursement grants do not consider a recipient's income and removes the expectation that recipients will make payments. It also mandates an annual report to Congress detailing the adequacy of grant funding for donor reimbursements and the unmet needs of donating individuals. This aims to support living organ donors by fully covering their qualifying expenses.

The Veteran Fraud Reimbursement Act of 2025 ensures that veterans or their successors are reimbursed for benefits misused by a fiduciary. The Department of Veteran Affairs is required to reissue the misused amount to the beneficiary and attempt to recover the funds from the fiduciary. The total reissued amount is capped at the total benefit amount misused. The Act also directs the Secretary to establish methods for determining negligence by the Secretary in cases of misused benefits.

The HELP Copays Act ensures that financial assistance from non-profits and drug manufacturers counts towards a person's deductible, coinsurance, and copay limits for health insurance plans. Beginning in 2026, this includes a "safe harbor" provision to protect high-deductible health plans. These changes apply to specialty drugs and those subject to utilization management, while still allowing the use of tools like prior authorization. The Act is effective for health plans starting on or after January 1, 2026.

This resolution supports the Local Radio Freedom Act, opposing any new performance fees on local radio stations for playing music. It emphasizes the mutually beneficial relationship between the radio and recording industries, where radio provides free publicity and essential local services. The resolution warns that new fees would harm local radio stations, small businesses, and the communities they serve. Ultimately, it asserts that Congress should not impose any new charges on local radio for broadcasting sound recordings.

This bill amends the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019 to modify and reauthorize the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program, which aims to reduce veteran suicide. It increases the maximum grant amount, extends the program's duration through 2028, and requires the VA Secretary to provide annual briefings to improve coordination between grantees and local VA medical centers. The bill reauthorizes the program with $285 million in funding for fiscal years 2026-2028.

The "Helping Heroes Act" establishes a Veteran Family Resource Program within the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide personalized support to veterans and their families by connecting them with VA benefits and community resources. It mandates the appointment of family coordinators in each Veterans Integrated Service Network to assist veterans and their families in accessing needed resources. The Act also requires regular surveys of disabled veterans and their families to identify their needs and ensures that all programs and activities funded by the Act adhere to federal nondiscrimination laws.

This resolution supports designating February 15-22, 2025, as National FFA Week, celebrating the National FFA Organization's role in developing future leaders through agricultural education. It also recognizes the 90th anniversary of New Farmers of America and the 75th anniversary of the Future Farmers of America federal charter.