Legislative Activity

The SAFE Bet Act establishes minimum federal standards for state-regulated sports betting, focusing on consumer protection, data integrity, and preventing criminal involvement. It requires states to gain federal approval for their regulatory programs and mandates strict rules on wagers, advertising, and affordability checks. Furthermore, the bill creates national mechanisms for addressing public health concerns, including a national self-exclusion list and mandated data collection on gambling-related harm. Finally, it clarifies the legal jurisdiction for digital bets and requires licensed operators to help combat illegal offshore gambling sites.

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 Putting Veterans First Act of 2025 is a comprehensive bill designed to support military-affiliated federal employees by reversing past unfair employment actions and establishing new procedural safeguards against future disciplinary actions. It also imposes significant limitations, increased transparency, and accountability measures across the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regarding personnel actions, office closures, and contracting. Furthermore, the Act strengthens protections, mental health support, and employment assistance for civil servants while mandating extensive public reporting on VA operations and staffing.

The Extreme Risk Protection Order Expansion Act of 2025 establishes a federal grant program to help states and tribes implement laws allowing for Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs), which temporarily remove firearms from individuals deemed a danger to themselves or others. The bill mandates specific due process protections for individuals subject to these orders and ensures that any issued ERPO is recognized and enforced across all states and tribes. Furthermore, it updates federal law to prohibit firearm possession by anyone subject to a qualifying court order and requires that these orders be entered into the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).

This resolution expresses gratitude for the U.S.'s support of Ukraine's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. It emphasizes the importance of continued U.S. leadership in defending democracy and maintaining relationships with allies, particularly for Ukraine's security and stability. The resolution also welcomes peace negotiations and stresses developing the strategic partnership between the U.S. and Ukraine.

This resolution formally condemns the recent mass termination of 2,400 Department of Veterans Affairs employees, which was carried out without justification or analysis of the impact on veteran services. It highlights the resulting disruption to critical healthcare and support programs and calls for the immediate reinstatement of all affected personnel.

The Public Health Funding Restoration Act aims to restore funding to the Prevention and Public Health Fund, which supports various public health programs. By amending the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the bill allocates $2,000,000,000 annually, starting in fiscal year 2026, to bolster initiatives focused on disease prevention, mental health, and immunization efforts. This restoration seeks to enhance public health outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and improve the nation's ability to prevent and respond to future health crises.

Ethan's Law aims to reduce gun violence by promoting responsible firearm storage. It establishes a federal requirement for gun owners to securely store firearms, especially in homes with minors or individuals prohibited from owning firearms, with penalties for improper storage. The law also creates a grant program to assist states and Indian Tribes in implementing similar safe storage laws. Additionally, it expresses the sense of Congress that failing to securely store a firearm constitutes negligence and can establish legal causation for harm resulting from its discharge.

This bill aims to improve mental health services for veterans by addressing workforce challenges within the VA, enhancing Vet Center infrastructure and outreach, and tailoring programs to better meet the needs of women veterans. It also focuses on suicide prevention, mental health support for veterans with spinal cord injuries, and improved coordination between the VA and DoD for transitioning service members. By expanding grant programs, mandating reports, and updating service delivery models, the legislation seeks to ensure veterans receive comprehensive and accessible mental health care.

The "Veterans Border Patrol Training Act" establishes a pilot program to train transitioning service members as Border Patrol agents through the Department of Defense SkillBridge Program. It mandates annual reports to Congress on the program's progress and participant demographics. The program will end five years after it is established.

The CHAMPVA Children's Care Protection Act of 2025 amends the eligibility requirements for the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA). This bill increases the maximum age for children eligible for medical care under CHAMPVA to the child's 26th birthday, regardless of marital status. It does not limit eligibility for children who are incapable of self-support because of a mental or physical disability.

The "Caring for Survivors Act of 2025" increases dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses of veterans. It also modifies the requirements for survivors of veterans who were totally disabled at the time of death, reducing the required period of continuous disability rating before death from 10 to 5 years, and introduces proportional compensation for ratings less than 10 years.

The "Protecting Sensitive Locations Act" amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to limit immigration enforcement actions within 1,000 feet of sensitive locations like schools and places of worship, requiring supervisor consultation and discreet conduct. Exceptions are allowed only in cases of national security or public safety threats or medical emergencies. The Act mandates annual training, detailed reporting of enforcement actions, and evidence suppression for violations, enhancing oversight and accountability in immigration enforcement.

The "Gambling Addiction Recovery, Investment, and Treatment Act" aims to combat gambling addiction by providing grants to states for treatment programs and to the National Institute on Drug Abuse for research. Funding is authorized through a portion of the tax revenue received under section 4401(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services is required to report on the effectiveness of these programs to Congress.

The Plum Island Preservation Act permanently protects Plum Island, New York, for ecological conservation, historical and cultural heritage, and continued access. It directs the Administrator of General Services to conduct visioning sessions with federal, state, and tribal stakeholders to develop an ecological management plan. The Administrator must also submit annual reports to Congress detailing the progress and outcomes of these visioning sessions.

The Plum Island Preservation Study Act mandates a study by the Secretary of the Interior to evaluate Plum Island's potential for designation as a National Park, National Wildlife Refuge, or other resource protection status. This includes assessing the island's national significance, consulting with stakeholders, and estimating associated costs. A report detailing the study's findings and recommendations must be submitted to Congress within three years of funding availability.

The Pardon Transparency and Accountability Act of 2025 increases oversight of presidential clemency by requiring the publication of written justifications for all pardons and commutations. The bill mandates that the Pardon Attorney prepare "Justice Impact Statements" to account for victim input and law enforcement concerns. Additionally, it expands federal lobbying disclosure requirements to ensure that all efforts to influence clemency decisions are publicly reported.