Legislative Activity

The Taiwan Representative Office Act directs the Secretary of State to negotiate renaming the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States to the Taiwan Representative Office. This change reflects a U.S. policy to provide Taiwan with de facto diplomatic treatment equivalent to that of other foreign countries. The Act clarifies that this renaming does not restore diplomatic relations with Taiwan or change the U.S.'s position on Taiwan's international status.

The Gold Star and Surviving Spouse Career Services Act amends title 38 of the United States Code to expand the definition of "eligible persons" for the Disabled Veterans Outreach Program. This expansion includes spouses of certain veterans, those who died while serving, and spouses described in section 4101(5) of title 38. These newly eligible individuals will receive the same services and considerations as eligible veterans under the program.

Hammers' Law amends title 46 of the United States Code to extend liability limitations regarding damages to include cruise ship voyages. It defines "cruise ship" and "nonpecuniary damages" within the context of these limitations. The law modifies section 30307 of title 46, changing the title to "Limitations in certain cases" to reflect these updates.

The Federal Firefighter Cancer Detection and Prevention Act of 2025 mandates the Department of Defense to provide comprehensive cancer screenings and related services to its firefighters as part of their annual health assessments. These screenings include those for breast, colon, and prostate cancer, as well as screenings for any other cancers identified as having a higher risk among firefighters. The Act requires documentation of testing rates and results to identify cancer trends, while protecting individual privacy. Data may be shared with the CDC to improve understanding of cancer occurrences among firefighters.

The Youth Lead Act amends the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 to allocate $5,000,000 in grants annually from 2026 through 2030. These grants are specifically for youth organizations, supporting their programs and initiatives.

The SNAP Staffing Flexibility Act of 2025 allows state agencies to contract out SNAP certification and other functions under specific circumstances, such as increased applications or staffing shortages, ensuring timely processing. Contracts cannot incentivize delays or denials, and contractors must not have financial ties to approved retail stores. States must notify the Secretary of their intent and provide supporting data, which will be made public. The Secretary is required to submit an annual report to the House and Senate Agriculture Committees on the measures taken to address SNAP application increases and processing delays.

The Trade Review Act of 2025 requires the President to notify Congress within 48 hours of imposing or increasing import duties, including justifications and potential impacts. Any such duty will expire after 60 days unless Congress passes a joint resolution of approval. Congress can also disapprove and nullify a duty through a joint resolution of disapproval. This act excludes antidumping and countervailing duties and establishes expedited procedures for congressional review.

The LEOSA Reform Act amends title 18 of the US Code to modify the Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990, and to improve the Law Enforcement Officer Safety Act regarding where qualified law enforcement officers can carry firearms, what constitutes ammunition, and who can provide firearms training and certification. It allows qualified current and retired law enforcement officers to carry firearms in certain federal facilities and updates firearm training standards.

The Michael Lecik Military Firefighters Protection Act extends disability benefits to veterans who served as military firefighters or in damage control roles for at least five years and who develop certain diseases, such as heart, lung, or various cancers, within 15 years of separation from service. To qualify, the disease must result in a disability rating of 10 percent or higher. This act aims to provide necessary support to veterans whose health has been affected by their service in firefighting roles.

The Autonomy for Disabled Veterans Act increases the financial assistance上限 for disabled veterans to make necessary home improvements for home health services, raising the maximum benefit under 38 U.S.C. 1717(a)(1)(A)(ii) from $6,800 to $10,000 and under 38 U.S.C. 1717(a)(1)(B)(ii) from $2,000 to $5,000. These adjustments apply to first-time applicants on or after the enactment date, with the Secretary required to make annual inflation adjustments to these amounts.

The Fighter Force Preservation and Recapitalization Act of 2025 aims to modernize and maintain the Air Force's fighter aircraft fleet by increasing the minimum number of fighter aircraft, requiring detailed reports on the fleet's status, prioritizing the assignment of new aircraft to existing squadrons, and preserving the Air National Guard's fighter capabilities. The act mandates the Air Force to assign at least three out of every four new advanced fighter aircraft to existing Air Force fighter squadrons and maintain at least 25 Air National Guard fighter aircraft squadrons. Additionally, it requires the Secretary of the Air Force to develop and submit an annual modernization plan for the Air National Guard's fighter fleet to Congress. The Act defines specific categories of fighter aircraft to clarify modernization efforts.

This bill mandates that George Washington's Farewell Address be read aloud at the beginning of each new Congress. In the Senate, a Senator chosen by the majority leader will read the address, while in the House, a Representative selected by the Speaker of the House will do the honors. This reading will occur on the first day of the first regular session. The resolution affirms Congress's authority to establish these rules, while also recognizing each chamber's right to amend them.

The "Marc Fischer Memorial Act" aims to combat the flow of synthetic drugs, particularly fentanyl, into Federal prisons through the mail. It mandates the Director of the Bureau of Prisons to develop and implement a strategy to equip all Federal correctional facilities with the technology and processes needed to scan mail, protect staff and inmates, and ensure timely delivery of mail copies while maintaining legal mail privileges. The strategy includes assessing current practices, identifying necessary resources, and providing a budgetary proposal for implementation, with ongoing reporting to Congress on its effectiveness.

The "Tip Tax Termination Act" allows individuals in industries where tipping is customary to exclude up to $20,000 in tips from their gross income for tax purposes. This exclusion applies to tips received between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2029. The Secretary of the Treasury is directed to adjust tax withholding procedures to accommodate this change.

The "Working Class Bonus Tax Relief Act of 2025" allows eligible individuals to deduct bonuses from their taxable income, up to 15% of their non-bonus wages, with income limitations. This deduction is available to both itemizers and non-itemizers and is set to expire after December 31, 2029. The Treasury will adjust withholding tables to reflect this new deduction, which applies to bonuses received after the Act's enactment.

The "Second Job Tax Relief Act of 2025" allows qualifying taxpayers to exclude income from secondary jobs from gross income, decreasing as income rises above $100,000 and phasing out at $150,000. To qualify, taxpayers must designate a primary employer for whom they have worked at least 2080 hours. This exclusion is set to expire after 5 years and the bill allocates funds to offset revenue reductions. The changes apply to amounts received after the enactment date.

The "Overtime Pay Tax Relief Act of 2025" permits a tax deduction for overtime compensation, up to 20% of other wages, for individuals earning below specified income thresholds (\$200,000 for married couples, \$150,000 for heads of household, and \$100,000 for other individuals). This deduction is available to both itemizers and non-itemizers, and the Treasury will adjust withholding tables accordingly. This provision is effective for amounts received after enactment and expires after December 31, 2029.

The "Seniors in the Workforce Tax Relief Act" allows seniors aged 65 or older a tax deduction of up to \$25,000, which may be reduced for those with higher incomes. For joint filers or surviving spouses, the maximum deduction is \$50,000 with a higher income threshold before the deduction is reduced. This deduction is available for tax years between 2025 and 2029, regardless of whether the individual itemizes other deductions.

The CHIP IN for Veterans Act makes permanent a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) program that allows the VA to accept donations of facilities and improvements to better serve veterans. This program, initially established in 2016, helps the VA enhance its resources through community support. The Act codifies the program's details into section 8104A of title 38, United States Code, ensuring its continued operation and impact.