Legislative Activity

The Michael Lecik Military Firefighters Protection Act aims to ease the process for military veterans who served as firefighters to receive VA disability benefits for certain illnesses. This bill establishes a presumption of service connection for specific heart and various cancers if the veteran served five or more years in a firefighting role. If the qualifying illness is rated at 10% or more disabling and manifests within 15 years of service separation, the VA must presume it is service-connected.

The Autonomy for Disabled Veterans Act increases the maximum financial assistance available to disabled veterans for necessary home improvements related to their health services. This legislation raises the existing benefit caps to provide greater support for accessibility modifications. Furthermore, it mandates annual adjustments to a specific benefit amount based on the rate of inflation to ensure continued relevance.

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 "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 "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.