Legislative Activity

The Unity through Service Act of 2025 establishes an Interagency Council on Service to advise the President on strengthening recruitment across military, national, and public service opportunities. The bill mandates joint market research between defense and national service agencies and improves transition assistance for separating service members into public sector jobs. Ultimately, the Act aims to foster civic duty by coordinating federal efforts to promote and measure the impact of all forms of national service.

The Soo Locks Security and Economic Reporting Act of 2025 mandates the Secretary of Transportation to produce a comprehensive report within one year analyzing the security vulnerabilities and potential supply chain disruptions associated with the Soo Locks in Michigan. This report, developed in consultation with the Coast Guard and Department of Defense, must detail threat assessments, current security measures, and provide costed recommendations for enhancing security and mitigating economic impact. The findings will be delivered to key Congressional committees to inform future action.

The Recognizing Community Organizations for Veteran Engagement and Recovery (RECOVER) Act establishes a three-year Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) pilot program to award grants to non-profit organizations. These grants fund the provision of culturally competent, evidence-based mental health care specifically for veterans. Recipients cannot charge veterans for this care and must encourage them to enroll in the VA system for ongoing services. The VA must report on the program's outcomes, including veteran engagement and care quality, after the pilot concludes.

The UPRISERS Act mandates the revocation of student and exchange visitor visas for individuals convicted of assaulting a police officer or engaging in riot-related offenses. Furthermore, this bill makes conviction for these specific crimes grounds for deportation for those holding F, J, or M visas. This legislation targets non-immigrant visa holders involved in violent civil unrest or attacks on law enforcement.

This bill amends federal law to require the Coast Guard to retain certain enlisted members who have served 18 or more, but less than 20, years of service. It prevents the involuntary separation or non-reenlistment of these long-serving members until they reach 20 years of service for retirement eligibility. This provision applies to both Regular and Reserve enlisted personnel serving on active duty.

The Shifting Limits on Thresholds Act of 2025 (SLOT Act) revises the federal tax reporting requirement for slot machine winnings. Under this act, businesses will only need to file an information return for slot machine payouts of **$5,000 or more** per single play, effective after December 31, 2025. Furthermore, this $5,000 threshold will be automatically adjusted annually for inflation starting in 2027.

The Ensuring Veterans Timely Access to Anesthesia Care Act of 2025 aims to align the practice standards for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) with those of the Defense Health Agency, recognizing them as licensed independent practitioners. The bill also establishes new certification and minimum direct patient care requirements for all anesthesia providers in the VA system. Finally, it mandates an annual public report from the GAO comparing the cost-effectiveness of different anesthesia delivery models within the VHA.

The Protect Postal Performance Act establishes stricter public review periods and new protections before the Postal Service can close or consolidate local post offices. It also imposes significant limitations on the USPS's ability to change mail processing centers and transportation schedules. These changes require advisory opinions from the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) and prohibit facility closures in areas with poor recent on-time delivery performance.

This bill honors Selfridge Air National Guard Base on its 108th anniversary, recognizing its historical significance, economic impact, and strategic importance to national security. It acknowledges the base's contributions to military operations, its role in homeland defense, and its selection for the KC-46A Pegasus tanker aircraft beddown. The bill also commends the personnel of Selfridge Air National Guard Base and encourages continued support and investment in the base.

The Major Richard Star Act ensures that military retirees with combat-related disabilities can receive both their military retirement pay and VA disability compensation concurrently without reduction. This law removes previous restrictions that caused military retirement pay to be offset by VA disability payments for these specific cases. The changes take effect on the first day of the month following the Act's enactment.

This bill recognizes and celebrates the 100th anniversary of Delta Air Lines, acknowledging its historical significance as the first U.S. airline to reach this milestone. It highlights Delta's growth, global connectivity, commitment to community, and industry leadership.

The Resident Education Deferred Interest (REDI) Act amends federal student loan regulations to provide a specific deferment for medical and dental residents. This allows borrowers currently serving in an internship or residency program to pause principal payments and prevent interest accrual on their student loans during that training period.

The Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act aims to improve support for individuals diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. This bill eliminates the standard waiting period for receiving Social Security disability insurance benefits and waives the 24-month waiting period for Medicare coverage. These changes ensure immediate access to crucial financial and healthcare support upon diagnosis.

The Credit for Caring Act of 2025 establishes a new, non-refundable federal income tax credit for working family caregivers who incur significant expenses caring for a relative with long-term care needs. Eligible caregivers can claim a credit equal to 30% of qualified expenses exceeding \$2,000, up to a maximum annual credit of \$5,000. The bill specifies detailed requirements for the care recipient's needs, the types of allowable expenses, and includes income phase-out limits for claiming the benefit.

This bill, the Donut Dollies Congressional Gold Medal Act, directs the striking of a Congressional Gold Medal to honor the American Red Cross volunteers who served in the Supplemental Recreation Activities Overseas (SRAO) program during the Vietnam War. These volunteers, known as "Donut Dollies," provided crucial morale support to troops on the front lines. The original medal will be presented on behalf of Congress and ultimately housed at the Smithsonian Institution, with provisions made for selling bronze duplicates.

The Sarah Debbink Langenkamp Active Transportation Safety Act updates the Highway Safety Improvement Program to prioritize safety for pedestrians and cyclists. This bill allows federal funding to cover up to 100% of the cost for projects that connect existing bike/pedestrian infrastructure or reduce risks for vulnerable road users. It also provides flexibility for states to use existing safety funds as matching money for these specific upgrades.

The Providing Veterans Essential Medications Act allows State homes caring for veterans to choose how they receive reimbursement for very high-cost medications. State homes can opt to be reimbursed directly for the medication's cost or have the Secretary of the VA furnish the drug directly. This provision applies only when the cost of a specific medication exceeds a defined threshold relative to the standard monthly payment for that veteran's care.

The DMEPOS Relief Act of 2025 extends the current Medicare transition payment rates for durable medical equipment in non-competitive bidding areas through the end of 2025. This action delays the implementation of new payment regulations until January 1, 2026. The Secretary of Health and Human Services is directed to maintain existing payment structures in these specific areas for the remainder of the year.

This Act mandates that the Department of Defense (DoD) immediately seek to update its stormwater discharge permits to require quarterly testing for PFAS chemicals at all facilities. Furthermore, the DoD must implement necessary cleanup measures to reduce these discharges. At least one percent of annual PFAS cleanup funding must be dedicated specifically to this required stormwater testing.

The Wildland Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act of 2025 establishes permanent, higher base pay rates for federal wildland firefighters based on their GS grade. It also creates a significant daily premium pay bonus for time spent responding to qualifying wildfire incidents. Finally, the bill mandates new paid rest and recuperation leave for firefighters following deployment to ensure proper recovery.