Legislative Activity

The "Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act" authorizes the presentation of three Congressional Gold Medals to honor the 1980 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team for their historic "Miracle on Ice" victory. These medals will be given to the Lake Placid Olympic Center, the United States Hockey Hall of Fame, and the US Olympic and Paralympic Museum for public display. The Act also allows for the creation and sale of bronze duplicates to fund the medal production.

The "No Tax Dollars for Terrorists Act" aims to prevent U.S. taxpayer money from supporting the Taliban by requiring the State Department to actively oppose financial support to the Taliban from foreign countries and NGOs, especially those receiving U.S. aid. It mandates reports to Congress on entities supporting the Taliban, the status of direct cash assistance programs in Afghanistan, and the status of the Afghan Fund, including measures to prevent Taliban access to these funds. The Act also requires the development and implementation of a strategy to discourage support to the Taliban, utilizing U.S. foreign assistance as a deterrent.

The Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act of 2025 aims to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and countering its support for terrorism by imposing sanctions on those involved in Iran's energy sector and those who provide financial support for its destabilizing activities. It mandates sanctions on foreign entities involved in processing, exporting, or selling Iranian oil, gas, and petrochemicals, while also establishing an interagency working group to coordinate and enforce these sanctions. The Act also amends existing legislation to require the identification of individuals involved in sanctionable activities or sanctions evasion related to Iranian oil and gas sales.

The Great Lakes Mapping Act of 2025 mandates the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to complete a high-resolution survey and map of the Great Lakes lakebeds by 2030, coordinating with various stakeholders. The collected data will be made public and integrated into nautical charts. The Act allocates $50 million annually from 2025 to 2029 for this initiative.

The "Service Dogs Assisting Veterans Act" or the "SAVES Act" establishes a five-year pilot program within the Department of Veterans Affairs to award grants to nonprofit organizations that provide service dogs to veterans with disabilities, including those with mental health conditions such as PTSD. The grants, up to $2,000,000 each, will support the planning, development, and management of service dog programs, ensuring veterans receive these dogs at no cost and are informed of available VA benefits. The VA will also provide veterinary insurance for the service dogs. $10,000,000 is authorized to be appropriated for each of the five fiscal years following the establishment of the pilot program.

The Military Installation Retail Security Act of 2025 prohibits the Department of Defense from entering into or renewing long-term concession agreements with retailers controlled by countries that pose a national security risk, with a waiver option if essential goods or services are not otherwise available. It mandates retailers to disclose relationships with these countries and requires review and potential termination of existing agreements. The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) is directed to investigate and provide determinations on national security implications. The Act defines key terms to clarify the scope and enforcement of these provisions.

The "Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act" enables individuals with valid concealed carry permits or the legal right to carry concealed firearms in their home state to do so across state lines, provided they are not federally prohibited from possessing firearms and carry a valid photo ID. This law respects private and state/local government restrictions on firearms, protects individuals from unwarranted arrest, and allows legal action for violations of these rights. It also permits concealed carry in National Parks and other federal lands open to the public and clarifies that handguns include magazines and ammunition.

The Soo Locks Security and Economic Reporting Act of 2025 requires the Secretary of Transportation, in collaboration with the Coast Guard Commandant and Secretary of Defense, to prepare a report on the security vulnerabilities of the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, and the potential economic and supply chain impacts of a failure. The report will also detail current security measures, identify potential threats, and provide recommendations for security improvements and mitigation of supply chain disruptions, including cost estimates. This report will be submitted to specific committees in the House and Senate.

The Major Richard Star Act allows eligible combat-disabled veterans to receive both their retirement pay and disability compensation. This eliminates the previous offset that reduced retirement pay for those receiving disability compensation. The changes apply to payments beginning the month after enactment.

The "Fair and Open Competition Act of 2025" seeks to ensure open competition and government neutrality in federal construction projects by preventing requirements for or bans against agreements with labor organizations. It prohibits discrimination based on labor affiliation, reduces construction costs, and expands job opportunities. The Act mandates revisions to regulations and allows exemptions only in special circumstances like public health or national security threats.

The TAP Promotion Act requires a standardized presentation on veterans' benefits during pre-separation counseling, developed in collaboration with veterans service organizations and approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. This presentation will inform service members about how veteran service organizations can assist in filing claims. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs must submit an annual report on the presentation to Congress.

The Aviation Workforce Development Act amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow expenses for aviation maintenance and commercial pilot courses to be considered qualified higher education expenses for qualified tuition programs. This change applies to distributions made after the enactment of this law, aiming to support workforce development in the aviation sector.

The Veterans Readiness and Employment Transparency Act of 2025 aims to improve outreach by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for training and rehabilitation programs for veterans with service-connected disabilities by establishing a dedicated phone number and contact information on regional office websites. It also mandates monthly Q&A sessions between VA employees and school certifying officials, as well as in-person briefings at educational institutions. The Act requires the Secretary to submit an annual report on vocational rehabilitation program extensions and approve or reject extension requests within 30 days.

The Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion Act of 2025 aims to protect veterans by establishing a dedicated officer within the VA to combat fraud and scams targeting them. This officer will manage prevention programs, disseminate information, and coordinate with other agencies to safeguard veterans' benefits and identities. Additionally, the bill includes a minor technical correction to the Department of Veterans Affairs home loan fees.

The "Supporting Farm Operations Act of 2025" freezes the wage rate for H-2A nonimmigrant workers at the level it was on December 31, 2023, through December 31, 2026. Additionally, the bill directs the Secretary of Labor to use a primary duties evaluation when deciding the required wage for employees who perform multiple duties or tasks.

This bill expresses support for the Iranian people's desire for a democratic, secular, and nonnuclear republic, while condemning the Iranian regime's human rights abuses, support for terrorism, and attempts to develop nuclear weapons. It affirms the right of the Iranian people to self-determination and supports continued sanctions against the current regime. The bill also calls for the protection of Iranian political refugees in Albania.

This bill expresses the House of Representatives' goal that nearly every student in the U.S. achieves grade-level reading proficiency, which is essential for success in school, work, and life. It encourages the use of structured literacy approaches, diagnostic assessments, and one-on-one tutoring to improve reading levels. The bill also urges state and local governments to collaborate with private groups to implement effective literacy programs for both students and adults.

The "Pay Our Coast Guard Parity Act of 2025" ensures that Coast Guard members receive equitable pay and benefits compared to other branches of the Armed Forces. During a Coast Guard-specific funding lapse, the bill guarantees continued pay for Coast Guard military members, qualified civilian and contract employees, death gratuities, funeral travel, and basic housing allowance for dependents of Coast Guard members who die on active duty. This funding continues as long as Department of Defense funding is available, up to two weeks after a Coast Guard-specific funding lapse begins. The bill affirms the Coast Guard as a military service and aims to provide financial security to its members during funding uncertainties.

The "Make American Flags in America Act of 2025" mandates that U.S. flags displayed on Federal property or bought by Federal agencies be entirely manufactured in the U.S. using 100% U.S.-made materials, in accordance with international agreements. It also directs the Federal Trade Commission to study and report on country-of-origin labeling enforcement for U.S. flags, aiming to improve enforcement and deter violations.

The "Death Tax Repeal Act" eliminates both estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes, effective from the date of enactment. It adjusts gift tax calculations by setting the lifetime gift exemption at $10,000,000, with inflation adjustments after 2011. The Act also includes transitional rules for applying certain sections of the Internal Revenue Code during the enactment year.