Legislative Activity

The End Veteran Homelessness Act of 2025 aims to improve support for homeless and at-risk veterans by prioritizing vulnerable individuals for VA case management services. It mandates detailed annual reporting on the HUD-VASH program's effectiveness, staffing, and voucher utilization. Furthermore, the bill expands eligibility for rental assistance and protects veterans from eviction if they initially refuse case management services. Finally, it requires the GAO to conduct a comprehensive review of HUD-VASH participants and case management quality.

The HERO Act establishes a national system to track suicides among public safety officers to better understand prevention needs. It also creates grant programs to fund peer-support and wellness programs for fire, EMS, and healthcare workers. Finally, the bill mandates the development of educational resources to improve mental health treatment for first responders dealing with trauma and PTSD.

This Act updates the definition of "fossil fuel" under the Clean Air Act to specifically include fuel used by ocean-going vessels. This change allows the EPA to incorporate maritime fuel into renewable fuel standards moving forward. The EPA is required to finalize the necessary regulations within one year of the bill's enactment.

The Hearing Device Coverage Clarification Act requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to clarify that fully implanted active middle ear hearing devices are prosthetics, not hearing aids, and thus not subject to the hearing aid coverage exclusion under the Social Security Act. This clarification must be made within 60 days of the Act's enactment. The Act ensures these devices are recognized as prosthetics, as defined in existing regulations.

The "Do No Harm Act" amends the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 to ensure religious freedom is not used to justify discrimination or harm. It clarifies that the Act does not override federal laws protecting against discrimination, ensuring equal opportunity, or safeguarding access to healthcare and other essential services. This amendment confirms that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act applies only when the government is a party in a judicial proceeding.

The Access to Pediatric Technologies Act of 2025 aims to establish clear Medicare payment rates for new medical tools specifically designed for children. This bill mandates that the Secretary establish national relative value units (RVUs) for qualifying pediatric technologies upon manufacturer request and sufficient data submission. The goal is to ensure these specialized pediatric devices receive appropriate reimbursement under the physician fee schedule starting in 2026.

The BAH Restoration Act aims to restore the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) to cover 100% of service members' housing costs. This will be done by amending title 37 of the United States Code, ensuring that the monthly BAH is equivalent to the determined monthly cost of adequate housing based on pay grade, dependency status, and location. The Secretary of Defense will determine the specific housing costs in each area.

The Congressional Trade Authority Act of 2025 significantly overhauls presidential authority to restrict imports based on national security grounds. This bill shifts the primary investigation role to the Secretary of Defense and mandates that any resulting import adjustments require explicit approval by a Congressional joint resolution to take effect. Furthermore, all new trade restrictions will automatically expire after three years unless Congress renews them.

The James Earl Jones Congressional Gold Medal Act directs the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the posthumous presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to James Earl Jones, honoring his contributions to the United States and his work promoting inclusion in film and theatre. The Secretary of the Treasury will create the gold medal, and bronze duplicates will be made available for sale to the public.

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.

The Disaster Mitigation and Tax Parity Act of 2025 allows individuals to exclude from their gross income any payments or benefits they receive from state-based catastrophe loss mitigation programs designed to help homeowners protect their properties from disasters such as windstorms, earthquakes, or wildfires. These payments will not affect the property's basis, and the exclusion is applicable retroactively for taxable years starting after December 31, 2020, allowing individuals to claim the exclusion retroactively.

This bill, the Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2025, seeks to amend the National Labor Relations Act and other labor laws to strengthen protections for workers' rights to organize and collectively bargain. It aims to modernize labor regulations by clarifying definitions, addressing unfair labor practices, enhancing enforcement, and increasing transparency in labor-management relations. The bill introduces measures such as electronic voting in union elections, strengthens whistleblower protections, and mandates studies on collective bargaining practices. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure fair treatment of workers and promote equitable labor practices.

The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2025 amends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to address vote dilution, denial, and abridgment claims, and to update which states and political subdivisions are subject to federal oversight based on a history of voting rights violations. It broadens the types of violations that allow a court to retain jurisdiction over a case, clarifies the Attorney General's authority to assign observers, and ensures transparency in voting-related changes. The Act also authorizes the Attorney General to demand documents and information to enforce voting rights and provides grants to small jurisdictions to assist with notification requirements.

The Protecting Americans’ Social Security Data Act restricts political appointees and special government employees from accessing sensitive Social Security beneficiary data systems. It establishes a right for individuals to sue the government or responsible parties for unauthorized access or disclosure of their private Social Security information, including specified minimum damages. Furthermore, the bill mandates the Inspector General to investigate such violations and report findings to Congress within 30 days. Finally, it requires the GAO to conduct a comprehensive study on the impact of these new privacy and enforcement measures.

The "Supporting Disabled National Guardsmen Act" allows National Guard members to be eligible for retirement from the Armed Forces due to disabilities incurred while performing State active duty. It also makes National Guard members eligible for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital care and medical services for disabilities incurred while performing State active duty, as well as for any illnesses or conditions resulting from these disabilities. The VA's ability to provide these services is limited to the extent and amount specifically allocated in advance through appropriations acts. Before the VA can reimburse for care or services, individuals or their healthcare providers are required to first exhaust all other available payment options.

The Roberto Clemente Commemorative Coin Act directs the Department of Treasury to mint and issue gold, silver, and half-dollar coins in 2027 to commemorate the life and legacy of Roberto Clemente. The coins' designs will represent Clemente's life, including his baseball achievements and humanitarian work. Surcharges from the coin sales will benefit the Roberto Clemente Foundation, supporting their educational programs, youth sports initiatives, disaster relief efforts, and historic preservation projects. The Act ensures that the coin program will not incur any net cost to the United States government.

The American Apprenticeship Act aims to expand apprenticeship opportunities by providing grants to states for pre-apprenticeship programs and related instruction. It requires states to develop strategic plans that promote collaboration between industry, education, and labor, with a focus on expanding opportunities in non-traditional sectors and for underrepresented groups. The Act also directs the Secretary of Labor to identify in-demand occupations suitable for apprenticeship programs and report findings to Congress. Finally, it authorizes $15 million in appropriations annually from 2026 to 2031 to support these initiatives.

The Safe Schools Improvement Act aims to reduce bullying and harassment in schools by requiring states to establish policies prohibiting such conduct based on various characteristics, including race, sex, religion, and disability. It mandates annual notifications, data collection on incidents, biennial evaluations of programs, and regular reports to Congress to ensure accountability and effectiveness. This act does not infringe on existing nondiscrimination laws or freedom of speech but seeks to create a safer, more inclusive learning environment for all students.

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 Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act establishes a grant program to expand commercial truck parking and improve safety. The program provides funds to states, local governments, and tribal entities for projects that increase parking availability, improve existing facilities, and use technology to manage parking. The Act also requires a biennial report to Congress on the availability of truck parking and the effectiveness of funded projects. It authorizes $151 million per fiscal year from 2025 through 2029 for these initiatives.