Legislative Activity

The Veterans Education and Technical Skills Opportunity Act of 2025 modernizes GI Bill benefits by establishing new timelines for repaying service members' educational contributions. It also updates rules for independent study programs, provides service members with options for managing coursework during active duty, and sets new notification requirements for VA compliance surveys and handbook updates. These provisions aim to improve educational support and administrative clarity for veterans and educational institutions.

This bill directs the Clerk of the House to make a specific textual correction to H.R. 7147 during its engrossment. The correction modifies language within section 230(b) to specify applicability to the Department of Homeland Security. This change must also be reflected in the final version of H.R. 7148.

This bill officially redesignates the Chiricahua National Monument as the Chiricahua National Park, maintaining its current boundaries. The legislation ensures that existing laws and funding for the monument now apply to the new national park. Furthermore, it mandates the protection of traditional cultural and religious sites within the park and requires consultation with and access for Indian Tribes.

The Shadow Wolves Improvement Act formally establishes the Shadow Wolves Program within ICE, requiring updated strategies and clear goals developed in coordination with Tribal governments. The bill also creates a pathway for experienced Shadow Wolves to convert to permanent federal positions without a competitive process. Finally, it authorizes states to use existing TANF funds for a new two-generation pilot program focused on improving family economic security.

This bill officially designates the United States Postal Service facility located at 13355 North Lon Adams Road in Marana, Arizona, as the "Mayor Ed Honea Memorial Post Office." The legislation ensures that all future official references to this specific post office will use its new, designated name.

The Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Program Act (TAAP Act) reauthorizes and updates the existing program for assessing shared underground water resources between the U.S. and Mexico. This update officially expands the program's scope to include Arizona alongside Texas and New Mexico. Furthermore, the bill authorizes $1.5 million annually for the program from fiscal years 2026 through 2033.

The Rural Veterans’ Improved Access to Benefits Act of 2025 aims to streamline how the Department of Veterans Affairs contracts with outside healthcare professionals to conduct medical disability examinations. This bill expands eligibility for temporary licensing arrangements for these contract workers and extends the authority for these contracts until September 30, 2031. Furthermore, it mandates that the VA report on the usage, cost, and quality of these contracted examination services.

The Veterans Readiness and Employment Program Integrity Act establishes new requirements for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) when processing applications for the VR&E program, mandating the submission of work history and transcripts before initial review. The bill also sets a standard maximum duration of 365 days for employment assistance, with a possible 180-day extension for actively job-seeking veterans. Furthermore, it mandates increased data collection on veteran employment outcomes and requires the VA to publicly report on counselor wait times.

This bill amends the Sikes Act to increase flexibility for cooperative and interagency agreements regarding land management. It expands the scope of these agreements beyond federal military installations to include land management related to the operations of military or State-owned National Guard installations. This allows for broader partnerships in managing surrounding or associated lands.

This bill officially designates the United States Postal Service facility located at 100 North Taylor Lane in Patagonia, Arizona, as the "Jim Kolbe Memorial Post Office." This action ensures all official records reflect the new name honoring Jim Kolbe.

The Maternal and Infant Syphilis Prevention Act addresses the alarming national spike in syphilis cases, particularly the resulting rise in devastating congenital syphilis cases. This bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue comprehensive guidance to state Medicaid and CHIP programs on improving syphilis screening, education, and treatment access for pregnant women and infants. The goal is to promote consistent, timely testing—including third-trimester and delivery screening—to prevent nearly all cases of congenital syphilis.

The Expanding Access for Online Veteran Students Act aims to increase financial support for veterans pursuing education entirely online. This bill eliminates the current 50% cap on the monthly housing stipend for eligible Post-9/11 GI Bill recipients enrolled more than half-time in distance learning programs. If enacted, this change would allow these students to receive the full monthly housing allowance rate, effective for terms beginning on or after August 1, 2025.

The Oversight of Medicare Billing Code Cost Act mandates a comprehensive study by the Inspector General to review the process and data used by Medicare when adding, changing, or removing billing codes. This legislation requires the Inspector General to report findings and recommendations to Congress within one year. Furthermore, the Secretary of HHS must annually publish a public report detailing all new billing codes added in the previous year, including associated spending data.

The Prioritizing Veterans’ Survivors Act makes a technical organizational change within the Department of Veterans Affairs. This bill specifically moves the Office of Survivors Assistance (OSA) to be situated directly within the Office of the Secretary. This clarifies the OSA's placement and reporting structure within the VA.

The Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025 officially ratifies a major agreement to settle long-standing water rights claims for the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, and San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe. The bill authorizes significant funding for tribal water projects, establishes dedicated trust funds for future development, and mandates the construction of the *iin b paa tuwaqatsi* pipeline to deliver Colorado River water. Finally, it confirms specific water allocations, details leasing options, and establishes limited waivers of sovereign immunity to ensure the settlement is enforceable.

This bill aims to enhance security along the southern border by constructing roads, increasing access for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and allowing temporary placement of structures by border states. It also seeks to mitigate environmental damage on federal lands caused by illegal activities through initiatives focused on reducing trash, preventing wildfires, and remediating contamination. Additionally, the bill restricts housing options for non-citizens who have not been formally admitted into the country by preventing the use of federal funds to house these individuals on federally managed lands.

The "Ensuring Access to Medicaid Buy-in Programs Act" removes the age restriction, allowing working adults with disabilities over 65 to be eligible for Medicaid under specific Social Security Act provisions. States that already offer this assistance will not be penalized for non-compliance until January 1, 2027.

The "Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act" establishes federal criminal penalties for evading arrest or detention in a vehicle near the U.S. border, with increased penalties if serious injury or death results. It also makes individuals convicted of this offense inadmissible to the U.S., deportable, and ineligible for immigration benefits. Finally, it mandates an annual report from the Attorney General and Homeland Security Secretary to Congress on the enforcement and impact of this new law.

The "BEST Facilitation Act" establishes an image technician pilot program within U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Office of Field Operations, where trained technicians review non-intrusive inspection images to identify contraband and other illicit activities, and then refer them to CBP officers. The Act mandates specific training, assessment, and reporting requirements to evaluate the program's effectiveness in improving border security and trade facilitation. This pilot program will operate for five years, after which the image technicians may be transferred to other comparable positions within the agency.

The CONSTRUCTS Act of 2025 aims to expand training and education opportunities for careers in residential construction by awarding competitive grants to junior and community colleges, as well as area career and technical education schools. These grants will support the creation or expansion of training programs, with a focus on serving rural areas and underserved populations, and will encourage partnerships with local construction businesses. The goal is to address workforce shortages in the residential construction industry and increase the availability of affordable housing. The Act allocates $20 million per fiscal year from 2026 to 2030 for these initiatives.