Legislative Activity

This bill officially renames the United States Postal Service facility located at 13355 North Lon Adams Road in Marana, Arizona. The facility will now be known as the Mayor Ed Honea Memorial Post Office. This designation will be reflected in all official records and documents referencing the location.

The Facilitating Accelerated Supply of Targeted Housing (FAST) Act establishes a competitive grant program to boost workforce and affordable housing development in areas experiencing growth from recent federal infrastructure and technology investments. By incentivizing local governments to streamline zoning and regulatory barriers, the program funds the conversion of commercial spaces and the creation of new housing units. This initiative aims to address critical housing shortages while ensuring long-term affordability through public-private partnerships.

The Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act provides comprehensive fiscal year 2026 funding for the Department of Homeland Security, prioritizing operational oversight, transparency, and accountability. The legislation mandates strict reporting requirements for agency spending and establishes clear policy directives for border security, emergency management, and immigration services. Additionally, the bill includes technical provisions to ensure the continuity of government operations and the timely payment of federal personnel during funding lapses.

The Vets CLEAR Act streamlines the collection and management of funds for the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Care Collections Fund. The bill grants the VA Secretary new flexibility in depositing reimbursements and mandates that specific recoveries from legal or administrative processes be directed into the fund. Additionally, it requires regular reporting to Congress to ensure transparency regarding how these recovered resources are utilized for veteran care and services.

The Cooperative Watershed Management Program Reauthorization Act of 2026 strengthens local water resource management by expanding grant eligibility to include Indian tribes and communities impacted by natural disasters. The bill increases funding caps for planning grants, broadens the scope of allowable project expenses, and authorizes $40 million annually through 2031. Additionally, it streamlines program administration to ensure more frequent funding opportunities and greater public transparency.

The Chiricahua National Park Act redesignates the existing Chiricahua National Monument in Arizona as Chiricahua National Park. This legislation ensures the continued administration of the site under National Park Service standards while mandating the protection of and tribal access to traditional cultural and religious sites within the park's boundaries.

The Critical Mineral Consistency Act of 2025 mandates the Secretary of the Interior to create and maintain a single, unified list of designated critical minerals and materials. This list must incorporate existing designations from both the Department of the Interior and the Department of Energy. Federal agencies must use the most current version of this unified list when administering relevant programs.

The Veterans Education and Technical Skills Opportunity Act of 2025 modernizes GI Bill benefits and support for service members and veterans. This bill revises the repayment timing for service members who contribute to their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits and expands eligibility for independent study programs. It also provides service members with new options when called to active duty during their education and updates compliance survey procedures for 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.

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.

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.