Legislative Activity

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.

The "Coordinating Care for Senior Veterans and Wounded Warriors Act" directs the VA and HHS to establish a pilot program to better coordinate healthcare for veterans enrolled in both VA healthcare and Medicare. This program aims to improve healthcare access, quality of care, and care coordination while lowering costs and eliminating gaps in care. The pilot program will assign case managers to participating veterans to help them navigate both the VA and Medicare systems. The VA will submit regular reports to Congress on the program's progress and outcomes.

The "Combating Cartels on Social Media Act of 2025" aims to combat transnational criminal organizations' use of social media and online platforms for illicit activities like narcotics and human trafficking. It mandates a joint assessment by the Department of Homeland Security, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of State on how these organizations use online services for recruitment and illegal operations. The Act further requires a joint strategy to counter these recruitment efforts through enhanced cooperation, intelligence analysis, and outreach, while ensuring the protection of civil rights and liberties. No additional funds will be allocated to implement this law.

The "HEADWAY Act" amends the Head Start Act to improve teacher qualifications in Early Head Start programs. It mandates that at least one teacher per classroom has a minimum credential, and other teachers are working towards a Child Development Associate credential. The act also requires Early Head Start agencies to provide mentorship and training opportunities for teachers. This aims to enhance the quality of care and education for infants and toddlers in these programs.

The "Transnational Criminal Organization Illicit Spotter Prevention and Elimination Act" increases penalties for obstructing immigration, border, and customs enforcement. It establishes penalties for sharing information about law enforcement activities with the intent to further a federal crime, damaging border control devices, or attempting to bypass them. The act also increases penalties for using a firearm during an alien smuggling crime and extends the statute of limitations for related offenses.