Legislative Activity

The "Down East Remembrance Act" designates six creeks in North Carolina with new names to honor Noah Styron, Hunter Parks, Kole McInnis, Stephanie Fulcher, Jacob Taylor, and Daily Shepherd. It mandates that all federal references to these creeks be updated to reflect these new designations.

The "Feed Hungry Veterans Act of 2025" amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, expanding SNAP eligibility for disabled veterans. It includes veterans with a 60% or higher disability rating, those with multiple disabilities totaling 70% or higher with one at 40%, those catastrophically disabled, and those under 65 receiving certain pensions. These changes will take effect on October 1, 2030.

The "Law-Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act of 2025" exempts less-than-lethal projectile devices from certain federal restrictions, defining these devices based on their inability to fire lethal ammunition, a velocity cap of 500 feet per second, design for non-lethal use, and magazine compatibility. It tasks the Attorney General with determining whether a device meets the Act's definition within 90 days of a request.

The Nuclear Ecosystem Drone Defense Act (NEDD Act) expands the Secretary of Energy's authority, allowing exemptions from prohibitions on procuring or operating unmanned aircraft systems from foreign entities, including the use of federal funds. It grants authority to determine classified tracking usage and accounting exceptions. This expansion aims to bolster the protection of nuclear facilities and assets from potential threats posed by unmanned aircraft.

The Physician Led and Rural Access to Quality Care Act modifies the Social Security Act to revise physician self-referral exemptions, particularly for rural hospitals. It exempts "covered rural hospitals" located in rural areas far from other hospitals from certain restrictions. Additionally, it allows existing physician-owned hospitals to expand their facilities.

The Air America Act of 2025 authorizes the Director of the CIA to award payments to former employees of Air America and affiliated companies who supported the U.S. government between 1950 and 1976, or to their survivors. Eligible individuals or their survivors could receive up to $40,000 for five years of qualifying service, with additional amounts for longer service, with a cap on total awards at $60 million. The Act establishes application procedures, limitations on attorney fees, and prohibits judicial review of the Director's decisions, while also requiring regular reports to Congress on the status of the award payments. This act does not qualify anyone for federal benefits like retirement, disability, or death benefits.

The Crop Insurance for Future Farmers Act amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to enhance support for beginning and veteran farmers and ranchers. It expands the definition of these farmers to include those with up to 10 years of experience and increases crop insurance assistance by providing percentage point adjustments to coverage rates, offering greater financial security during their initial years of operation. This bill aims to encourage and support the next generation of agricultural producers by making crop insurance more accessible and beneficial.

This bill extends combat zone tax benefits to members of the U.S. Armed Forces performing services in Kenya, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Chad. It ensures that these service members receive the same tax advantages as if they were serving directly in a designated combat zone. The benefits apply when the service members are eligible for special pay due to hazardous duty in these areas. This adjustment recognizes the risks and sacrifices of military personnel serving in these specific locations.

The "Save Our Shipyards Act of 2025" or "SOS Act of 2025" establishes a National Commission on the Maritime Industrial Base to investigate and study the state of the U.S. maritime industry and its ability to support national defense. The Commission will develop policy recommendations for the President and Congress to strengthen the maritime industry, revitalize the naval fleet, foster shipbuilding, and preserve maritime jobs. The Commission will submit a report detailing its findings and recommendations within one year of its first meeting.

The "Fight for Families Act of 2025" amends the Internal Revenue Code to make the adoption tax credit refundable for families who adopt special needs children. This means that families can receive a refund on the credit, even if they owe no taxes. This change applies to tax years beginning after the later of the enactment date of the Act or December 31, 2025.

The "Deliver for Democracy Act" aims to improve the on-time delivery of periodicals by the USPS by setting a 95% on-time delivery target or requiring a 2% increase in on-time delivery performance to unlock additional rate authority. It mandates annual reporting on delivery performance and requires a study on alternative pricing to support periodicals.

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 Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act" amends the Food Security Act of 1985, introducing an exception to payment limitations for individuals or entities earning 75% or more of their income from farming, ranching, or silviculture. This change impacts eligibility for specific agricultural disaster relief programs, ensuring fairer access to aid for those primarily engaged in agricultural activities.

The HELPER Act of 2025 amends the National Housing Act to establish an FHA mortgage insurance program for first responders, including law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics, EMTs, and teachers. This program allows the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to insure mortgages up to 100% of the appraised value for eligible first-time homebuyers, waiving down payment requirements but requiring an up-front mortgage insurance premium. Mortgagors must meet specific eligibility criteria, including being a first-time homebuyer, completing a housing counseling program, and meeting employment and good standing requirements as a first responder. The bill authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 2026 through 2032 and requires reauthorization of the program after 5 years.

This bill, known as the "Correcting Guam's History in the PACT Act," amends Title 38 of the U.S. Code to expand eligibility for a presumption of service connection for diseases associated with herbicide exposure. The expansion includes veterans who served in Guam between August 15, 1958, and July 31, 1980, or in American Samoa. This change makes it easier for these veterans to receive benefits for diseases linked to herbicide exposure during their service.

The "Caring for Survivors Act of 2025" increases dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses of veterans. It changes the calculation of benefits to be based on 55 percent of a specified monthly compensation rate and includes a provision to ensure those receiving benefits based on a veteran's death before January 1, 1993, receive the greater of their current amount or the newly calculated amount. The Act also modifies the requirements for survivor benefits related to veterans who die while having a total disability rating, reducing the required period of disability from 10 to 5 years, and proportionally reducing benefits for those rated totally disabled for less than 10 years.

The "Access to Family Building Act" establishes a federal right for individuals to access assisted reproductive technology (ART) services and for healthcare providers to offer these services, free from undue restrictions. It allows the Attorney General and affected individuals to file lawsuits against those who limit ART access and permits states to enforce health and safety regulations that are the least restrictive means to ensure safety. The act overrides conflicting federal and state laws, ensuring its provisions are upheld, and requires the Department of Health and Human Services to issue regulations for implementation.

The "Investing in All of America Act of 2025" amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, modifying how the Small Business Administration calculates leverage for small business investment companies (SBICs). It lowers the maximum leverage exclusion from $300 million to $200 million, expands eligibility to include small businesses in critical technology and manufacturing, and limits the exclusion amount for a company. The bill also requires annual adjustments to the dollar amounts based on the Consumer Price Index.

This resolution recognizes and honors teachers who have achieved or maintained National Board Certification as of March 2025, acknowledging their positive impact on student learning and potential lifetime earnings. It encourages the growth of new National Board Certified Teachers by urging educators, administrators, school districts, and States to provide candidates with incentives and support.

The "Medicare Home Health Accessibility Act" broadens Medicare eligibility for home healthcare services to include individuals who require occupational therapy, not just speech therapy. This expansion ensures more beneficiaries can receive necessary care in their homes. These changes will take effect for services provided on or after January 1, 2026.