Legislative Activity

The Restoring Electoral Stability to Enhance Trust (RESET) Act of 2025 asserts Congress's authority to set federal standards for congressional redistricting following a census. This bill primarily restricts states from conducting more than one round of congressional redistricting after each decennial apportionment. Exceptions are made only if a court orders a redraw to comply with the Constitution or Voting Rights Act, or if a statewide referendum mandates a compliant redraw.

This resolution expresses strong Congressional support for Community Health Centers (CHCs) during National Health Center Week, recognizing their vital role in providing affordable, high-quality care to vulnerable populations. It highlights the significant economic and healthcare impact of CHCs nationwide, serving nearly 10% of Americans. Furthermore, the resolution encourages public engagement and supports the extension of the crucial Community Health Center Fund to ensure their continued operation.

The VERY Act of 2025, or Veterans Employment Readiness Yield Act of 2025, aims to modernize the language used in federal statutes concerning veteran employment. Specifically, this bill updates Title 38 of the U.S. Code by replacing the term "employment handicap" with the term "employment barrier." This change standardizes the terminology used when discussing challenges veterans face in the job market.

The Rural Emergency Hospital Financial Stability Act clarifies and ensures that services provided by Rural Emergency Hospitals (REHs) are explicitly covered under standard Medicaid payment rules. This legislation guarantees payment for both outpatient services and associated nursing facility care provided within an REH structure. The Act mandates the Secretary of Health and Human Services to finalize the necessary implementing rules within one year of enactment.

The Frontline Fighter Force First Act prioritizes recapitalizing the Air Force's active-duty fighter fleet by mandating the replacement of legacy aircraft with advanced fighters like the F-15EX and F-35. This process must begin with the most frequently deployed wings to ensure maximum combat readiness. The bill also requires a Government Accountability Office review of procurement challenges and mandates annual progress reports to Congress on the modernization effort.

The Flight Education Access Act increases federal student loan limits specifically for students enrolled in eligible undergraduate flight training programs that meet FAA Part 141 requirements. This legislation also mandates new disclosure requirements for schools regarding loan terms and establishes performance tracking for these programs. Finally, the Act directs the GAO to report on the implementation and impact of these changes within two years.

This resolution officially recognizes and celebrates "National Salvation Army Week" from May 12 through May 18, 2025. Congress commends the Salvation Army for its long history of providing non-discriminatory aid, including disaster relief, shelter, and support services to millions of Americans annually. The bill encourages the public to support the organization's ongoing mission to combat human need with compassion.

The Coast Guard Combat-Injured Tax Fairness Act ensures that Coast Guard members with combat-related injuries receive the same tax fairness on their severance payments as other military branches. This legislation clarifies which Secretaries are responsible for correcting improperly withheld taxes from past payments. It also sets deadlines for identifying past errors and immediately stopping future improper tax withholdings.

This Act officially extends full government-to-government recognition to the Haliwa Saponi Indian Tribe of North Carolina, acknowledging their continuous existence and historical ties. As a result, the Tribe and its members become eligible for all federal services and benefits available to federally recognized tribes. The law also grants the Secretary of the Interior the authority to take land into trust for the Tribe and establish a reservation.

The Protecting American Families and Servicemembers from Anthrax Act mandates the Secretaries of Health and Human Services and Defense to develop a modernized 10-year strategy to defend against the anthrax threat. This plan must ensure a sustainable supply of anthrax countermeasures for the Strategic National Stockpile and outline protections for civilians and military families. The Secretaries are required to submit an initial classified report detailing the threat and the full strategy to Congress within 180 days, followed by annual updates.

The Nuclear Medicine Clarification Act of 2025 directs the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to update regulations regarding medical event reporting for accidental radiation exposure. Specifically, it mandates reporting if a radiation dose resulting from an extravasation exceeds defined thresholds in the most highly irradiated tissue or skin. This ensures clearer reporting standards for unintended irradiation events in nuclear medicine.

The Old Drugs, New Cures Act establishes a "priority research drug" designation for older, approved drugs being actively investigated for new uses addressing significant unmet medical needs. This designation allows manufacturers to seek this status if the target condition heavily impacts federal health program beneficiaries. Crucially, this designation modifies how these drugs are treated under Medicaid and Medicare pricing calculations, specifically excluding them from certain "best price" and "line extension" rules.

The Cybersecurity for Rural Water Systems Act amends the national rural water and wastewater circuit rider program to mandate the inclusion of cybersecurity technical assistance for small, rural water systems. This assistance will help systems serving fewer than 10,000 people assess threats and implement protective measures. The bill also extends and increases funding for the program, specifically allocating \$7.5 million annually for these new cybersecurity services.

The Agricultural Commodities Price Enhancement Act increases the established reference prices for major crops, including wheat, corn, and soybeans. This legislation directly raises the baseline dollar amounts used to calculate certain federal agricultural support payments. These adjustments apply to wheat, corn, soybeans, peanuts, and seed cotton.

The Promoting Precision Agriculture Act aims to boost the adoption of high-tech farming methods across the U.S. It directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish voluntary standards for interconnectivity among precision agriculture equipment, developed in consultation with industry and focused on efficiency and cybersecurity. The bill also mandates periodic reviews by the GAO to assess the effectiveness and voluntary nature of these developing standards.

The "Flooding Prevention, Assessment, and Restoration Act" enhances watershed protection measures, mandates a national study on agricultural flood vulnerability, and increases federal cost share to 90% for rehabilitation projects, improving long-term watershed health and reducing flood risks to agriculture.

The "Maintaining Investments in New Innovation Act" amends the Social Security Act's definition of "qualifying single source drug" to include advanced drugs using genetically targeted technology. This update applies to drugs that can modify gene function, potentially impacting drug pricing and access regulations under the Act.

The "Sarah Keys Evans Congressional Gold Medal Act" authorizes the presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to Sarah Keys Evans, a civil rights pioneer, for her courageous refusal to give up her seat on an interstate bus, which led to the landmark ICC ruling that outlawed segregation on interstate buses. The Act directs the Secretary of the Treasury to create the gold medal and authorizes the creation and sale of bronze duplicates.

The Honor and Remember Flag Recognition Act designates the Honor and Remember Flag as the official national symbol recognizing members of the U.S. Armed Forces who die in the line of duty. It mandates the flag's display at various federal locations on specific holidays, including Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, and Veterans Day. The bill requires relevant departments to establish regulations for flag display and directs the General Services Administration to procure and distribute the flags.

The Veterans Jobs Opportunity Act establishes a tax credit for veteran-owned small businesses in underserved communities, providing a credit of 15% of qualified start-up expenditures up to $50,000. It defines eligibility criteria, including business size, veteran ownership, and location in areas like HUBZones or low-income communities. The bill also mandates periodic evaluations of the credit's effectiveness.