Legislative Activity

The Retire through Ownership Act establishes a safe harbor for fiduciaries of Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) when valuing company stock for purposes of determining "adequate consideration" under ERISA. This safe harbor allows fiduciaries to rely on an independent expert's valuation if it uses the methods outlined in IRS Revenue Ruling 59-60. The bill clarifies valuation standards without altering a fiduciary's existing legal duties.

The Pay Our Troops Act of 2026 ensures that active duty military personnel and essential civilian support staff continue to receive their pay if Congress has not yet passed the full budget for fiscal year 2026. This act provides automatic continuing appropriations from the Treasury to prevent a lapse in military salaries due to budget delays. The funding automatically terminates once a new budget or continuing resolution is passed, or on January 1, 2027, whichever comes first.

The Reforming and Enhancing Sustainable Updates to Laboratory Testing Services Act of 2025 (RESULTS Act) aims to improve Medicare payment rates for clinical lab tests by mandating the collection of more accurate, real-world payment data directly from large, independent private insurance claims databases. This legislation updates definitions, collection timelines, and calculation methods to ensure Medicare payments for widely available tests reflect current market rates. It also establishes default payment rules if sufficient private payor data cannot be secured.

The American Franchise Act aims to protect the traditional franchise business model by clarifying the definition of a "joint employer." This legislation establishes that a franchisor is only considered a joint employer if it exercises "substantial direct and immediate control" over the essential terms of employment for a franchisee's workers. This change specifically targets liability risks associated with maintaining brand standards, ensuring franchisors are not automatically held responsible for local labor practices. The new standard applies prospectively to future legal proceedings.

The FIREARM Act aims to protect licensed firearm dealers from overly harsh penalties for minor or self-reported mistakes. It establishes new standards requiring the government to provide notice and an opportunity for dealers to correct violations before license revocation. Furthermore, the bill retroactively applies these protections to licenses previously revoked under a specific 2021 enforcement policy, allowing affected individuals a path to reapply.

The Citizen Only Updated National Tally Act (COUNT Act) mandates that federal agencies must assist the Department of Commerce in gathering comprehensive administrative records to accurately determine the citizenship status of the U.S. population. This data collection effort aims to provide policymakers with precise facts regarding immigration's impact. Furthermore, the bill requires the addition of a citizenship question to the 2030 decennial census and terminates the Census Bureau's use of differential privacy for data protection six months after enactment.

The FEMA Act of 2025 establishes the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as an independent, cabinet-level agency to lead a unified, all-hazards approach to national emergency management. The bill enacts sweeping reforms across Public Assistance, Individual Assistance, and Mitigation programs to accelerate recovery, streamline funding, and reduce bureaucratic hurdles for disaster survivors and communities. Furthermore, it mandates significant new transparency measures, including public data reporting and GAO oversight, to ensure accountability for federal disaster spending.

This bill exempts federal actions related to the construction of qualifying infill housing from the environmental review requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). It defines qualifying infill housing based on location, size, and successful environmental site assessments. Additionally, the legislation accelerates the required frequency for states to update their natural hazard risk assessments from every five years to every three years.

The Create Accountable Respectful Environments (CARE) for Children Act officially recognizes and integrates "cottage family homes" into federal foster care regulations. This allows these specialized homes to receive federal maintenance payments if they meet strict standards focused on family connection, trauma-informed care, and prohibiting harmful restraints. The bill ensures states maintain flexibility in utilizing these placements while upholding high standards for child well-being.

The Emergency Rural Water Response Act of 2025 aims to bolster rural water infrastructure and emergency response capabilities. This legislation expands eligibility for existing water assistance grants to cover related infrastructure and increases the maximum grant amount available to communities. Furthermore, it provides a temporary exemption from NPDES permitting for essential, temporary water treatment facilities established immediately following a declared state disaster.

The Written Informed Consent Act mandates that the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) expand its informed consent directives to specifically cover several classes of medications, including antipsychotics, stimulants, antidepressants, anxiolytics, and narcotics. This ensures veterans receive a thorough understanding of these prescribed drugs. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs must update VHA Directive 1005 to reflect these expanded requirements.

The Local Farmers Feeding our Communities Act establishes a new program to support local food producers and strengthen regional food security. This initiative requires the Secretary of Agriculture to fund agreements that ensure nutritious, locally sourced food is purchased and distributed widely, prioritizing small and beginning farmers. Funds must be used to buy minimally processed local products and provide technical assistance to producers. The program is backed by mandatory funding starting in Fiscal Year 2026.

This bill would require the District of Columbia to recognize valid concealed carry permits or the legal right to carry a concealed firearm held by Members of Congress from their home states. Specifically, it allows Senators, Representatives, Delegates, and Resident Commissioners to carry a concealed firearm in D.C. provided they meet federal eligibility requirements and carry proper identification.

The Fire Department Repayment Act of 2025 seeks to expedite payments to local fire departments for fire suppression cost share agreements. It mandates federal agencies to establish standard payment timelines, revise existing agreements for compliance, and ensure alignment with cooperative fire protection agreements. The bill aims to reimburse local fire departments promptly, ideally within one year of fire suppression activities.

The VA Mental Health Outreach and Engagement Act establishes new programs to proactively connect veterans not currently receiving care with necessary mental health services, especially those at risk of suicide or homelessness. It also mandates annual mental health outreach and consultation offers for veterans already receiving disability compensation for a mental health condition. Finally, the bill extends the current fee structure for certain VA housing loans.

This Act prohibits "covered foreign entities," primarily defined as those connected to the People's Republic of China, from acquiring or leasing U.S. agricultural land. Covered entities currently owning such land must divest within one year or face severe daily fines and potential criminal forfeiture. Additionally, the bill imposes a temporary two-year ban on these same entities purchasing residential real estate, with separate penalties for non-compliance. The legislation mandates the creation of new enforcement offices within the Departments of Agriculture and Commerce to oversee compliance.

The Veterans ACCESS Act of 2025 seeks to improve veterans' healthcare by revising the Veterans Community Care Program, enhancing mental health treatment programs, and implementing other healthcare improvements. Title I revises eligibility standards for community care, ensures veterans are informed about their options, and addresses care preferences and telehealth options. Title II standardizes eligibility for mental health programs, improves care quality, and ensures timely access to treatment. Title III focuses on improving healthcare services through online tools, modifying innovation programs, and increasing reporting on healthcare processes.

The Bubble Tax Modernization Act of 2025 simplifies federal excise tax treatment for certain low alcohol by volume (ABV) wines. This legislation reclassifies qualifying low ABV wines (under 8.5% ABV and low carbonation) as standard still wines for tax calculation purposes under Section 5041(h). These changes will take effect for wine removed from bond after December 31, 2025.

The Abraham Accords Defense Against Terror Act expedites security assistance and defense sales to Middle Eastern and North African countries that have normalized relations with Israel and cooperate against Iranian threats. This process requires a shortened 15-day congressional notification period from the President for approved transfers. Furthermore, the State Department must submit regular, public reports detailing the security strategy, threat assessments, and progress in countering Iranian proxies. Crucially, the Act ensures that these provisions do not undermine Israel's qualitative military edge.

The Build More Housing Near Transit Act of 2025 incentivizes the construction of new housing near public transit by awarding extra points on federal capital investment grants. These extra points are given to applicants whose jurisdictions have adopted "pro-housing policies," such as reducing parking minimums or streamlining approval processes for multi-family housing. The Secretary must consult with HUD to ensure these local policies are expected to result in measurable increases in housing, particularly for low-income residents.