Legislative Activity

This resolution formally honors the victims of Hurricane Helene one year after the storm devastated western North Carolina. It expresses deep condolences to the affected communities and recognizes the heroic efforts of first responders and volunteers. Furthermore, the resolution affirms Congress's commitment to supporting ongoing recovery and rebuilding efforts in the region.

The Justice for America’s Veterans and Survivors Act of 2025 mandates that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) submit an annual report detailing the causes of death among veterans. This report must specifically identify veterans with totally disabling service-connected disabilities and note any deaths by suicide linked to those conditions. The goal is to provide Congress with comprehensive data on veteran mortality trends.

The Stratton Ridge Air Force Memorial Act authorizes the relocation of a memorial honoring nine Air Force crew members lost in a 1982 training crash. The Secretary of Agriculture can permit the move to the Stratton Ridge rest area, provided private landowner consent and approval from the North Carolina Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration are secured. Crucially, this act mandates that all costs associated with the relocation, installation, and maintenance must be covered entirely by non-federal funds.

The Helene Small Business Recovery Act grants the President the authority to waive federal rules prohibiting the duplication of disaster benefits upon a Governor's request. This allows small businesses and individuals to receive necessary aid even if they have other forms of assistance, provided it is in the public interest and avoids waste, fraud, or abuse. Importantly, this waiver authority cannot be denied based on the applicant's income level and applies to major disasters declared in 2023 or 2024.

The Economic Opportunity for Distressed Communities Act establishes special tax rules to encourage investment in designated distressed opportunity zones. This legislation allows taxpayers to defer capital gains taxes by reinvesting those gains into qualified distressed opportunity funds. If held long-term, these investments can also provide significant basis step-ups, potentially eliminating tax on future appreciation. The Act specifically targets investments in brownfield sites and CERCLA National Priorities List facilities.

The Promoting Resilient Buildings Act of 2025 updates federal disaster preparedness by clarifying which building codes apply to mitigation plans. It also streamlines the Hazard Mitigation Revolving Loan Fund Program through technical amendments. Crucially, the Act establishes a new pilot program to provide grants to homeowners for retrofitting their residences against local natural hazards, with a required evaluation of its effectiveness.

The Disaster Survivors Fairness Act of 2025 aims to improve FEMA's disaster assistance programs by streamlining the application process through a unified system and universal application, expanding eligibility for housing assistance, and allowing direct assistance for home repairs. The act also focuses on better support for renters, hazard mitigation, and state-managed housing programs, while increasing transparency through online dashboards and required reports. Additionally, the bill addresses management costs, funding for online post-disaster guides, and sheltering for emergency response personnel. Finally, the bill requires the Comptroller General to conduct studies on improper disaster assistance, damage assessment procedures, and challenges faced by states and territories in securing assistance.

The "Unemployment Integrity Act of 2025" aims to reform unemployment compensation by requiring claimants to participate in reemployment services and interviews, and by enabling employers to report noncompliance. It also mandates a study and potential increase in random audits to improve the administration of state unemployment compensation laws. Additionally, the Act limits funds transfers for extended unemployment compensation to states that meet specific work search requirements.

The "Restoring Access to Mountain Homes Act" allows state, tribal, and local governments in North Carolina to be reimbursed for repairing or replacing private roads and bridges damaged by Tropical Storm Helene, even with pre-existing damage, if they are the sole access to homes or essential services. Reimbursement requires government inspection, maintaining access during repairs, cost documentation, and adherence to regulations. Individuals who already received disaster assistance for road or bridge repairs can choose to continue with that assistance or return the funds to be eligible for reimbursement under this act.

The "Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act of 2025" allows victims of specific violent crimes committed by aliens to sue sanctuary jurisdictions if sanctuary policies prevented the alien's detention or deportation. It mandates that sanctuary jurisdictions that accept certain federal grants waive immunity from these lawsuits and protects state and local entities from liability when complying with Department of Homeland Security detainers. This act aims to ensure cooperation between federal and local law enforcement and provide legal recourse for victims harmed by sanctuary policies.

The "Equal Representation Act" mandates the inclusion of a citizenship status question on the 2030 census and all future censuses. It requires the Secretary to report the number of citizens and non-citizens in each state. It also changes the way congressional districts are calculated by excluding non-citizens from the population count used for apportionment.