Legislative Activity

The Fair and Equal Housing Act of 2025 significantly updates existing fair housing laws to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. This legislation broadens protections to cover discrimination based on association or perceived association with protected groups. Furthermore, it strengthens anti-intimidation measures related to these newly defined protected characteristics in housing matters.

The VA Loan Informed Disclosure Act of 2025 (VALID Act) aims to increase awareness of VA loan options among homebuyers. It requires lenders to include comparative information about potential VA loan terms on standard FHA disclosure forms. Furthermore, the Act mandates that the Uniform Residential Loan Application include a prominent question regarding the applicant's military service.

The Strengthening US-Caribbean Partnership Act grants the President the authority to extend diplomatic privileges and immunities to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). This action would align the treatment of CARICOM with that afforded to other recognized public international organizations. The bill aims to formally enhance the diplomatic relationship between the United States and the Caribbean region.

The FBI Animal Cruelty Taskforce Act of 2025 establishes a dedicated Animal Cruelty Crimes Taskforce within the FBI to investigate and enforce federal laws against severe animal cruelty, such as dogfighting and crush videos. This Taskforce is also responsible for developing training materials for local law enforcement. Furthermore, it must coordinate with other federal agencies and submit annual reports to Congress detailing enforcement statistics, including charges filed and convictions secured.

The TERRA Act establishes a framework allowing federally recognized Indian Tribes to consolidate funding from multiple eligible federal programs into a single, flexible plan for environmental resiliency and community needs. This grants Tribes significant self-determination by streamlining bureaucratic requirements, simplifying reporting, and providing strong authority to waive federal regulations that impede their plans. The legislation mandates federal agencies to coordinate their reviews and accelerate the transfer of funds to participating Tribes. Ultimately, the Act aims to increase efficiency and local control over federal resources while protecting sensitive Traditional Ecological Knowledge.

The Horse Transportation Safety Act of 2025 prohibits the interstate transport of horses using any truck or trailer with two or more stacked levels. This measure aims to enhance animal welfare during cross-state travel by banning multilevel transport configurations. Violators who knowingly break this rule face civil penalties ranging from $\$100$ to $\$500$ per violation.

The 911 Community Crisis Responders Act of 2025 establishes a federal grant program to fund unarmed mobile crisis response teams across the nation. These teams will respond to nonviolent emergencies involving mental health, homelessness, or substance use, diverting calls away from law enforcement. Grantees must use funds for training, system upgrades, and reporting on program impact, including demographic data on those served. The goal is to ensure trained professionals provide appropriate, de-escalated care for individuals in crisis.

The Improving Mental Health Access for Students Act mandates that colleges and universities must prominently display essential mental health and suicide prevention contact information on student ID cards or official websites. This includes the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, the Crisis Text Line, and the campus mental health center. These requirements take effect one year after the Act is signed into law.

The VET PFAS Act expands healthcare and disability benefits for veterans and their families exposed to toxic PFAS chemicals, like PFOA, at contaminated military installations. It establishes a presumption of service connection for specific related illnesses, making it easier for veterans to receive disability compensation. Furthermore, the bill grants eligible family members access to VA medical care, contingent upon future appropriations. The VA is also required to report annually on the implementation and utilization of these new provisions for three years.

The Interactive Federal Review Act aims to modernize and accelerate environmental reviews for major federally funded highway projects under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). It mandates the Department of Transportation to encourage the use of interactive digital platforms and 3D models, or "digital twins," in the review and public engagement process. Furthermore, the bill prioritizes funding applications that commit to using these advanced digital tools to improve efficiency and transparency.

This resolution officially supports the designation of "ALS Awareness Month" to bring critical attention to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. It affirms the commitment to accelerating research for treatments and cures while supporting patients and caregivers facing this devastating, progressive disease. The bill recognizes the urgent need to reduce the physical, emotional, and financial burdens associated with ALS.

The National ACERT Grant Program Authorization Act establishes a new federal grant program to help communities address the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Administered by the Attorney General and HHS, these grants will fund local teams to improve trauma response systems, coordinate services, and train professionals. The legislation authorizes $10 million annually for these efforts from fiscal years 2026 through 2029.

The Gold Star Spouses Health Care Enhancement Act removes the three-year time limit for certain Gold Star surviving spouses to access TRICARE Prime medical and dental benefits. This change ensures eligible surviving spouses are no longer restricted by this previous eligibility window. These enhancements apply retroactively to qualifying surviving spouses.

The Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2025 aims to strengthen the nursing workforce by expanding federal grant support for advanced nursing education programs, including nurse practitioners and nurse-midwives. The bill updates funding rules to cover more training costs and allows nursing schools to invest in modern educational tools like simulation and telehealth technology. Furthermore, it authorizes increased appropriations through fiscal year 2030 to support these critical educational and practice expansion efforts.

The LOOTER Act of 2025 establishes new federal crimes specifically targeting theft committed during officially declared natural disaster emergencies. This legislation makes both petty and grand larceny committed within affected counties during these emergency periods federal offenses. The Act imposes penalties ranging from fines and up to one year in prison for petty larceny, to fines and up to five years in prison for grand larceny.

This resolution calls upon all Americans to observe Memorial Day, 2025, as a solemn occasion to honor the men and women of the Armed Forces who made the ultimate sacrifice in the pursuit of freedom and peace. Congress recognizes the profound debt owed to these patriots who have died defending American values globally. The bill encourages a national expression of respect, pride, and gratitude for their service and sacrifice.

The Protect Patriot Parents Act creates a special immigration pathway for parents of U.S. citizens who have served in the Armed Forces. This bill adjusts status requirements and waives certain inadmissibility grounds for these military parents seeking to adjust their status or immigrate. It also establishes procedures for previously removed parents to apply for visas and potentially enter the U.S. temporarily to reunite with their citizen children.

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.

The BRUSH Fires Act mandates a comprehensive, one-year study by the Forest Service to evaluate the effectiveness of current wildfire mitigation methods in shrubland ecosystems. This study must analyze fuel management, ignition source control, and implementation hurdles to determine best practices. The resulting report will provide Congress with recommendations for improving fire risk reduction and enhancing partnerships to protect communities near wildlands.

The Veteran Wildland Firefighter Employment Act of 2025 establishes a pilot program to hire veterans for federal wildland firefighting positions through a joint effort led by the VA, Agriculture, and Interior Departments. This program aims to utilize veteran skills in fire management and support roles while providing clear transition guidelines for service members. The pilot will run for two years, with required reports submitted to Congress detailing its implementation and success in reducing veteran unemployment.