Legislative Activity

This bill formally acknowledges the sacrifices and courage of Vietnam War veterans, recognizing their service and the challenges they faced, including exposure to Agent Orange and the loss of over 58,000 American lives. It urges the President to address the mistreatment of these veterans and issues a formal apology on behalf of the American people for the lack of support they received both during and after the war. The bill also supports enhanced education in schools to accurately reflect the experiences of Vietnam War veterans.

The "Skills Investment Act of 2025" renames and expands Coverdell education savings accounts into "Coverdell lifelong learning accounts" to cover a broader range of skill development and educational expenses. It modifies age restrictions and contribution rules, introduces a new tax credit for employers contributing to employee accounts, and allows beneficiaries to deduct contributions made to their accounts. These changes aim to promote lifelong learning and workforce development.

Mel's Law requires higher education institutions to develop a policy for awarding posthumous degrees to students who were in good academic standing but died before completing their program. It prevents accreditation agencies from factoring posthumous degrees into their evaluations of institutions. This law aims to provide recognition for students who were close to achieving their academic goals before their untimely passing. The law goes into effect one year after enactment.

The PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Peer Support Program Act establishes a grant program within the Department of Veterans Affairs to fund peer-to-peer mental health support for veterans. Grants, up to $250,000, will be awarded to eligible entities like nonprofits and veteran service organizations to operate programs that meet specific standards, hire veteran peer specialists, and provide 24/7 mental health support. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs will establish an advisory committee to set program standards and best practices. The bill allocates $25,000,000 over three years to carry out the program.

The "Thin Blue Line Act" amends the US Code to include the killing or targeting of a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or other first responder as a new aggravating factor for the death penalty. This applies if the victim was targeted because of their official duties or status as a public official.

The "HEADWAY Act" amends the Head Start Act to improve teacher qualifications in Early Head Start programs. It mandates that at least one teacher per classroom has a minimum credential, and other teachers are working towards a Child Development Associate credential. The act also requires Early Head Start agencies to provide mentorship and training opportunities for teachers. This aims to enhance the quality of care and education for infants and toddlers in these programs.

This bill allocates $3 million annually from 2026 to 2031 to support projects focused on groundwater recharge, aquifer storage, and water source substitution. The funds will be used to provide technical and financial assistance for these water management projects.

This bill designates January 13th of each year as Korean American Day. It recognizes the important influence, contributions, and sacrifices of Korean Americans in the United States, and celebrates the 122nd anniversary of the arrival of the first Korean immigrants to the U.S. The bill encourages all Americans to acknowledge and celebrate the integral role of Korean Americans in strengthening the ties between the United States and the Republic of Korea.

The "Every Drop Counts Act" amends the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to expand the eligibility criteria for water storage projects to include those with smaller storage capacities and those focused on groundwater recharge. It increases the number of eligible projects from 5 to 10. The act ensures compliance with existing water laws and does not infringe on established water rights.

The Goldie's Act seeks to strengthen the USDA's enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act by mandating annual inspections, requiring humane treatment of suffering animals, and imposing significant penalties for violations. It ensures transparency through mandated sharing of violation records and sets firm guidelines for determining penalties based on the severity and frequency of violations. The Act also enables legal action to recover unpaid penalties and penalizes the disobedience of "cease and desist" orders.

The GLRI Act of 2025 reauthorizes the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, which aims to protect and restore the Great Lakes ecosystem. The act allocates $500 million annually from 2027 through 2031 to support this initiative.

The Ending Scam Credit Repair Act, or ESCRA Act, amends the Credit Repair Organizations Act to combat deceptive practices in the credit repair industry. It broadens the definition of prohibited practices, including making false statements, lying to credit agencies, and charging premature fees. The bill mandates specific disclosures, consumer contracts, and communication standards for credit repair organizations, including licensing requirements and transparency in disputes. Additionally, it sets a fixed amount for damages for each violation of the title.

The "National Law Enforcement Officers Remembrance, Support and Community Outreach Act" aims to support the National Law Enforcement Museum's programs for community outreach, public education, and officer safety and wellness through grants to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. The act authorizes \$6,000,000 to be appropriated to the Secretary of the Interior for each of the first 7 fiscal years after the law is enacted. It requires annual progress reports to ensure accountability and transparency in the use of funds. The Act allows the Secretary to use funds to continue activities the National Law Enforcement Museum was already doing when this law was enacted.

The "Proxy Voting for New Parents Resolution" allows Members of the House, Delegates, and the Resident Commissioner who have recently given birth or whose spouse has given birth to designate another Member to vote on their behalf in the House, in committee, and in the Committee of the Whole for a period of 12 weeks. This proxy voting authority can begin before the birth if a doctor advises that the pregnancy presents a serious medical condition or that she is unable to travel safely. The resolution outlines specific procedures for designating, changing, and revoking proxy designations, ensuring transparency and adherence to instructions. Members whose votes are cast by proxy will not be counted for quorum purposes.

The Disaster Reforestation Act modifies the rules for deducting casualty losses of uncut timber due to fire, storm, theft, or other casualties. Taxpayers can deduct losses based on the difference between the timber's appraised value before the loss and its salvage value, with specific appraisal and reforestation requirements. The definition of "other casualties" includes losses from wood-destroying insects or invasive species, or severe drought. It applies to timber held for sale in a trade or business that is not a passive activity for losses sustained in taxable years beginning after the enactment of this Act.

This bill honors the life, achievements, and legacy of Jimmy Carter, recognizing his service as a naval officer, farmer, state senator, Governor, and President. It also acknowledges his post-presidency work promoting peace, democracy, and human rights through the Carter Center, as well as his dedication to Habitat for Humanity. The bill expresses condolences to his family upon his passing and celebrates his lasting impact as a leader and statesman.

The "Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg Congressional Gold Medal Act" authorizes the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate to award Jens Stoltenberg a Congressional Gold Medal. This medal recognizes Stoltenberg's contributions to the security, unity, and defense of NATO. The Act directs the Secretary of the Treasury to create the gold medal and allows for the creation and sale of bronze duplicates to cover production costs.

The "Justice for 9/11 Act" ensures that individuals detained at Guantanamo Bay, specifically Khalid Shaikh Mohammad, Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarak Bin Attash, and Mustafa Ahmed Adam al Hawsawi, can still face trial for the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack, regardless of any prior plea agreements. It allows for a death sentence in any trial for the attack, and mandates that if sentenced, these individuals will be held at Guantanamo Bay in solitary confinement with restricted contact and treatment. The bill prohibits their transfer to the continental United States or any other country.

The "Sustainable Budget Act of 2025" establishes a bipartisan National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform to recommend policies for improving the medium-term fiscal situation and achieving long-term fiscal sustainability, with the goal of balancing the budget within 10 years. The President must then submit a joint resolution to Congress based on the Commission's recommendations, which Congress will consider under expedited procedures, without amendments. The act aims to address entitlement spending and the gap between revenues and expenditures.

The "No Bailout for Sanctuary Cities Act" aims to withhold certain federal funds from state and local governments deemed "sanctuary jurisdictions" that obstruct the sharing of immigration status information or compliance with detainment requests from Homeland Security. These jurisdictions would be ineligible for federal funds intended to benefit individuals in the U.S. without legal immigration status. The Department of Homeland Security is required to report annually to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees on non-compliant states and local governments.