Legislative Activity

The Caring for Survivors Act of 2025 aims to increase financial support for the surviving spouses of veterans by raising monthly dependency and indemnity compensation rates. Additionally, the bill expands eligibility for these benefits by lowering the required period of a veteran’s total disability rating from ten years to five years. These changes ensure more survivors receive equitable compensation for the service and sacrifice of their loved ones.

The Coordination for Soil Carbon Research and Monitoring Act establishes an interagency committee to unify federal efforts in researching and monitoring soil carbon sequestration. This committee will develop a strategic, cross-agency plan to standardize data collection, improve measurement technologies, and ensure inclusive engagement with agricultural communities. By fostering collaboration across multiple federal departments, the bill aims to advance the science and long-term monitoring of soil carbon storage.

This bill establishes the Military Firefighters Compensation Fund to provide financial support and medical benefits to current and former military firefighters, or their survivors, who have suffered illnesses due to on-the-job PFAS exposure. It creates a presumption of exposure for those who served at military installations where these chemicals were present, ensuring eligible individuals receive timely and uniform compensation.

The Headwaters Protection Act of 2025 strengthens the Water Source Protection Program by expanding its scope to include adjacent non-federal lands and increasing annual funding to $30 million. This legislation enhances watershed health and water security by fostering collaborative partnerships, streamlining project implementation, and prioritizing resilience against wildfire and drought. Additionally, it establishes new safeguards to ensure forest management activities do not cause long-term degradation to watershed conditions.

The Protecting First Responders from Secondary Exposure Act of 2025 authorizes the use of federal grant funds to better equip and train emergency personnel. This legislation enables first responders to purchase specialized containment devices and receive training to prevent accidental secondary exposure to fentanyl and other lethal substances.

The 911 SAVES Act mandates that the Office of Management and Budget reclassify public safety telecommunicators as "Protective Service Occupations" within the federal Standard Occupational Classification system. This legislation recognizes the critical, high-stress, and lifesaving nature of 911 dispatchers, correcting their current misclassification to better reflect their essential role in emergency response.

The Strengthening Pathways to Health Professions Act aims to encourage more individuals to enter the healthcare field by providing significant tax relief. This bill specifically makes certain loan repayments and scholarships received through various Public Health Service and state programs tax-free income. These changes apply to programs designed to increase the number of health professionals serving in underserved areas.

The Defending American Jobs and Investment Act establishes a formal enforcement mechanism to counter foreign taxes that are extraterritorial or discriminatory toward U.S. interests. The bill mandates that the Treasury Secretary identify offending countries and engage in bilateral negotiations to seek the repeal of these taxes. Should these policies persist, the Act authorizes escalating retaliatory measures, including increased U.S. tax rates for citizens and corporations of the offending nation, as well as potential federal procurement restrictions.

The Child Care Workforce and Facilities Act of 2025 authorizes $100 million in competitive grants to States and Tribal entities to increase access to quality child care in underserved "child care deserts." These funds support projects aimed at expanding the child care workforce through education and credentialing, as well as the construction, renovation, or expansion of child care facilities. The initiative seeks to improve child care affordability, availability, and provider retention while supplementing existing federal and state resources.

The ALIGN Act makes 100% "bonus depreciation" permanent for qualified business property, eliminating scheduled phase-downs to encourage long-term capital investment. By allowing businesses to fully expense these investments immediately, the bill provides a consistent tax incentive for growth. These changes apply retroactively to ensure stability for businesses that have invested in equipment and property since 2017.

The BEACH Act of 2025 strengthens coastal water safety by expanding monitoring requirements to include upstream waters and public beach access points. The bill provides $30 million in annual funding through 2029 to support these efforts and allows states to use grants to identify specific sources of contamination. Additionally, it mandates that the EPA incorporate the latest testing technologies into its guidance for state and local water quality programs.

The BLUE Pacific Act establishes a comprehensive, long-term strategy to deepen U.S. political, economic, and security partnerships with Pacific Island nations. By authorizing dedicated funding and resources, the bill aims to foster regional stability, climate resilience, and sustainable development while countering external influence. Ultimately, the legislation seeks to transition U.S. engagement from reactive aid to a sustained, people-centered partnership that bolsters the sovereignty and prosperity of the region.

The Auto Theft Prevention Act establishes a $30 million annual grant program to provide state and local law enforcement with the resources needed to combat auto theft and vehicle trafficking. The bill also expands the existing COPS grant program to include auto theft prevention as an authorized use of funds. These measures support agencies through increased staffing, specialized equipment, training, and data-driven task forces.

The Expanding Labor Representation in the Workforce System Act amends the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to increase labor and business representation requirements on state and local workforce development boards. Additionally, the bill updates and broadens the federal definition of "labor organization" to ensure more diverse representation within the workforce system.

The FAIR Act (Federal Adjustment of Income Rates Act) proposes a 2026 pay adjustment for federal civilian employees. This legislation mandates a 3.3 percent increase in basic pay for both statutory and prevailing rate employees, alongside a 1 percent increase in locality pay.

The No Russian Tunnel to Crimea Act imposes sanctions on foreign persons who knowingly assist in the construction, maintenance, or repair of any tunnel or bridge connecting mainland Russia to illegally occupied Crimea. These sanctions include asset freezes and visa bans, recognizing Crimea's use as a staging ground for Russia's aggression against Ukraine. The President retains the authority to waive these sanctions if deemed necessary for U.S. national security interests, provided Congress is notified in advance.

The 911 SAVES Act of 2025 directs the Office of Management and Budget to reclassify public safety telecommunicators as "Protective Service Occupations" within the Standard Occupational Classification system. This change aims to formally recognize the critical, life-saving nature of 911 dispatchers and their essential role in emergency response. If the reclassification is not adopted, the Director must provide a formal justification to Congress.

The Veterans Member Business Loan Act amends the Federal Credit Union Act to include loans made to veterans within the definition of "member business loans." This change aims to expand access to capital for veteran-owned businesses by facilitating easier lending through credit unions.

The Medicare Hearing Aid Coverage Act of 2025 expands Medicare benefits to include coverage for hearing aids and related examinations starting January 1, 2026. Additionally, the bill mandates a comprehensive GAO study to evaluate current hearing loss programs and provide recommendations for improving access and care for beneficiaries.

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to expand the railroad track maintenance credit by increasing the per-mile tax credit to $6,100 and implementing annual inflation adjustments starting in 2026. It also extends the eligibility window for qualifying maintenance expenditures to include costs incurred through 2023. These updates aim to provide greater financial support for ongoing railroad infrastructure improvements.