Legislative Activity

The Equal COLA Act amends the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) to ensure that retirees receive the full annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). This legislation eliminates current discrepancies in calculation methods, providing federal annuitants with a COLA that matches the full percentage change in the price index.

The No Foreign Gifts Act of 2025 prohibits colleges and universities that receive federal student aid from accepting gifts from China, Russia, North Korea, Iran, and state sponsors of terrorism. To maintain eligibility for federal funding, institutions are required to report any gift offers received from these prohibited countries to the Secretary of Education.

The Saving the Civil Service Act protects the merit-based federal workforce by restricting the ability of agencies to reclassify competitive service positions into the excepted service. The bill establishes strict oversight, limits the number of positions that can be transferred, and mandates employee consent for such reclassifications. These measures ensure that federal staffing remains professional and protected from arbitrary political interference.

The Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act of 2025 expands Medicare coverage to include all services legally authorized under a chiropractor’s state license, moving beyond the current restriction limited to manual spinal manipulation. This legislation aligns Medicare benefits with private insurance and other federal health programs to better reflect modern chiropractic practice. To provide these expanded services, chiropractors will be required to complete a one-time training program verified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

The Strengthening Wildfire Resiliency Through Satellites Act of 2025 establishes a competitive grant program to enhance wildfire management through advanced satellite technology. This initiative provides funding for state agencies to integrate high-resolution satellite data into their detection, response, and recovery efforts. By leveraging public-private partnerships, the program aims to improve real-time monitoring of fire behavior and long-term disaster management.

The United States-Taiwan Expedited Double-Tax Relief Act aims to reduce double taxation and encourage economic activity between the U.S. and Taiwan by lowering tax rates on certain income for Taiwanese residents and businesses in the U.S., contingent upon Taiwan offering reciprocal benefits to U.S. individuals and companies. Additionally, the United States-Taiwan Tax Agreement Authorization Act outlines the process for establishing a tax agreement with Taiwan, ensuring congressional oversight and adherence to existing U.S. tax laws, to further reduce double taxation.

This bill establishes a formal U.S. policy to exclude the Russian Federation from the Group of Seven (G7) and opposes the reconstitution of the G8. It prohibits the use of federal funds to support or facilitate Russia’s participation in any G7 proceedings or the re-establishment of a G8 that includes Russia.

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 PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Peer Support Program Act establishes a $25 million grant program within the Department of Veterans Affairs to fund peer-to-peer mental health support for veterans. This initiative provides grants to eligible organizations to hire veteran peer specialists, offer 24/7 nonclinical support, and ensure veteran privacy by prohibiting the collection of personally identifying information.

The Rosie the Riveter Commemorative Coin Act directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue a series of commemorative coins in 2028 to honor the diverse women who served on the Home Front during World War II. Proceeds from the sale of these coins will support the Rosie the Riveter Trust in its efforts to maintain the Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park and fund educational programs. This initiative ensures the legacy of these essential workers is preserved and recognized through a national numismatic program.

Mel’s Law requires colleges and universities that participate in federal student aid programs to establish formal policies for awarding posthumous degrees to students who were in good academic standing at the time of their death. The bill also ensures that accrediting agencies cannot penalize or factor these awards into an institution's accreditation standards.

The Skills Investment Act of 2025 modernizes Coverdell education savings accounts into "Coverdell lifelong learning accounts," expanding their use to include a wide range of career and technical training expenses. The bill increases flexibility for adult learners by raising contribution age limits and introduces new tax incentives, including a business tax credit for employer contributions and a tax deduction for individual account holders. These changes aim to support workforce development and lifelong skill acquisition for Americans of all ages.

The FORCE Act prohibits the President and the Secretary of State from removing Cuba from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list. This restriction remains in effect until the administration certifies that Cuba has met the specific democratic and human rights requirements outlined in the LIBERTAD Act of 1996.

The Veterans Foreign Medical Coverage Equality and Modernization Act of 2025 mandates that the VA provide hospital care and medical services to veterans with permanent and total service-connected disabilities residing outside the United States. The bill also modernizes the reimbursement process by requiring direct deposit options and new mobile application features for document tracking and submission. Additionally, it requires the VA to report to Congress on the implementation and effectiveness of these expanded services.

The Housing Survivors of Major Disasters Act streamlines the FEMA assistance process by allowing survivors to use a broader range of documentation to prove home ownership. It also expands eligibility for housing repair grants and removes restrictive time limits on repair programs to ensure more disaster victims can access necessary support.

The Thin Blue Line Act amends federal law to designate the killing or attempted killing of a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or first responder as an aggravating factor in capital sentencing. This legislation ensures that when a jury considers the death penalty, they must take into account whether the victim was targeted due to their status as a public servant or while performing their official duties.

The Small Business Growth Act supports business investment by doubling the maximum immediate tax deduction for qualifying equipment and property purchases from $1 million to $2 million. It also raises the phase-out threshold to $3.5 million and implements annual inflation adjustments starting in 2026 to ensure these benefits keep pace with the economy.

Goldie’s Act strengthens the Animal Welfare Act by mandating more rigorous USDA inspections and requiring the prompt confiscation of animals suffering from neglect. The bill increases financial penalties for violators, ensures the immediate sharing of violation records with local law enforcement, and establishes stricter oversight to prevent future animal abuse.

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 expands federal grant eligibility for water storage projects, specifically including smaller surface water initiatives and groundwater recharge efforts. By doubling the program's authorization period to ten years, the bill aims to increase long-term water security. These updates are designed to support local water management while ensuring full respect for existing state and federal water rights.