Legislative Activity

The "Mathematical and Statistical Modeling Education Act" aims to improve STEM education by directing the National Science Foundation to award grants for innovative math modeling education approaches, including statistical modeling, data science, and operations research. It also directs the NSF to arrange for a NASEM study on mathematical and statistical modeling education in grades pre-K through 12, to examine factors that enhance or impede the implementation of mathematical and statistical modeling in elementary and secondary education. The Act requires reports to Congress on evaluation results and recommendations, and authorizes funding for these initiatives through 2030.

The "Weather Innovation for the Next Generation Act of 2025" directs the National Weather Service to establish a program researching how obstructions like wind turbines impact weather radar performance. The program will test technologies and develop solutions to mitigate these impacts, focusing on technology-based solutions and collaboration with various entities. It requires annual reports to Congress and a final recommendation on the need for further research. The program is set to conclude by September 30, 2030.

Recognizes Nowruz as a culturally and historically significant celebration observed worldwide. It acknowledges the contributions of Iranian Americans to the U.S. and supports human rights and freedom for the people of Iran. The resolution also defends the rights of Iranians to assemble and express themselves freely, and wishes a happy new year to those celebrating Nowruz.

The "National Weather Service Communications Improvement Act" mandates the National Weather Service to modernize its communication system by October 1, 2027, replacing NWSChat with a commercial instant messaging service hosted on a public cloud. This upgrade aims to enhance user experience, accommodate growth, and improve performance. The Act allocates up to $3,000,000 annually from 2026 to 2029, using existing National Weather Service funds for the project.

The "BIRD Energy and US-Israel Energy Center Reauthorization Act of 2025" expands and reauthorizes energy cooperation between the U.S. and Israel through 2035. It increases funding for cooperative research and the Energy Center, and broadens the scope of cooperation to include areas like hydrogen, fusion energy, and cybersecurity. This aims to foster innovation, enhance energy security, and promote economic benefits for both nations.

The "National Landslide Preparedness Act Reauthorization Act of 2025" reauthorizes and amends the National Landslide Preparedness Act, updating the national strategy to include risks from atmospheric river flooding and extreme precipitation events, expanding the national landslide hazards database, and including Native Hawaiian organizations in preparedness efforts. It also establishes regional partnerships for landslide expertise, expands grant programs to include Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations, and increases authorized funding to $35,000,000 per year through 2030, with a focus on early warning systems. Additionally, the bill modifies and extends the authorization of appropriations for the 3D Elevation Program through 2030.

The National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Coin Act directs the U.S. Mint to produce gold, silver, and half-dollar coins in 2026 to commemorate the service and sacrifice of U.S. firefighters. The sale of these coins will include surcharges, which will be donated to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to support its programs. The Act ensures that the coin production does not create net costs for the government and that the Treasury recovers all costs before surcharges are distributed.

The "Don't Penalize Victims Act" amends the Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to ensure disaster victims are not penalized for receiving assistance from multiple sources. This change removes the clause that previously prevented individuals from receiving disaster relief if they had already received assistance from other sources. The goal is to allow victims to fully recover without fear of losing aid due to assistance from charities, private insurance, or other aid programs.

The "National Rosie the Riveter Day Act" calls for the annual designation of March 21 as "National Rosie the Riveter Day" to honor the over 6 million American women who entered the workforce during World War II. It recognizes their vital contributions to the war effort in factories, farms, shipyards, and volunteer organizations. The act encourages nationwide observance through ceremonies, activities, and relevant programs at all levels of government.

The National Strategy for School Security Act of 2025 directs the Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Secretary of Education, to develop a national strategy to protect schools from terrorist threats. This strategy will detail federal programs, spending, and activities related to school security, identify vulnerabilities, and set goals to address these vulnerabilities. The strategy will be submitted to specific committees in the House and Senate within one year of enactment and updated annually through 2033, if needed. The strategy aims to streamline efforts, consider existing evaluations, and avoid duplicating work related to school security against terrorism.

The PARA–EMT Act of 2025 addresses the critical shortage of Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and paramedics by establishing grant programs to support the recruitment, training, and retention of EMS personnel, with a focus on rural areas and veterans. It directs the Department of Labor, in coordination with Health and Human Services, to study the EMT and paramedic workforce and provide recommendations to Congress on addressing projected shortages. The Act aims to improve access to and enhance the quality of emergency medical services nationwide.

The "Access to Small Business Investor Capital Act" modifies reporting requirements for registered investment companies. It allows them to exclude certain indirect fees and expenses from their "Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses" calculations on registration statements. This exclusion applies specifically to fees and expenses resulting from investments in business development companies. The change affects fee disclosures on Forms N-1A, N-2, and N-3.

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify the asset test for taxable Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) subsidiaries. It increases the allowable percentage of assets a REIT can hold in a taxable subsidiary from 20 percent to 25 percent. This change applies to taxable years starting after December 31, 2025.

The "Tools Tax Deduction Act" allows employees to deduct necessary work-related expenses for construction tools, protective gear, and other job-related costs from their gross income. It modifies Section 67(g) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, ensuring that miscellaneous itemized deductions for employee business expenses are not subject to certain limitations. These changes will be effective for taxable years starting after December 31, 2025.

The Mink VIRUS Act aims to protect public health by prohibiting mink farming in the U.S. one year after enactment and requiring humane termination methods for existing farmed mink. It establishes a payment program to compensate fur farm owners for the costs of compliance and the market value of their mink farming operations, contingent upon agreeing not to operate a fur farm in the future. The Act allocates $100 million to the Department of Agriculture for these payments.

The "Ending Drug Trafficking in Our Communities Act" reauthorizes the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program through 2031 with $400 million in annual funding. It directs the Office of National Drug Control Policy to identify and share promising practices to improve the program's effectiveness. These practices focus on linking drug trafficking to overdoses, improving information sharing on drug-related firearm crimes, and implementing evidence-based substance use prevention strategies.

The "Independent Programmers Tax Incentive Act" introduces a tax credit for eligible video distributors who carry independent programmers, aiming to support diversity in media. This credit covers a portion of license fees paid to qualified independent programmers, with caps based on subscriber numbers. The FCC is required to report biennially to Congress on the state of independent programming and how to further support it.

The "Cerebral Palsy Research Program Authorization Act of 2025" directs the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to establish a research program on cerebral palsy, focusing on diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and the costs associated with the condition. It also mandates the provision of education and training for healthcare professionals and the public regarding cerebral palsy. The act allocates $5,000,000 annually from 2026 through 2031 to fund these activities.

The TRACE Act mandates the Attorney General to enhance the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System by including a data field that indicates whether a missing person's last known location or unidentified remains were found on Federal land. It also requires an annual report to Congress detailing the number of cases involving missing persons or unidentified remains found on these lands, broken down by the responsible federal agency. "Federal land" is defined as land owned by the U.S. and managed by the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of the Interior, or the Secretary of Defense, specifically for land and water projects handled by the Army Corps of Engineers. This aims to improve tracking and reporting of missing persons and unidentified remains cases on federal lands.

The "Seizure Awareness and Preparedness Act" amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to create a grant program supporting students with epilepsy or seizure disorders. These grants will fund training for school personnel on seizure awareness, preparedness, and the implementation of individualized health care and emergency plans for affected students. The act allocates \$34.5 million for fiscal years 2026-2030 to ensure schools are equipped to support students with these conditions.