Legislative Activity

The "Rights for the Transportation Security Administration Workforce Act" transitions TSA personnel to standard federal employment rules under Title 5 of the U.S. Code, ensuring they receive similar rights and protections as other federal employees, while maintaining current pay and benefits. It enhances collective bargaining rights for screening agents, requires reports on recruitment, implementation, and workplace safety, and addresses specific concerns within the Federal Air Marshal Service. The Act aims to improve job security, morale, and overall working conditions for TSA employees.

This resolution recognizes and celebrates the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps on November 10, 2025. It honors the Marine Corps' history, values, and contributions to the nation, while also encouraging Americans to participate in commemorative events and recognize the service of Marines.

The "Fairness in Veterans' Education Act of 2025" amends title 38 of the United States Code to ensure that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs repays members of the Armed Forces for contributions made towards Post-9/11 Educational Assistance. This bill removes language that prevented the repayment of these contributions, ensuring veterans receive the full educational benefits they are entitled to. This change is effective August 1, 2025.

The "Save Our Forests Act of 2025" aims to ensure the Forest Service is adequately staffed to maintain the health of national forests. It directs the Secretary of Agriculture to increase staffing using existing funds and reinstate employees removed earlier in 2025. The act also allows the continuation of already approved and funded Forest Service projects under various existing laws.

The "Protect our Parks Act of 2025" aims to bolster the National Park Service by ensuring full staffing for visitor safety, enjoyment, and resource protection, including the reinstatement of employees removed earlier in 2025. It also allows the continuation of already authorized and funded projects under existing legislation like the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act and the Great American Outdoors Act.

This bill reauthorizes and reforms the HOME Investment Partnerships Program to increase affordable housing options by providing more funding and adjusting administrative processes. It modifies eligibility criteria, streamlines fund allocation, and allows community land trusts to acquire housing. The bill also introduces a home loan guarantee program and makes technical corrections to improve the clarity and effectiveness of existing housing legislation.

The "Stop Predatory Investing Act" amends the Internal Revenue Code to disallow both interest and depreciation deductions for taxpayers who own 50 or more single-family residential rental properties, with exceptions for sales to individuals for use as a primary residence or to qualified nonprofit organizations. This disallowance does not apply to properties sold to individuals who will use them as their primary residence, or to qualified nonprofit organizations. The bill defines single-family residential rental property and specifies the types of nonprofit organizations that qualify for the exception. It also clarifies that disallowed interest cannot be capitalized or treated as chargeable to a capital account.

The Protect Veteran Jobs Act allows for the reinstatement of veteran Federal employees who were involuntarily dismissed without cause between January 20, 2025, and the date of enactment. It also mandates Executive agencies to report to Congress every 90 days on the number and reasons for veteran employee dismissals until January 20, 2029.

The Veteran Fraud Reimbursement Act of 2025 ensures that veterans or their successors are reimbursed for benefits misused by a fiduciary. The Department of Veteran Affairs is required to reissue the misused amount to the beneficiary and attempt to recover the funds from the fiduciary. The total reissued amount is capped at the total benefit amount misused. The Act also directs the Secretary to establish methods for determining negligence by the Secretary in cases of misused benefits.

The Hershel "Woody" Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act designates a site within the Reserve area of Washington, D.C., for the construction of the National Medal of Honor Monument. This monument, authorized in 2021, will honor Medal of Honor recipients from all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. The goal is to commemorate their valor and inspire future generations by establishing a lasting tribute near the Lincoln Memorial. Construction will adhere to federal regulations, ensuring the monument appropriately represents the extraordinary actions and spirit of American heroes.

The Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2025 amends the National Labor Relations Act and other labor laws to strengthen protections for employees engaging in labor disputes and collective bargaining. It redefines employer and employee status, addresses unfair labor practices, streamlines collective bargaining, and increases penalties for employers who violate labor laws. The Act also updates strike/lockout notification procedures and clarifies reporting requirements for employer-employee communication. Finally, it ensures the law's provisions are severable and authorizes necessary appropriations for implementation and enforcement.

The Fighter Force Preservation and Recapitalization Act of 2025 aims to maintain and modernize the Air Force's fighter aircraft fleet by setting minimum inventory levels, requiring regular reports on the status of the fleet, prioritizing the assignment of new aircraft to existing squadrons, and preserving the Air National Guard's fighter capabilities. It mandates the Air Force to retain a minimum number of fighter aircraft, with allowances for temporary reductions during unit recapitalizations, and ensures the Air National Guard maintains a specific number of fighter squadrons while receiving modern aircraft. The Act also includes provisions for annual recapitalization plans for the Air National Guard and defines key terms related to fighter aircraft.

The "BADGES for Native Communities Act" aims to improve the safety of Native communities by addressing data gaps and resource needs in law enforcement. It mandates the appointment of Tribal facilitators to improve data collection on missing and unidentified persons cases, requires reports on law enforcement staffing needs in Indian Country, and establishes a grant program for coordinating responses to missing persons and violence cases. Additionally, the Act directs studies on evidence handling and interdepartmental coordination to provide counseling resources for Bureau of Indian Affairs and Tribal law enforcement officers.

The "Access to Credit for our Rural Economy Act of 2025" (ACRE Act) aims to bolster rural economies by excluding interest earned on qualified real estate loans made by qualified lenders from their gross income. These loans must be secured by rural or agricultural real estate, with specific provisions for single-family residences and exclusions for loans involving foreign adversary entities. The Act requires a report to Congress on its impact and applies to taxable years following its enactment.

The "Invest to Protect Act of 2025" establishes a grant program to support local law enforcement by providing resources for training, mental health services, recruitment, and retention. These grants prioritize de-escalation training, victim-centered approaches, and officer well-being. The program emphasizes accountability through audits, reporting requirements, and transparency in officer recruitment and retention incentives. It allocates \$50 million annually from 2026 to 2030 to facilitate these improvements in law enforcement practices and community safety.

The HOPE for Homeownership Act introduces an excise tax on certain taxpayers, like hedge funds, who fail to sell excess single-family residences, taxing new acquisitions and excess holdings. It disallows mortgage interest and depreciation deductions for single-family homes owned by these covered taxpayers. This bill aims to discourage the accumulation of single-family homes by large entities to promote homeownership. The Act defines key terms such as "applicable taxpayer," "hedge fund taxpayer," and "single-family residence" to clarify the scope and applicability of the tax.

This bill directs the Secretary of Agriculture to convey approximately 232.9 acres of National Forest System land in Arizona to Gila County, Arizona, without payment. Gila County must use the land to serve and support veterans, or it reverts back to the United States. Gila County will be responsible for all costs related to the conveyance.

The "CATCH Fentanyl Act" mandates pilot projects to evaluate advanced technologies, including AI, for detecting contraband, illegal drugs, weapons, and human smuggling at U.S. land ports of entry. These projects aim to enhance inspection efficiency, reduce wait times, and improve existing detection equipment. The Act requires reports to Congress on the effectiveness, impacts on privacy and civil liberties, and recommendations for implementing new technologies, while forbidding new funding appropriations.

This resolution affirms the Senate's position that the NIH's operations and funding should not be disrupted, as they are crucial for medical advancements and addressing public health challenges. It emphasizes that the NIH workforce is essential for sustaining medical progress and protecting national health, security, and the economy. Any interference with NIH operations or its workforce undermines biomedical research and the nation's ability to respond to public health issues.

This resolution designates the week of February 24-28, 2025, as "Public Schools Week," to recognize the importance of public education. It expresses Congress's support for strengthening public schools through various measures, including empowering educators, supporting student well-being, and promoting equal opportunities. The resolution emphasizes the vital roles of educators, parents, and community stakeholders in ensuring every child has access to a high-quality education. It also acknowledges the importance of federal funding in supporting public schools.