Legislative Activity

The Major Richard Star Act allows veterans with combat-related disabilities to receive both veteran's disability compensation and military retired pay concurrently, without reduction. This act amends Title 10 of the United States Code to ensure that disability retirees with combat-related disabilities are not subject to reductions in retired pay due to receiving veteran's disability compensation. These changes will take effect the first day of the month following the enactment of the Act.

The Military Spouse Hiring Act amends the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) to include military spouses as eligible hires. This allows employers to claim the tax credit for hiring individuals certified as spouses of active-duty military personnel. The provision applies to wages paid for individuals hired after the Act's enactment date.

The Putting Veterans First Act of 2025 is a comprehensive bill designed to support military-affiliated federal employees by reversing past unfair employment actions and establishing new procedural safeguards against future disciplinary actions. It also imposes significant limitations, increased transparency, and accountability measures across the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regarding personnel actions, office closures, and contracting. Furthermore, the Act strengthens protections, mental health support, and employment assistance for civil servants while mandating extensive public reporting on VA operations and staffing.

The Rights for the Transportation Security Administration Workforce Act moves TSA personnel from their special management system into the standard federal employee system under Title 5 of the U.S. Code by a set deadline. This transition aims to grant TSA employees the same workplace protections and benefits as other federal workers while ensuring current pay and service time are protected. The bill also mandates several reviews by the Comptroller General and requires consultation with employee representatives regarding the implementation process. Finally, it preserves existing anti-strike laws and addresses specific concerns for Federal Air Marshals.

The HELPER Act of 2025 establishes a new FHA mortgage insurance program to help first responders, educators, and law enforcement officers purchase homes. This program offers qualifying first-time homebuyers the potential for a zero down payment mortgage. A key feature is the elimination of monthly mortgage insurance premiums, though an upfront premium will still be charged.

The Safe Schools Improvement Act aims to combat bullying and harassment in schools by requiring states that accept federal funding to establish clear anti-bullying policies, define prohibited conduct based on protected characteristics, and implement systems for reporting and tracking incidents. This legislation mandates that local districts inform all stakeholders about prohibited conduct and establish formal complaint processes. Furthermore, the bill requires regular state and federal evaluations to assess the effectiveness of these measures in reducing harmful behavior while respecting existing non-discrimination laws and free speech rights.

The Romance Scam Prevention Act establishes new federal requirements for online dating services to protect users from fraud. If a service bans a user for fraud risk, they must notify members who previously messaged the banned individual with specific details and safety warnings. The FTC is tasked with enforcing these national standards, which aim to prevent romance scams across online platforms.

The SAFE Orbit Act establishes the framework for the Department of Commerce to manage civil space situational awareness and space traffic coordination. This involves gathering and publicly sharing unclassified data on objects in orbit while providing basic services for free. The bill also elevates the existing Office of Space Commerce into a new, directly reporting Bureau led by a Senate-confirmed Assistant Secretary. Finally, it grants liability protection to government entities and contractors involved in providing or receiving this space traffic information.

The Stop Comstock Act aims to modernize and streamline federal laws concerning obscene materials. This legislation removes outdated and overly broad language, such as "indecent" and "immoral," from various sections of the U.S. Code and the Tariff Act. The bill focuses on technical clean-up to clarify existing statutes regarding the distribution and importation of materials.

The Save Our Forests Act of 2025 aims to strengthen the management of our national forests by immediately boosting Forest Service staffing levels. This legislation mandates the hiring of new personnel and the reinstatement of employees dismissed between January 20 and February 25, 2025. Furthermore, it ensures the continuation of authorized Forest Service projects funded under existing major conservation and infrastructure laws.

The Protect our Parks Act of 2025 mandates the Secretary of the Interior to immediately ensure full staffing, including all maintenance positions, across the National Park Service. This Act also requires the reinstatement of any NPS employees involuntarily removed between January 20 and February 25, 2025. Furthermore, it authorizes the continuation of existing, funded National Park Service projects under several key federal acts.

The Preservation and Reinvestment Initiative for Community Enhancement Act (PRICE Act) establishes a new competitive grant program to fund improvements in affordable manufactured housing communities. These grants will support essential repairs, infrastructure upgrades, and resident services for communities that are resident-controlled or committed to long-term affordability. Priority will be given to projects that benefit low- and moderate-income residents and ensure the sustained affordability of the housing.

The Space National Guard Establishment Act of 2025 immediately creates the Space National Guard as the reserve component of the U.S. Space Force, initially drawing personnel from existing National Guard space units across seven states. This Act mandates that the new Guard utilize existing infrastructure and requires regular reporting to Congress on its implementation and operations. The legislation also makes conforming amendments across federal law to formally define and integrate the Space National Guard into the military structure.

The Give Kids a Chance Act of 2025 aims to accelerate the development of new cancer treatments for children by expanding the FDA's authority to require pediatric investigations for molecularly targeted cancer drugs. It also extends the incentive program that grants priority review vouchers to encourage the development of drugs for rare pediatric diseases. The bill mandates studies on the effectiveness of these new requirements and the existing voucher system.

The Co-Location Energy Act aims to streamline the development of solar and wind energy projects on federal lands. This legislation allows renewable energy facilities to be co-located alongside existing energy leases, such as oil, gas, or geothermal operations. Crucially, the Secretary of the Interior must obtain consent from the current leaseholder before permitting any evaluation or construction of these new renewable energy systems. The Act also directs the Secretary to review certain renewable energy activities for potential exclusion from full environmental review under NEPA.

The Do No Harm Act amends the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) to ensure that federal anti-discrimination, labor, and equal access laws take precedence over religious freedom claims in specific circumstances. This legislation clarifies that RFRA protections cannot be used to override requirements in federal contracts or agreements involving government funding. Furthermore, the Act explicitly limits the application of RFRA to challenges against government actions, precluding its use in private litigation between non-governmental parties.

This bill establishes the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies to investigate the history and impact of these federal policies on Native American communities over a six-year period. The Commission is empowered to gather testimony, review federal records, and work with specialized subcommittees to address the resulting social, cultural, and physical harm. Furthermore, the legislation strengthens NAGPRA to ensure the return and respectful reburial of associated cultural items.

The Fighter Force Preservation and Recapitalization Act of 2025 establishes new minimum fleet sizes for the Air Force's fighter aircraft inventory and delays the enforcement date for these higher requirements until 2030. The bill mandates strict quarterly reporting on new aircraft procurement and distribution, while prioritizing the assignment of new, advanced fighters to existing operational squadrons. Furthermore, it places a freeze on reducing the number of Air National Guard fighter squadrons through 2030 and requires an annual plan to ensure the Guard's fleet recapitalizes at the same pace as the active force.

This resolution affirms the rule of law and the legitimacy of judicial review, emphasizing the Supreme Court's duty to interpret the law. It supports the established precedent that the executive branch must comply with Federal court rulings. The resolution expresses concern over statements suggesting the executive branch may disregard the authority of the Federal Judiciary.

The Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2025 significantly strengthens the National Labor Relations Act to bolster worker organizing rights and impose stricter penalties on employers who violate labor laws. It redefines joint employment, makes it harder to classify workers as independent contractors, and bans class action waivers. The bill also establishes mandatory arbitration for first contracts and allows employees to sue employers directly for serious unfair labor practices.