Legislative Activity

The Student Veteran Work Study Modernization Act establishes a five-year pilot program to expand eligibility for the VA work-study allowance to veterans pursuing certain educational or training programs at a half-time enrollment level. This allows more student veterans to benefit from work-study opportunities without meeting the current three-quarter-time enrollment requirement. Additionally, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs is required to submit annual reports detailing participation and outcomes for veterans in the work-study program.

This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that a commemorative postage stamp should be issued to honor the historical contributions of the Buffalo Soldiers. It recognizes their significant service in the U.S. Army following the Civil War and through major conflicts. The bill specifically requests that the Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee recommend this stamp to the Postmaster General.

The Integrated Resource Planning Modernization Act directs the Secretary of Energy to develop updated guidelines and best practices for electric utility planning, focusing on modern resource adequacy analysis and diverse energy solutions. The bill also establishes a grant program to help states align their planning requirements with these new federal standards. This effort aims to ensure the reliability and cost-effectiveness of the future electricity system through comprehensive, forward-looking planning.

The Keep SNAP and WIC Funded Act of 2025 ensures that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) continue to operate without interruption in fiscal year 2026 if standard appropriations are delayed. If funding lapses, the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to use funds from the Treasury to provide benefits and reimburse state agencies. This special funding remains in effect until full appropriations are enacted or until September 30, 2026.

This Concurrent Resolution expresses the sense of Congress recognizing the heroic military sacrifices and patriotism of Black veterans throughout U.S. history. It acknowledges the significant challenges they faced both during service and upon returning home. The resolution highlights the vital connection between their military service and the ongoing fight for civil rights. Finally, Congress calls attention to the current disparities in health and benefits disproportionately affecting Black veterans.

This resolution designates October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month to highlight the widespread and devastating impact of intimate partner violence across all demographics. It recognizes the urgent need to eliminate domestic violence and supports increased funding for intervention and prevention programs. The resolution underscores the severe physical, emotional, and economic toll this abuse takes on individuals, families, and communities.

The Feed the Community Act amends tax law to encourage charitable donations of essential food service equipment, such as refrigerators, transport vehicles, and preparation tools. This bill expands the definition of eligible donated property beyond just food inventory to include functional food storage, transport, and meal preparation equipment. Donors can elect to limit the reduction in their charitable deduction for these specific donations, subject to certain dollar limits for transport and preparation equipment. These changes are set to take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

The American Energy Independence and Affordability Act is a comprehensive bill designed to lower energy costs by extending and adjusting key tax incentives across energy production, efficiency, and clean vehicle adoption. It stabilizes support for renewable energy manufacturing, extends deadlines for energy-efficient building credits, and ensures consumer incentives for electric vehicles remain available through 2032. Overall, the legislation aims to provide long-term certainty for energy investments and consumer adoption of cleaner technologies.

This resolution formally commends and congratulates the Summerlin South Little League baseball team for their outstanding achievement in winning the 2025 Little League World Series United States Championship. The bill recognizes the team's historic victories and acknowledges the dedication of the players, coaches, and support staff. It officially celebrates their success as the first team from Summerlin South to reach the Little League World Series Tournament.

The Head Start Shutdown Protection Act of 2025 ensures that states, local governments, or school districts are reimbursed for any of their own funds used to keep Head Start and Early Head Start programs operational during a lapse in federal appropriations. This legislation protects these vital early childhood education services from disruption caused by government shutdowns. By guaranteeing reimbursement, the Act encourages local entities to maintain program continuity without bearing the financial burden.

This resolution officially congratulates the Las Vegas Aces on winning the 2025 Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) Finals. It celebrates their dominant performance, including sweeping the Phoenix Mercury, and recognizes the contributions of the players and organization leadership. The bill also highlights the team's record-setting regular season and Aja Wilson's historic MVP win.

The WIC Benefits Protection Act mandates that all states must operate the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). This legislation also guarantees permanent, mandatory funding for WIC starting in fiscal year 2026, ensuring the program has the necessary resources annually. Furthermore, it clarifies eligibility language within the program's governing statute.

This bill mandates that the House of Representatives must convene daily during a government shutdown, limiting their ability to adjourn. It requires recorded quorum calls on session days, imposing escalating fines on members who fail to check in electronically for two consecutive days. These fines must be paid by the member personally, with procedures established for appeals and automatic salary deduction for non-payment.

The Fair Access to Swift and Timely Justice Act, or FAST Justice Act, allows federal employees or job applicants to file a civil lawsuit in federal district court if the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) fails to issue a decision on their appeal within 120 days. This provision provides an alternative remedy when the MSPB's review process causes undue delay. Filing a lawsuit pauses the MSPB appeal, but the original appeal rights remain intact if the lawsuit is dismissed.

This resolution strongly condemns the brutal October 7th attacks by Hamas, demanding the immediate and unconditional surrender of the terrorist group and the release of all hostages, including Americans. It reaffirms Israel's right to self-defense while urging international action against Hamas and condemning the global surge in antisemitism. The measure serves as a formal statement of U.S. policy and support following the attacks.

This bill ensures that states are reimbursed by the Federal Government for any state funds they use to maintain essential operations of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) during a lapse in federal appropriations. It provides a mechanism for the Federal Government to pay back states that cover WIC costs during a government shutdown. This protects state budgets while keeping vital nutrition assistance running.

The Shutdown Guidance for Financial Institutions Act requires federal financial regulators to create and issue guidance for banks and lenders on how to support customers and businesses affected by a government shutdown. This guidance must encourage flexible loan adjustments and prevent unfair negative credit reporting for those experiencing income loss due to the lapse in funding. Regulators must also issue rapid alerts when a shutdown occurs and report on the effectiveness of the guidance afterward.

The Emergency Relief for Federal Contractors Act of 2025 allows individuals affected by a federal appropriations lapse to make tax-favored withdrawals of up to \$30,000 from their retirement plans without incurring early withdrawal penalties. These distributions can be repaid within three years and the taxable income can be spread over three years. This relief specifically targets furloughed federal contractors, grantee employees, and certain D.C. government workers impacted by shutdowns lasting two weeks or more.

The Child Care for Every Community Act establishes a national framework to guarantee universal access to high-quality, regulated child care and early learning programs for every young child. It mandates federal standards for quality, ensures child care staff receive pay comparable to K-12 employees, and requires local coordination with school systems. Furthermore, the bill protects existing state funding levels and caps family fees based on income.

The Federal Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act ensures that federal firefighters continue to receive their pay and allowances if Congress delays passing the budget for fiscal year 2026. This legislation also prohibits the reduction in force or layoffs of federal firefighters specifically due to government shutdowns caused by funding lapses. Essentially, this bill protects the paychecks and employment stability of federal firefighters during budget uncertainty.