Legislative Activity

The Veteran Burial Timeliness and Death Certificate Accountability Act aims to eliminate delays in certifying the deaths of veterans who pass away from natural causes. This bill mandates that VA physicians or nurse practitioners must certify a veteran's death within 48 hours, or a local official can step in. The legislation also requires the VA Secretary to annually report on compliance with this new timely certification standard.

This bill establishes the LINC VA Act to create a pilot program for a community integration platform connecting veterans with local support services like housing, healthcare, and job training. The platform will coordinate services, track referrals, and collect standardized data on veterans' social needs. The program will be evaluated to assess its impact on veterans' health outcomes and access to necessary resources.

The Veterans SPORT Act mandates that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) must now provide eligible veterans with coverage for adaptive prostheses and terminal devices specifically designed for sports and other recreational activities. This amendment expands the medical services the VA furnishes, ensuring veterans have access to necessary equipment for physical recreation.

The "Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2025" expands Post-9/11 GI Bill eligibility to National Guard members performing specific full-time duties. This includes active duty under title 10 or title 14, section 3713, as well as full-time National Guard duty or active duty within the National Guard. These changes are retroactive to service performed on or after September 11, 2001, and will take effect one year after enactment.

The Veterans Scam And Fraud Evasion Act of 2025, or VSAFE Act, establishes a new Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion Officer within the Department of Veterans Affairs. This Officer will lead efforts to prevent, respond to, and track fraud targeting veterans while coordinating with other federal agencies. Additionally, the bill makes a minor technical adjustment by extending the expiration date of certain existing limits on veterans' pension payments by two months.

The "Love Lives On Act of 2025" modifies eligibility rules for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) payments for surviving spouses who remarry. It allows remarried surviving spouses to receive certain educational benefits and DIC, and it continues annuity payments to surviving spouses who remarry, particularly those whose spouses died on active duty. Additionally, the Act expands the definition of "dependent" under the TRICARE program to include remarried widows or widowers whose subsequent marriage has ended.

This resolution commemorates the 114th anniversary of the Girl Scouts of the United States of America, honoring its enduring legacy of fostering leadership, confidence, and character in girls. It celebrates the organization's commitment to community service, STEM education, and civic engagement while recognizing the achievements of Gold Award recipients. The bill further encourages the continued support of future women leaders as the organization prepares for its upcoming national events.

The Women Veterans Specialty Care Access Act streamlines healthcare for women veterans by allowing them to schedule gynecology, obstetrics, maternity, and postpartum appointments directly. This legislation removes the requirement for a primary care referral, ensuring faster and more convenient access to essential specialty services at VA facilities and through the Veterans Community Care Program.

The Federal Loan Systems Modernization Act of 2026 mandates the creation of "Lending.gov," a centralized, shared-services platform designed to modernize and streamline federal loan management. By replacing outdated agency-specific systems with standardized, commercially available technology, the Act aims to improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance the borrower experience. The legislation establishes clear oversight, performance standards, and a mandatory migration timeline for federal agencies to ensure a unified and secure digital lending infrastructure.

This resolution officially designates **March 6, 2026, as "National Speech and Debate Education Day."** The day aims to recognize the essential role of speech and debate in developing vital 21st-century skills like communication, critical thinking, and collaboration. It encourages the entire nation to celebrate and promote the lifelong impact of this education.

The **Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections (DISCLOSE) Act of 2026** aims to increase transparency and accountability in U.S. elections by closing loopholes that allow foreign spending and requiring greater disclosure of political donors. The legislation mandates that organizations report significant political expenditures, forces leaders to take personal responsibility for political advertisements, and streamlines the legal process for campaign finance challenges. Ultimately, these reforms seek to provide voters with clearer information about who is funding political campaigns and judicial nominations.

This resolution officially designates the week of February 23 through February 27, 2026, as National Public Schools Week. The purpose is to recognize and celebrate the importance of public education in the United States during that specific timeframe.

This resolution commends the historic accomplishments of both the United States Women's and Men's Ice Hockey Teams for winning gold medals at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. It specifically honors key players for their game-winning contributions and recognizes this as the first time both U.S. teams have achieved gold in the same Games. The resolution affirms that these victories will inspire future generations of athletes.

This resolution officially designates February 2026 as Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month to celebrate and support CTE programs nationwide. It recognizes CTE's vital role in preparing a skilled workforce for high-demand careers and boosting American economic competitiveness. The resolution encourages promotion of CTE as a respected educational pathway for students.

The Health Care Cybersecurity and Resiliency Act of 2025 aims to significantly bolster cybersecurity across the Healthcare and Public Health Sector. It mandates increased coordination between the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and CISA, establishes clear cybersecurity oversight within HHS, and requires HHS to develop a comprehensive incident response plan. Furthermore, the bill introduces mandatory cybersecurity standards for covered entities, creates a grant program to fund security upgrades, and focuses on developing the healthcare cybersecurity workforce.

The Direct File Act of 2026 establishes a permanent, free, and user-friendly online tax filing program operated directly by the IRS. The bill prohibits the Treasury from entering into agreements that restrict government-provided filing services and mandates the development of a seamless, accessible platform for federal and state tax returns. This initiative aims to simplify the filing process for taxpayers while ensuring the government maintains full control over its own tax preparation software.

This resolution celebrates Black History Month by recognizing the profound history and enduring contributions of African Americans to the United States. It acknowledges past injustices while honoring the achievements across all fields that have shaped the nation. The resolution encourages continued reflection and unity as we move forward with liberty and justice for all.

The "We Can't Wait Act of 2026" allows individuals to receive Social Security disability benefits during the mandatory five-month waiting period by opting for a permanent, actuarially calculated reduction in their future monthly payments. This legislation provides applicants with greater financial flexibility while ensuring the long-term fiscal neutrality of the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund.

The Respect for Local Communities Act requires the Department of Homeland Security to obtain formal consent from local government officials and state leadership before acquiring, building, or modifying any immigration processing site or detention center. The bill mandates comprehensive impact assessments, public notice periods, and economic reviews to ensure transparency and local oversight. Ultimately, federal agencies are prohibited from proceeding with such projects without a signed agreement from the affected local jurisdiction.

The 988 Lifeline Location Improvement Act of 2025 establishes an advisory committee to address challenges in transmitting precise location information with calls to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This committee, composed of experts from telecommunications, public safety, and mental health sectors, will study policy, technical, and cost issues related to geolocation data. The committee must then report its findings and recommend legislative actions to Congress and the FCC within one year.