Legislative Activity

The Fairness for Servicemembers and their Families Act of 2025 mandates that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs conduct periodic reviews of the maximum coverage amounts for Servicemembers’ and Veterans’ Group Life Insurance. Beginning in 2026, these reviews must occur every five years to compare current coverage against inflation-adjusted benchmarks. The findings will be reported to Congress to help ensure that life insurance benefits remain aligned with economic changes for military families.

This resolution designates January 2025 as "National Mentoring Month" to celebrate the vital role mentors play in fostering youth development and community strength. It highlights the academic, social, and career benefits of mentoring while calling for increased collaboration to expand access to these life-changing relationships. By promoting quality mentoring programs, the bill aims to close the national mentoring gap and ensure more young people have the guidance needed to reach their full potential.

The JOBS Act of 2025 expands Federal Pell Grant eligibility to include students enrolled in high-quality, short-term career and technical education programs. By supporting training that leads to industry-recognized credentials, the bill aims to better align postsecondary education with the needs of high-demand job sectors. Additionally, the legislation lowers the minimum Pell Grant threshold to increase financial aid accessibility for students pursuing these career-focused pathways.

This resolution affirms that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is vital to advancing American national security interests. It highlights the agency's role in promoting global stability, mitigating foreign threats, and maintaining U.S. leadership in an era of strategic competition.

The "Stopping Political Discrimination in Disaster Assistance Act" amends the Stafford Act to prohibit discrimination based on political affiliation when providing disaster relief. This ensures that disaster assistance is distributed fairly, regardless of a person's political beliefs.

This resolution designates February 3-7, 2025, as "National School Counseling Week" to recognize the vital role school counselors play in students' academic, social, and emotional development. It aims to raise awareness of the challenges students face and the importance of adequately supporting school counseling programs. The resolution encourages Americans to participate in events that highlight the importance of school counselors in helping students succeed.

The Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act amends the Social Security Act to provide Medicare coverage for FDA-approved multi-cancer early detection (MCED) screening tests starting in 2028. This legislation establishes a formal coverage and payment framework for these innovative blood-based tests while ensuring they complement, rather than replace, existing cancer screening protocols.

The Fred Korematsu Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2025 authorizes the posthumous awarding of a Congressional Gold Medal to Fred Korematsu in recognition of his lifelong dedication to civil rights, justice, and equality. This legislation honors his legacy as a champion for constitutional guarantees and his courageous stand against the unjust incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II.

The Charitable Act renews and expands tax incentives for charitable giving by allowing individuals who do not itemize deductions to claim a deduction for charitable contributions during the 2026 and 2027 tax years. Under this provision, non-itemizers can deduct contributions up to one-third of their standard deduction amount. Additionally, the bill removes specific accuracy-related penalties associated with these deductions.

The Global Health, Empowerment and Rights (Global HER) Act ensures that foreign nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) remain eligible for U.S. foreign assistance regardless of the legal health services or advocacy they provide using their own non-U.S. funds. By overriding restrictive policies, the bill protects the autonomy of these organizations to deliver comprehensive care and engage in advocacy, provided their activities comply with local laws and would be legal if performed in the United States.

This resolution expresses disapproval of any pardons granted to individuals convicted of assaulting Capitol Police officers. It serves as a formal condemnation of such pardons.

This concurrent resolution recognizes the significant historical and ongoing contributions of tax-exempt fraternal benefit societies to communities across the United States. It acknowledges their extensive volunteer network and substantial charitable giving, which helps to meet various needs and support financial security. The resolution affirms that their tax-exempt status continues to benefit the country and that their work should be encouraged.

The United States-Taiwan Expedited Double-Tax Relief Act aims to reduce double taxation for residents of Taiwan and the U.S. by lowering withholding rates on cross-border income and establishing clear tax residency rules. Additionally, the bill authorizes the President to negotiate a formal tax agreement with Taiwan, ensuring congressional oversight and public transparency throughout the process. This legislation seeks to boost bilateral trade and investment while ensuring reciprocal tax benefits for both nations.

The Extending Limits of United States Customs Waters Act of 2025 expands the jurisdiction of U.S. Customs and Border Protection from 12 to 24 nautical miles from the coast. This extension aligns U.S. law enforcement authority with international standards, providing agents more time and reach to intercept vessels attempting to violate customs, fiscal, immigration, or sanitary laws.

The MEDAL Act of 2025 honors the extraordinary service of Medal of Honor recipients by significantly increasing their monthly special pension from $1,406.73 to $8,333.33. Additionally, the bill establishes a monthly pension for surviving spouses, ensuring continued support for the families of these distinguished heroes.

The Lumbee Fairness Act grants federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, making the tribe and its members eligible for all federal Indian programs and services. The bill authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to verify the tribal roll and take land into trust for the tribe's benefit. Additionally, it clarifies jurisdictional arrangements between the state and the tribe while ensuring the tribe receives the same federal support as other recognized tribes.

The Connected Maternal Online Monitoring (MOM) Act aims to improve maternal and child health outcomes by evaluating and expanding Medicaid coverage for remote monitoring devices like blood pressure cuffs and glucose monitors. The bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to identify barriers to accessing this technology and provide states with updated resources to better support pregnant and postpartum patients.

The VA Home Loan Awareness Act of 2025 mandates that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac include a disclaimer on residential loan applications to inform veterans that they may be eligible for a VA home loan. Additionally, the bill requires the Comptroller General to conduct a study to ensure lenders are effectively implementing this disclosure.

The Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act authorizes the presentation of Congressional Gold Medals to the 1980 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team in recognition of their historic victory. This legislation honors the team’s extraordinary achievement, which served as a defining moment in American sports and a source of national inspiration during the Cold War. The medals will be permanently displayed at three prominent institutions dedicated to Olympic and hockey history.

The Improving Federal Financial Management Act strengthens federal oversight by expanding the responsibilities of agency Chief Financial Officers and mandating more rigorous financial planning and reporting. The bill updates governmentwide financial management cycles, requires annual internal control assessments by agency heads, and enhances audit requirements to ensure greater transparency and accountability.