Legislative Activity

The Gold Star and Surviving Spouse Career Services Act expands eligibility for services provided through the Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP). This change allows the spouses of deceased service members and certain other eligible persons to access these career support resources. The bill amends existing law to ensure these spouses receive the same level of assistance previously reserved for eligible veterans.

This bill mandates the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to closely monitor industrial subsidies provided by the Government of the People's Republic of China. The USTR must then submit an annual report to Congress detailing the risks these subsidies pose to U.S. jobs and strategically critical industries. Finally, the report must recommend specific actions the U.S. government can take to counter these harmful subsidies.

The Increasing Access to Dental Insurance Act ensures individuals can purchase standalone dental insurance plans directly through the official health insurance marketplaces. This legislation removes any requirement to also enroll in a comprehensive medical plan to secure dental coverage via the Exchange. The goal is to simplify the process for people seeking only dental benefits through the established marketplace system.

This Act establishes an integrated, joint aerial law enforcement program between the U.S. and Canada to operate within 50 miles of the northern border. The program requires strict protection of U.S. civil rights and privacy, with participating officers from both nations receiving specialized training. Additionally, the bill mandates a comprehensive report on the current and potential use of unmanned aircraft systems (drones) along the border. This legislation is designed to be enacted without authorizing any new appropriations of funds.

This bill, the Enhancing Southbound Inspections to Combat Cartels Act, aims to combat criminal organizations by significantly increasing security measures for traffic leaving the U.S. across the Southern Border. It authorizes the purchase of new inspection technology and mandates the hiring of hundreds of new Homeland Security Investigations agents to target outbound smuggling of weapons and currency. Furthermore, the legislation establishes a minimum mandatory inspection rate for southbound vehicles and requires regular reporting on seizures of illegal exports.

The Vessel Tracking for Sanctions Enforcement Act of 2025 establishes a temporary pilot program to test the use of big data analytics in identifying vessels attempting to evade U.S. sanctions and export controls. This program, run by Homeland Security, will specifically analyze patterns like the disabling of Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) to generate actionable intelligence for law enforcement. The pilot will conclude after four years, followed by a comprehensive report to Congress assessing its effectiveness in catching sanctions violators.

The Disaster Management Costs Modernization Act allows the President to redirect excess funds from disaster relief grants towards preparedness and mitigation activities. These excess funds, defined as the difference between the allocated and actual spending on management costs, can be used to enhance disaster resilience and cover management expenses related to disaster preparedness. The bill mandates a report to Congress on the adequacy of current management cost allocations based on recent disaster experiences. This act aims to optimize the use of disaster relief funds and improve community resilience.

The "Credit Freeze for Kids Act" amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to streamline and simplify the process of placing security freezes for protected consumers, such as children. It mandates that consumer reporting agencies place these freezes free of charge within three business days of a request, and requires them to notify other agencies, who must also implement the freeze within three business days. These changes will become effective 18 months after the Act's enactment.

The Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act aims to improve obstetric emergency care in rural areas by establishing programs to train healthcare providers, provide grant funding for equipment and supplies, and create a pilot program for teleconsultation. It focuses on equipping rural facilities without specialized obstetric units to handle emergencies during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and the postpartum period. The act also mandates a study on the closure of maternity wards and patient transport patterns in rural areas.