Legislative Activity

The "Ellie Helton, Lisa Colagrossi, Kristen Shafer Englert, Teresa Anne Lawrence, and Jennifer Sedney Focused Research Act" or "Ellie's Law" aims to address the critical need for more research on brain aneurysms. The act authorizes $20,000,000 to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke for each fiscal year from 2026 through 2030 to conduct comprehensive research on unruptured intracranial aneurysms, with a focus on diversifying the study population by age, sex, and race. These funds are intended to supplement existing funding for brain aneurysm research.

The Keep STEM Talent Act of 2025 aims to retain foreign graduates with advanced STEM degrees in the United States by adjusting visa requirements and granting lawful permanent resident status to eligible individuals. It mandates stricter vetting procedures for foreign students pursuing master's or higher degrees in STEM fields, while also providing a pathway to permanent residency for those who meet specific education and employment criteria. The Act requires annual reports to Congress on the implementation and effectiveness of these changes. This legislation seeks to bolster the U.S. STEM workforce by making it easier for talented foreign graduates to remain and contribute to the country's economy.

The "Protect America's Workforce Act" nullifies a 2025 executive order that limited federal labor-management relations programs. It prevents the enforcement of the executive order and prohibits the use of federal funds for its implementation. Additionally, the bill ensures the validity of existing collective bargaining agreements between federal agencies and labor organizations until their original expiration dates.

The "Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act" directs the Secretary of Labor to establish an occupational safety and health standard requiring healthcare and social service employers to develop and implement comprehensive workplace violence prevention plans. This standard aims to protect workers from workplace violence through risk assessment, hazard prevention, incident reporting, employee training, and recordkeeping. The bill also extends these requirements to certain facilities receiving Medicare funds, ensuring broader coverage and compliance.

The "Trucker Bathroom Access Act" ensures commercial truck drivers have access to restrooms at businesses where they are delivering or waiting to load goods. It also requires terminal operators to provide adequate restroom facilities for drayage truck operators at ports and intermodal rail yards. The bill aims to address the challenges faced by truckers in finding safe and accessible restroom facilities during their work. This access does not require businesses to make any physical changes to their restrooms.

The Rural Veterinary Workforce Act amends the Internal Revenue Code to include loan repayments or loan forgiveness programs aimed at increasing access to veterinary services, specifically those under the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977. This change applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

This bill recognizes and celebrates the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps on November 10, 2025. It acknowledges the Marine Corps' distinguished history, readiness, and role as a premier fighting force. The bill also encourages Americans to celebrate the anniversary through various activities and community engagement.

The Paycheck Fairness Act aims to strengthen and enhance enforcement of equal pay requirements by redefining "sex," modifying the "bona fide factor" defense for pay disparities, broadening the definition of "same establishment," strengthening non-retaliation protections, and enhancing penalties for employers who violate equal pay provisions. The Act also requires training programs, research, education, and outreach initiatives to eliminate pay disparities, and establishes a National Award for Pay Equity in the Workplace. Additionally, the Act directs the EEOC to collect compensation data, reinstates pay equity programs, prohibits the use of wage history in determining salary, and establishes a National Equal Pay Enforcement Task Force to improve compliance and enforcement of equal pay laws.

This bill allows the Coast Guard to retain enlisted members who are close to retirement but facing involuntary separation or denial of reenlistment. It ensures that eligible members with at least 18 years of service are retained until they qualify for retirement, with specific protections for both regular and reserve members. The bill prevents the involuntary discharge or transfer of these members, allowing them to complete their service and receive retirement benefits.

The Air America Act of 2025 authorizes the Director of the CIA to award payments to former employees of Air America and affiliated companies who supported the U.S. government between 1950 and 1976, or to their survivors. Eligible individuals or their survivors could receive up to $40,000 for five years of qualifying service, with additional amounts for longer service, with a cap on total awards at $60 million. The Act establishes application procedures, limitations on attorney fees, and prohibits judicial review of the Director's decisions, while also requiring regular reports to Congress on the status of the award payments. This act does not qualify anyone for federal benefits like retirement, disability, or death benefits.

The HELPER Act of 2025 amends the National Housing Act to establish an FHA mortgage insurance program for first responders, including law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics, EMTs, and teachers. This program allows the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to insure mortgages up to 100% of the appraised value for eligible first-time homebuyers, waiving down payment requirements but requiring an up-front mortgage insurance premium. Mortgagors must meet specific eligibility criteria, including being a first-time homebuyer, completing a housing counseling program, and meeting employment and good standing requirements as a first responder. The bill authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 2026 through 2032 and requires reauthorization of the program after 5 years.

This bill extends combat zone tax benefits to members of the U.S. Armed Forces performing services in Kenya, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Chad. It ensures that these service members receive the same tax advantages as if they were serving directly in a designated combat zone. The benefits apply when the service members are eligible for special pay due to hazardous duty in these areas. This adjustment recognizes the risks and sacrifices of military personnel serving in these specific locations.

The Major Richard Star Act allows eligible combat-disabled veterans to receive both their retirement pay and disability compensation. This eliminates the previous offset that reduced retirement pay for those receiving disability compensation. The changes apply to payments beginning the month after enactment.

The "Donut Dollies Congressional Gold Medal Act" directs the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the Red Cross Supplemental Recreational Activities Overseas (SRAO) program members, also known as the Donut Dollies, for their service during the Vietnam War. It instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to create the gold medal, which will be displayed at the Smithsonian Institution and made available for research. The Act also allows for the creation and sale of bronze duplicates of the medal to cover production costs, with proceeds going back to the Mint's Public Enterprise Fund.

The Military Spouse Hiring Act amends the Internal Revenue Code to include qualified military spouses as eligible for the Work Opportunity Credit, incentivizing employers to hire them. A qualified military spouse is defined as someone certified by a local agency as married to a member of the U.S. Armed Forces. This change applies to amounts paid and individuals starting work after the Act's enactment.

The REDI Act amends the Higher Education Act of 1965, allowing student loan deferment for borrowers in medical or dental internships or residency programs. During this deferment, principal payments are not required, and interest will not accrue on the loan.

The "Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act" eliminates the waiting periods for Social Security disability benefits and Medicare coverage for individuals with metastatic breast cancer. This bill amends the Social Security Act to expedite access to disability insurance benefits and Medicare coverage for those with metastatic breast cancer, ensuring quicker access to essential care and support.

The "Rights for the Transportation Security Administration Workforce Act" mandates the transition of TSA personnel management systems to align with Title 5 of the U.S. Code, ensuring TSA employees receive similar rights and protections as other federal employees, including collective bargaining rights. It protects current pay and benefits during the transition, requires consultation with employee representatives, and addresses concerns related to employee well-being, safety, and diversity. The Act also calls for reports and plans to improve recruitment, address workplace harassment, and update background check requirements.

The American Innovation and R&D Competitiveness Act of 2025 modifies the tax treatment of research and experimental expenditures, allowing taxpayers to deduct these expenses in the year they are incurred rather than capitalizing them. This change applies to expenses related to the taxpayer's business and is effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2021. The act also includes provisions for electing to treat these expenditures as deferred expenses and updates related sections of the tax code.

The "Infant Formula Made in America Act of 2025" introduces tax credits to boost domestic infant formula production. It offers a credit for investments in manufacturing facilities and a per-pound credit for formula produced in the U.S. These credits aim to incentivize companies to manufacture infant formula within the United States, with certain limitations and requirements to qualify. The goal is to strengthen the domestic supply chain and ensure a reliable source of infant formula for American families.