Legislative Activity

The Veterans’ ACCESS Act of 2025 strengthens the Veterans Community Care Program by establishing clear, enforceable standards for care eligibility and wait times while streamlining the referral process. The legislation also overhauls access to residential mental health and substance abuse treatment, ensuring veterans receive timely, localized care with robust oversight. Additionally, it mandates the development of digital tools and pilot programs to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and improve transparency across the VA healthcare system.

The Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act aims to grant qualified Tribal law enforcement officers the authority to enforce federal law within their jurisdiction under specific federal contracts or compacts. This requires Tribal officers and their departments to meet rigorous federal training and procedural standards comparable to those of Bureau of Justice Services employees. When acting under this authority, these Tribal officers will receive the same legal protections and benefits as federal law enforcement officers. The bill also mandates the Department of Justice to improve coordination and accountability for public safety efforts on tribal lands.

This bill, the Great Lakes Fishery Research Reauthorization Act, extends the authorization for federal funding dedicated to monitoring, assessing, and researching the Great Lakes Basin. It pushes the current funding expiration date from 2025 to the end of fiscal year 2030. This ensures continued support for vital Great Lakes protection and study programs for an additional five years.

This resolution officially commends Petty Officer 3d Class Scott Ruskan for his heroic actions during the devastating central Texas floods of July 2025. It specifically recognizes him for personally rescuing 165 individuals and coordinating triage efforts under hazardous conditions. Furthermore, the bill extends deep gratitude to all federal, state, and volunteer responders who risked their lives during this major natural disaster.

The CONNECT for Health Act of 2025 significantly expands and permanently secures access to Medicare telehealth services by eliminating outdated geographic restrictions and allowing more practitioners to offer remote care. The bill also strengthens program integrity by dedicating funds for telehealth oversight while clarifying rules around providing necessary technology to patients. Finally, it mandates the creation of tailored educational resources and public reporting to improve quality measurement and transparency in remote care delivery.

The Poarch Band of Creek Indians Parity Act officially confirms the tribe's status under the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934, treating them as if they were under federal jurisdiction since that date. This legislation also validates and confirms all land previously taken into trust by the Secretary of the Interior for the benefit of the tribe. Essentially, the bill ensures parity and legal certainty regarding the tribe's historical relationship with the federal government concerning land and recognition.

The Romance Scam Prevention Act mandates that online dating services notify users who have corresponded with an account subsequently banned for fraud. These notifications must include warnings about potential scams and guidance on protecting personal financial information. This legislation establishes a national standard for these alerts, enforced by the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general.

The FIGHT Act of 2025 significantly strengthens federal prohibitions against animal fighting ventures, specifically targeting the sponsorship, exhibition, and gambling associated with these events. This legislation clarifies the definition of a rooster for legal purposes and bans the interstate transport of roosters for fighting. Furthermore, it empowers private citizens to file lawsuits against violators, allowing for civil penalties and the potential seizure of property used to facilitate illegal animal fighting.

The American Flags to Honor Our Veterans Act of 2025 specifically authorizes the placement of the U.S. flag directly next to the gravesite of any individual who served in the Armed Forces or is a veteran. This provision ensures that flags can be displayed securely and upright next to individual graves, regardless of other existing flag display regulations.

The SAFE Sunscreen Standards Act aims to modernize how the FDA evaluates sunscreen active ingredients by prioritizing consumer safety through scientifically sound evidence, including real-world data and alternatives to animal testing. This legislation directs the FDA to finalize long-pending rules for over-the-counter sunscreen ingredients, emphasizing their role in skin cancer prevention. Furthermore, it mandates annual public reporting to Congress on the progress of implementing these new testing standards and reviewing ingredient applications.

This resolution strongly condemns the rise of antisemitism in the United States and around the world. It specifically honors the memory of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, who were tragically murdered while promoting peace. Ultimately, Congress reaffirms its commitment to combating all forms of hate and ensuring the vigorous enforcement of laws protecting religious freedom.

The Infrastructure Expansion Act of 2025 significantly alters liability standards for injuries on federally funded infrastructure projects involving height or gravity risks. This bill replaces strict or absolute liability with a comparative negligence standard for covered persons injured on these sites. Consequently, an injured worker's compensation will be reduced based on their own percentage of fault, overriding conflicting state laws. This new federal standard applies to projects receiving federal financial assistance beginning January 1, 2026.

This resolution expresses strong support for designating May 17, 2025, as "DIPG Awareness Day" to highlight the urgent need for action against diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG). It calls for increased federal funding and focused research into this devastating pediatric brain cancer, which has seen no significant treatment advances in over 40 years. Furthermore, the bill encourages research grant organizations to prioritize funding based on cancer lethality and potential life-years lost.

The **Shipbuilding and Harbor Infrastructure for Prosperity and Security for America Act of 2025** is a comprehensive bill designed to revitalize the U.S. maritime industry and secure critical supply chains. It establishes new centralized oversight for maritime policy, creates a dedicated Maritime Security Trust Fund financed by new vessel taxes, and mandates significant federal investment in domestic shipbuilding and workforce development. The legislation also imposes stricter cargo preference rules and tax incentives to ensure U.S.-flagged vessels dominate international commerce and defense sealift operations.

The Duty Drawback Clarification Act updates the U.S. tariff schedule to standardize the classification of whiskies under Chapter 22. This legislation removes an outdated whiskey classification code and requires the U.S. International Trade Commission to add new statistical tracking codes for imports. These changes will take effect 15 days after the Act is officially enacted.

The Servicewomen and Veterans Menopause Research Act directs the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs to evaluate current research on menopause and mid-life health issues specific to servicewomen and veterans. This evaluation must identify knowledge gaps, including the impact of military exposures on these conditions. Following the review, both departments must submit reports and strategic plans to Congress outlining recommendations for improving provider training and future research priorities.

The Improving Veterans Access to Congressional Services Act of 2025 allows Members of Congress to use designated Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities to meet with their constituents. The VA Secretary must establish regulations within 90 days outlining fair access, reasonable costs, and strict ethical limitations on political activity within these spaces. These rules specifically prohibit campaigning and recording patients while ensuring the Member's use does not interfere with VA operations.

The Maximum Pressure Act dramatically tightens and expands U.S. sanctions against Iran across its military, missile, and economic sectors, codifying existing restrictions and severely limiting the President's authority to grant sanctions relief. It mandates immediate sanctions on top Iranian officials and increases penalties for international parties aiding Iran's weapons programs. Furthermore, the bill enhances oversight by requiring numerous detailed reports to Congress regarding Iran's terrorism financing, nuclear timeline, and economic influence, while also redirecting certain frozen Iranian funds to victims of state-sponsored terrorism.

The Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025 imposes sweeping economic penalties on the Russian Federation in response to its aggression against Ukraine. This legislation mandates severe, immediate sanctions against key Russian officials, financial institutions, and energy sector entities, including asset freezes and trade prohibitions. Furthermore, the Act dramatically increases import duties on Russian goods and requires the President to review and reimpose these measures until Russia negotiates a lasting peace with Ukraine.

The Puppy Protection Act of 2025 significantly increases humane treatment standards for dog dealers under the Animal Welfare Act. This legislation mandates specific minimum space requirements, daily exercise access, and mandatory socialization for housed dogs. Furthermore, it establishes strict limits on female dog breeding frequency and age, alongside enhanced veterinary care protocols.