Legislative Activity

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.

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 Purple Heart Veterans Education Act of 2025 allows veterans awarded the Purple Heart after September 11, 2001, to transfer their unused Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits to eligible family members. It defines eligible dependents, sets conditions for benefit use, and allows veterans to modify or revoke transfers. The bill also addresses scenarios involving the death of the veteran and sets age limits for child transferees, ensuring dependents receive the same educational assistance as the veteran.

This resolution designates March 5, 2026, as "National Slam the Scam Day" to combat pervasive government imposter scams. The day aims to raise public awareness and promote education about these fraudulent schemes that cost consumers billions annually. It encourages the public to ignore suspicious solicitations and report known scams to relevant authorities.

The Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act significantly updates existing law to expand online privacy protections for individuals aged 13 to 16. It broadens the definition of personal information collected online and imposes stricter requirements on operators regarding notice, verifiable consent, and data use for advertising. The bill also mandates studies on application oversight and the privacy risks associated with teens using financial technology products.

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.

The Highway Formula Fairness Act establishes a new framework for distributing federal highway funds to states beginning in fiscal year 2027. This legislation ensures a more equitable allocation by guaranteeing that each state receives at least 95 percent of its proportional contribution to the Highway Trust Fund.

The FLOWS Act of 2026 establishes an EPA-led grant program to help rural communities modernize their water and wastewater infrastructure through digital technology. The legislation provides funding for the implementation of smart monitoring tools, cybersecurity, and workforce training, with a focus on supporting small and underserved water systems. Additionally, the bill mandates a comprehensive study to evaluate the long-term impact of these digital upgrades on water system efficiency and resilience.

The EDA Short Form Application Act streamlines the grant process for small rural communities by requiring the Economic Development Administration to create a simplified application form. This legislation mandates stakeholder input to reduce administrative burdens and increases transparency by providing public access to guidance, evaluation criteria, and sample applications.

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.

The Living Donor Protection Act of 2025 prohibits insurance companies from discriminating against living organ donors regarding life, disability, or long-term care coverage. The bill also amends the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to explicitly classify organ donation surgery as a serious health condition, ensuring job-protected leave for donors. Additionally, it mandates that the Department of Health and Human Services update public educational materials to reflect these new protections and the realities of organ donation.

The TAP Promotion Act mandates the inclusion of a standardized, one-hour presentation on veterans' benefits within the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) preseparation counseling. This legislation ensures service members receive expert guidance on navigating VA benefits with the support of recognized veterans service organizations. Additionally, it establishes annual reporting requirements to track participation and ensure the program's ongoing effectiveness.

This resolution officially recognizes the annual Army-Navy football game as "America's Game" due to its deep patriotic tradition and role in inspiring military service. It urges that the game maintain its exclusive television time slot on the second Saturday of December to maximize national attention. The resolution calls on networks and associations to avoid scheduling competing games during this time to honor the service members involved.

The Maverick Act authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to transfer decommissioned F-14 Tomcat aircraft to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. This legislation enables the restoration and public display of these aircraft for educational and commemorative purposes. All costs associated with the transfer, maintenance, and operation of the aircraft are the sole responsibility of the Commission.

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 USMMA Athletics Act of 2025 establishes a nonprofit corporation, wholly owned by the U.S. government, to exclusively support the athletic programs of the United States Merchant Marine Academy. This legislation authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to enter into contracts and lease property with this new entity. Furthermore, it allows for the licensing of Academy trademarks, with resulting fees supporting athletic and recruiting activities.

This resolution officially designates the week beginning February 2, 2026, as "National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week." It encourages the nation to observe this week with activities that celebrate and demonstrate support for the vital contributions of Tribal Colleges and Universities.

This Act allocates \$75 million for forest management and restoration activities in areas of the Grand Canyon National Park and Kaibab National Forest damaged by the recent Dragon Bravo and White Sage Fires. It also establishes streamlined emergency contracting authority to expedite recovery efforts. Furthermore, the bill mandates the inclusion of Indian Tribes and local stakeholders in the planning and reconstruction process.

The ePermit Act mandates the creation of a unified, digital system for managing all federal environmental reviews and project permits. This system will require electronic submission, real-time tracking, and public accessibility of all authorization data. The goal is to modernize the permitting process through standardized data and transparent, efficient digital workflows, while ensuring existing environmental laws are upheld.

This resolution officially recognizes January 2026 as National Mentoring Month to raise awareness and encourage the expansion of quality mentoring programs nationwide. It highlights the significant benefits mentoring provides for youth development, academic success, and community strength. The bill also acknowledges the vital role of volunteer mentors and supports efforts to close the gap for the millions of young people currently without one.