Legislative Activity

The "Building Ships in America Act of 2025" introduces several tax incentives and modifications to support the U.S. maritime industry. It establishes a "United States Vessel Investment Credit" for investments in U.S.-built vessels, excludes certain maritime security payments from gross income, and eliminates restrictions on domestic operations for qualifying vessels. The act also provides tax credits for shipyard facility construction, modifies incentives for merchant marine capital construction funds, and exempts student incentive payments from gross income. Additionally, it extends fuel tax exemptions and treats maritime prosperity zones as opportunity zones to further stimulate investment in the sector.

The "Save Our Forests Act of 2025" aims to ensure the Forest Service is adequately staffed to maintain the health of national forests. It directs the Secretary of Agriculture to increase staffing using existing funds and reinstate employees removed earlier in 2025. The act also allows the continuation of already approved and funded Forest Service projects under various existing laws.

The Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025 settles water rights claims for the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, and San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe by ratifying a settlement agreement, allocating Arizona Colorado River Water, and authorizing the construction of the iin b paa tuwaqatsi pipeline to deliver potable water. The Act establishes trust funds for each tribe to manage water projects, operation and maintenance, agricultural conservation, and renewable energy development, while also including waivers, releases, and retention of specific claims. The Act requires the Secretary of the Interior to execute the settlement agreement and fulfill its provisions, contingent upon specific conditions and funding authorizations, to ensure the tribes receive the water resources necessary for their communities and future development. Additionally, the Act ratifies a treaty and creates a reservation for the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe.

The "Protect Our Parks Act of 2025" aims to ensure the National Park Service (NPS) is fully staffed to enhance visitor safety, enjoyment, and resource protection by filling all vacant positions, including maintenance roles, using existing funds. It also requires the reinstatement of employees involuntarily removed from service earlier in 2025. Furthermore, the Act allows the NPS to continue projects already authorized and funded through various existing laws.

The HIDTA Enhancement Act reauthorizes funding for High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTAs) through 2030, mandating specific reporting on fentanyl trafficking and associated challenges. It increases funding for the Counterdrug Technology Assessment Center to support law enforcement efforts against fentanyl and directs the Attorney General to prioritize fentanyl trafficking prosecutions by providing additional resources. The bill allocates $333,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2025 through 2030 for HIDTAs.

This bill directs the Secretary of Agriculture to convey approximately 232.9 acres of National Forest System land in Arizona to Gila County, Arizona, without payment. Gila County must use the land to serve and support veterans, or it reverts back to the United States. Gila County will be responsible for all costs related to the conveyance.

The Water Infrastructure Subcontractor and Taxpayer Protection Act of 2025 amends the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014 to protect taxpayers and subcontractors. It mandates payment and performance security for construction projects receiving federal financial assistance. The Act ensures that either state/local laws provide sufficient security or the Secretary/Administrator enforces federal bond requirements.

The ACES Act directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to collaborate with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct a study on cancer rates and mortality among veterans who served as active duty aircrew, identifying potential links between military exposures and specific cancers. The study will utilize data from multiple government sources to determine cancer rates and mortality among aircrew members. A report of the findings will be submitted to the Secretary and the Veterans Affairs Committees of both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The "Combating Cartels on Social Media Act of 2025" aims to combat transnational criminal organizations' use of social media and online platforms for illicit activities, including recruitment. It mandates a joint assessment by the Department of Homeland Security, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of State on how these organizations use online services for recruitment and illegal operations. The Act further requires a joint strategy to counter these recruitment efforts, enhance cooperation between law enforcement, and increase outreach to at-risk communities, while ensuring the protection of civil rights and liberties. This act does not authorize additional funding for implementation and clarifies that it does not expand the existing powers of the involved departments.

The PRECEPT Nurses Act establishes a $2,000 tax credit for nurses who serve at least 200 hours per year as preceptors in designated health professional shortage areas. To qualify, preceptors must supervise and mentor nursing students, advanced practice nursing students, or newly hired nurses and receive certification from a partnering academic institution or clinical site. The Treasury Secretary will report to Congress on the credit's usage and effectiveness, which is set to expire after 2032. This act aims to incentivize experienced nurses to train the next generation, particularly in underserved communities.