Legislative Activity

This bill expresses Congressional support for local law enforcement officers, acknowledging their dedication to protecting communities, upholding the law, and ensuring public safety. It extends gratitude to officers and their families for their service and honors the memory of those who died in the line of duty. The bill also encourages collaboration between law enforcement and the communities they serve to improve safety and trust.

This bill recognizes and supports National Nurses Week, founded by the American Nurses Association. It acknowledges the crucial role of nurses in healthcare, patient advocacy, and public health. The bill also supports nursing workforce development and encourages Americans to celebrate nurses' contributions during National Nurses Week.

The ACES Act mandates a National Academies study on cancer prevalence and mortality among veterans who served as active duty aircrew, identifying potential links between military exposures and cancer rates. Additionally, it extends certain limits on pension payments to December 31, 2031.

The SAFE STEPS for Veterans Act of 2025 aims to improve falls prevention among veterans by establishing an Office of Falls Prevention within the VA, mandating falls risk assessments and prevention services, and promoting research and education on falls prevention. The act also requires updated safe patient handling policies and explores the feasibility of a home improvement pilot program to prevent falls. Additionally, the bill expands the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Healthy Aging and Age-Friendly Communities to include the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

The "MIDWIVES for Service Members Act of 2025" directs the Department of Defense to establish a five-year pilot program within the TRICARE program to provide services from certified midwives to covered beneficiaries. The Secretary of Defense must submit an implementation plan and annual reports to Congress assessing the program's cost, quality of care, patient satisfaction, and overall effectiveness. The reports will also include recommendations on whether to make the program permanent.

The BASIC ACT, or "Building Advanced Semiconductors Investment Credit Act," increases the advanced manufacturing investment credit from 25% to 35%. It also extends the credit period, changing the expiration date from December 31, 2026, to December 31, 2030. These changes are effective for property placed in service after the enactment of this act.

The Nurse Corps Tax Parity Act of 2025 amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide tax exemptions for payments received through the Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program. This change aligns the tax treatment of these payments with that of other qualified scholarships and loan repayment programs, effective for taxable years starting after the law's enactment.

The "Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act" authorizes the presentation of three Congressional Gold Medals to honor the 1980 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team for their historic "Miracle on Ice" victory. These medals will be given to the Lake Placid Olympic Center, the United States Hockey Hall of Fame, and the US Olympic and Paralympic Museum for public display. The Act also allows for the creation and sale of bronze duplicates to fund the medal production.

The Smart Ship Repair Act of 2025 amends a section of title 10 of the United States Code to change the definition of "short-term work" related to Navy construction projects from 12 months to 18 months. This applies to Navy construction of combatant and escort vessels and assignment of vessel projects.

The Protect National Service Act prohibits the use of federal funds to eliminate the Corporation for National and Community Service, emphasizing the importance of national service programs like AmeriCorps and Senior Corps. It affirms that any changes to the Corporation must be done through congressional action and in accordance with existing laws. The CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service is required to certify compliance with these provisions to Congress.

The Veterans Transition to Trucking Act of 2025 allows the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to approve interstate trucking apprenticeship programs for veterans using their educational assistance benefits. This expands access to training opportunities for veterans interested in the trucking industry by enabling the VA to directly approve programs that operate across multiple states. This ensures veterans can use their benefits for high-quality, multi-state trucking apprenticeships, even if no single state approves the program.

The Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act of 2025 aims to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and countering its support for terrorism by imposing sanctions on those involved in Iran's energy sector and those who provide financial support for its destabilizing activities. It mandates sanctions on foreign entities involved in processing, exporting, or selling Iranian oil, gas, and petrochemicals, while also establishing an interagency working group to coordinate and enforce these sanctions. The Act also amends existing legislation to require the identification of individuals involved in sanctionable activities or sanctions evasion related to Iranian oil and gas sales.

The Resilient Coasts and Estuaries Act of 2025 reauthorizes and expands programs aimed at protecting and restoring coastal and estuarine areas. It prioritizes projects that enhance ecological function, mitigate climate change impacts, and benefit underserved communities. The act also directs the establishment of new National Estuarine Research Reserves and promotes research and monitoring of climate change impacts on these vital ecosystems. Finally, it increases funding authorizations for coastal and estuarine conservation efforts.

The "Protecting American Families and Servicemembers from Anthrax Act" requires the Secretaries of Health and Human Services and Defense to develop a 10-year strategy for maintaining anthrax countermeasures and protecting civilians, service members, and military dependents. It also mandates a report to Congress on weaponized anthrax threats, including multi-drug resistant strains, and requires annual updates to this report. The goal is to ensure the availability of necessary countermeasures and enhance defense against anthrax threats.

The Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2025 aims to increase affordable housing options by updating state housing credit formulas, refining tenant eligibility rules, and improving credit eligibility and determination. This includes adjusting income verification processes, modifying student occupancy rules, and protecting domestic abuse victims. The bill also focuses on Native American and rural assistance by addressing housing needs in Indian areas and streamlining income eligibility for rural projects. Additionally, it revises rules for exempt facility bonds and renames the "low-income housing tax credit" to the "affordable housing tax credit" while encouraging data sharing and discouraging discriminatory land use policies.

The "Women in Agriculture Act" establishes a Women Farmers and Ranchers Liaison within the Department of Agriculture to advocate for and assist women in agriculture. The act also amends existing legislation to include ergonomic equipment for women in agriculture research and prioritizes childcare services in agricultural and rural communities for loans and grants. Finally, the act requires the Liaison to submit a public report on the grants, loans, loan guarantees, and cost-share programs made by the Secretary to woman-owned agriculture operations.

The POWER Act of 2025 introduces a tax credit for individuals who purchase emergency generators for use in their primary residence. This credit, capped at $500, is available to qualified individuals whose primary residence is in an area declared as a major disaster area at least twice in the last 5 years and who have received individual assistance under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. The credit amount is reduced for taxpayers with higher incomes, and it applies to generators purchased within 2 years of the Act's enactment. The bill specifies that disasters declared for public health purposes are not covered.

The "Service Dogs Assisting Veterans Act" or the "SAVES Act" establishes a five-year pilot program within the Department of Veterans Affairs to award grants to nonprofit organizations that provide service dogs to veterans with disabilities, including those with mental health conditions such as PTSD. The grants, up to $2,000,000 each, will support the planning, development, and management of service dog programs, ensuring veterans receive these dogs at no cost and are informed of available VA benefits. The VA will also provide veterinary insurance for the service dogs. $10,000,000 is authorized to be appropriated for each of the five fiscal years following the establishment of the pilot program.

The Taiwan Allies Fund Act aims to bolster Taiwan's international standing by authorizing $40 million annually for fiscal years 2026-2028 to support countries that maintain or strengthen ties with Taiwan and face pressure from China. These funds, drawn from the Countering PRC Influence Fund, will support various initiatives, including health, civil society, supply chain diversification, and alternatives to Chinese development assistance. The Act emphasizes coordination between the U.S. and Taiwan in providing assistance and requires an annual report to Congress on the activities and their impact. The goal is to promote Taiwan's diplomatic relations and counter China's influence.

The "Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025" aims to impose significant sanctions on Russia if it refuses to negotiate peace with Ukraine, violates a peace agreement, or initiates further military action against Ukraine. The bill mandates the President to determine and impose sanctions on individuals, entities, and financial institutions affiliated with the Russian government, targeting key sectors of the Russian economy, and restricts trade and financial interactions with Russia. It also increases import duties on goods from Russia and countries purchasing Russian energy products, while providing limited exceptions for humanitarian aid and intelligence activities. The President has the authority to terminate and reimpose sanctions based on Russia's actions.