Legislative Activity

The SAFE STEPS for Veterans Act of 2025 establishes a dedicated Office of Falls Prevention within the VA to centralize and standardize all efforts to reduce falls among veterans. This office will set care standards, oversee national education campaigns, and promote research into evidence-based prevention programs. The Act also mandates specific falls risk assessments and prevention services for veterans in VA nursing homes and updates requirements for extended care services.

The MIDWIVES for Service Members Act of 2025 establishes a five-year pilot program to test the integration of certified midwife services within the TRICARE health program for military families. This initiative aims to assess the quality, cost-effectiveness, and patient satisfaction of utilizing these providers for maternal and infant care. Following the pilot, the Secretary of Defense will report findings to Congress and may recommend making the program permanent.

The Building Advanced Semiconductors Investment Credit Act (BASIC ACT) significantly boosts incentives for domestic semiconductor manufacturing. This bill increases the investment tax credit rate for advanced manufacturing from 25 percent to 35 percent. Furthermore, it extends the period during which this enhanced credit can be claimed, pushing the deadline from 2026 to December 31, 2030.

The PFAS Alternatives Act aims to protect firefighters by funding research and development for next-generation turnout gear that eliminates harmful PFAS chemicals. The bill establishes grants through NIOSH to create safer, PFAS-free protective equipment and separate funding for training programs on the proper care of this new gear. Ultimately, this legislation seeks to reduce occupational illness and injury among fire and EMS personnel.

The Nurse Corps Tax Parity Act of 2025 aims to provide tax relief for healthcare professionals participating in the Nurse Corps program. This bill clarifies that certain loan repayments and scholarship benefits received through the program will be excluded from taxable income. Essentially, it updates the Internal Revenue Code to ensure these specific Nurse Corps payments are treated favorably for tax purposes.

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 Honoring our K9 Heroes Act establishes a new grant program administered by the Department of Homeland Security to help cover medical expenses for retired Federal working dogs. Eligible non-profit organizations with a history of supporting these retired K9s can apply for funding. This initiative is authorized with $1 million annually from Fiscal Year 2026 through 2030 to support dogs living with their former handlers.

This bill officially designates the memorial and museum currently under construction in Jacksonville, Florida, as the **National POW/MIA Memorial and Museum**. The legislation recognizes the museum's crucial role in honoring and educating the public about service members who were prisoners of war or remain missing in action. To maintain this designation, the museum must submit a comprehensive operational report to Congress within 90 days of enactment. Failure to open satisfactorily within five years or submit the required report will result in the loss of this official federal title.

The Seniors’ Access to Critical Medications Act of 2025 temporarily modifies the physician self-referral prohibition (Stark Law) to allow physician practices to dispense certain Medicare Part D prescription drugs directly to their patients between 2026 and 2030. This exception is subject to specific conditions regarding prescribing, patient history, and dispensing location. The bill also mandates a GAO study to examine trends in physician office drug dispensing and makes a minor adjustment to the allocation for the Medicare Improvement Fund.

The BUILD Act of 2025 establishes two new federal grant programs to fund facility upgrades and construction for local public safety agencies. These grants are specifically targeted toward police and fire departments serving communities with fewer than 50,000 residents. Funds must be used for projects directly related to improving emergency services, training, recruitment, or community safety. The legislation also mandates studies to assess the long-term infrastructure needs of these smaller departments.

The Smart Ship Repair Act of 2025 modifies the definition of "short-term work" related to the Navy's construction of combatant and escort vessels. This amendment extends the time threshold for a shipbuilding project to be classified as short-term from 12 months to 18 months. This change impacts how the Navy assigns vessel projects under existing statutes.

The Protect National Service Act affirms the significant societal return on investment provided by national service programs like AmeriCorps. This bill prohibits the use of federal funds to eliminate the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) or alter its status as a Government corporation. It ensures that any future reorganization must maintain the Trust's solvency and continue federal commitment to civic engagement. The CEO must annually certify compliance with these protections to Congress for five years.

The Accounting STEM Pursuit Act of 2025 officially recognizes accounting education as a vital component of a well-rounded K-12 curriculum. This legislation amends federal education law to ensure accounting is counted within core curriculum planning frameworks. The Act specifically directs states and districts to improve access to quality accounting programs, with a focus on increasing opportunities for underrepresented students.

This resolution expresses the sense of Congress that open water lifeguards should be formally recognized as first responders and emergency response providers. It highlights the critical, life-saving work they perform, often under dangerous conditions, aligning their duties with those of traditional emergency personnel. The bill advocates for federal recognition that matches the essential nature of their daily service.

The NO TIME TO Waste Act establishes a new Office of Food Loss and Waste within the USDA to coordinate national efforts, fund data collection, and track progress toward reducing food waste by 50% by 2030. The bill also creates regional coordinators and block grants to improve food recovery infrastructure across the country. Furthermore, it mandates new reporting requirements for federal contractors and launches a national education campaign focused on consumer behavior and food safety dating.

The Resilient Coasts and Estuaries Act of 2025 overhauls federal coastal protection by establishing a new Coastal and Estuarine Resilience and Restoration Program focused on protecting high-value lands and restoring damaged areas, with priority given to vulnerable low-income communities. The bill also significantly expands the National Estuarine Research Reserve System, mandating the designation of at least five new sites and bolstering research efforts focused on climate change adaptation. Furthermore, it establishes new requirements for non-governmental partners and updates funding authorizations through fiscal year 2029.

The Protecting American Families and Servicemembers from Anthrax Act mandates the Secretaries of Health and Human Services and Defense to develop a modernized 10-year strategy to defend against the anthrax threat. This plan must ensure a sustainable supply of anthrax countermeasures for the Strategic National Stockpile and outline protections for civilians and military families. The Secretaries are required to submit an initial classified report detailing the threat and the full strategy to Congress within 180 days, followed by annual updates.

The Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2025 updates federal housing tax credit allocations to reflect current economic realities and boosts minimum state allotments. It reforms tenant eligibility rules to stabilize tenancy and enhance protections for vulnerable residents, including victims of abuse. The bill also provides disaster relief for property owners, increases incentives for housing the extremely low-income, and directs greater resources toward Native American and rural housing needs. Finally, it streamlines administrative processes and signals a future focus on data transparency and discouraging restrictive local zoning.

This bill establishes the Innovative Therapies Centers of Excellence Act of 2025, directing the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to designate at least five medical facilities as specialized hubs for cutting-edge treatments. These Centers of Excellence must focus on research, training partnerships, and clinical evaluation of innovative therapies for covered conditions like PTSD and chronic pain. The legislation specifically names substances such as MDMA and Psilocybin as part of the therapies to be explored, supported by dedicated annual funding.

The Women in Agriculture Act establishes a dedicated Liaison within the USDA to advocate for and assist women farmers and ranchers in accessing USDA programs. The bill also prioritizes federal research funding for the development of ergonomically designed farm equipment for women. Finally, it grants priority consideration for rural development loans and grants to applicants focused on improving rural child care infrastructure.