Legislative Activity

The American Battlefield Protection Program Amendments Act of 2026 reauthorizes and enhances key grant programs dedicated to preserving America's historic battlefields through 2036. The bill increases federal cost-sharing for interpretation and restoration grants to 75%. Additionally, it mandates the Secretary of the Interior to conduct comprehensive studies on nationally significant sites related to the French and Indian War and the Mexican-American War.

The "Representing our Seniors at VA Act of 2025" ensures that the National Association of State Veterans Homes is represented in consultations with the Under Secretary for Health. It also adds a representative from the Association with a nursing home administration license to the Department of Veterans Affairs Geriatrics and Gerontology Advisory Committee. This aims to improve the quality of care and address the specific needs of senior veterans within state veterans homes.

This bill officially renames the United States Postal Service facility located at 1225 Kempsville Road in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The facility will now be known as the "Colonel Edward Shames Post Office Building." This designation will be used in all future federal references to the building.

This bill officially elects Representative Van Epps to serve on two key House committees: the Committee on Homeland Security and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. This action formalizes his assignments to these important bodies within the House of Representatives.

The Fit Vets Act establishes a three-year pilot program to provide eligible veterans enrolled in VA health care access to the SilverSneakers fitness program or a similar senior exercise program. The Department of Veterans Affairs will evaluate the program's participation, costs, and impact on veteran health outcomes. Following the pilot's conclusion, the Secretary must report findings and recommendations to Congress regarding making the program permanent.

The Veterans Career Connection Act establishes the Veterans Transition Talent Hub within the Department of Veterans Affairs. This program aims to directly connect employers with veterans and separating service members by creating a searchable database of their skills and employment preferences. The goal is to streamline the transition from military service to civilian employment.

The FAIR Vets Act modernizes federal contracting by significantly increasing the dollar thresholds for sole-source contracts awarded to service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses. This change raises the maximum contract value for both manufacturing and non-manufacturing sectors. The goal is to improve access to federal contracts for these veteran-owned businesses.

The CommonGround for Affordable Health Care Act extends enhanced premium tax credits for Marketplace health insurance through 2026, while also establishing strict new penalties and verification processes to combat fraud by agents and brokers in health insurance exchanges. Furthermore, the bill imposes significant new transparency and accountability requirements on Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) contracting with Medicare Part D plans. Finally, it extends the 2026 open enrollment period and creates a fast-track legislative process for future premium tax credit reform bills.

The Clarity on Care Options Act mandates the creation of a public, easily accessible directory listing healthcare providers who accept CHAMPVA assignments as full payment. This is achieved by requiring annual surveys of providers within VA health care networks to determine their acceptance status. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs must publish the initial directory within 180 days of enactment and report annually to Congress on provider acceptance rates and service gaps.

The Rx ACCESS Act aims to improve prescription access, fairness, and transparency within the TRICARE pharmacy benefits program. It extends beneficiary choice for receiving non-generic maintenance medications and establishes minimum reimbursement standards for TRICARE retail pharmacies. Furthermore, the bill mandates annual independent audits by the Comptroller General to review reimbursement rates and network adequacy.

The Increasing Medication Access for Seniors Act of 2025 establishes new reporting requirements for the Secretary of Health and Human Services regarding the Medicare Part D monthly capped cost-sharing option. These regular reports must detail enrollment numbers, potential beneficiaries, and implementation efforts for point-of-sale elections. The goal is to track and improve access to predictable prescription drug cost management for seniors on Medicare Part D.

The AI for America Act mandates that federal agencies develop a comprehensive action plan for advancing artificial intelligence leadership, workforce development, and infrastructure by 2027. It also requires agencies to identify regulatory barriers hindering AI adoption in key sectors like healthcare and transportation. Furthermore, the bill directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to report on measures for detecting and preventing security risks and ideological bias in AI systems.

This bill, the Supporting Tours Across Years (STAY) Act, requires the Department of Defense to submit a report analyzing options for reducing the frequency of permanent military moves (PCS) and sea-shore rotations. The report must assess the costs, potential savings, and impacts on military families, while identifying opportunities for longer, more stable assignments. Ultimately, it seeks recommendations for policy changes to implement reduced rotation schedules without harming mission readiness.

The TRICARE Transition Transparency Act of 2025 mandates that the Secretary of Defense provide TRICARE beneficiaries with proactive, multi-stage electronic notifications before coverage transition requirements take effect. This ensures beneficiaries are clearly informed about necessary actions, such as re-enrollment due to age limits. The Act also requires a public awareness campaign and annual reporting to Congress on the effectiveness of these notification efforts.

The Pay Our Troops Act of 2026 ensures that active duty military personnel and essential civilian support staff continue to receive their pay if Congress has not yet passed the full budget for fiscal year 2026. This act provides automatic continuing appropriations from the Treasury to prevent a lapse in military salaries due to budget delays. The funding automatically terminates once a new budget or continuing resolution is passed, or on January 1, 2027, whichever comes first.

This bill authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to acquire or build a new, cloud-based inventory management system for VHA medical facilities. Before implementation, a pilot program must be conducted, and a detailed modernization report must be submitted to Congress. Additionally, the Act extends the expiration date for certain limits on veterans' pension payments until the end of 2032.

This Act grants federal recognition to the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe of Southampton County, Virginia, acknowledging their long historical presence in the region. Federal recognition makes the Tribe and its citizens eligible for all services and benefits provided to federally recognized Indian Tribes. The legislation also establishes rules for land-into-trust status, affirms the Tribe's current governing documents, and explicitly prohibits gaming operations under this Act.

The Bipartisan Premium Tax Credit Extension Act extends the enhanced financial assistance available for purchasing health insurance through the Marketplace. This legislation pushes the expiration date for these boosted premium tax credits, including those for higher earners, from the end of 2025 through the end of 2026. Essentially, it ensures continued, robust subsidies for Marketplace health coverage.

The Safe Beaches, Safe Swimmers Act addresses lifeguard staffing shortages at federal swimming areas managed by agencies like the National Park Service. If a shortage is identified, the Secretary of the Interior must partner with local governments to ensure lifeguards cover the area during peak season. This legislation mandates that local agencies providing coverage must be fully reimbursed for all reasonable costs incurred under these agreements.

The FORWARD Act expands eligibility for retired or disabled military personnel to contribute to the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) using their military retirement or disability pay. This provision allows eligible former service members to make contributions, though these deposits will not receive any government matching funds. The relevant agencies have 180 days to establish the necessary regulations for this new option.