Legislative Activity

The Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act of 2025 mandates that the Department of Homeland Security conduct a comprehensive exercise to test the nation's response to a terrorist attack occurring during an extreme cold weather event. This initiative aims to evaluate the cascading effects on critical infrastructure and improve coordination between government agencies and private stakeholders. Following the exercise, the Secretary must submit a report to Congress outlining findings and strategies to bolster national resilience against such threats.

The VA Coaching into Care Act establishes a three-year pilot program to operate a toll-free hotline connecting veterans' friends and family with licensed mental health counselors. Staffed by VA psychologists and social workers, the hotline will offer guidance on discussing mental health with veterans and provide appropriate referrals. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs must report on the program's success and recommend future continuation or expansion.

This bill mandates U.S. Customs and Border Protection to link the NEXUS applications of family members living in the same household. This linkage allows one family member to schedule interviews for the entire group and may permit joint interviews. Additionally, the Commissioner can waive the interview requirement for children under 14 when linked to an eligible family member.

The Remote Control Locomotives Safety Improvement Act of 2026 mandates that a certified human engineer must be physically present and in control within the cab of the lead locomotive for all main line train operations. This Act prohibits the operation of remote control locomotives outside of a rail yard. It also establishes strict audit requirements and significant civil penalties for non-compliance.

The DHS Release Transparency Act requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to offer detained individuals the option to designate a point of contact for release notifications. If designated, the Department of Homeland Security must notify this contact before releasing the individual, ensuring translation services are provided throughout the process. Crucially, the collected contact information cannot be used for any enforcement actions.

This bill officially renames the United States Postal Service facility located at 1200 William Street in Buffalo, New York. The facility will now be known as the William J. Donovan Post Office Building. This designation will apply to all federal references to the building.

The VA Police Recruitment and Retention Act of 2026 prohibits federal agencies from downgrading the classification, grade, or pay of Department of Veterans Affairs law enforcement positions. The bill also mandates the retroactive reversal of any such downgrades initiated after October 1, 2025, ensuring affected employees are fully restored to their previous status and compensation.

The Safe Flights for Passengers and Flight Crews Act mandates that the FAA immediately apply stricter safety regulations, typically reserved for scheduled airlines, to certain on-demand charter flights. This applies to passenger-carrying scheduled charter operations using aircraft with more than nine seats, effective 90 days after enactment. The goal is to enhance safety standards for these advertised charter services.

The Loan Equity for Advanced Professionals Act raises the federal student loan limits for graduate and professional students. Effective July 1, 2026, the annual borrowing limit for Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans will increase to \$50,000, and the aggregate limit will rise to \$200,000. This aims to provide greater financial support for advanced degree candidates.

The DHS Grants Accountability Act aims to improve the efficiency and transparency of key homeland security grant programs. This legislation establishes stricter deadlines for the Department of Homeland Security to announce funding, issue notices, and for recipients to utilize grant money for preparedness, transit, and port security. Overall, the bill mandates clearer timelines to ensure funds are awarded and spent more predictably.

This bill mandates that the FEMA Administrator administer the Next Generation Warning System grant program. It requires the immediate disbursement of obligated 2022 funds and the initiation of grant awards for fiscal years 2023 and 2024. Additionally, the bill calls for research and development to improve the accessibility, resiliency, and security of emergency warning systems.

The Veterans Healthcare Equality Act of 2025 explicitly prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from discriminating against veterans based on gender identity when providing healthcare services. This law mandates that the VA must furnish medically necessary treatments, including those for gender dysphoria, prescribed by a healthcare provider. Furthermore, the VA Secretary is required to provide regular updates to Congress regarding the implementation of these non-discrimination protections.

The Honoring Our Heroes Act of 2025 temporarily expands the VA's authority to furnish headstones or burial markers for certain veterans who died after December 7, 1941, provided a marker has not already been placed. Additionally, this Act extends the expiration date for specific limitations on veteran pension payments by three months, from November 2031 to February 2032. The VA must also update its website to reflect these changes in eligibility.

The Securing America’s Ports of Entry Act of 2025 mandates a significant increase in U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) staffing, requiring the hiring of at least 1,000 new officers annually until staffing needs are met. The bill also requires CBP to report on necessary infrastructure upgrades to combat illegal narcotics and enhance security technology at ports of entry. Furthermore, it establishes strict new quarterly and annual reporting requirements for Congress regarding temporary staff assignments and progress toward full staffing goals.

The McCarran-Walter Technical Corrections Act updates immigration eligibility for members of federally recognized Native American Tribes in the U.S. and First Nations in Canada. This bill removes outdated "blood quantum" requirements, instead requiring only verifiable membership in a recognized tribe or First Nation. Individuals admitted under this revised status will immediately receive permanent resident status.

The Occupational Therapy Mental Health Parity Act aims to clarify and ensure proper coverage of occupational therapy services under Medicare for treating mental health and substance use disorders. It mandates the Secretary of Health and Human Services to educate stakeholders on billing and payment rules within the Medicare Benefit Policy Manual. This ensures providers are correctly reimbursed when using occupational therapy for mental health treatment.

The Tax Fairness for Disaster Victims Act allows individuals affected by a federally declared disaster to elect to use their prior year's earned income or Social Security tax payments when calculating certain tax credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit. This "lookback rule" applies if their income or tax payments were lower during the disaster year. The provision aims to provide financial relief by ensuring disaster victims are not penalized when determining eligibility for these credits.

The Aaron Salter, Jr., Responsible Body Armor Possession Act prohibits civilians from purchasing, owning, or possessing "enhanced body armor," defined as gear meeting or exceeding NIJ RF1 protection standards. This ban includes exceptions for federal, state, and local government agencies, as well as covered law enforcement officers. Knowingly violating this new federal prohibition carries penalties including fines and up to five years in prison.

This bill amends existing House Resolutions concerning two separate national emergencies declared by the President in February and April 2025. Specifically, it standardizes the counting of days for congressional action on joint resolutions seeking to terminate these emergencies. The legislation ensures that days occurring while Congress is in session are counted as standard calendar days for deadline purposes related to both emergency declarations.

This bill directs the United States Postal Service (USPS) to establish a single, unique ZIP Code specifically for the town of Wheatfield, New York. The USPS is required to implement this change within 270 days of the law's enactment. This action will ensure Wheatfield has its own distinct postal code.