Legislative Activity

The Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act of 2025 mandates the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct a terrorism response exercise, specifically one that includes an extreme cold weather event impacting critical infrastructure. The exercise will focus on strategies to mitigate the effects of a successful terrorist attack and bolster community resilience. Within 60 days of completion, a report detailing findings and proposed legislative changes must be submitted to the House and Senate Homeland Security Committees.

This bill amends House Resolutions 211 and 313 to ensure that all days within the first session of Congress are counted as calendar days when considering resolutions to terminate the national emergencies declared on February 1, 2025, and April 2, 2025. These changes are applied retroactively to the original adoption dates of both resolutions.

This bill mandates the United States Postal Service to establish a unique ZIP Code specifically for Wheatfield, New York. The Postal Service must implement this change within 270 days of the bill's enactment.

The Great Lakes and National Weather Service Funding Protection Act ensures that funds allocated to the National Weather Service and Great Lakes restoration efforts within NOAA cannot be deferred, transferred, or reprogrammed without explicit authorization from a new law. This act requires the NOAA Administrator to certify compliance with these protections annually to specific congressional committees, ensuring transparency and adherence to the funding allocations.

The "Protecting Medical Research Funding Act" prevents the Department of Health and Human Services from deferring or transferring funds made available for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) unless explicitly authorized by a new law referencing this act. The Secretary of Health and Human Services must certify compliance with these requirements to specific congressional committees within 30 days of the bill's enactment and annually thereafter.

The "Setting the Table for Transition Act" temporarily expands SNAP eligibility for veteran households by excluding the veteran's income for 100 days after separation from service. This adjustment under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 aims to support veterans during their transition back to civilian life. The bill defines a veteran as someone with honorable discharge from active military, naval, or air service. This act will be effective 90 days after enactment.

This bill amends House Resolution 211 to clarify that all days within the first session of Congress will be counted as calendar days. This clarification specifically applies to the consideration of any joint resolution aimed at terminating the national emergency declared by the President on February 1, 2025, ensuring timely review.

The Gold Star Family Education Parity Act ends educational assistance under Chapter 35 of title 38, United States Code, on August 1, 2029. Individuals losing Chapter 35 eligibility will be entitled to educational assistance under chapter 33, subject to certain conditions and limitations. This change is also reflected in an updated table of sections.

The Staff Sergeant John D. Martek Purple Heart Restoration Act allows veterans who sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI) due to enemy actions on or after December 7, 1941, to be eligible for the Purple Heart. It directs the relevant Secretary to treat these veterans the same as those killed or wounded in action, provided they have a service-connected disability due to the TBI or have documented evidence of the injury in their military records. The Act mandates the establishment of an application process for eligible veterans to receive the Purple Heart, irrespective of when the TBI occurred.

The VA Home Loan GRACE Act of 2025 updates the VA home loan program by modifying loan guaranty calculations for multiple veterans on a single loan and adds civil penalties for veterans who knowingly provide false information on loan certifications. It also extends the current loan fee structure until April 7, 2031. These changes aim to enhance the resiliency and integrity of the VA home loan program.

The Honoring Our Heroes Act of 2025 directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to establish a pilot program providing headstones or burial markers for veterans who died on or before November 1, 1990. Individuals must apply to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to request a headstone or marker. The National Cemetery Administration website will be updated with eligibility requirements. The pilot program will conclude two years after the Act's enactment.

The "VA Funding and Workforce Protection Act" aims to protect the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) funding by limiting the transfer or deferral of funds without explicit congressional approval. It also safeguards VA personnel by exempting the VA from hiring freezes, requiring reinstatement of certain removed veterans, and placing restrictions on the removal of probationary employees. Additionally, the Act mandates regular reporting to Congress on personnel actions and compliance with the Act's provisions.

The "TSA Commuting Fairness Act" requires the TSA Administrator to conduct a study on the feasibility of counting the time TSA employees spend commuting between their duty locations and airport parking or transit stops as on-duty hours. The study will assess the potential benefits, costs, and technological feasibility of such a policy. This includes impacts on employee compensation, retirement, and TSA operations at various airport sizes.

This bill designates the United States Postal Service facility located at 1200 William Street, Room 200, in Buffalo, New York, as the "William J. Donovan Post Office Building." It also mandates that any reference to this facility in U.S. records shall reflect this new designation.

The SNOW Act of 2025 amends the Stafford Act to provide additional support for communities affected by winter storms. It allows funds to be used for snow removal equipment, defines winter storm conditions for disaster declarations, and directs FEMA to issue regulations for winter storm assistance. The bill also adjusts the federal cost share for disaster relief, increasing it to at least 75% and up to 90% for rural or disadvantaged areas.