Legislative Activity

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 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.

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.

The Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act of 2025 mandates the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to conduct a comprehensive exercise simulating a terrorist attack during an extreme cold weather event. This drill must test coordination across all levels of government and private partners to mitigate cascading failures of critical infrastructure. Following the exercise, DHS must report findings and recommended actions to Congress within 60 days.

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.

This Act, the Great Lakes and National Weather Service Funding Protection Act, prohibits the deferral, transfer, or reprogramming of federal funds specifically allocated to the National Weather Service (NWS) and the Great Lakes region. These dedicated funds cannot be moved for other uses unless a subsequent law explicitly overrides this protection. The NOAA Administrator must annually certify compliance with this funding restriction to key Congressional committees.

The Protecting Medical Research Funding Act ensures that funds appropriated by Congress specifically for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) cannot be withheld, transferred, or reprogrammed for other uses. This legislation establishes a strict limitation on the executive branch's ability to shift NIH funding unless explicitly authorized by a subsequent Act of Congress. The Secretary of Health and Human Services must annually certify compliance with these requirements to relevant Congressional committees.

The Setting the Table for Transition Act temporarily adjusts Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility rules for households that include recently separated veterans. For 100 days following the issuance of a veteran's Report of Separation, SNAP will only consider that veteran's income when determining household eligibility. This aims to provide quicker access to food assistance during the critical transition period out of military service.

The VA Home Loan GRACE Act of 2025 modernizes how the VA guarantees home loans for veterans, particularly when multiple veterans share a loan, by adjusting maximum guarantee calculations. It also establishes significant civil penalties for veterans who knowingly provide false information on required loan certification forms. These changes aim to enhance the resiliency and clarity of the VA home loan program.

The Gold Star Family Education Parity Act terminates the authority for the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program (DEA) on August 1, 2029. Individuals who lose eligibility due to this cutoff will be automatically transitioned to receive educational assistance under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. This ensures continued educational support for eligible survivors and dependents.

The Staff Sergeant John D. Martek Purple Heart Restoration Act allows certain veterans who suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) traceable to enemy action after December 7, 1941, to be awarded the Purple Heart medal. This applies if the veteran has a service-connected disability due to the TBI or official military confirmation of the injury's cause. The respective military branches must establish a process for these veterans to apply for and receive the award, regardless of when the injury occurred.