Legislative Activity

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 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 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 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.

The VA Funding and Workforce Protection Act ensures that congressionally appropriated funds for the Department of Veterans Affairs cannot be unilaterally withheld or transferred without explicit new authorization from Congress. This legislation also provides significant protections for VA personnel by exempting the agency from presidential hiring freezes for a four-year period and establishing strict notification requirements before layoffs or removals of probationary employees can occur. Finally, the Secretary of the VA must regularly certify compliance with these new funding and personnel mandates to relevant Congressional committees.

This bill amends House Resolution 211 to clarify that days occurring during the first session of the current Congress count as calendar days when calculating the timeline for a joint resolution to terminate the national emergency declared on February 1, 2025. This ensures a consistent and straightforward process for Congress to end the declared emergency.

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.

The SNOW Act of 2025 amends the Stafford Act to improve federal support for winter storm preparedness and recovery by allowing hazard mitigation funds to be used for winter-related equipment and infrastructure. It also establishes a streamlined waiver process for disaster declarations and increases the federal cost-share for emergency assistance and debris removal in rural and disadvantaged communities.