Legislative Activity

The "Air Traffic Noise and Pollution Expert Consensus Act of 2025" directs the FAA to collaborate with the National Academies to study and report on the health impacts of air traffic noise and pollution. This report will consolidate current scientific knowledge and be delivered to key government officials and congressional committees.

The "Student Veteran Benefit Restoration Act of 2025" aims to restore educational benefits to veterans and eligible individuals whose education was interrupted due to institutional misconduct, such as fraud or closure. It requires educational institutions to repay educational assistance received if a student's benefits are restored due to the institution's actions. The bill also allows the Department of Veterans Affairs to recover fraudulently obtained funds and establishes an appeal process for institutions.

The Ocean Pollution Reduction Act II amends permitting requirements for the Point Loma Plant in San Diego, setting new limits for discharge of total suspended solids into marine waters. The bill requires the plant to maintain its deep-ocean outfall system and meet specific reduction targets for pollutants by certain dates. It also mandates the production of at least 83,000,000 gallons per day of water suitable for potable reuse by December 31, 2039, and continued ocean monitoring to ensure compliance. Alternatively, the plant can submit an application that complies with standard secondary treatment requirements.

The "Aquatic Biodiversity Preservation Act of 2025" establishes a program, managed by the Secretary of Commerce, for sequencing aquatic species genomes to improve conservation and management efforts. It directs the Secretary to work with various entities to collect, sequence, and make genomic data publicly available, while providing funding and assistance. Tribal governments determine whether and when to release data. The act authorizes $2,000,000 annually from 2025-2031 for program implementation.

The Mudslide Recovery Act establishes a pilot grant program to aid communities recovering from mudslides that occur after wildland fires. The Secretaries of Interior and Homeland Security will administer the competitive grant program, awarding funds to eligible recipients such as states, tribes, local governments, and non-profit organizations. The program is authorized to receive $5,000,000 annually from 2026 through 2032.

The "Office of Gun Violence Prevention Act of 2025" establishes an Office of Gun Violence Prevention within the Department of Justice, led by a Director appointed by the Attorney General, to coordinate gun violence prevention efforts, evaluate related laws and programs, and recommend evidence-based policies to Congress and the President. The Director will also convene an advisory council comprising various officials and at least 12 additional individuals representing gun violence survivors, community violence intervention service providers, and other relevant groups. The Office will also assist communities affected by gun violence with crisis response activities, such as providing access to mental health services and suicide prevention resources. Finally, the act authorizes the appropriation of necessary funds to carry out the provisions of the bill.

The "Hire Veterans Act" establishes a pilot program to help veterans find jobs within Federal land management agencies. This program includes skills assessments, training, and potential noncompetitive appointments for veterans. The goal is to match veterans' skills with positions in areas like outdoor recreation and firefighting, while also requiring annual reports to Congress on the program's progress. The program will last for five years.

The United States-Israel Defense Partnership Act of 2025 seeks to bolster the defense relationship between the United States and Israel through joint initiatives and increased cooperation. It establishes programs to counter unmanned systems, extend anti-tunnel and counter-UAS cooperation, and promote collaboration in emerging technologies like AI and cybersecurity. The act also mandates the establishment of a Defense Innovation Unit office in Israel and assesses integrated air and missile defense in the U.S. Central Command region. Finally, it explores Israel's potential inclusion in the national technology and industrial base.

The "Extending Limits of U.S. Customs Waters Act" updates the definition of "customs waters" to align with international law, Presidential Proclamation 5928, and Presidential Proclamation 7219. It extends U.S. customs authority to include the territorial sea and contiguous zone, as permitted by international law. These changes will take effect the day after the Act is enacted.

The "Protect US National Security Act" ensures that federal funds cannot be used to eliminate the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) as an independent entity. It asserts that only an act of Congress can eliminate USAID. The Secretary of State must certify compliance with this requirement to Congress within 30 days of the act's enactment and annually for 5 years.

The CLEAR Act amends the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to include entities established under Section 3161, ensuring their records are accessible to the public. This change applies to all FOIA requests made after the Act's enactment, regardless of when the records were created.

The Taxpayer Data Protection Act limits access to the Treasury Department's payment systems to Treasury employees or contractors with satisfactory performance reviews and security clearances. It sets specific criteria for individuals accessing the system, including conflict of interest restrictions, training, and ethics agreements. The Act also mandates the Treasury Department's Inspector General to investigate and report to Congress on any unauthorized system use.

The Scientific Integrity Act mandates that federal agencies that fund, conduct, or oversee scientific research establish and enforce scientific integrity policies. These policies aim to protect scientists from political interference, ensure the open communication of scientific findings, and establish clear processes for reporting and addressing scientific misconduct. The Act requires agencies to appoint Scientific Integrity Officers, provide regular training, and report on misconduct complaints, with oversight from the Office of Science and Technology Policy and Congress. It also protects the rights of federal employees and contractors to share their findings and prevents the suppression or distortion of scientific data.

The Disaster Resiliency and Coverage Act of 2025 aims to increase household disaster resilience through a grant program for pre-disaster mitigation activities, tax exclusions for state-based catastrophe loss mitigation payments and certain emergency agricultural assistance, and a tax credit for disaster mitigation expenditures. The grant program will provide funds to states and tribal governments for mitigation activities on individual homes in high-risk disaster areas, while the tax exclusions and credit offer financial relief and incentives for individuals and agricultural producers affected by disasters. This act seeks to encourage proactive measures to protect homes and businesses from the impact of future disasters.

The "Protect Our Letter Carriers Act of 2025" aims to protect postal workers by allocating funds for high-security collection boxes and electronic mailbox keys. It also mandates the appointment of dedicated attorneys to prosecute crimes against postal employees and directs the Sentencing Commission to increase penalties for assaulting or robbing them.

The "AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025" requires the Department of Transportation to mandate that all new vehicles include AM radio receivers as standard equipment, ensuring continued access to AM broadcasts for drivers. The Act directs the Comptroller General to study the role of AM radio in emergency alerts and allows manufacturers producing fewer than 40,000 vehicles in 2022 at least four years to comply. The rule will sunset 10 years after the enactment of this Act.

The "No Tax Breaks for Outsourcing Act" amends the Internal Revenue Code to discourage multinational corporations from avoiding U.S. taxes by shifting profits overseas. It includes provisions such as current year inclusion of net CFC tested income on a country-by-country basis, limitations on foreign tax credits, restrictions on interest deductions for domestic corporations in international financial reporting groups, and changes to the tax treatment of inverted corporations and foreign corporations managed in the U.S. This act aims to eliminate tax advantages for companies that move operations or profits outside the United States.

The "Right to Contraception Act" establishes a statutory right for individuals to access contraception and for health care providers to provide contraception and related information free from government interference. It prohibits federal and state laws that restrict the sale, provision, or use of contraceptives, and allows the Attorney General, individuals, and entities to bring civil suits against those violating the Act. The Act clarifies that it overrides other federal and state laws, including the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, but does not override federal laws related to coverage under group health plans, health insurance, or federal healthcare programs. This bill aims to protect an individual's ability to make decisions about their body, medical care, and family.

The Aviation Noise and Emissions Mitigation Act aims to establish pilot grant programs through the EPA to study and address the impact of aircraft and airport noise and emissions on nearby communities. These programs will fund research and data collection on noise and emissions, as well as the development and implementation of mitigation strategies. The goal is to identify and support communities disproportionately affected by aviation pollution, with a focus on environmental justice and public health. Ultimately, the act seeks to reduce the negative impacts of aviation on communities through targeted interventions and community engagement.

The Aviation-Impacted Communities Act aims to mitigate the impact of aviation noise and pollution on communities near airports. It expands eligibility for noise mitigation funding, establishes community boards to address local concerns, and requires the FAA to conduct community assessments and develop action plans based on those assessments. The Act also directs the FAA to contract with the National Academy of Sciences to study aviation impacts and create a framework for community assessments, and it sets aside funding to implement these provisions.