Legislative Activity

The "Protect America's Workforce Act" nullifies a 2025 executive order that limited federal labor-management relations programs. It prevents the enforcement of the executive order and prohibits the use of federal funds for its implementation. Additionally, the bill ensures the validity of existing collective bargaining agreements between federal agencies and labor organizations until their original expiration dates.

The "Reentry Act of 2025" amends Title XIX of the Social Security Act to allow states to provide Medicaid coverage to inmates in the 30 days before their release. It also requires the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission to submit a report to Congress analyzing health and safety standards in correctional facilities, the impact of this change, and recommendations for further action.

This bill supports the designation of the last Saturday in March 2025 as "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day" to honor and recognize the contributions of Vietnam War veterans. It encourages the people of the United States to observe this day with ceremonies and activities that promote awareness and support for these veterans.

The "Hot Foods Act of 2025" amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, allowing SNAP benefits to be used for hot and ready-to-eat foods. It broadens the scope of eligible food items under SNAP and modifies retailer eligibility requirements, permitting more stores to accept SNAP if hot food sales do not exceed 50% of their gross sales. This change also updates the language regarding where SNAP-eligible food can be consumed to include "home or immediate consumption".

This bill directs the Secretary of Transportation to develop and implement a comprehensive 10-year Campus Modernization Plan for the United States Merchant Marine Academy, addressing critical infrastructure and facility upgrades. The plan aims to modernize education practices, enhance training facilities, improve safety and security, and ensure the Academy remains fully operational throughout the process. It also authorizes appropriations totaling $1,020,000,000 from the Maritime Security Trust Fund for fiscal years 2026 through 2035 for the phased rehabilitation, modernization, and construction of facilities and infrastructure.

The "Stop Antisemitism on College Campuses Act" amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prohibit colleges and universities from supporting events promoting antisemitism. Antisemitism is defined using the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's working definition. This bill aims to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for Jewish students on college campuses by preventing the authorization, facilitation, funding, or support of antisemitic events.

This bill recognizes and celebrates the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps on November 10, 2025. It acknowledges the Marine Corps' distinguished history, readiness, and role as a premier fighting force. The bill also encourages Americans to celebrate the anniversary through various activities and community engagement.

The Safer Skies Act of 2025 expands security screening requirements for air carrier operations that operate under specific regulations, conduct passenger-carrying operations for compensation, offer individual seats in advance, provide publicly available schedules, operate airplanes with more than nine passenger seats, and do not use TSA-managed checkpoints. This act mandates that these operations comply with security screening standards outlined in federal regulations and requires the TSA Administrator to revise rules and policies to ensure compliance.

This resolution celebrates the 204th anniversary of Greek Independence Day, reaffirming the democratic ideals shared between the United States and Greece. It recognizes the historical ties, strategic alliance, and growing cooperation between the two nations, particularly in energy and security. The resolution also acknowledges the contributions of the Greek-American community and Greece's role in promoting stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and Western Balkans.

The Pakistan Democracy Act aims to support democracy in Pakistan by mandating the U.S. Secretary of State to determine if sanctions should be imposed on General Asim Munir. It also authorizes sanctions on individuals involved in the wrongful persecution and imprisonment of political detainees, including Imran Khan, by restricting their entry into the United States. The President has the authority to waive these sanctions under certain conditions, with required certification to Congress.

The "Law-Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act of 2025" exempts less-than-lethal projectile devices from certain federal restrictions, defining these devices based on their inability to fire lethal ammunition, a velocity cap of 500 feet per second, design for non-lethal use, and magazine compatibility. It tasks the Attorney General with determining whether a device meets the Act's definition within 90 days of a request.

This bill, known as the "Correcting Guam's History in the PACT Act," amends Title 38 of the U.S. Code to expand eligibility for a presumption of service connection for diseases associated with herbicide exposure. The expansion includes veterans who served in Guam between August 15, 1958, and July 31, 1980, or in American Samoa. This change makes it easier for these veterans to receive benefits for diseases linked to herbicide exposure during their service.

The Major Richard Star Act allows eligible combat-disabled veterans to receive both their retirement pay and disability compensation. This eliminates the previous offset that reduced retirement pay for those receiving disability compensation. The changes apply to payments beginning the month after enactment.

The "Save Our Shipyards Act of 2025" or "SOS Act of 2025" establishes a National Commission on the Maritime Industrial Base to investigate and study the state of the U.S. maritime industry and its ability to support national defense. The Commission will develop policy recommendations for the President and Congress to strengthen the maritime industry, revitalize the naval fleet, foster shipbuilding, and preserve maritime jobs. The Commission will submit a report detailing its findings and recommendations within one year of its first meeting.

This resolution recognizes and honors teachers who have achieved or maintained National Board Certification as of March 2025, acknowledging their positive impact on student learning and potential lifetime earnings. It encourages the growth of new National Board Certified Teachers by urging educators, administrators, school districts, and States to provide candidates with incentives and support.

The "Investing in All of America Act of 2025" amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, modifying how the Small Business Administration calculates leverage for small business investment companies (SBICs). It lowers the maximum leverage exclusion from $300 million to $200 million, expands eligibility to include small businesses in critical technology and manufacturing, and limits the exclusion amount for a company. The bill also requires annual adjustments to the dollar amounts based on the Consumer Price Index.

The Veterans First Act of 2025 provides $2 billion in funding to the Department of Veterans Affairs for grants to states to construct or improve veteran care facilities. This funding will support nursing homes and domiciliary facilities for veterans. The funding is offset by rescinding $2 billion from unobligated funds available to the United States Agency for International Development.

The "Rights for the Transportation Security Administration Workforce Act" mandates the transition of TSA personnel management systems to align with Title 5 of the U.S. Code, ensuring TSA employees receive similar rights and protections as other federal employees, including collective bargaining rights. It protects current pay and benefits during the transition, requires consultation with employee representatives, and addresses concerns related to employee well-being, safety, and diversity. The Act also calls for reports and plans to improve recruitment, address workplace harassment, and update background check requirements.

The American Innovation and R&D Competitiveness Act of 2025 modifies the tax treatment of research and experimental expenditures, allowing taxpayers to deduct these expenses in the year they are incurred rather than capitalizing them. This change applies to expenses related to the taxpayer's business and is effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2021. The act also includes provisions for electing to treat these expenditures as deferred expenses and updates related sections of the tax code.

The Providing Veterans Essential Medications Act ensures that State veterans homes are reimbursed or furnished with high-cost medications for veterans in their care. A "costly medication" is defined as one where the average wholesale price for a one-month supply, plus a 3% transaction fee, exceeds 8.5% of the payment made to the State home for the veteran's care during that month. This aims to alleviate the financial burden on State homes providing essential medications to veterans.