Legislative Activity

The PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Peer Support Program Act establishes a grant program within the Department of Veterans Affairs to fund peer-to-peer mental health support for veterans. Grants, up to $250,000, will be awarded to eligible entities like nonprofits and veteran service organizations to operate programs that meet specific standards, hire veteran peer specialists, and provide 24/7 mental health support. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs will establish an advisory committee to set program standards and best practices. The bill allocates $25,000,000 over three years to carry out the program.

The FAIR PREP Act of 2025 prohibits the Treasury Secretary from preparing tax returns or refund claims, including through IRS-run electronic services, with exceptions for qualified programs like the IRS Free File Program. It defines "prepare" and "electronic tax preparation service" to clarify the scope of the prohibition, which applies to returns filed more than 30 days after enactment. The Act also restricts the Treasury Secretary from spending funds on developing or operating electronic tax preparation services without explicit authorization from a new law.

The "Rosie the Riveter Commemorative Coin Act" directs the Department of Treasury to mint and issue gold, silver, and half-dollar coins in 2028 to honor the women who contributed to the World War II Home Front. The coin designs will represent the legacy of these women, with input from the Rosie the Riveter Trust, the Commission of Fine Arts, and the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee. Surcharges from the coin sales will go to the Rosie the Riveter Trust to support the Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park and educational programs. This act ensures that the coin minting incurs no net cost to the government and recognizes the invaluable contributions of women during WWII.

The "Veterans Foreign Medical Coverage Equality and Modernization Act of 2025" ensures veterans with permanent and total service-connected disabilities can receive hospital care and medical services outside of the United States. It requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide care that meets U.S. standards, including FDA-approved medications, and mandates direct deposit for reimbursements. The Act also directs the VA to modernize its digital services by allowing digital submission and tracking of required forms, and requires a report to Congress on the implementation and effectiveness of these changes.

This bill prohibits the use of federal funds to support or facilitate the participation of the Russian Federation in any Group of Seven (G7) proceeding. It also blocks federal funding for reconstituting a Group of Eight (G8) that includes Russia. The goal of the bill is to restrict the Russian Federation's involvement in these international forums.

The "Supporting Transit Commutes Act" allows employers to deduct the cost of providing certain transportation benefits, like transit passes or parking, to their employees. The deduction is limited to the amount described in section 132(f)(2)(A). If employees can choose between the transportation benefit and cash, the deduction is reduced to 50%.

The SALT Deductibility Act repeals the limitation on individual taxpayer's ability to deduct state and local taxes. This change removes the deduction cap that was put in place and will be effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

The TRUST in Congress Act mandates that members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children place covered investments, such as securities and commodities, into qualified blind trusts within a specified timeframe. These trusts must remain in place until 180 days after the member leaves office, ensuring that investment decisions are made without the member's knowledge or influence. Members must certify their compliance or declare the absence of covered investments, with these certifications being made public. An exception is provided for spouses or dependent children whose primary income is derived from a covered investment.

The "Thin Blue Line Act" amends the US Code to include the killing or targeting of a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or other first responder as a new aggravating factor for the death penalty. This applies if the victim was targeted because of their official duties or status as a public official.

The Goldie's Act seeks to strengthen the USDA's enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act by mandating annual inspections, requiring humane treatment of suffering animals, and imposing significant penalties for violations. It ensures transparency through mandated sharing of violation records and sets firm guidelines for determining penalties based on the severity and frequency of violations. The Act also enables legal action to recover unpaid penalties and penalizes the disobedience of "cease and desist" orders.

The "Transnational Criminal Organization Illicit Spotter Prevention and Elimination Act" increases penalties for obstructing immigration, border, and customs enforcement. It establishes penalties for sharing information about law enforcement activities with the intent to further a federal crime, damaging border control devices, or attempting to bypass them. The act also increases penalties for using a firearm during an alien smuggling crime and extends the statute of limitations for related offenses.

The "Georgian Nightmare Non-Recognition Act" prohibits the U.S. from recognizing any Georgian government led by Bidzina Ivanishvili or his associates, and requires the U.S. to actively discourage other countries from recognizing such a government. It authorizes sanctions and measures to combat corruption and foreign influence in Georgia, while affirming recognition of the current Georgian President until free and fair elections can be held. The Act restricts U.S. officials and funds from actions implying recognition of an Ivanishvili regime, and can be revoked if Georgia restores its constitution and democratic processes.

The "REMAIN in Mexico Act of 2025" mandates the Secretary of Homeland Security to reinstate and enforce the Migrant Protection Protocols, as previously outlined in the 2019 Policy Guidance. This requires migrants and asylum seekers to remain in Mexico while awaiting U.S. immigration proceedings.

The Bipartisan Restoring Faith in Government Act prohibits members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children from owning or trading stocks, bonds, commodities, futures, and other covered investments, with exceptions for widely held investment funds and U.S. Treasury bills. It mandates that covered individuals sell or place prohibited financial instruments in a qualified blind trust and submit a compliance pledge. Non-compliance may result in civil penalties and referral to the Attorney General. The bill also amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow for deferral of capital gains taxes on divested assets.

The Disaster Reforestation Act modifies the rules for deducting casualty losses of uncut timber due to fire, storm, theft, or other casualties. Taxpayers can deduct losses based on the difference between the timber's appraised value before the loss and its salvage value, with specific appraisal and reforestation requirements. The definition of "other casualties" includes losses from wood-destroying insects or invasive species, or severe drought. It applies to timber held for sale in a trade or business that is not a passive activity for losses sustained in taxable years beginning after the enactment of this Act.

The "National Law Enforcement Officers Remembrance, Support and Community Outreach Act" aims to support the National Law Enforcement Museum's programs for community outreach, public education, and officer safety and wellness through grants to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. The act authorizes \$6,000,000 to be appropriated to the Secretary of the Interior for each of the first 7 fiscal years after the law is enacted. It requires annual progress reports to ensure accountability and transparency in the use of funds. The Act allows the Secretary to use funds to continue activities the National Law Enforcement Museum was already doing when this law was enacted.

The "Proxy Voting for New Parents Resolution" allows Members of the House, Delegates, and the Resident Commissioner who have recently given birth or whose spouse has given birth to designate another Member to vote on their behalf in the House, in committee, and in the Committee of the Whole for a period of 12 weeks. This proxy voting authority can begin before the birth if a doctor advises that the pregnancy presents a serious medical condition or that she is unable to travel safely. The resolution outlines specific procedures for designating, changing, and revoking proxy designations, ensuring transparency and adherence to instructions. Members whose votes are cast by proxy will not be counted for quorum purposes.

The HUD Transparency Act of 2025 mandates the Inspector General of the Department of Housing and Urban Development to testify annually before Congress. This testimony will focus on preventing fraud, waste, and abuse within HUD, as well as ways to improve the efficiency and accountability of HUD programs. The goal of this act is to increase transparency and oversight of HUD's operations.

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to limit the number of terms a member of Congress can serve. Representatives would be limited to 3 terms and Senators to 2 terms, with specific rules for partial terms. Terms served before the amendment's ratification would not be counted. The amendment must be ratified by three-fourths of the states within seven years to be valid.

The SERVE Our Communities Act authorizes the Attorney General to issue grants to state and local governments that allow courts to assess an individual's potential danger to the community when setting bail and that have taken action to reduce repeat offenses by violent offenders. These actions include enacting laws, increasing efforts to recruit law enforcement, or running public education programs to counter anti-police sentiment. The grants can be used as described in section 211(b) of the Second Chance Act of 2007. \$10,000,000 is authorized to be appropriated for each fiscal year from 2026 through 2031 to implement this section.