Legislative Activity

The Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act of 2026 significantly enhances benefits for veterans and service members. It increases disability compensation with a new monthly allowance for certain veterans and ties future Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) adjustments to Social Security cost-of-living increases plus an extra percentage. The bill also expands VA home loan eligibility to include National Guard and Reserve members with at least 14 days of qualifying service, though these borrowers will pay a higher loan fee. Finally, it extends the current VA home loan fee structure and modifies definitions of active duty for Guard and Reserve components.

The Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act prohibits the VA from reporting veterans to the NICS background check system solely because a fiduciary was appointed to manage their benefits. This legislation ensures that a VA finding of mental incompetence or the appointment of a fiduciary alone is not used to treat a veteran as a "mental defective" for gun control purposes. Furthermore, the VA must notify the Attorney General about past transmissions of this information that lacked a proper legal basis.

This bill authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue commemorative gold and silver coins marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The coins will honor the victims, first responders, and survivors, with designs selected in consultation with the National September 11 Memorial and Museum. All surcharges from the sale of these coins will be paid directly to the Memorial and Museum to support its operations and maintenance.

The American System for Sustainable Immigration and Mass Immigration Limitations Achieved Through Imposing Oversight Nationally Act fundamentally restructures U.S. immigration by replacing family-based and diversity visa systems with a strict merit-based approach focused on national interest. This bill tightens standards for citizenship, drastically limits family reunification, raises the bar for asylum, and mandates universal E-Verify for employment. Overall, the legislation aims to prioritize economic self-sufficiency, cultural cohesion, and national security while significantly reducing overall immigration levels and executive discretion.

The BEACON Act of 2026 establishes two new Department of Veterans Affairs grant programs to significantly advance the treatment of veterans suffering from chronic mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). These programs will fund research, clinical trials, and the testing of new, non-drug neurorehabilitation approaches focused on improving mental health outcomes. The legislation aims to foster partnerships and independent third-party studies to identify and implement best practices for mTBI care outside of traditional VA pathways.

The Cable Security Fleet Expansion Act significantly increases the minimum size of the Cable Security Fleet from two to at least six vessels. This legislation also raises the annual per-vessel payment from $\$5$ million to up to $\$7$ million. Furthermore, it revises the annual appropriations authorization to $\$56$ million for fiscal years 2027 through 2040.

This bill mandates that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) share a veteran's history of opioid prescriptions with their non-VA healthcare providers participating in the Community Care program. This information sharing will occur through a designated Third Party Administrator. The goal is to ensure community providers have critical prescription history for safer veteran care.

The PEAT Act of 2026 clarifies the classification of certain biologics under the Public Health Service Act. This legislation ensures that a biologic cannot be regulated solely based on the presence of a clinically inactive protein component. The bill aims to streamline regulatory requirements by focusing on active components.

This resolution encourages businesses nationwide to voluntarily offer military appreciation discounts to service members, veterans, and their families. This gesture is intended to honor the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026. Participation is entirely voluntary, requiring no government mandate or taxpayer funding.

This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives to establish a "Veterans Appreciation Month" in 2026, coinciding with the nation's 250th anniversary. The goal is to focus national attention on honoring veterans and their families for their service in protecting American freedom. It encourages widespread participation from businesses, schools, and civic organizations to recognize these contributions.

This resolution encourages states to voluntarily establish annual "Veterans Tax Relief Weekends" coinciding with Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Veterans Day. These state-level sales tax holidays would offer financial relief to veterans and active-duty military families. The bill expresses federal support for these initiatives without mandating new federal spending or infringing on state tax authority.

This act mandates that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs brief Congress on the activation readiness of the new VA medical center in El Paso, Texas. The briefing must detail staffing plans, equipment timelines, specialty services offered, and coordination efforts to ensure the facility is fully operational and meets veterans' needs.

The Get Justice-Involved Veterans BACK HOME Act establishes a pilot program to provide mental health services to incarcerated veterans and mandates the creation of dedicated veteran housing units within federal prisons. The bill also streamlines the transition back to civilian life by ensuring the automatic resumption of disability benefits upon release from incarceration. Additionally, it requires improved data collection and annual reporting to Congress regarding the status of incarcerated veterans.

The Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act of 2025 strengthens U.S. policy by imposing mandatory sanctions on foreign persons and financial institutions that support Iran’s nuclear, ballistic missile, drone, and terrorist activities. The bill specifically targets Iran’s petroleum and petrochemical sectors to cut off funding for these malign programs. Additionally, it expands the State Department’s "Rewards for Justice" program to incentivize the reporting of individuals who evade these sanctions.

This bill establishes a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) research program to study innovative and emerging therapies, such as psychedelic-assisted treatments, for conditions like PTSD and chronic pain. The program will facilitate clinical trials and compassionate access protocols for eligible veterans. The VA Secretary must report on the program's progress and outcomes within one year of enactment.

This bill amends the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 to temporarily exclude certain False Claims Act recoveries from being deposited into the Crime Victims Fund through fiscal year 2029. It also mandates a comprehensive audit by the Department of Justice Inspector General on the Fund's sustainability and the impact of recent legislative changes. The resulting report will provide recommendations for improving the Fund's effectiveness and oversight.

The Respect State Housing Laws Act aims to clarify federal housing regulations by amending the CARES Act. Specifically, this legislation removes Section 4024(c) from the CARES Act.

This bill, the Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act, officially authorizes Congress to award Congressional Gold Medals to the 1980 U.S. Men's Olympic Ice Hockey Team for their historic "Miracle on Ice" victory. The medals will be struck by the Treasury and permanently displayed at specific national sports museums. The Act also permits the sale of duplicate bronze medals to cover production costs.

The Freedom to Heal Act of 2025 establishes a special registration process for physicians to administer certain unapproved, experimental Schedule I investigational drugs to terminally ill patients under existing "Right to Try" laws. This process, overseen by the Attorney General, requires physicians to meet specific criteria regarding state compliance, manufacturer agreements, and drug handling to prevent diversion. The Act mandates a swift approval timeline for these applications, enabling terminally ill patients greater access to promising treatments.

The Energy Choice Act places federal restrictions on state and local governments, preventing them from enacting regulations that prohibit or limit energy service based on its type or source. This means local governments cannot ban or restrict access to energy services sold in interstate commerce. The legislation aims to ensure consistent access to various energy sources across jurisdictions.