Legislative Activity

The Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025 extends critical funding programs for counties containing federal lands through fiscal year 2026. This legislation ensures the continuation of secure payments and resource advisory committee authorities established under the original 2000 Act. It also streamlines payment elections for fiscal years 2024 and 2025 by carrying over the previous year's choice. Finally, the bill includes technical corrections to improve the administration of these rural support programs.

This Act mandates the Department of Veterans Affairs to expand essential services, including telehealth and mail-order pharmacy benefits, to eligible veterans residing in the Freely Associated States. It also requires the VA to provide beneficiary travel payments to these veterans and submit regular progress reports to Congress. Additionally, the bill extends a current limitation on pension payments by two months.

This bill, the Unlocking Native Lands and Opportunities for Commerce and Key Economic Developments Act of 2025, modifies existing laws to streamline leasing and rights-of-way processes on Indian lands. It expands tribal authority to grant rights-of-way across their own land without direct Secretarial approval, provided the tribe adopts an approved regulatory framework that includes environmental review. The legislation also makes technical corrections to existing leasing provisions for certain trust lands. Ultimately, this Act aims to unlock economic development opportunities by empowering tribes in land management decisions.

This bill amends the Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience Act to establish new grant programs. It authorizes various federal agencies to award grants to Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations to support tourism and visitor experience initiatives. The legislation authorizes $35 million in appropriations for these grant programs between fiscal years 2025 and 2029.

The Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act aims to immediately improve financial and healthcare access for individuals diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. This legislation eliminates the standard five-month waiting period for Social Security disability insurance benefits. Furthermore, it waives the 24-month waiting period required before these patients become eligible for Medicare coverage.

The Helping Improve Recruitment and Retention Efforts for Prosecutors Act of 2025 establishes a federal grant program administered by the Department of Justice. This program aims to help state, local, territorial, and tribal governments hire, retain, and train prosecutors and support staff. Grants will be awarded competitively, with preference given to proposals focusing on new hiring or serving tribal, remote, or rural areas. The federal government will cover up to 75% of project costs, requiring a non-federal match.

The Connecting Caregivers to Medicare Act of 2025 aims to simplify how Medicare beneficiaries authorize family caregivers to access their health information via the 1-800-MEDICARE line. This bill mandates comprehensive outreach and education to inform beneficiaries, caregivers, and providers about this authorization option. It also requires the development of best practices to protect beneficiaries from fraud related to accessing personal health information.

The Resilience Investment, Support, and Expansion from Trauma Act establishes new federal grant programs to coordinate local efforts in preventing trauma and building community resilience. It also expands support and training for professionals working with children and youth affected by trauma, violence, or addiction. Key provisions include funding for hospital interventions to reduce repeat injuries and strengthening the national network for child traumatic stress. Overall, the bill aims to improve outcomes for trauma survivors through coordinated community programming and a better-prepared workforce.

The Building Resilience and Stronger Communities Act aims to enhance disaster preparedness by adjusting federal cost-sharing for small and critical facility mitigation projects, increasing it to at least 90%. The bill mandates FEMA funding for certain hazard mitigation measures following major disasters and establishes required minimum and maximum funding levels for predisaster mitigation assistance for public infrastructure. Furthermore, it grants Indian Tribes direct access to hazard mitigation assistance programs.

This joint resolution seeks to disapprove the Bureau of Land Management's rule regarding the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska Integrated Activity Plan Record of Decision. If enacted, this action would nullify the submitted rule, preventing it from taking effect.

The Native Arts and Culture Promotion Act amends existing legislation to strengthen support for Native arts and culture nationwide. This bill modifies the requirements for the Institute's Board of Trustees and mandates the ongoing maintenance of its facilities and programs. Furthermore, it updates grant requirements for Native Hawaiian art and culture to ensure representation from recognized Native Hawaiian artists and cultural experts on governing boards.

The Dream Act of 2025 establishes a pathway to conditional permanent resident status for eligible long-term residents who entered the U.S. as children. This status lasts for eight years and requires meeting specific criteria related to continuous presence, good moral character, and education or military service. After meeting further requirements, including education, military service, or employment benchmarks, individuals can apply to remove the conditional basis and obtain full lawful permanent resident status. The bill also mandates strong confidentiality protections for applicant information, prohibiting its use for general immigration enforcement.

The Alzheimer's Screening and Prevention Act (ASAP Act) amends Medicare to cover early detection screening tests for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias beginning in 2028. This coverage applies to FDA-cleared tests designed to detect pre-symptomatic or early-stage conditions. The legislation specifically outlines the types of genomic and imaging tests that will qualify for Medicare payment.

The Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025 directs the FAA to establish a committee to review and recommend updates to policies regarding the medical certification of pilots and air traffic controllers with mental health conditions. The bill mandates regulatory updates to encourage aviation personnel to seek mental health care without fear of penalty. Furthermore, it allocates funding to enhance the FAA's capacity to process reviews and launches a public campaign to reduce mental health stigma within the industry.

This Act enhances safety and wellness in the commercial fishing industry by expanding federal grant programs for safety training and research. It specifically directs funding toward addressing behavioral and physical health risks, such as worker fatigue and substance use disorder, for vessel operators and crew. The legislation also updates the grant award process and increases authorized funding through fiscal year 2029.

This bill establishes the Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act, aiming to formally recognize Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) by requiring the Office of Management and Budget to consider creating a distinct occupational category for them in the federal classification system. The legislation also authorizes significant federal grants to states to establish or expand paid family and medical leave programs. If a separate DSP classification is not created, a report explaining the decision must be submitted to Congress.

This joint resolution requests the Secretary of the Interior to authorize unique, one-time displays on the National Mall and the Washington Monument between December 31, 2025, and January 5, 2026. The bill specifically mandates special illumination and projection of historical content onto the Washington Monument to commemorate the nation's 250th anniversary. It also authorizes the Secretary to coordinate these commemorative events with the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission.

The VA CBA Act of 2025 affirms the validity of existing collective bargaining agreements within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This legislation specifically nullifies Executive Orders 14251 and 14343 as they apply to the VA. The Act ensures that current labor agreements remain in effect for their full term.

The Lactation Spaces for Veteran Moms Act mandates that all Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers establish dedicated, private, and accessible lactation spaces for women veterans and the public. These spaces must meet specific criteria, such as being clean, shielded from view, and equipped with a chair and working surface. The VA Secretary is required to ensure full compliance within three years of the Act becoming law and must submit annual progress reports until all centers are compliant.

The Keep Head Start Funded Act of 2025 ensures the uninterrupted continuation of all Head Start projects and activities throughout fiscal year 2026, even if full appropriations are delayed. This legislation provides necessary continuing funding based on the terms of existing 2025 continuing resolutions. Funding authority under this Act will terminate upon the enactment of regular 2026 appropriations or by September 30, 2026.