Legislative Activity

The Sergeant Gary Beikirch Medal of Honor Act removes a restriction in existing law that prevented Medal of Honor recipients from receiving the Medal of Honor special pension concurrently with other benefits. This change allows recipients to receive both the special pension and other benefits simultaneously.

This bill expresses the House of Representatives' view that Congress should act to maintain the United States Postal Service (USPS) as an independent entity within the Federal Government. It emphasizes the USPS's role as a self-sustaining service vital to the economy and national connectivity. The resolution discourages privatization, citing concerns about increased costs, reduced services, and damage to critical infrastructure.

The Fred Korematsu Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2025 authorizes the posthumous presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to Fred Korematsu, recognizing his advocacy for civil rights and justice. This act directs the Secretary of the Treasury to create the medal, which will be displayed at the Smithsonian Institution and other locations. The legislation also allows for the creation and sale of bronze duplicates of the gold medal to cover production costs, with proceeds deposited into the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund. This act commemorates Korematsu's legacy and dedication to equality.

This bill recognizes the significant historical and ongoing contributions of tax-exempt fraternal benefit societies to communities across the United States through charitable activities, volunteer work, and financial support for members. It expresses the sense of Congress that these societies are a valuable support system that addresses unmet needs and generates substantial returns to the U.S. through their tax-exempt status. The bill also advocates for the continued promotion of fraternal benefit societies.

The "Global Health, Empowerment, and Rights Act" aims to ensure that foreign nongovernmental organizations are eligible for assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, part I, regardless of the health or medical services they provide with non-U.S. government funds if such services are legal in their country. It also prevents these organizations from facing stricter requirements than U.S. organizations regarding the use of non-U.S. government funds for advocacy and lobbying.

This bill expresses the House of Representatives' disapproval of the President's decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement, recognizing climate change as a threat and highlighting the increasing costs of extreme weather events. It commends entities supporting the Agreement, urges the President to reconsider, and encourages Congress to prioritize U.S. leadership on climate change.

The "Expanding Head Start Eligibility Act of 2025" amends the Head Start Act to broaden the definition of "public assistance." This expansion includes families receiving TANF, SSI, SNAP, WIC, federal housing assistance, and other federal benefits, making more children eligible for Head Start programs. The bill aims to provide early childhood education and support to a greater number of disadvantaged children.

This bill recognizes January as "Muslim-American Heritage Month" to celebrate the heritage, culture, and significant contributions of Muslim Americans to the United States. It acknowledges their diverse backgrounds, contributions across various sectors, and service in the Armed Forces. The bill supports raising public awareness and encourages the observance of the month with celebratory events.

The Lady Liberty Act of 2025 amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to set a minimum of 125,000 refugees to be admitted into the United States each fiscal year after 2026. This minimum will be required regardless of the President's determination.

The "Neighbors Not Enemies Act" repeals the Alien Enemies Act, specifically removing sections 4067 through 4070 of the Revised Statutes of the United States. This eliminates the outdated provisions that allowed for the apprehension, restraint, securing, and removal of alien enemies during times of war or declared invasion.

The "Assuring Medicare's Promise Act of 2025" aims to bolster the solvency of Medicare's Hospital Insurance Trust Fund by expanding the application of the net investment income tax. It directs revenue from the net investment income tax to the Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and broadens the base of the tax to include trade or business income for high-income individuals, with certain income thresholds and phase-in provisions. This act amends both the Social Security Act and the Internal Revenue Code to ensure the financial stability of Medicare.

The Boundary Waters Wilderness Protection and Pollution Prevention Act permanently withdraws approximately 225,504 acres of federal land and waters in Minnesota's Rainy River Watershed from mining and mineral leasing activities to protect the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Voyageurs National Park. It allows for the removal of certain materials like sand and gravel if it does not harm the environment. The Act aims to preserve water quality, air quality, and the ecological integrity of the Rainy River Watershed.

The BEACH Act of 2025 reauthorizes funding for state and local programs that monitor coastal recreation water quality and notify the public of potential contamination. It broadens water quality monitoring to include upstream waters and allows grant funds to identify pollution sources. The act also extends the authorization of appropriations through 2029 and requires the EPA to update guidance on water contamination testing technology.

The FAIR Act mandates a 3.3% increase in basic pay for federal employees under statutory pay systems and prevailing rate employees in 2026. Additionally, it increases locality pay for federal employees by 1% in 2026.

The "Saving the Civil Service Act" limits the ability to reclassify civil service positions, maintaining competitive service standards. It requires OPM approval for certain position changes and sets restrictions on the number of employees that can be moved between service types during a presidential term. Employee consent is mandated for transfers between different service schedules. The Office of Personnel Management is tasked with creating regulations to implement the provisions of this act.

The Muhammad Ali Congressional Gold Medal Act authorizes the presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to Muhammad Ali posthumously, in recognition of his achievements as an athlete, civil rights champion, and humanitarian. Following the presentation, the medal will be given to his wife, Lonnie Ali. The Act also permits the creation and sale of bronze duplicates of the gold medal to cover production costs, with proceeds deposited into the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.

The United States-Taiwan Expedited Double-Tax Relief Act aims to reduce double taxation and encourage economic activity between the U.S. and Taiwan by lowering tax rates on certain income for Taiwanese residents and businesses in the U.S., contingent upon Taiwan offering reciprocal benefits to U.S. individuals and companies. Additionally, the United States-Taiwan Tax Agreement Authorization Act outlines the process for establishing a tax agreement with Taiwan, ensuring congressional oversight and adherence to existing U.S. tax laws, to further reduce double taxation.

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 Private Student Loan Bankruptcy Fairness Act of 2025 amends bankruptcy laws to allow private student loans to be discharged in bankruptcy, aligning them with other types of debt. It removes the existing exception that prevents the discharge of private student loans, and modifies the remaining exception to include programs substantially funded by a government unit. The changes will apply to bankruptcy cases filed on or after the date of the Act's enactment.

The "End Oil and Gas Tax Subsidies Act of 2025" aims to eliminate various tax benefits and subsidies currently provided to the oil and gas industry. It repeals or modifies provisions related to amortization of geological expenditures, tax credits for marginal wells and enhanced oil recovery, intangible drilling costs, percentage depletion for oil and gas wells, deductions for tertiary injectants, and passive loss limitations. The act also prohibits major integrated oil companies from using last-in, first-out (LIFO) accounting and modifies foreign tax credit rules for dual capacity taxpayers. Additionally, the bill clarifies the definition of crude oil for excise tax purposes to include tar sands.