Legislative Activity

The Department of State Policy Provisions Act streamlines administrative reporting, modernizes State Department management and technology, and enhances U.S. strategic engagement globally. It establishes new mechanisms to respond to wrongful foreign detentions and mandates increased oversight on consular spending and overseas construction. Finally, the bill reforms international security affairs, foreign assistance reporting, and public diplomacy efforts to better counter foreign influence and promote U.S. interests.

The DFC Modernization Act of 2025 updates the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation's framework by restricting aid to high-income nations and flagging specific countries of concern. It streamlines agency management by reducing the Board size and centralizing staffing authority under the CEO. Furthermore, the bill increases the DFC's equity investment capacity and significantly raises the federal government's maximum contingent liability for development obligations. Finally, it tightens rules for projects involving state-owned enterprises and repeals the European Energy Security and Diversification Act of 2019.

This resolution expresses strong support for designating the week of September 20 through September 27, 2025, as "National Estuaries Week." It highlights the critical economic and environmental value of estuaries, which support millions of jobs and provide vital natural protection for coastal communities. The bill aims to raise public awareness about the need to protect and restore these essential ecosystems.

The Servicemember Residence Protection Act stops the clock on adverse possession claims against a servicemember's property while they are on active duty. This ensures that time spent serving in the military does not count against their ownership rights. Additionally, the bill requires the VA to update its website with essential resources regarding property security, leasing, and tenant rights for active service members.

This resolution officially commemorates the 250th anniversary of the Army Medical Department, recognizing its long and vital history since the Revolutionary War. It honors the department's selfless service, dedication, and crucial innovations in battlefield and trauma care throughout global conflicts. The bill expresses deep gratitude for the medical professionals who have consistently saved countless lives and advanced modern medicine.

The Defining Humanitarian Demining Assistance Act of 2025 updates U.S. law to clearly define "humanitarian demining assistance" and "stockpiled conventional munitions assistance." This legislation specifies the types of training, equipment, and technical support the U.S. military can provide to help foreign nations clear landmines and safely manage dangerous leftover explosives. The goal is to standardize and enhance U.S. foreign assistance aimed at reducing explosive hazards overseas.

This bill directs the Secretary of the Navy to officially recognize specific features of the National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum in Fort Pierce, Florida. These recognized areas will be designated as a national memorial, a national memorial garden, and a national K9 memorial. This action formally honors these aspects of the museum dedicated to Naval Special Warfare.

The Toxic Health Threat Warning Act of 2025 mandates that the Secretary of the Army test water for harmful cyanotoxins before releasing it from government flood control structures. If contamination exceeds 8 parts-per-billion, the Secretary must notify the public and all affected state, local, and Tribal governments about the health risks. This ensures communities are warned about potential toxic water releases.

The PROTECT Florida Act mandates that the Army Corps of Engineers prioritize public health—specifically preventing toxic cyanobacteria blooms—above all other water management purposes in Central and Southern Florida. This requires updating operational manuals to treat the water system as a unified entity focused on toxin elimination and Everglades restoration. The bill also requires a new study on the sources of nutrient pollution impacting these efforts.

The Stop Poisoning Florida Act mandates that the Secretary of the Army must halt water discharges from Lake Okeechobee through the S308 and S80 structures if testing reveals toxin levels (microcystins) exceed EPA recreational safety guidelines. This measure aims to prevent the release of toxic water into surrounding areas.

The Oath of Exit Act establishes a new, voluntary "separation oath" for members of the Armed Forces upon leaving service. This oath encourages departing service members to commit to supporting fellow veterans, seeking and offering help, and maintaining their well-being. By taking this oath, veterans reaffirm their commitment to the values learned in service as they transition to civilian life.

The Wounded Warrior Bill of Rights Act of 2025 clarifies that the service member's military department, not the Defense Health Agency (DHA), retains ultimate authority over fitness-for-duty decisions during the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES). This ensures service members maintain full due process rights throughout the medical separation process. Furthermore, the bill establishes a new, mandatory appeal right within the military chain of command for those disagreeing with a fitness determination.

The Final Honors Act of 2025 permits the remains of certain service members who die in the line of duty to lie in honor in the U.S. Capitol rotunda upon request from their primary next of kin. This legislation mandates that the relevant military Secretary must inform the family of this option. The Architect of the Capitol will manage all logistical arrangements for the ceremony.

The Medal of Sacrifice Act establishes a new Presidential award, the Medal of Sacrifice, to honor local, State, or Federal law enforcement officers and first responders who die in the line of duty. The bill creates a special Commission to oversee the medal's design and presentation. This Commission will also review cases where an officer's eligibility is questioned due to an official finding of wrongdoing before their death.

The Service Member Residence Protection Act amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to explicitly prevent state squatters' rights laws from applying to property owned by active-duty military personnel. This ensures that service members cannot lose ownership or occupancy rights to their property due to unauthorized occupants while they are deployed or serving. The bill provides a direct federal protection for military residences against adverse possession claims during active service.

The Gaining Meaningful Experiences from Service Act, or GAMES Act, expands eligibility for veterans to participate in the Department of Defense's military adaptive sports program. This legislation removes the previous one-year time limit veterans faced after leaving service to enroll. As a result, all veterans are now eligible to access these beneficial adaptive sports opportunities regardless of when they separated.

The Uniform School Mapping Act prohibits the use of federal funds to purchase emergency response maps after fiscal year 2026 unless those maps meet strict digital, storage, and content requirements. These mandated maps must detail critical building features and be easily shareable with public safety agencies at no cost. Furthermore, the Secretary of Homeland Security must develop a strategy to ensure the federal government acquires and distributes these standardized maps for critical properties.

The Improving Veterans Access to Congressional Services Act of 2025 allows Members of Congress to use designated Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities to meet with their constituents. The VA Secretary must establish regulations within 90 days outlining fair access, reasonable costs, and strict ethical limitations on political activity within these spaces. These rules specifically prohibit campaigning and recording patients while ensuring the Member's use does not interfere with VA operations.

The No Tax on Bonuses Act of 2025 makes certain enlistment and reenlistment bonuses paid to members of the Armed Forces exempt from federal income tax. This exclusion applies to bonuses received for extending service, accepting commissions, or enlisting/reenlisting in active duty or reserve components. This change ensures that specific military incentive pay is not counted as gross income for federal tax purposes.

This bill establishes the **National Garden of American Heroes** to commemorate America's 250th Anniversary. It tasks a White House Task Force with the planning, design, and construction of the Garden, potentially starting by July 4, 2026. Funding will be managed through a dedicated National Garden Fund, primarily supported by private donations, with provisions for maintenance funding and required regular reporting to Congress.