Legislative Activity

The Veterans Education and Technical Skills Opportunity Act of 2025 modernizes GI Bill benefits by establishing new timelines for repaying service members' educational contributions. It also updates rules for independent study programs, provides service members with options for managing coursework during active duty, and sets new notification requirements for VA compliance surveys and handbook updates. These provisions aim to improve educational support and administrative clarity for veterans and educational institutions.

This bill mandates the President to withdraw all United States Armed Forces from Venezuela. This action is required unless Congress has formally declared war or passed specific legislation authorizing the use of military force in that country.

The Tribal Trust Land Homeownership Act of 2025 aims to significantly speed up the processing and approval of mortgages and rights-of-way on tribal trust lands by establishing strict deadlines for the Bureau of Indian Affairs. It creates a new Realty Ombudsman position reporting to the Secretary of the Interior to enforce these timelines and serve as a liaison for complaints and interagency communication. Furthermore, the Act grants relevant federal agencies and Tribes read-only access to land documents within the Bureau's management system.

The Wildfire Aerial Response Safety Act mandates a study by the FAA, in consultation with the Departments of the Interior and Agriculture, to examine how private drone incursions interfere with wildfire suppression efforts on federal lands. This study will analyze data on past interference and evaluate the effectiveness of various prevention methods, such as counter-drone technology and public education. The findings and recommendations will be reported to Congress within 18 months of enactment.

The DHS Use of Force Oversight Act establishes a comprehensive, department-wide policy for the use of force by all DHS law enforcement personnel. This policy mandates de-escalation as the preferred approach, prohibits chokeholds, and requires extensive training. Furthermore, the bill mandates regular public reporting of use-of-force data and requires timely briefings to Congress following serious incidents.

This resolution initiates impeachment proceedings against Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Lynn Arnold Noem for high crimes and misdemeanors. The articles of impeachment charge her with willfully refusing to comply with Congressional oversight laws and violating the Impoundment Control Act by improperly withholding funds. Further articles allege she directed widespread misconduct by ICE agents that violated federal law and constitutional rights, and misused taxpayer funds for personal gain through improper contracting.

The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025 targets the increasing threat posed by organized theft groups impacting retail and the national supply chain. This bill strengthens federal law by expanding money laundering statutes and lowering thresholds for property crimes related to theft. Crucially, it establishes a new federal coordination center within Homeland Security Investigations to align efforts across all levels of law enforcement and the private sector to combat these cross-jurisdictional crimes.

The Federal Correctional Officer Paycheck Protection Act of 2026 establishes a special pay system to increase the base pay for Bureau of Prisons (BOP) correctional officers by 35 percent. This legislation also provides a similar 35 percent wage increase for certain hourly BOP employees involved in inmate custody. The new pay authority is set to expire after five years, unless the Department of Justice Inspector General reports measurable progress in reducing the use of non-custodial staff for officer duties and excessive overtime.

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 **No Funds for NATO Invasion Act** prohibits the use of any federal funds for an invasion of any territory belonging to a member nation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Furthermore, the bill bars U.S. officials from taking any action to execute such an invasion.

This resolution commemorates the 15th anniversary of the January 8, 2011, Tucson shooting, honoring the six victims who lost their lives and the thirteen injured. It recognizes the courage of survivors, including former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, and acknowledges her national advocacy against gun violence. The bill reaffirms a commitment to civility, condemning political violence while celebrating the resilience of the Tucson community.

The Veteran Suicide Prevention Act mandates the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to conduct a comprehensive review of veteran suicides over the preceding five years, focusing on prescription practices. This review will analyze medication use, diagnoses, and demographic data for veterans who died by suicide while receiving VA care. The VA must then submit a detailed report of its findings and recommendations to Congress and the public.

The Federal Facilities Protection and Oversight Act of 2025 establishes new Congressional approval requirements for the demolition or substantial alteration of federal public buildings in Washington, D.C. The bill also expands the oversight role of the National Capital Planning Commission, requiring it to review substantial alterations and consider architectural integrity. This ensures federal building changes in the District adhere to specific standards and Congressional authorization.

The Medicare Investment and Gun Violence Prevention Act reinstates federal taxes on the transfer and manufacture of certain firearms, setting the tax at $200 per firearm. This legislation also provides $1.7 billion in additional funding for the Medicare Part A Trust Fund for fiscal year 2026.

The Healthcare Equality and Rights for Our Heroes Act (HERO Act) establishes a new legal process allowing members of the uniformed services to sue the United States for damages resulting from medical malpractice at military treatment facilities. This act repeals existing law and creates a new exclusive remedy against the U.S. government for injuries or death caused by negligence in military healthcare. Lawsuits must be filed within 10 years of discovering the injury, and damage awards cannot be reduced by any VA benefits received.

The Restore Trust in Government Act establishes strict new federal restrictions on senior government officials and their immediate families regarding the ownership and trading of specific financial investments. Covered individuals must divest existing investments that fall under the law's definition within a set timeframe, with limited exceptions. Violators face significant financial penalties, including a 10% fee on the investment value and disgorgement of any profits earned from prohibited transactions.

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 Protect America's Workforce Act nullifies a specific Executive Order issued in March 2025 concerning exclusions from federal labor-management relations programs. This legislation ensures that any existing collective bargaining agreements between federal agencies and employee unions remain fully in effect until their stated expiration dates. The Act also prohibits the use of federal funds to implement the overturned Executive Order.

The Veterans Career Connection Act establishes the Veterans Transition Talent Hub within the Department of Veterans Affairs. This program aims to directly connect employers with veterans and separating service members by creating a searchable database of their skills and employment preferences. The goal is to streamline the transition from military service to civilian employment.

The Fit Vets Act establishes a three-year pilot program to provide eligible veterans enrolled in VA health care access to the SilverSneakers fitness program or a similar senior exercise program. The Department of Veterans Affairs will evaluate the program's participation, costs, and impact on veteran health outcomes. Following the pilot's conclusion, the Secretary must report findings and recommendations to Congress regarding making the program permanent.