Legislative Activity

The Public Lands in Public Hands Act prohibits the federal government from transferring ownership of publicly accessible federal lands to non-federal entities. This legislation ensures that lands currently reachable by the public remain under federal protection, with specific exceptions for authorized land exchanges and existing federal programs. It also explicitly prohibits the subdivision of land to bypass these new transfer restrictions.

The Child and Animal Abuse Detection and Reporting Act mandates that the national clearinghouse for child abuse and neglect include data on animal cruelty. By tracking these incidents alongside child abuse cases, the legislation aims to better identify and report the intersection between animal abuse and child maltreatment.

The BNA Fairness Act ensures that the Basic Needs Allowance (BNA) provided to eligible active-duty service members is exempt from federal income tax. By classifying this support as a qualified military benefit, the bill prevents these essential payments from being reduced by tax obligations.

This bill establishes the Military Firefighters Compensation Fund to provide financial support and medical benefits to current and former military firefighters, or their survivors, who have suffered illnesses due to on-the-job PFAS exposure. It creates a presumption of exposure for those who served at military installations where these chemicals were present, ensuring eligible individuals receive timely and uniform compensation.

The WaterSMART Access for Tribes Act authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to reduce or waive non-Federal cost-share requirements for water management improvement grants awarded to Indian Tribes. This measure ensures that financial hardship does not prevent Tribes from accessing essential funding for critical water infrastructure projects.

The Protecting First Responders from Secondary Exposure Act of 2025 authorizes the use of federal grant funds to better equip and train emergency personnel. This legislation enables first responders to purchase specialized containment devices and receive training to prevent accidental secondary exposure to fentanyl and other lethal substances.

The Headwaters Protection Act of 2025 strengthens the Water Source Protection Program by expanding its scope to include adjacent non-federal lands and increasing annual funding to $30 million. This legislation enhances watershed health and water security by fostering collaborative partnerships, streamlining project implementation, and prioritizing resilience against wildfire and drought. Additionally, it establishes new safeguards to ensure forest management activities do not cause long-term degradation to watershed conditions.

The 911 SAVES Act mandates that the Office of Management and Budget reclassify public safety telecommunicators as "Protective Service Occupations" within the federal Standard Occupational Classification system. This legislation recognizes the critical, high-stress, and lifesaving nature of 911 dispatchers, correcting their current misclassification to better reflect their essential role in emergency response.

The "Supporting Veteran Families in Need Act" permanently authorizes financial assistance for supportive services for very low-income veteran families in permanent housing. By establishing ongoing annual funding, this legislation eliminates the need for future reauthorizations, ensuring consistent support for vulnerable veterans and their families.

The Boundary Waters Wilderness Protection and Pollution Prevention Act permanently protects over 225,000 acres of federal land and water in Minnesota’s Rainy River Watershed from the risks of sulfide-ore copper mining. By withdrawing these lands from mineral leasing and development, the bill safeguards the region’s pristine water quality, wilderness values, and treaty-protected resources. This legislation ensures the long-term ecological integrity of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and supports the local amenity-based economy.

The Cleaner Air Spaces Act of 2025 authorizes the EPA to provide grants to air pollution control agencies for the establishment of community-based clean air centers and the distribution of free air filtration units to vulnerable, low-income households. This program aims to protect public health during wildland fire smoke events by improving indoor air quality and providing essential educational resources.

The Lumbee Fairness Act grants full federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, extending eligibility for federal services and benefits to its members. The bill establishes a framework for tribal roll verification, authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to take land into trust for the tribe, and outlines the jurisdictional relationship between the tribe, the state, and the federal government.

The Veterans Member Business Loan Act amends the Federal Credit Union Act to include loans made to veterans within the definition of "member business loans." This change aims to expand access to capital for veteran-owned businesses by facilitating easier lending through credit unions.

The Equal COLA Act amends the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) to ensure that retirees receive the full annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). This legislation eliminates current discrepancies in calculation methods, providing federal annuitants with a COLA that matches the full percentage change in the price index.

The BRAVE Act mandates that the Department of Veterans Affairs establish a specialized mental health outreach system for veterans who have experienced traumatic or highly stressful events. By allowing veterans to opt in for targeted resources, the program aims to improve access to mental health care in coordination with Department of Defense transition services. The VA is required to implement this system within two years of the bill's enactment.

The Department of Education Protection Act prohibits the Department of Education from using federal funds to reorganize, decentralize, or reduce its staffing and operations. This legislation mandates that the Department must maintain the structure, authority, and functions that were in place as of January 1, 2025.

The READY Accounts Act establishes tax-advantaged savings accounts designed to help homeowners prepare for and recover from natural disasters. Individuals can make tax-deductible contributions to these accounts and withdraw funds tax-free to pay for qualified disaster mitigation improvements or uninsured repair costs.

The PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Peer Support Program Act establishes a $25 million grant program within the Department of Veterans Affairs to fund peer-to-peer mental health support for veterans. This initiative provides grants to eligible organizations to hire veteran peer specialists, offer 24/7 nonclinical support, and ensure veteran privacy by prohibiting the collection of personally identifying information.

The TRUST in Congress Act requires Members of Congress, their spouses, and their dependent children to place covered financial investments into qualified blind trusts to prevent conflicts of interest. The bill establishes strict deadlines for asset transfers and mandates public certification of compliance. These measures ensure that lawmakers cannot influence or benefit from their personal investments while serving in office.

Goldie’s Act strengthens the Animal Welfare Act by mandating more rigorous USDA inspections and requiring the prompt confiscation of animals suffering from neglect. The bill increases financial penalties for violators, ensures the immediate sharing of violation records with local law enforcement, and establishes stricter oversight to prevent future animal abuse.