Legislative Activity

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.

The Duty Status Reform Act aims to modernize and streamline the process for determining and managing duty status for federal employees. This legislation seeks to clarify existing regulations and ensure fair and consistent application of duty status rules across government agencies.

This resolution commemorates the 15th anniversary of the tragic January 8, 2011, Tucson shooting, honoring the six lives lost and the thirteen injured. It specifically commends the courage and ongoing advocacy of gun violence survivor and former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. The resolution also recognizes the resilience of the community and reaffirms a commitment to ending political violence.

The Families First Housing Act of 2026 establishes an 180-day "first look" period for certain homebuyers and organizations to purchase government-owned single-family properties before they can be sold to institutional investors. This mandates that federal housing entities offer eligible properties at fair market value exclusively to qualified primary residents, nonprofits, or local governments during this initial period. The Act also requires public listing, reporting on sales, and imposes penalties for non-compliance.

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 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 Peace Through Strength Against Russia Act of 2025 imposes comprehensive sanctions on Russia's financial, military, and energy sectors in response to its war against Ukraine. This legislation cuts off major Russian banks from the U.S. financial system and bans new American investment in Russia. Additionally, the bill makes the existing sanctions authority against Iran permanent by removing its expiration date.

The Veterans Spinal Trauma Access to New Devices (STAND) Act mandates an annual preventative health evaluation for veterans with spinal cord injuries or disorders. This comprehensive assessment will cover risks, pain management, nutrition, and the need for advanced assistive technologies, including neuromodulation devices. The VA is required to consult with specialists and manufacturers when developing implementation guidelines. Furthermore, the Secretary must report biennially to Congress on the utilization and outcomes of these evaluations and assistive technologies.

The Military CARE Act establishes a digital system for military beneficiaries to easily file and track complaints regarding access to care at military medical facilities. It mandates the creation of an annual report analyzing these complaints to identify trends and inform improvements. This aims to enhance transparency and accountability in military healthcare access.

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.

The Essential Caregivers Act of 2025 protects the rights of residents in long-term care facilities to designate an essential caregiver who can provide support and companionship. This legislation ensures that these caregivers maintain in-person access to residents even during public health emergencies when general visitation is restricted. By establishing clear protocols and an appeals process, the bill aims to prevent the harmful effects of isolation and ensure residents continue to receive vital care and advocacy.

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.

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 FAIR Vets Act modernizes federal contracting by significantly increasing the dollar thresholds for sole-source contracts awarded to service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses. This change raises the maximum contract value for both manufacturing and non-manufacturing sectors. The goal is to improve access to federal contracts for these veteran-owned businesses.

The Helping Improve Recruitment and Retention Efforts for Prosecutors Act of 2025 establishes a federal grant program to assist state, local, territorial, and tribal governments in hiring, retaining, and training prosecutors and support staff. Administered by the Attorney General, the program will award competitive grants, prioritizing offices in underserved or budget-impacted areas. This initiative is authorized with $10 million annually from 2026 through 2030, requiring a 25% non-federal match unless waived.

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.

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.