Legislative Activity

This bill expresses support for designating May 2025 as Renewable Fuels Month to highlight the benefits of renewable fuels, such as reducing carbon emissions and supporting rural economies. It also establishes the E15 Rural Domestic Energy Council to develop legislative solutions addressing challenges in the renewable fuels sector. The Council is tasked with investigating key areas like E15 sales and the Renewable Fuel Standard, with recommendations due to Congress by early 2026.

This resolution honors the service and sacrifice of United States Army Sergeants William Nathaniel Howard and Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, who were killed in action in Syria on December 13, 2025. It recognizes their distinguished service in the Iowa Army National Guard and condemns the terrorist assault that took their lives. The resolution extends profound gratitude and sympathy to their families and all those affected by the attack.

This bill temporarily extends the deadline for certain individuals to file medical care claims under the VA's CHAMPVA program. Specifically, it allows those eligible for both CHAMPVA and Medicare Part A an extended period of at least 365 days to file claims after receiving retroactive CHAMPVA approval. This extension is in effect until September 30, 2027.

The Fostering the Future for American Children and Families Act aims to improve career readiness for current and former foster youth. It mandates a comprehensive study on existing job training and apprenticeship programs serving this population. Furthermore, the bill establishes a grant program to expand access to industry-aligned technical training and modernizes how existing education vouchers can be used for short-term, credential-granting opportunities.

This resolution expresses support for designating October 2025 as National Foster Youth Voice Month. The designation aims to encourage dialogue and collaboration focused on solutions developed with young people who have experienced foster care. It highlights the needs and achievements of youth in the system and urges the federal government to officially recognize this awareness month. Ultimately, the bill emphasizes the importance of incorporating lived experience when creating policies that affect foster youth.

The Revitalizing Rural Communities Act of 2025 extends and increases funding for the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program. This legislation boosts the annual allocation for the program from \$10 million to \$12 million. The increased funding is set to continue for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to support rural economic growth.

The Prevent Youth Suicide Act mandates that schools serving grades 6 through 12 establish comprehensive, evidence-based suicide prevention and postvention protocols to maintain federal funding. These rules require biennial staff training, clear referral systems for at-risk students, and the adoption of a trauma-informed approach. The Secretary of Education is tasked with creating these regulations, providing resources, and monitoring compliance.

The Protecting Farmers from Natural Disasters Act of 2025 amends existing law to grant the Secretary of Agriculture greater flexibility in restoring disaster-damaged watersheds. This change allows the Secretary to restore areas to a condition better than pre-disaster levels if it ensures long-term watershed health. The bill focuses on proactive, improved recovery efforts following natural disasters.

The Train More Nurses Act mandates a comprehensive review of federal grant programs supporting the nursing workforce. The resulting report must provide Congress with specific recommendations to improve these programs. Key goals include increasing nursing faculty, facilitating experienced nurses' transition to teaching, and creating clearer pathways for LPNs to become RNs.

The Next Generation of Farmers Act of 2025 significantly lowers the minimum experience requirement for farmers and ranchers seeking direct farm real estate loans from the government. This legislation reduces the required substantial management experience from previous multi-year standards down to a minimum of one year. The Secretary of Agriculture retains discretion to accept alternative education or experience in place of direct farm management.

The Rural Housing Service Reform Act of 2025 aims to modernize and stabilize rural housing programs across the nation. It streamlines administrative processes, establishes permanent protections for existing affordable rental housing, and improves access to repair loans for low-income homeowners. Furthermore, the bill creates new grant opportunities for local development and mandates greater transparency and efficiency in the application review process.

The Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program Act of 2025 significantly enhances support for small rural businesses. This bill increases the maximum loan size from $\$50,000$ to $\$75,000$ and extends the program's authorization period through 2030. It also modifies rules regarding how loan funds can be used for construction and real estate improvements.

The Taskforce for Recognizing and Averting Payment Scams Act (TRAPS Act) establishes a new Task Force led by the Secretary of the Treasury. This diverse group, including federal agencies, industry experts, and consumer advocates, will study evolving payment scams. The Task Force is charged with developing cross-sector prevention strategies and submitting comprehensive recommendations for new laws and improved coordination to combat these fraudulent activities.

The U.S.-Taiwan Defense Innovation Partnership Act establishes a strategic partnership between the U.S. Department of Defense and Taiwan's defense agencies. This initiative aims to boost defense industry collaboration, accelerate joint research and development, and strengthen Taiwan's defense manufacturing capabilities. The partnership will focus on emerging technologies like AI, microchips, and drones to enhance security cooperation.

The Safe Drinking Water for Disadvantaged Communities Act mandates that funds from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act designated for lead pipe replacement must be distributed as forgivable loans or grants. This funding is exclusively targeted toward disadvantaged communities to ensure equitable access to safe drinking water infrastructure upgrades.

The Safe Schools and Communities Act of 2025 establishes a new federal grant program to fund local school districts. These competitive grants must be used to train school staff on identifying and preventing human trafficking, drug abuse (including fentanyl), and gang activity. This initiative aims to enhance safety protocols and awareness within elementary and secondary schools.

The PEACE Act of 2025 imposes strict new financial sanctions on foreign banks knowingly dealing with sanctioned Russian entities following escalating attacks on Ukraine. It mandates the Treasury Department to seize specific Russian Central Bank assets held in the U.S. and transfer them to a fund supporting Ukraine. The Act also requires a review of major Russian energy companies and includes provisions for presidential waivers and a sunset clause tied to Russia ceasing destabilizing actions.

The Financial Technology Protection Act of 2025 establishes an Independent Financial Technology Working Group to research and recommend regulations combating the illicit use of digital assets by terrorists and criminals. The bill also mandates a presidential report detailing strategies to prevent foreign actors from evading U.S. sanctions using emerging technologies. This legislation aims to secure the financial system against modern threats posed by new financial technologies.

The Neutralizing Unfair Chinese Export Subsidies Act of 2025 aims to counter unfair Chinese trade practices by strengthening allied efforts to enforce OECD export credit standards, placing the Treasury Secretary in charge of these international negotiations. The bill also updates the criteria the Treasury Secretary must use to determine if China is manipulating its currency exchange rate. If manipulation is found, the U.S. will actively oppose any increase in China's quota or voting power at the International Monetary Fund for one year.

The PEACE Act of 2025 imposes new financial restrictions on foreign banks that significantly aid Russia, particularly those dealing with sanctioned entities or operating in Russia's energy sector. The Treasury Department is required to establish strict rules regarding U.S. correspondent accounts for these foreign institutions. Furthermore, the Act mandates a Treasury determination on whether major Russian energy companies like Gazprom, Rosneft, and Lukoil qualify as "foreign persons" under existing law. This legislation will terminate either five years after enactment or sooner if the President certifies Russia has ceased destabilizing actions against Ukraine.