Legislative Activity

The Wildland Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act of 2025 establishes permanent, specialized base pay rates for federal wildland firefighters to replace expiring temporary salary increases. The bill also introduces a new incident response premium pay for those deployed to fire incidents and mandates paid rest and recuperation leave to support firefighter well-being. These measures aim to provide long-term financial stability and improved working conditions for the federal wildland firefighting workforce.

The Advancing FASD Research, Services and Prevention Act (or "FASD Respect Act") updates federal programs to provide a more comprehensive approach to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. This legislation expands research, improves diagnostic and support services, and establishes Centers of Excellence to build capacity for prevention and care at the state and tribal levels.

The Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act authorizes the presentation of Congressional Gold Medals to the 1980 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team in recognition of their historic victory. This legislation honors the team’s extraordinary achievement, which served as a defining moment in American sports and a source of national inspiration during the Cold War. The medals will be permanently displayed at three prominent institutions dedicated to Olympic and hockey history.

The ACCESS Act restricts federal agencies from mandating specific educational degrees for contractor personnel unless they provide a formal written justification proving the requirement is necessary. By encouraging the use of skills-based alternatives to traditional degrees, the bill aims to broaden the talent pool for federal contracts. It also mandates new OMB guidance for agencies and requires a congressional report to ensure compliance.

The Telework Reform Act of 2025 updates federal policies for telework and remote work by establishing stricter oversight, annual agreement reviews, and standardized reporting requirements for executive agencies. The bill mandates improved training for managers, enhances cybersecurity guidelines, and requires agencies to submit comprehensive reports on productivity and in-person attendance. Additionally, it creates new noncompetitive hiring authorities for remote positions to support veterans, military spouses, and the spouses of law enforcement officers.

The Health Care Affordability Act of 2025 expands access to premium tax credits by removing the current income eligibility cap, allowing more households to qualify for financial assistance. The bill also introduces a new sliding scale for premium contributions to ensure health insurance costs remain more manageable for families. These changes are set to take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

The Washington, D.C. Admission Act provides for the admission of the State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth, while maintaining a smaller federal district to serve as the seat of the U.S. government. This legislation establishes the framework for the transition, including the transfer of property, the restructuring of local and federal authorities, and the granting of full congressional representation to the new state's residents. It also creates a transition commission to ensure the orderly shift of legal, financial, and administrative responsibilities.