Legislative Activity

The MAIL Theft Act of 2025 mandates that federal agencies, including the Department of Justice and Homeland Security, develop and report on a coordinated strategy to combat organized postal crime networks. This legislation aims to improve information sharing between federal, state, and local law enforcement regarding mail theft operations. It also requires an independent review of coordination efforts between the private sector and law enforcement.

The Restoring American Mineral Security Act of 2025 aims to secure the U.S. supply of critical minerals by establishing a **Critical Minerals Security Alliance** with trusted international partners to counter market dominance by foreign adversaries. The bill authorizes the creation of a **trust fund**, financed by duties on imports from countries of concern, to support domestic mining, processing, and manufacturing projects. It also increases U.S. tariffs on certain critical minerals and derivative products sourced from designated "foreign countries of concern."

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 Veterans Earned Transportation Act (Vets ETA) permanently authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide transportation for veterans attending vocational rehabilitation or counseling at VA facilities. This legislation removes the temporary pilot program designation, ensuring ongoing access to necessary transportation services.

This bill establishes a pilot program for the Secretary of Defense to test providing monthly food coupons to junior enlisted service members for use at commissaries. The program aims to assess the effectiveness of this benefit in improving access to affordable, healthy food, especially for those in unaccompanied housing. The results will be reported to Congress after the program concludes within one year.

The Priority Response for Veterans Impacted by Disasters and Emergencies Act (PROVIDE Act) mandates the Department of Veterans Affairs to establish regulations for prioritizing disability claims processing for veterans affected by major presidential-declared disasters. This ensures veterans in disaster zones receive expedited review, along with those already eligible due to hardship, terminal illness, or homelessness. The bill also requires flexible evidence and filing deadlines for disaster-impacted claimants and mandates public notification of these priority categories.

This bill, the Retirement Simplification and Clarity Act, amends tax code to allow participants aged 50 and older to roll over employer contributions from their 401(k) plan directly into an individual retirement annuity before retirement. It also updates the required written explanation provided to taxpayers regarding rollover rules to ensure it is concise and clearly outlines key tax implications and options. These provisions are set to take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

The Taxpayer Protection and Preparer Proficiency Act aims to increase accountability and competence among tax return preparers. It establishes new and increased penalties for improper alterations, misuse of identification numbers, and misappropriation of taxpayer refunds. Furthermore, the bill institutes formal federal requirements for obtaining and renewing Preparer Tax Identification Numbers (PTINs), including suitability and education standards, and grants the IRS authority to suspend or revoke these numbers for misconduct.

The First Responders’ Care Expansion Act of 2025, or FORCE Act, establishes an early enrollment option for Medicare coverage for eligible first responders starting at age 57, provided they have ten or more years of service. This allows qualified individuals to access standard Medicare benefits (Parts A, B, and D) years before the traditional age of 65. Premiums paid under this option will be deposited into a newly created Medicare First Responder Trust Fund. The Act also mandates revisions to Medigap standards to ensure guaranteed acceptance for these early enrollees.

The Monterey Bay National Heritage Area Study Act mandates the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study assessing the suitability and feasibility of designating the Monterey Bay region as a National Heritage Area. This assessment will cover Monterey, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, and San Luis Obispo counties, along with adjacent areas sharing similar heritage. The study requires close collaboration with state, local, Tribal, and non-profit partners.

The **Inspired to Serve Act of 2025** is a comprehensive bill designed to strengthen civic engagement, service pathways, and national readiness. It establishes dedicated funding to revitalize K-12 civic education and service-learning programs nationwide, while simultaneously streamlining opportunities across military, national, and public service sectors. Furthermore, the Act modernizes federal hiring, enhances benefits for service members and national service participants, and updates mobilization systems to ensure the nation can effectively deploy critical skills during emergencies.

The Health CARE Training Act establishes new minimum training hour requirements for participants in federally funded health profession demonstration projects starting in late 2025. Additionally, this bill ensures that cash stipends and emergency assistance provided through these specific health workforce projects will be excluded from federal income tax for recipients. This exclusion also removes the reporting requirement for the entities distributing those funds.

The SEED Act of 2025 expands the existing educator expense tax deduction to include early childhood educators. This legislation amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow those working in early childhood education to deduct unreimbursed work expenses "above the line." This change applies to expenses paid for in tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.

The REAL Health Providers Act mandates that Medicare Advantage plans maintain accurate and up-to-date public directories of their network providers starting in 2028. This legislation requires regular verification of provider information and establishes cost-sharing protections for patients who see listed providers who are ultimately out-of-network. Furthermore, plans must annually report their directory accuracy scores to the Secretary, which will eventually be made public.

This bill amends current law to mandate the exclusion of the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) when calculating the gross household income for eligible members of the Armed Forces. This change specifically impacts the determination of eligibility for benefits tied to the basic needs allowance. By removing the housing stipend from income calculations, the legislation aims to provide a more accurate assessment of a service member's actual financial need.

The Immigrant Witness and Victim Protection Act of 2025 aims to remove barriers preventing immigrant survivors of serious crimes from accessing existing legal protections like VAWA and TVPA. This bill eliminates annual numerical caps on U visas and Special Immigrant Juvenile visas, and mandates expedited work authorization for various victim and humanitarian applicants. Furthermore, it establishes strong protections against the detention and deportation of these vulnerable individuals while their status applications are pending.

The First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Act of 2025 establishes a new, refundable tax credit for eligible first-time homebuyers, equal to 10% of the purchase price, up to a maximum of $15,000. This credit is subject to income and home price phase-outs based on local median figures. Homebuyers may elect to transfer this credit directly to their mortgage lender at closing in exchange for immediate cash. The bill also includes recapture provisions requiring repayment if the home is sold within four years.

The BRIDGE Africa Act aims to bolster U.S. support for entrepreneurship and technological growth across Africa, particularly in advanced technology and AI. It mandates the development of a comprehensive U.S. strategy to boost private and public investment in key African tech sectors within one year. Furthermore, the Act calls for hosting a high-level summit in Africa to coordinate this strategy with international partners and allies. This initiative seeks to strengthen U.S. partnerships, enhance regional security, and promote shared economic development.

This bill officially renames the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in San Jose, California, to honor Corporal Patrick D. Tillman. The renaming recognizes Tillman's heroic service and ultimate sacrifice after leaving his NFL career to join the U.S. Army following the September 11th attacks. This legislation ensures the San Jose VA Clinic will forever bear the name of the San Jose native and national hero.

The MONARCH Act of 2025 addresses the critical decline of the western monarch butterfly population, which has dropped by over 99% in recent decades due to habitat loss and climate change. This bill establishes the Western Monarch Butterfly Rescue Fund to provide grants for habitat restoration projects led by local and Tribal entities. Furthermore, it mandates the implementation of the existing Western Monarch Butterfly Conservation Plan through a partnership with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Finally, the Secretary of the Interior must submit an annual report to Congress detailing the status of the butterflies and the effectiveness of funded conservation efforts.