Legislative Activity

This bill expresses Congressional support for local law enforcement officers, acknowledging their dedication to protecting communities, upholding the law, and ensuring public safety. It extends gratitude to officers and their families for their service and honors the memory of those who died in the line of duty. The bill also encourages collaboration between law enforcement and the communities they serve to improve safety and trust.

The "Improving VA Training for Military Sexual Trauma Claims Act" aims to enhance the Department of Veterans Affairs' handling of military sexual trauma claims. It mandates annual sensitivity training for VA employees involved in processing these claims, requires reports on training programs, and expands the Secretary's duty to assist claimants by obtaining relevant records. Additionally, it addresses sensitivity training for contracted health care professionals to prevent re-traumatization of veterans during examinations.

The ACES Act mandates a National Academies study on cancer prevalence and mortality among veterans who served as active duty aircrew, identifying potential links between military exposures and cancer rates. Additionally, it extends certain limits on pension payments to December 31, 2031.

The "Medicaid Improvement for Insular Areas Act of 2025" eliminates the cap on general Medicaid funding for Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa, beginning in fiscal year 2025. This change amends Section 1108 of the Social Security Act, removing previous funding limitations for these territories. The act also updates relevant references in Sections 1902(j) and 1903(u) of the Social Security Act to reflect these changes.

The "Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act" authorizes the presentation of three Congressional Gold Medals to honor the 1980 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team for their historic "Miracle on Ice" victory. These medals will be given to the Lake Placid Olympic Center, the United States Hockey Hall of Fame, and the US Olympic and Paralympic Museum for public display. The Act also allows for the creation and sale of bronze duplicates to fund the medal production.

The Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2025 aims to combat human trafficking by reauthorizing and modifying grant programs, including renaming grants to "Frederick Douglass Human Trafficking Prevention Education Grants" and prioritizing funding for areas with high rates of child sex or labor trafficking. It establishes the Frederick Douglass Human Trafficking Survivors Employment and Education Program to provide comprehensive services to trafficking survivors, such as education, job training, and legal assistance, to facilitate their reintegration into society. The act also extends the authorization of appropriations for key programs under the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 and the International Megan’s Law through 2029.

The Uyghur Policy Act of 2025 expresses the sense of Congress regarding China's treatment of Uyghurs and other minorities, and it outlines several actions for the U.S. government to take, including coordinating with allies, supporting human rights advocates, and ensuring access to language training for Foreign Service officers. The Act requires the Secretary of State to develop strategies to address human rights concerns in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, advocate for access to detention facilities, and promote the release of prisoners detained for their ethnic or religious identities. It also directs the President to advocate for Uyghur rights within the United Nations.

The Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2025 reauthorizes and amends the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000. It prioritizes grants for human trafficking prevention education in high-risk areas, particularly those partnering with nonprofits and law enforcement. The bill also establishes the Frederick Douglass Human Trafficking Survivors Employment and Education Program to provide comprehensive services to trafficking victims, including education, job training, and legal assistance. Finally, it extends funding authorizations for key programs aimed at combating human trafficking and preventing child exploitation.

The "Carnivals are Real Entertainment Act" amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to create a visa category for essential workers in the mobile entertainment industry, such as carnivals and circuses. It defines "essential functions" and "mobile entertainment provider," and ensures these employers meet the same requirements as those employing non-immigrant workers under existing labor regulations. The Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Labor are required to establish rules implementing these changes.

The Deliver for Veterans Act allows the Department of Veteran Affairs to cover the complete cost of delivering an adapted vehicle to a veteran. Additionally, it extends certain limitations on pension payments to March 31, 2032.

The Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act modifies and clarifies the Marine Debris Act and the Marine Debris Foundation. These modifications include renaming sections, updating definitions, and expanding the list of eligible recipients for support to include Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and foreign governments. The act also refines the roles and responsibilities within the Marine Debris Foundation, including the appointment and oversight of the chief executive officer. Additionally, the Act extends the authorization for the Marine Debris Act through fiscal year 2029.

The Russia-North Korea Cooperation Sanctions Act imposes sanctions on foreign individuals and financial institutions that facilitate arms transfers or provide support to Russia from North Korea for use in Russia's war in Ukraine. It broadens the scope of the North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act of 2016 to include material support for Russia's war as a sanctionable activity. The Act also requires the President to regularly report to Congress on North Korea's assistance to Russia and the U.S. strategy to counter such support.

The "Service Dogs Assisting Veterans Act" or the "SAVES Act" establishes a five-year pilot program within the Department of Veterans Affairs to award grants to nonprofit organizations that provide service dogs to veterans with disabilities, including those with mental health conditions such as PTSD. The grants, up to $2,000,000 each, will support the planning, development, and management of service dog programs, ensuring veterans receive these dogs at no cost and are informed of available VA benefits. The VA will also provide veterinary insurance for the service dogs. $10,000,000 is authorized to be appropriated for each of the five fiscal years following the establishment of the pilot program.

The RECOVER Act establishes a three-year pilot program within the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide grants to non-profit mental health providers. These grants will facilitate culturally competent, evidence-based mental health care for veterans, with a focus on those in underserved areas. The program aims to improve veterans' access to mental health services and encourage enrollment in the VA system. It authorizes $20,000,000 per year from 2025-2027 to carry out the pilot program.

The "National Weather Service Communications Improvement Act" mandates the National Weather Service to modernize its communication system by October 1, 2027, replacing NWSChat with a commercial instant messaging service hosted on a public cloud. This upgrade aims to enhance user experience, accommodate growth, and improve performance. The Act allocates up to $3,000,000 annually from 2026 to 2029, using existing National Weather Service funds for the project.

The "Weather Innovation for the Next Generation Act of 2025" directs the National Weather Service to establish a program researching how obstructions like wind turbines impact weather radar performance. The program will test technologies and develop solutions to mitigate these impacts, focusing on technology-based solutions and collaboration with various entities. It requires annual reports to Congress and a final recommendation on the need for further research. The program is set to conclude by September 30, 2030.

This bill reauthorizes the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009, updating references and adding a clause to develop requirements for data sharing. It also authorizes $56,000,000 for each fiscal year from 2026 through 2030 to support these activities.

The Air America Act of 2025 authorizes the Director of the CIA to award payments to former employees of Air America and affiliated companies who supported the U.S. government between 1950 and 1976, or to their survivors. Eligible individuals or their survivors could receive up to $40,000 for five years of qualifying service, with additional amounts for longer service, with a cap on total awards at $60 million. The Act establishes application procedures, limitations on attorney fees, and prohibits judicial review of the Director's decisions, while also requiring regular reports to Congress on the status of the award payments. This act does not qualify anyone for federal benefits like retirement, disability, or death benefits.

The Major Richard Star Act allows eligible combat-disabled veterans to receive both their retirement pay and disability compensation. This eliminates the previous offset that reduced retirement pay for those receiving disability compensation. The changes apply to payments beginning the month after enactment.

The "Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act" eliminates the waiting periods for Social Security disability benefits and Medicare coverage for individuals with metastatic breast cancer. This bill amends the Social Security Act to expedite access to disability insurance benefits and Medicare coverage for those with metastatic breast cancer, ensuring quicker access to essential care and support.