Legislative Activity

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 Maximum Pressure Act aims to increase pressure on Iran by codifying and expanding sanctions related to its nuclear program, ballistic missile development, support for terrorism, and human rights abuses. It targets key Iranian leaders, entities involved in arms sales, and various sectors of Iran's economy, while also enhancing congressional oversight of actions related to Iran sanctions. The bill also seeks to intensify financial pressure on the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and prevent Iran from accessing international funds. Additionally, the act reinforces restrictions and oversight related to the IRGC and Ansar Allah (Houthis) and mandates a series of determinations and reports from government officials regarding Iran's activities.

The "Reentry Act of 2025" amends Title XIX of the Social Security Act to allow states to provide Medicaid coverage to inmates in the 30 days before their release. It also requires the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission to submit a report to Congress analyzing health and safety standards in correctional facilities, the impact of this change, and recommendations for further action.

The Iranian Terror Prevention Act mandates the Secretary of State to designate specific organizations as foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs) within 90 days. It directs the President to determine and potentially impose sanctions on these organizations and associated entities within 60 days. The Secretary of State must also regularly report to Congress on new entities that could be designated as FTOs or sanctioned. Finally, the President is required to report to Congress justifying any decisions not to sanction a listed organization.

The "Stop Antisemitism on College Campuses Act" amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prohibit colleges and universities from supporting events promoting antisemitism. Antisemitism is defined using the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's working definition. This bill aims to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for Jewish students on college campuses by preventing the authorization, facilitation, funding, or support of antisemitic events.

The CAPE Canaveral Act would move NASA headquarters to Brevard County, Florida. The move must be completed within one year of the Act's enactment.

The VA Home Loan Awareness Act of 2025 requires that the Uniform Residential Loan Application include a disclaimer informing applicants that they may be eligible for a VA Home Loan if they have served in the military. It also requires the Comptroller General of the United States to study and report to Congress on lender compliance with the disclaimer requirement.

The LEOSA Reform Act amends title 18 of the US Code to modify the Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990, and to improve the Law Enforcement Officer Safety Act regarding where qualified law enforcement officers can carry firearms, what constitutes ammunition, and who can provide firearms training and certification. It allows qualified current and retired law enforcement officers to carry firearms in certain federal facilities and updates firearm training standards.

The "Improving Law Enforcement Officer Safety and Wellness Through Data Act" directs the Attorney General to produce a series of reports analyzing attacks against law enforcement officers, unreported aggression towards officers, and the mental health and wellness of officers. These reports will include data collection and recommendations for improving training programs, protective gear, and mental health resources for law enforcement. The goal is to provide federal resources to law enforcement and deter attacks against officers. The Attorney General will consult with various stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies and relevant organizations, to develop these reports.

The "Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act" enables individuals with valid concealed carry permits or the legal right to carry concealed firearms in their home state to do so across state lines, provided they are not federally prohibited from possessing firearms and carry a valid photo ID. This law respects private and state/local government restrictions on firearms, protects individuals from unwarranted arrest, and allows legal action for violations of these rights. It also permits concealed carry in National Parks and other federal lands open to the public and clarifies that handguns include magazines and ammunition.

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 Corrections Officer Blake Schwarz Suicide Prevention Act of 2025 aims to improve the mental health of corrections officers by establishing a grant program for state and local governments to implement mental health screenings and connect officers with mental health care. It also directs the Bureau of Prisons to develop and administer similar mental health programs. An Advisory Board will oversee the grant program and provide guidance, while the act allocates specific funding for these initiatives over five years.

The "Law-Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act of 2025" exempts less-than-lethal projectile devices from certain federal restrictions, defining these devices based on their inability to fire lethal ammunition, a velocity cap of 500 feet per second, design for non-lethal use, and magazine compatibility. It tasks the Attorney General with determining whether a device meets the Act's definition within 90 days of a request.

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 amends Title 10 of the U.S. Code to allow disability retirees with combat-related disabilities to receive both veterans' disability compensation and retired pay concurrently, without reduction. It ensures that eligible veterans are not penalized by reductions under sections 5304 and 5305 of Title 38. This change is effective the first day of the month following the bill's enactment.

The "Fair and Open Competition Act of 2025" seeks to ensure open competition and government neutrality in federal construction projects by preventing requirements for or bans against agreements with labor organizations. It prohibits discrimination based on labor affiliation, reduces construction costs, and expands job opportunities. The Act mandates revisions to regulations and allows exemptions only in special circumstances like public health or national security threats.

The Military Spouse Hiring Act amends the Internal Revenue Code to include qualified military spouses as eligible for the Work Opportunity Credit, incentivizing employers to hire them. A qualified military spouse is defined as someone certified by a local agency as married to a member of the U.S. Armed Forces. This change applies to amounts paid and individuals starting work after the Act's enactment.

The REDI Act amends the Higher Education Act of 1965, allowing student loan deferment for borrowers in medical or dental internships or residency programs. During this deferment, principal payments are not required, and interest will not accrue on the loan.

The "Crucial Communism Teaching Act" directs the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation to develop a civic education curriculum for high school students that compares communism and totalitarianism with American principles of freedom and democracy. This curriculum will be regularly updated with examples of human rights abuses and aggression by past and present communist regimes, and will include "Portraits in Patriotism" oral history resources. The goal is to educate students about the dangers of communism, its historical and current impact, and the importance of civic responsibility. The foundation will collaborate with education leaders to promote the curriculum's use in high schools.

The Nationally Enhancing the Well-being of Babies through Outreach and Research Now Act, or NEWBORN Act, aims to reduce infant mortality by establishing pilot programs in high-risk areas. These programs will offer outreach, education, and improved access to healthcare and social services for at-risk mothers and infants. The Act prioritizes entities serving counties with the highest infant mortality rates and those addressing key risk factors like birth defects and preterm birth. It authorizes $10 million annually from 2025-2029 for these initiatives.