Legislative Activity

The BASIC ACT, or "Building Advanced Semiconductors Investment Credit Act," increases the advanced manufacturing investment credit from 25% to 35%. It also extends the credit period, changing the expiration date from December 31, 2026, to December 31, 2030. These changes are effective for property placed in service after the enactment of this act.

This bill designates the United States Postal Service facility located at 80 Prospect Street in Avon, New York, as the "Officer Anthony Mazurkiewicz Memorial Post Office Building." Any reference to this facility will now refer to it as the Officer Anthony Mazurkiewicz Memorial Post Office Building.

The "Law Enforcement Solidarity Act" aims to withhold certain federal funds from jurisdictions that hinder cooperation with federal law enforcement on immigration matters. It defines "jurisdictions with law enforcement cooperation restrictions" as those with laws, policies, or practices preventing their entities from assisting federal law enforcement officers. The Attorney General is required to submit an annual report identifying these jurisdictions to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees. This act would affect federal funds intended for aliens unlawfully present in the U.S. under immigration laws.

The "Countering Hate Against Israel by Federal Contractors Act" prohibits federal agencies from contracting with companies that boycott Israel, starting January 1, 2026, for contracts exceeding $100,000. Companies must certify they are not participating in such boycotts, and contracts will include clauses prohibiting these activities. The Act includes enforcement mechanisms for violations, while clarifying that it does not infringe upon First Amendment rights or take a position on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

The "Promoting Affordable Childcare for Everyone Act" or "PACE Act" enhances the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit by increasing the maximum credit percentage, adjusting credit amounts for inflation, and increasing the tax exclusion for employer-provided dependent care assistance. It also redesignates section 21 as section 36C in the Internal Revenue Code. These changes aim to make childcare more affordable for families. The changes will take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

The "High-Quality Charter Schools Act" introduces a tax credit for individual contributions to eligible charter school organizations, capped at 75% of the contribution or \$5,000, to support the creation or expansion of charter schools. It establishes expenditure requirements for these organizations, ensuring funds are used effectively, and sets a \$5 billion volume cap on the total tax credits available nationwide, allocated to states and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. The Act also protects the autonomy of charter schools, ensuring they maintain freedom in meeting student needs without government intervention. These provisions will be effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

The "Protecting Options for Seniors Act of 2025" addresses inconsistencies in Medicare Advantage (MA) plan payments due to hospital wage index reclassifications. Starting in 2026, the Act increases the national per capita MA growth percentage for areas with significant hospital wage index increases, ensuring fair payments to hospitals and maintaining benchmark neutrality. The Act also mandates the separate computation and publication of total payments made to each area hospital under Medicare Parts A and B, promoting transparency.

The "Protect TANF Resources for Families Act" ensures that federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds are used to enhance, not replace, state spending on programs for needy families, with the state's chief executive officer required to certify that federal funds will not supplant state funds. It also reauthorizes the TANF program through September 30, 2026, ensuring continued support for families in need.

The "REPEAL CBO Requirements Act" allows Congressional committee chairs to request budget estimates from private accounting firms instead of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) for any bill. These estimates from the private accounting firms, defined as one of the ten largest, will be used for budget enforcement purposes. If a committee chair uses a private firm's estimate, the CBO is not required to provide its own.

The State-Level Departments of Government Efficiency Establishment Act mandates that, beginning in fiscal year 2026, states must establish a government efficiency entity to qualify for discretionary federal funding, excluding security-related funds. These entities, composed of an equal number of members from the majority and minority parties, will work to improve the efficiency of federal funding. Each entity is required to publish an annual report detailing its activities and recommendations on the State's public website and submit it to the Department of Government Efficiency.

The "No Tax on LOSAP Act" amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase the amount of qualified payments excluded from gross income for volunteer firefighters and EMS providers from $50 to $1,000. It also clarifies that payments under length of service award programs (LOSAP) are considered qualified payments, ensuring these benefits are not taxed. These changes apply to awards and payments made after the enactment of this bill.

The "Protecting Access to Ground Ambulance Medical Services Act of 2025" extends Medicare payment rules for ground ambulance services for three years, ensuring continued access to these vital services for Medicare beneficiaries through 2028.

This bill expresses solidarity with striking New York State corrections officers, who are advocating for improved working conditions. It condemns Governor Hochul and New York State for their treatment of corrections officers and urges the New York State Legislature to repeal the HALT Act, citing increased danger in correctional facilities. The bill highlights concerns over dangerous working conditions, increased assaults, and staffing shortages impacting these officers. It also notes the failure of arbitration to resolve issues, leading to terminations and loss of healthcare for striking officers.

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to shield small businesses (under 500 employees) from unemployment insurance premium hikes. These increases typically occur when states fail to repay federal advances. The amendment ensures that a specific provision causing credit reductions will not apply to these small businesses, offering them financial relief. This change takes effect for taxable years beginning after the bill's enactment.

The "People and Animals Well-being Act of 2025" allows taxpayers to use certain veterinary care costs as medical care expenses. Specifically, it allows costs for service animal care and pet health insurance to be considered medical expenses. Additionally, it allows up to $1,000 in veterinary care expenses and $1,000 for pet health insurance for a taxpayer's pet to be considered medical expenses. This limit will be adjusted for inflation starting in 2026.

The "Community News and Small Business Support Act" introduces two tax credits aimed at supporting local news and small businesses. First, it provides a tax credit for small businesses that advertise in local media outlets, such as newspapers and broadcast stations. Second, it establishes a payroll tax credit for local news organizations to help them employ local news journalists. Both credits are designed to alleviate financial burdens and promote investment in local journalism and small business advertising, with specific limitations and eligibility requirements. The provisions of this act will be in place for 5 years.

The "Encouraging the EU to DESIGNATE Resolution" urges the European Union to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, citing its history of violence, human rights abuses, and support for terrorist groups. It highlights the IRGC's destabilizing actions globally, including supporting the Assad regime, assisting Russia in the Ukraine war, and plotting against U.S. officials. The resolution encourages the prioritization of this designation in discussions with the European Union.

The "Parity for Athletic Recreation Act" or "PAR Act" removes the restriction that prohibits bond proceeds from being used for private or commercial golf courses and country clubs. This change applies to bonds issued after the enactment of this Act. Additionally, it affects the empowerment zone employment credit and applies to empowerment zone businesses and opportunity zones.

The "Erie Canal Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act" directs the Department of Treasury to mint and issue gold, silver, and half-dollar coins to commemorate the bicentennial of the Erie Canal. These coins, which are legal tender, will be available in uncirculated and proof qualities for one year beginning January 1, 2026. Surcharges from the sale of these coins will be paid to the Erie Canalway Heritage Fund, Inc. to support the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor.

The "Trump’s Birthday and Flag Day Holiday Establishment Act" would make June 14, recognized as both Donald Trump's birthday and Flag Day, a legal public holiday. This act amends Title 5 of the United States Code to officially include "Trump's Birthday and Flag Day" in the list of federal holidays.