Legislative Activity

The ASSIST Act of 2025 clarifies that medically necessary automobile adaptations for veterans are officially covered under Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical services. This ensures essential vehicle modifications for safe driving and mobility are recognized as part of veteran medical benefits. Additionally, the bill extends the expiration date for certain limits on veterans' pension payments.

The CHIP IN for Veterans Act of 2025 expands and extends a pilot program allowing the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to accept donated facilities and related improvements. This expansion broadens acceptable donations to include minor construction or nonrecurring maintenance projects. Furthermore, the bill extends the operational deadline for this valuable pilot program from 2026 to 2031.

The "They’re Fast, We’re Furious Act of 2025" establishes a new federal Task Force to combat illegal street racing and vehicle sideshows. This group, led by the FBI, will study the scope of the problem and develop national guidelines for state and local law enforcement. The Task Force is required to report its findings and recommendations to Congress within one year of the bill's enactment.

The STOP Screwworms Act mandates the establishment of facilities to rear and release sterile New World screwworm flies in high-risk areas to combat infestations. The Secretary of Agriculture must build these modular facilities within 180 days of enactment and provide annual public reports on the threat and control efforts. The bill authorizes up to $300 million to fund these necessary actions.

The Pathways to Policing Act establishes the Law Enforcement Hiring Support Grant program to help agencies recruit new officers. This grant money can be used for recruitment campaigns and developing programs that support candidates facing barriers to entering law enforcement. The Act prioritizes funding for agencies seeking to increase diversity and hire candidates connected to the communities they will serve. Additionally, it mandates a national marketing effort to encourage diverse individuals to pursue careers in policing.

The Supersonic Aviation Modernization Act directs the FAA to update regulations within one year to permit civil supersonic flight over the United States. This allowance is strictly conditional: supersonic flight is only permitted if the aircraft operates in a manner that guarantees no sonic boom reaches the ground anywhere in the U.S. airspace.

The Fire Safe Electrical Corridors Act of 2025 streamlines the process for electrical utilities to clear vegetation near power lines on National Forest and BLM lands. This allows utilities to remove trees under existing permits without requiring a separate timber sale permit for the cleared wood. Any revenue generated from selling the cleared material must be returned to the managing federal agency, minus transportation costs.

The SERVICE Act of 2025 establishes a five-year pilot program to create specialized Veterans Response Teams within local law enforcement agencies through federal grants. These teams will focus on improving interactions between law enforcement and veterans in crisis by fostering collaboration with the VA and providing specialized training. The teams will also establish 24/7 volunteer response networks and track outcomes to better serve the veteran community.

The Support Water-Efficient Strategies and Technologies Act of 2025 aims to bolster agricultural water conservation efforts. It allows the Secretary of Agriculture to significantly increase cost-share payments for farmers adopting drought-resilient or water-saving practices. The bill also updates conservation stewardship payments to better account for economic risk and expands eligible practices to include perennial production systems. Finally, it sets a $200,000 cap on payments per entity (excluding tribes) while prioritizing soil health improvements and offering payments for soil testing.

The Certainty for Our Energy Future Act modifies existing clean energy tax credits by terminating eligibility for new wind and solar facilities beginning construction after December 31, 2030. Furthermore, the bill denies various clean energy tax benefits to companies controlled by or established in designated "countries of concern." These changes aim to provide certainty regarding future tax incentives while restricting benefits for entities linked to specific foreign governments.

The Providing Child Care for Police Officers Act of 2025 establishes a new federal grant program to help law enforcement officers secure childcare during non-traditional hours. Administered by HHS, these competitive grants will fund local agencies to offer subsidies, start new facilities, or cover operational costs for officers. The program requires state agencies to apply and secure matching funds, with a sunset date of September 30, 2030.

The Forest Protection and Wildland Firefighter Safety Act of 2025 exempts discharges resulting from the use of Forest Service-approved products for fire control and suppression from certain federal water pollution permit requirements. This change streamlines firefighting operations by removing unnecessary permitting hurdles for using approved suppression agents. The Act also includes technical updates to related environmental statutes.

The Fiscal Commission Act establishes a bipartisan commission tasked with developing legislative recommendations to improve the nation's long-term fiscal health, aiming to reduce the national debt ratio to 100% of GDP by 2039. This Commission, composed of appointed members from both chambers of Congress and outside experts, must submit its final report and proposed legislation within a specific timeframe. The Act also creates an expedited, amendment-free process for Congress to consider and vote on any resulting "implementing bills."

The Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2025 aims to stabilize the agricultural labor force by creating a pathway to legal status for current undocumented farmworkers and modernizing the H-2A temporary worker program. The bill also mandates the implementation of a new, high-security electronic employment verification system across all industries, with specific deadlines for agricultural employers. Overall, it seeks to secure the existing workforce while establishing new compliance standards and protections for future agricultural labor.

This resolution officially designates May 2025 as National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month. It highlights the significant national impact of asthma and food allergies, noting the high rates of illness, missed school/work days, and associated healthcare costs. The bill encourages public awareness and appropriate activities throughout May to address these widespread health challenges.

The ACES Act mandates a comprehensive study by the National Academies to investigate the prevalence and mortality rates of various cancers among active duty fixed-wing aircraft crew members due to potential service-related exposures. This legislation also extends the expiration date for certain limitations on veteran pension payments by one month. The study will analyze specific cancer types and utilize data from the VA, DoD, and other federal sources.

The Lifting Overburdensome Commerce Obstructions and Motives (LOCOMOTIVES) Act clarifies and strengthens federal authority over emission standards for existing locomotives and engines. This legislation limits the ability of states to set their own pollution control standards for certain railroad equipment. Specifically, it expands federal preemption to cover more nonroad engines and locomotives engaged in commerce.

This joint resolution expresses the disapproval of Congress regarding a recent rule from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Specifically, it rejects the Service's decision to list the San Francisco Bay-Delta Distinct Population Segment of the Longfin Smelt as an endangered or threatened species. By disapproving the rule, Congress nullifies the listing status for this specific smelt population.

This resolution expresses strong support for designating the month of May as "Fallen Heroes Memorial Month." It honors the more than 1.3 million service members who have died protecting American liberty throughout history. Furthermore, the bill urges the President to issue a proclamation encouraging all Americans to reflect upon and honor the ultimate sacrifice made by these heroes.

The Fair Allocation and Improvement of Regional Fleets Act (FAIR Fleets Act) mandates that the U.S. Postal Service modernize its vehicle fleet with environmentally friendly options and ensure a fair distribution of vehicles nationwide. This law requires the USPS to prioritize underserved and rural areas when allocating its fleet resources. Furthermore, the Postal Service must submit annual reports to Congress detailing fleet locations and actions taken to improve service equity.