Legislative Activity

The Rural Veterinary Workforce Act aims to encourage more veterinarians to serve in underserved rural areas by making participation in certain loan repayment or forgiveness programs more financially appealing. This bill amends the tax code to exclude amounts received through qualifying state or federal veterinary student loan repayment programs from being counted as taxable income. This tax benefit applies to amounts received for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

The Modern, Clean, and Safe Trucks Act of 2025 repeals the outdated 12-percent Federal excise tax on new heavy trucks and trailers. This repeal aims to lower costs, encouraging fleet owners to replace aging vehicles with modern, safer, and more fuel-efficient models. By removing this significant tax burden, the bill seeks to accelerate the adoption of cleaner engine technology and improve overall road safety. The Act also includes technical updates to the tax code related to the removal of this long-standing tax.

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow distributions from a Health Savings Account (HSA) for the funeral expenses of the account beneficiary to be treated as qualified, tax-free distributions. These expenses, which include burial, cremation, and related services, are capped at a total of \$5,000 per beneficiary. The legislation also clarifies that funeral expenses incurred within 90 days after the account holder's death can be treated as if they occurred before death for tax purposes.

This resolution formally recognizes the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States Marine Corps in 2025. Congress is honoring the Corps' long history, core values of honor, courage, and commitment, and its consistent readiness to defend the nation. The bill encourages the public to join in celebrating this significant milestone and acknowledging the service and sacrifice of all Marines.

The Safer Skies Act of 2025 mandates enhanced security screening for certain smaller charter and commuter air carriers that sell individual passenger seats publicly. This legislation requires these specific operations, currently exempt from TSA checkpoints, to adopt the security standards applied to larger commercial airlines. The goal is to raise the baseline security level across a broader segment of air travel operations.

This bill permanently extends the existing exemption allowing qualified school bus drivers to skip the engine compartment portion of the commercial driver's license (CDL) skills test. It mandates the Secretary of Transportation to maintain this specific "under-the-hood" inspection waiver indefinitely. States utilizing this permanent exemption must still submit annual reports on the number of drivers licensed under it for the next six years.

The Brake for Kids Act of 2025 establishes a national public safety messaging campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of illegally passing a stopped school bus. This initiative will be funded using existing allocations from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The required campaign must utilize broad outreach methods, including national television, radio, social media, and edge service advertising.

The Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2025 establishes a national standard for carrying concealed handguns across state lines. This act allows individuals legally permitted to carry in their home state to carry concealed in any other state that allows its residents to carry concealed firearms. The law does not override private property restrictions or prohibitions on government property, but it provides protections and legal recourse for those traveling in compliance with the new federal standard.

This joint resolution authorizes the President to use the U.S. Armed Forces against specific, named international criminal organizations designated as "covered cartels." It declares these groups are acting as terrorist organizations due to their actions against the U.S., including drug trafficking and human exploitation. The measure explicitly complies with the requirements of the War Powers Resolution.

This bill establishes the voluntary Congressional Fitness Challenge, a national program designed to promote physical fitness among eligible participants aged 6 to 17. The Challenge requires participants to complete five specific fitness tests, with performance benchmarks set based on age and gender. Successful participants who meet performance goals will receive official recognition certificates signed by Congressional leadership. The legislation also outlines administrative rules for testing, data collection, and allows lawmakers to use office funds for related activities.

The FAFSA Act of 2025 revokes federal student aid eligibility, including grants and loans, for individuals convicted of assaulting a police officer or certain riot-related crimes. Any federal grants received prior to the conviction will be immediately converted into Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans that must be repaid with interest. These converted loans will not be eligible for any existing federal forgiveness or discharge programs.

The UPRISERS Act mandates the revocation of student and exchange visitor visas for individuals convicted of assaulting a police officer or engaging in riot-related offenses. Furthermore, this bill makes conviction for these specific crimes grounds for deportation for those holding F, J, or M visas. This legislation targets non-immigrant visa holders involved in violent civil unrest or attacks on law enforcement.

This resolution expresses support for designating March 18, 2025, as "National Agriculture Day." It recognizes and celebrates the significant impact of agriculture as a leading industry in the United States.

The Air America Act of 2025 recognizes the sacrifices of former Air America employees who served the U.S. Government between 1950 and 1976. This Act authorizes a one-time monetary award, up to $40,000 plus potential additional amounts, for qualifying service members or their survivors. The CIA Director is responsible for administering these payments, which are capped at a total of $60 million, and establishing the application procedures. Decisions made by the Director regarding these awards are final and not subject to judicial review.

The Survivor Benefits Fairness Act adjusts the effective date for reducing or stopping certain VA benefits, like compensation or pension, when a veteran's marriage ends or a dependent dies. Under this bill, benefit reductions will now take effect at the end of the month the event occurs, rather than the end of the preceding month. This change ensures veterans and survivors receive benefits for the entire month in which the qualifying event takes place.

The Protecting Access to Ground Ambulance Medical Services Act of 2025 extends the current Medicare payment structure for ground ambulance services. This change ensures continuity in how these vital services are reimbursed under existing rules. Specifically, the temporary payment pilot program is extended through 2028, preventing an immediate change in payment policy.

The Ensuring Veterans Timely Access to Anesthesia Care Act of 2025 aims to align the practice standards for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) with those of the Defense Health Agency, recognizing them as licensed independent practitioners. The bill also establishes new certification and minimum direct patient care requirements for all anesthesia providers in the VA system. Finally, it mandates an annual public report from the GAO comparing the cost-effectiveness of different anesthesia delivery models within the VHA.

The Stop CARB Act of 2025 centralizes federal control over emission standards for nonroad engines and vehicles, immediately revoking any state authority or existing waivers to set stricter rules. This bill specifically prohibits states from creating or enforcing their own emission standards for equipment like construction and farm machinery. Furthermore, it repeals the provision of the Clean Air Act that allowed other states to adopt California's stricter new motor vehicle emission standards.

The Safe Routes Act of 2025 grants the Secretary the authority to waive federal vehicle weight limits for covered logging vehicles transporting raw forest products. This exemption applies only when these trucks operate within 150 air miles on the Interstate system and adhere to existing state-level weight tolerances for such materials. Essentially, the bill allows logging trucks to operate under established state rules rather than stricter federal limits for short hauls.

The Major Richard Star Act ensures that military retirees with combat-related disabilities can receive both their military retirement pay and VA disability compensation concurrently without reduction. This law removes previous restrictions that caused military retirement pay to be offset by VA disability payments for these specific cases. The changes take effect on the first day of the month following the Act's enactment.