Legislative Activity

The House Our Heroes Act aims to support veterans facing housing instability by providing access to educational resources on financial management and credit repair. Additionally, the bill grants the Department of Veterans Affairs temporary flexibility to assist veterans with delinquent loans through expanded partial claim options and loan modification authority.

The K–9 Hero Act of 2026 establishes a federal grant program to assist nonprofit organizations in covering the medical expenses of retired federal working dogs. By providing up to $5 million annually, this legislation ensures that these retired service animals receive the necessary veterinary care for injuries and illnesses sustained during or after their years of service. The program also mandates rigorous oversight and reporting to track health outcomes and the effective use of funds.

The VA Police Security Enhancement Act strengthens the authority and operational capabilities of Department of Veterans Affairs police to better protect veterans, staff, and facilities. The bill expands security jurisdictions, mandates facility modernization, and improves interagency coordination through formal law enforcement partnerships. Additionally, it establishes a temporary dedicated funding account and requires rigorous Congressional oversight and GAO reporting to ensure accountability and effectiveness.

The VA Home Loan Affordability Act aligns the VA housing loan program with certain Federal Housing Administration (FHA) requirements to make homeownership more accessible for veterans. This legislation streamlines processes by waiving appraisals for certain refinances and removing development approval requirements for condominiums. It also establishes new limits on veteran-paid closing costs and seller fees, while requiring regular review of debt-to-income ratios.

The Veterans Readiness and Employment Improvement Act of 2025 streamlines VA counseling requirements and expands vocational rehabilitation options for disabled veterans by allowing approval of non-degree flight training. The bill also enhances the Veteran Readiness and Employment (VRE) program by establishing dedicated contact points and mandating timely 30-day decisions on program extension requests. Finally, it includes a minor extension of certain pension payment limits.

The Veterans Readiness and Employment Improvement and Accountability Act makes several changes to VA vocational rehabilitation and employment programs. Key provisions include barring benefits for those convicted of assaulting VA employees, expanding eligibility for extended training, and setting new approval and funding limits for rehabilitation equipment. The bill also adjusts subsistence allowance calculations and addresses specialist definitions and staffing requirements.

This bill, the Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserves Tuition Fairness Act of 2025, amends current law to ensure that public institutions of higher learning charge members of the Selected Reserve the in-state tuition rate when using their educational assistance benefits. If a school fails to provide this in-state tuition rate for those using the Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606), the Department of Veterans Affairs will disapprove courses offered under that program. These changes take effect for academic periods beginning on or after August 1, 2026.

This bill directs the Secretary of Agriculture to release the United States' reversionary interest in specific state forest land in Millston, Wisconsin. This action is contingent upon the State of Wisconsin exchanging this land with Deli, Inc. for other acreage that will be added to the Black River State Forest. Releasing the federal interest allows the State to proceed with the land swap, ensuring the acquired land benefits the state forest.

This bill authorizes the striking and presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to Donald J. Trump in recognition of his alleged extraordinary peacemaking efforts globally. Congress specifically cites several purported international peace deals and ceasefires secured by the former President as justification for this high honor. The Act also outlines the process for creating and selling bronze duplicates of the medal to cover production costs.

This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to ensure Members of Congress do not receive compensation for any period during which a government shutdown is in effect due to a failure to pass a budget. If ratified by the states, this amendment would constitutionally mandate that lawmakers forfeit their pay during lapses in federal funding caused by Congressional inaction. Congress would later establish the laws necessary to enforce this new rule.

This bill prohibits the federal government from providing funding to any entity that employs individuals who openly condone or celebrate political violence and domestic terrorism. It directly restricts federal financial support to organizations whose employees publicly endorse such activities. The measure aims to ensure federal dollars do not flow to entities associated with the promotion of political violence.

The VA Home Loan Program Reform Act enhances the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) ability to prevent foreclosure on veteran-guaranteed home loans by allowing the VA to step in and pay lenders to stop default proceedings. It establishes a new Partial Claim Program, enabling the VA to pay a portion of a veteran's loan debt (up to 25% or 30% in specific cases) to cure a default. Furthermore, the bill mandates the creation of required loss mitigation steps for lenders and requires the VA to report on strategies ensuring veterans are not disadvantaged in real estate transactions. Finally, it extends and sets new funding authorizations for comprehensive service programs aimed at assisting homeless veterans through fiscal year 2030.

The Agriculture Workforce Reform Act of 2025 establishes a pathway for certain experienced agricultural workers who previously worked in the U.S. to re-enter and secure a renewable three-year nonimmigrant status for agricultural labor. This status waives certain grounds of inadmissibility and removal for eligible applicants who meet specific work history requirements. Both the worker and the petitioning employer are required to pay a substantial fee to the Department of Labor. The Act also grants immunity from prosecution for past immigration violations for the covered alien and for the employer regarding past employment of that alien.

The VR&E Accountability Act limits the extension of a veteran's vocational rehabilitation program to a maximum of 96 months. Any extension beyond this period requires the Secretary of the VA to determine "extraordinary circumstances" exist for the veteran. If such an extension is granted, the Secretary must notify the relevant Congressional committees, detailing the justification.

The Certified Nursing Assistant Workforce Improvement Act updates federal regulations to enhance the quality of Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training. This bill mandates that Registered Nurses supervising CNA training must possess a minimum of two years of general nursing experience. This change aims to strengthen the qualifications of those overseeing the training of essential long-term care staff.

The Refinancing Relief for Veterans Act modifies the fee structure the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) charges when veterans refinance an existing VA-guaranteed mortgage to secure a lower interest rate. This legislation updates the specific fee schedule used for these interest rate reduction refinancing loans. The goal is to adjust the costs associated with veterans accessing lower monthly mortgage payments through refinancing.

The Enhancing the Transitioning Servicemembers Experience Act significantly overhauls the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) by increasing required counseling days, expanding eligibility windows, and mandating more detailed financial planning. The bill also extends transitional health care coverage from 180 to 270 days post-separation and directs studies on programs like Skillbridge. Furthermore, it requires the VA to create a searchable website for veteran resources and expands eligibility for job counseling services to all TAP-eligible members.

The Streamlining the Solid Start Communications Act modernizes how the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) contacts newly separated service members. This update requires the VA's Solid Start program to use "tailored lines of communication" instead of just physical mailings. This allows the VA to utilize text messages, virtual chats, and other electronic methods to ensure veterans receive essential information.

This bill directs the Secretary of Transportation to update the federal definition of a "motorcycle." The updated definition specifies that a motorcycle is a motor vehicle originally built with an engine, designed for a rider to sit astride a seat or saddle, and capable of speeds over 30 mph. This change ensures federal regulations align with a clearer, standardized description of what constitutes a motorcycle.

The Veterans Education Transparency and Training Act (VETT Act) aims to ensure veterans receive accurate educational information during enrollment. It modifies rules so schools are not automatically disqualified from offering VA programs over minor paperwork errors, requiring them instead to provide students with notices detailing any missing or estimated information. Additionally, the bill mandates the creation of a centralized website for all training materials provided to school officials who assist veterans with their benefits paperwork.