Legislative Activity

The PILLAR Act reauthorizes and modifies the CISA State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program through 2033. This legislation expands the program's focus to explicitly include operational technology and artificial intelligence systems in cybersecurity planning. It also updates definitions, adjusts federal cost-sharing requirements, and restricts grant use for technology from foreign entities of concern.

The SEMI Investment Act amends the Internal Revenue Code to expand and extend the advanced manufacturing investment credit. This legislation redefines "advanced manufacturing facility" to explicitly include facilities producing semiconductors, semiconductor equipment, and a broad range of qualifying semiconductor materials. Crucially, the bill extends the availability period for this investment credit through the end of 2031.

This bill ensures that service in specific Female Cultural Support Teams (CSTs) between 2010 and 2021 is officially recognized in military records and for veterans benefits. It mandates updating service records and requires the VA to treat this service as combat for disability claims purposes. Furthermore, the legislation requires the VA to conduct outreach regarding these benefits and mandates a study on similar unrecognized service.

The Veterans Bill of Rights Act mandates that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provide every veteran with a comprehensive, published Bill of Rights detailing their entitlements. This bill outlines specific rights regarding fair treatment, access to quality healthcare, privacy, and transparent claims processing. While establishing these standards, the Act explicitly states it does not create any new enforceable legal rights against the United States. The VA must also establish a public reporting mechanism for compliance and address veteran complaints within 30 days.

The Stuck On Hold Act mandates that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) implement automated systems to inform callers of their estimated wait times on customer service lines. If the wait exceeds ten minutes, callers must be offered an automated callback option. The VA is also required to issue guidance aimed at reducing average wait times to ten minutes or less.

The Bringing Assistance for Rural Needs During Shutdowns Act designates services provided by the Farm Services Agency (FSA) as essential during a government shutdown. This ensures that FSA officers and employees can continue their work, recognizing their services as necessary for protecting human life and property.

The North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2025 seeks to continue and strengthen U.S. efforts to promote human rights and democracy in North Korea. The bill reauthorizes key programs and emphasizes the need to increase the flow of outside information into the isolated nation. It also urges China to cease forcibly repatriating North Korean refugees and calls for prioritizing family reunions for divided Korean Americans. Finally, the Act establishes new reporting requirements concerning U.S. human rights activities related to North Korea.

The VA Billing Accountability Act establishes new deadlines and procedures for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to notify veterans about copayments for medical care and services. If the VA fails to notify a veteran within specified timeframes (180 days for VA care or 18 months for non-VA care), the bill restricts the VA's ability to collect that payment. The Act also grants the VA Secretary temporary authority to waive copayments resulting from VA billing errors.

This bill mandates the U.S. Postal Service to create and sell a "Veterans Medical Debt Relief Stamp." All proceeds from the sale of this special stamp will be transferred directly to the Department of Veterans Affairs. The VA must then use these funds exclusively to pay down medical debt, including copayments and coinsurance, owed by veterans for VA and Community Care Program services.

The National Cemetery Access Act mandates that all national cemeteries managed by the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, or the National Park Service must remain open to the public on all federal legal public holidays. This ensures continuous access for visitors to honor veterans and their families throughout the year.

The USS Frank E. Evans Act mandates the Secretary of Defense to add the names of the 74 crew members lost when the USS Frank E. Evans sank on June 3, 1969, to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. This action must be completed within one year of the Act becoming law. The Secretary is required to consult with relevant authorities regarding space on the Memorial Wall for these additions.

The Veterans Heroin Overdose Prevention Examination Act, or Veterans HOPE Act, mandates the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to conduct a comprehensive review of veteran overdose deaths over the preceding five years. This review must analyze prescription history, medications present at death, and contributing factors, especially focusing on deaths involving non-prescription opioids like heroin and fentanyl. The findings, including recommendations for improving veteran safety, will be reported to Congress and made publicly available.

The Same Day Registration Act of 2025 mandates that all states allow eligible individuals to register to vote and cast a ballot on the same day during any federal election, including early voting periods. This requirement applies starting with the November 2026 general election. States without any voter registration requirement for federal elections are exempt from this mandate.

This bill, the Servicemember Credit Monitoring Enhancement Act, updates the Fair Credit Reporting Act to clarify and standardize the term used for service members eligible for credit monitoring services. It replaces the outdated term "active duty military consumer" with the broader and more accurate term "uniformed services member consumer." This ensures consistent protection and access to credit monitoring for all eligible members of the uniformed services.

The Community Investment and Prosperity Act aims to boost community welfare by increasing existing investment limits for financial institutions. Specifically, this legislation raises the statutory investment cap from 15% to 20% within relevant sections of the Revised Statutes and the Federal Reserve Act. This adjustment is intended to encourage greater investment activity.

The Helping Our Heroes Act allows volunteer firefighters and emergency medical personnel to claim a charitable deduction for the value of their services. This deduction is set at \$20 per hour, up to 300 hours annually. The provision also permits taxpayers who do not itemize deductions to claim this specific charitable contribution.

This resolution commemorates the seventh anniversary of Jamal Khashoggi's murder and addresses ongoing human rights abuses by the Government of Saudi Arabia, including transnational repression against dissidents. Congress calls on Saudi Arabia to hold all individuals accountable for Khashoggi's murder and to immediately release all wrongfully detained persons. The resolution emphasizes that these abuses strain the essential U.S.-Saudi relationship.

The Fight Illicit Pill Presses Act amends the Controlled Substances Act to regulate equipment used in illicit drug manufacturing. This legislation requires manufacturers and distributors of tableting and encapsulating machines, and their critical parts, to apply permanent serial numbers to these items. The bill also prohibits the removal or alteration of these required serial numbers.

The RESTRAIN Act prohibits the United States from conducting any explosive testing of nuclear weapons or any other nuclear explosion, effective in fiscal year 2026 and beyond. This legislation specifically bans the use of authorized funds for such testing. However, the Act explicitly allows for the continuation of subcritical nuclear tests.

The Public Access to Defibrillation in Transportation Facilities Act of 2025 aims to increase the availability of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in public transportation settings. The bill expands federal grant programs to allow funds to be used for purchasing AEDs and developing emergency response plans at these facilities. Furthermore, it directs the Secretary of Transportation to issue recommendations and guidelines for AED deployment and emergency planning at interstate transportation facilities. This legislation seeks to improve response times to sudden cardiac arrest in areas frequented by the public.