Legislative Activity

The Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act expands the definition of "law enforcement officer" for federal retirement purposes under both the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). This change adds specific IRS, Postal Inspection Service, and VA police roles to those eligible for enhanced retirement benefits. The bill also establishes procedures for current officers to elect to have their prior service counted under these new definitions, which may require a payment from the employee and their employing agency.

The American Ownership and Resilience Act establishes an Ownership Investment Facility within the Department of Commerce to provide government-backed leverage to investment companies. This facility is designed to encourage capital investments that support the sale of businesses to Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) or worker-owned cooperatives. The bill sets strict oversight, fairness, and control requirements for these employee-centric transactions while establishing licensing and capital standards for the participating investment companies.

Violet's Law mandates that federal research facilities establish procedures to place retired research animals, including dogs, cats, and primates, into new homes. These facilities must adhere to the Animal Welfare Act standards and ensure animals are certified healthy by a veterinarian before adoption. Eligible placements include registered animal rescue organizations, sanctuaries, shelters, or private individuals.

The Defense Workforce Integration Act of 2025 aims to streamline the transition of separating service members into civilian Department of Defense (DoD) roles, particularly for those medically disqualified from service. It also establishes a new program to connect medically ineligible individuals with career opportunities in the defense industrial base and related national security sectors. Furthermore, the bill mandates that the Navy inform separating personnel about career opportunities within the Military Sealift Command. The DoD must report to Congress within one year on the implementation of these integration and information-sharing provisions.

The DEFENSE Act authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security or the Attorney General to deputize state and local police to use drone countermeasures for protecting specific large public events and restricted areas. This authority is contingent upon officers completing mandatory, specialized training developed in coordination with the FAA. The bill also mandates federal oversight and limits the use of equipment to an officially approved list maintained by the Department of Homeland Security.

The Gaining Meaningful Experiences from Service Act, or GAMES Act, expands eligibility for veterans to participate in the Department of Defense's military adaptive sports program. This legislation removes the previous one-year time limit veterans faced after leaving service to enroll. As a result, all veterans are now eligible to access these beneficial adaptive sports opportunities regardless of when they separated.

The Precision Agriculture Loan Program Act of 2025 establishes a new federal loan program to help crop and livestock producers finance the purchase of modern precision agriculture technology. These loans, capped at $500,000 per borrower with a 12-year repayment term, aim to increase efficiency and reduce waste through the adoption of tools like GPS guidance and variable-rate application systems. The Secretary of Agriculture must also report annually to Congress on loan distribution, producer demographics, and estimated environmental benefits achieved.

The Quantum Sandbox for Near-Term Applications Act of 2025 establishes a new public-private partnership program managed by the Department of Commerce and NIST. This "quantum sandbox" is specifically designed to accelerate the development and testing of quantum applications that can be deployed within two years. By engaging industry, national labs, and research centers, the Act aims to quickly translate quantum innovation into tangible benefits for government and business.

The MEGOBARI Act expresses Congress's concern over Georgia's democratic backsliding and growing alignment with authoritarian states. It directs the Secretary of State to suspend the U.S.-Georgia Strategic Partnership Commission until Georgia demonstrates commitment to democratic principles and EU/NATO aspirations. Furthermore, the Act establishes a policy supporting Georgia's Western trajectory while mandating reports on Russian influence and authorizing targeted sanctions against officials undermining Georgian democracy or stability.

The Intergovernmental Critical Minerals Task Force Act establishes a new task force to address U.S. national security risks stemming from heavy reliance on foreign nations, particularly China, for critical minerals. This group will assess supply chain vulnerabilities and develop recommendations to boost domestic production, processing, and recycling capabilities. The Act mandates coordination across federal agencies, state and tribal governments, and industry to secure resilient mineral supplies.

The Building Advanced Semiconductors Investment Credit Act (BASIC ACT) significantly boosts incentives for domestic semiconductor manufacturing. This bill increases the investment tax credit rate for advanced manufacturing from 25 percent to 35 percent. Furthermore, it extends the period during which this enhanced credit can be claimed, pushing the deadline from 2026 to December 31, 2030.

This Act officially renames Taiwan's primary diplomatic office in the U.S. from the "Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office" to the "Taiwan Representative Office." It directs the U.S. government to treat this office with the diplomatic courtesies afforded to other foreign nations, consistent with existing U.S. policy. This renaming does not alter the official U.S. stance on Taiwan's international status or restore full diplomatic relations.

This bill establishes a permanent advisory committee focused on studying and reporting on the severe financial market fallout that could result from Chinese military aggression toward Taiwan. The committee, composed of market experts and regulators, will advise the Financial Stability Oversight Council on potential economic vulnerabilities. The Council must then issue an annual public report detailing market risks, potential losses, and specific recommendations for regulators to fortify U.S. financial systems against such geopolitical shocks.

The PFAS Alternatives Act aims to protect firefighters by funding research and development for next-generation turnout gear that eliminates harmful PFAS chemicals. The bill establishes grants through NIOSH to create safer, PFAS-free protective equipment and separate funding for training programs on the proper care of this new gear. Ultimately, this legislation seeks to reduce occupational illness and injury among fire and EMS personnel.

The **Shipbuilding and Harbor Infrastructure for Prosperity and Security for America Act of 2025** is a comprehensive bill designed to revitalize the U.S. maritime industry and secure critical supply chains. It establishes new centralized oversight for maritime policy, creates a dedicated Maritime Security Trust Fund financed by new vessel taxes, and mandates significant federal investment in domestic shipbuilding and workforce development. The legislation also imposes stricter cargo preference rules and tax incentives to ensure U.S.-flagged vessels dominate international commerce and defense sealift operations.

The Understanding the True Cost of College Act of 2025 mandates that all institutions receiving federal student aid must use a new, standardized "Financial Aid Offer" form. This form will clearly break down direct and indirect college costs, explicitly separate grants from loans, and prominently display the student's estimated net price. The goal is to ensure students can easily compare aid packages and understand the true financial commitment before enrolling.

The Community Services Block Grant Improvement Act of 2025 aims to strengthen federal efforts to combat poverty by updating the core goals and operational rules of the Community Services Block Grant program. The bill revises definitions, sets a specific annual funding authorization through Fiscal Year 2032, and tightens requirements for state plans and local agency governance, including mandating tripartite boards. Ultimately, these changes seek to ensure grant funds are effectively used by local entities to promote the self-sufficiency of low-income individuals and families.

The Honoring our K9 Heroes Act establishes a new grant program administered by the Department of Homeland Security to help cover medical expenses for retired Federal working dogs. Eligible non-profit organizations with a history of supporting these retired K9s can apply for funding. This initiative is authorized with $1 million annually from Fiscal Year 2026 through 2030 to support dogs living with their former handlers.

The FACTS Act establishes grant programs for schools to partner with health experts to combat synthetic opioid misuse among secondary students through prevention and recovery efforts. It also creates a federal Interagency Task Force to coordinate the national response and amends education laws to mandate specific opioid-related planning and staff training at the state and local levels. Finally, the bill enhances federal data collection on synthetic opioid presence and use in K-12 environments.

The SALUTE Act establishes a pilot program to allow certain active-duty service members and their dependents to purchase supplemental private insurance for uncovered cancer-related medical expenses. This optional coverage will be offered through agreements with selected insurance companies, with participants paying the full premium cost. The Department of Defense must report on the program's success after three years to determine if it should become permanent.