Legislative Activity

This resolution officially recognizes and supports the goals of National Rural Health Day to honor the vital role of rural communities and their healthcare providers. It acknowledges the unique challenges faced by rural residents, such as limited access to care and hospital closures. The bill expresses a commitment to advancing policies that improve the accessibility and affordability of healthcare in rural America.

The Main Street Parity Act modifies the criteria for Small Business Investment Act loans used for facility acquisition, construction, or expansion. Specifically, it removes certain restrictive clauses related to loan eligibility under Section 502(3)(C). This aims to streamline the process for small businesses seeking capital for physical expansion.

The Water Infrastructure Modernization Act of 2025 updates federal water pollution control grants to prioritize and fund "intelligent water infrastructure technology." This technology utilizes real-time monitoring, AI, and advanced sensors to improve the efficiency, reliability, and resilience of water and wastewater systems. The bill modifies grant uses to specifically cover the implementation of these smart technologies and increases the authorization of appropriations.

The Fire Innovation Unit Act establishes a pilot program for deploying and demonstrating new wildfire prevention, detection, communication, response, and mitigation technologies through public-private partnerships. The Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior must create this program within one year to test innovations in areas like fuels reduction, modeling, and remote sensing. The goal is to evaluate promising technologies for effectiveness and scalability, coordinating testing between private entities and federal, state, and local fire agencies. The Secretaries will report annually to Congress on the program's progress and recommendations for broader technology adoption.

The Agricultural Cooperative Energy Savings Act of 2025 expands eligibility for certain USDA programs by including agricultural cooperatives with fewer than 2,500 employees. This amendment modifies the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to broaden access to these federal resources for a wider range of agricultural cooperatives.

The AI for Main Street Act directs Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) to assist small businesses in evaluating and implementing artificial intelligence for their operations. This assistance includes providing guidance, training on best practices, and conducting outreach regarding AI use. The bill ensures these new duties are implemented without increasing the federal deficit.

The Restoring Food Security for American Families and Farmers Act of 2025 aims to strengthen domestic food security by repealing specific sections of a prior reconciliation act. This action effectively revives the original laws that were previously amended by the repealed provisions. The bill seeks to revert existing agricultural and food-related statutes to their pre-amendment status.

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 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 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 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 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 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 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.