Legislative Activity

The "Coordinating Care for Senior Veterans and Wounded Warriors Act" directs the VA and HHS to establish a pilot program to better coordinate healthcare for veterans enrolled in both VA healthcare and Medicare. This program aims to improve healthcare access, quality of care, and care coordination while lowering costs and eliminating gaps in care. The pilot program will assign case managers to participating veterans to help them navigate both the VA and Medicare systems. The VA will submit regular reports to Congress on the program's progress and outcomes.

The "Protecting First Responders from Secondary Exposure Act of 2025" aims to protect first responders from secondary exposure to fentanyl and other dangerous substances. It amends existing legislation to provide first responders with the necessary training, resources, and containment devices. This will help to ensure their safety while on duty.

The SANE Act of 2025 requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to employ at least one sexual assault nurse examiner at each of its hospitals and urgent care facilities or contract with other qualified health care providers to conduct sexual assault forensic examinations. Following an examination, the health care provider must verbally refer the individual to mental health care services offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The Secretary must ensure these new responsibilities do not negatively impact the existing patient care duties of Department employees. It also defines "sexual assault nurse examiner" and "sexual assault forensic examination" as defined in section 304(a) of the DNA Sexual Assault Justice Act of 2004.

The FARM Act aims to protect U.S. agriculture by including it in the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, adding the Secretary of Agriculture to the committee, and mandating reviews of foreign investments in U.S. agricultural businesses. It designates agricultural systems and supply chains as critical infrastructure and technologies. The Act also requires annual reports to Congress on foreign influence and potential threats in the U.S. agriculture industry, including espionage and intellectual property theft.

The "Increased TSP Access Act of 2025" amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to improve the delivery of technical assistance for conservation practices. It streamlines the certification process for third-party technical service providers (TSPs) by allowing non-Federal entities and State agencies to certify them. The Act also mandates the Secretary to establish fair payment amounts for TSP services and increases transparency regarding the use and impact of third-party providers. Ultimately, this bill aims to enhance conservation efforts by expanding the pool of qualified TSPs and improving their accessibility to agricultural producers.

The BEACH Act of 2025 reauthorizes funding for state and local programs that monitor coastal recreation water quality and notify the public of potential contamination. It broadens water quality monitoring to include upstream waters and allows grant funds to identify pollution sources. The act also extends the authorization of appropriations through 2029 and requires the EPA to update guidance on water contamination testing technology.

The "Supporting Veteran Families in Need Act" permanently authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide financial assistance for supportive services to very low-income veteran families in permanent housing, ensuring continued support for this vulnerable population. This act amends existing legislation to include a permanent appropriation of funds for fiscal year 2027 and beyond, solidifying the commitment to assisting veterans in need.

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the railroad track maintenance credit from $3,500 to $6,100, adjusting for inflation after 2025. It applies to qualified expenditures starting January 1, 2024, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

The "Combating Cartels on Social Media Act of 2025" aims to combat transnational criminal organizations' use of social media and online platforms for illicit activities like narcotics and human trafficking. It mandates a joint assessment by the Department of Homeland Security, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of State on how these organizations use online services for recruitment and illegal operations. The Act further requires a joint strategy to counter these recruitment efforts through enhanced cooperation, intelligence analysis, and outreach, while ensuring the protection of civil rights and liberties. No additional funds will be allocated to implement this law.

The "Saving the Civil Service Act" limits the ability to reclassify civil service positions, maintaining competitive service standards. It requires OPM approval for certain position changes and sets restrictions on the number of employees that can be moved between service types during a presidential term. Employee consent is mandated for transfers between different service schedules. The Office of Personnel Management is tasked with creating regulations to implement the provisions of this act.

The MACH Act allows NASA to establish the "Making Advancements in Commercial Hypersonics Program" to facilitate testing opportunities for high-speed aircraft technologies, while ensuring alignment with existing research roadmaps and collaboration with other agencies like the Department of Defense and the FAA. The Act requires NASA to develop a strategic plan and submit regular reports to Congress on the program's activities and progress. It also prohibits NASA from collaborating with entities or countries of concern on these technologies.

The BRAVE Act directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to establish a patient outreach system. This system will inform veterans, particularly those who have experienced traumatic events, about available mental health resources and care services. The goal is to ensure veterans are aware of and can access the mental health support they may need.

The "No Tax on Tips Act" allows an above-the-line tax deduction for up to $25,000 in qualified tips for workers in traditionally tipped occupations, excluding higher-income earners. It also extends the employer social security tax credit to include beauty service establishments, aiming to reduce the tax burden on tipped workers and incentivize accurate tip reporting. This goes into effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

The PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Peer Support Program Act establishes a grant program within the Department of Veterans Affairs to fund peer-to-peer mental health support for veterans. Grants, up to $250,000, will be awarded to eligible entities like nonprofits and veteran service organizations to operate programs that meet specific standards, hire veteran peer specialists, and provide 24/7 mental health support. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs will establish an advisory committee to set program standards and best practices. The bill allocates $25,000,000 over three years to carry out the program.

The Prevent Tariff Abuse Act amends the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to limit the President's power, preventing them from imposing import duties, tariff-rate quotas, or other quotas on goods entering the United States under the authority of that act.

The "Skills Investment Act of 2025" renames and expands Coverdell education savings accounts into "Coverdell lifelong learning accounts" to cover a broader range of skill development and educational expenses. It modifies age restrictions and contribution rules, introduces a new tax credit for employers contributing to employee accounts, and allows beneficiaries to deduct contributions made to their accounts. These changes aim to promote lifelong learning and workforce development.

The "Veterans Foreign Medical Coverage Equality and Modernization Act of 2025" ensures veterans with permanent and total service-connected disabilities can receive hospital care and medical services outside of the United States. It requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide care that meets U.S. standards, including FDA-approved medications, and mandates direct deposit for reimbursements. The Act also directs the VA to modernize its digital services by allowing digital submission and tracking of required forms, and requires a report to Congress on the implementation and effectiveness of these changes.

The PRECEPT Nurses Act establishes a $2,000 tax credit for eligible nurse preceptors working in Health Professional Shortage Areas. To qualify, preceptors must be licensed registered nurses or healthcare providers who supervise and train nursing students or new nurses for at least 200 hours annually and obtain certification verifying their hours. This credit is available from 2026 through 2032, with annual reports to Congress and a final evaluation on its effectiveness due by June 30, 2033.

The TRUST in Congress Act mandates that members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children place covered investments, such as securities and commodities, into qualified blind trusts within a specified timeframe. These trusts must remain in place until 180 days after the member leaves office, ensuring that investment decisions are made without the member's knowledge or influence. Members must certify their compliance or declare the absence of covered investments, with these certifications being made public. An exception is provided for spouses or dependent children whose primary income is derived from a covered investment.

The Goldie's Act seeks to strengthen the USDA's enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act by mandating annual inspections, requiring humane treatment of suffering animals, and imposing significant penalties for violations. It ensures transparency through mandated sharing of violation records and sets firm guidelines for determining penalties based on the severity and frequency of violations. The Act also enables legal action to recover unpaid penalties and penalizes the disobedience of "cease and desist" orders.