Legislative Activity

The CAREERS Act amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to expand workforce training programs in rural areas. It broadens the definition of eligible institutions, emphasizes career pathway programs and industry partnerships, and prioritizes grants for these initiatives. The act supports various rural industries and requires reporting on program outcomes, with funding extended through 2030.

The "SALT Fairness and Marriage Penalty Elimination Act" amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the deduction limit for state and local taxes. For individuals, the deduction limit is $100,000, and for joint returns, the limit is $200,000 for taxable years after 2024.

The "Improving Menopause Care for Veterans Act of 2025" directs the Comptroller General to study and report on the menopause care services provided to veterans by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The report will assess various aspects of VA's menopause care, including access, quality, training, and research. Following the report, the VA Secretary must submit a strategic plan to Congress detailing how the VA will implement the report's recommendations to improve menopause care for veterans.

The "HOV Lanes for Heroes Act" allows disabled veterans to use High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes, even when driving alone, without being charged tolls. Eligibility is determined by the veteran's service-connected disability rating, as defined by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Vehicles must have appropriate identification, such as a special license plate or transponder, as required by the public authority. This act amends Title 23 of the U.S. Code to include disabled veterans among those permitted to use HOV facilities.

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to limit the number of terms a member of Congress can serve. Representatives would be limited to 3 terms and Senators to 2 terms, with specific rules for partial terms. Terms served before the amendment's ratification would not be counted. The amendment must be ratified by three-fourths of the states within seven years to be valid.

The "Lowering Costs for Caregivers Act of 2025" expands the use of tax-advantaged health accounts, including HSAs, FSAs, HRAs and Archer MSAs, to cover medical expenses of parents. This allows individuals to use these funds for their parents' or their spouse's parents' medical care. These changes aim to provide financial relief to caregivers by allowing pre-tax dollars to be used for elder care. The provisions apply to expenses and contributions made after December 31, 2024.

The "Manatee Protection Act of 2025" designates the West Indian manatee as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, requiring its inclusion on the endangered species list. This action provides increased protections and conservation efforts for the manatee population.

The CLEAN Elections Act requires states to use independent, nonpartisan commissions for Congressional redistricting. States must use similar commissions for state legislative districts to access federal election administration funds. A commission is considered nonpartisan and independent if the number of members from the state's two largest political parties is equal and none of its members are elected officials.

The Election Day Act amends Title 5 of the United States Code to recognize "Election Day" as a federal holiday. This would add Election Day to the list of recognized holidays alongside Columbus Day.

The Veteran Overmedication and Suicide Prevention Act of 2025 mandates an independent review of veteran suicides and certain other deaths by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. This review will analyze various factors, including prescribed medications, diagnoses, and treatment approaches, to identify patterns and inform updated clinical practice guidelines within the VA. The goal is to improve veteran safety and well-being by addressing potential overmedication and enhancing suicide prevention efforts. A report on the review's findings will be submitted to Congress and made public.

The "Rural 340B Access Act of 2025" expands the 340B drug discount program to include rural emergency hospitals. To qualify, these hospitals must be owned/operated by a government entity or a non-profit with governmental powers, or have a contract to provide healthcare to low-income individuals ineligible for Medicare/Medicaid. This expansion aims to improve access to affordable medications in rural communities.

The "High Rise Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act of 2025" incentivizes the installation of automatic fire sprinkler systems in high-rise residential buildings by classifying these retrofits as 15-year property for depreciation purposes under the Internal Revenue Code. This classification allows for an accelerated depreciation method, providing a tax benefit for property owners who invest in these life-saving systems. The bill defines specific criteria for qualifying sprinkler systems, ensuring they meet established safety standards and are installed in buildings that pose unique challenges for fire safety. These buildings must have been in service before the installation date and have an occupiable floor more than 75 feet above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access.

The Washington, D.C. Admission Act outlines the process for Washington, D.C., to become the State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth, while establishing a separate U.S. Capital. It addresses the transition of laws, property, and governance, ensuring continued federal operations and representation for D.C. residents. The Act also covers federal responsibilities, courts, elections, and benefit programs during the transition, establishing a commission to oversee the process and mandating presidential certification.