Legislative Activity

The Increased TSP Access Act of 2025 aims to expand and accelerate the delivery of conservation technical assistance to farmers and ranchers by diversifying the certification process for third-party providers. The bill authorizes non-federal entities and state agencies to certify providers, streamlines credentialing for qualified professionals, and mandates fair payment rates. These reforms are designed to increase capacity, improve transparency, and ensure more efficient implementation of conservation practices nationwide.

The Equal COLA Act amends the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) to ensure that retirees receive the full annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). This legislation eliminates current discrepancies in calculation methods, providing federal annuitants with a COLA that matches the full percentage change in the price index.

The INCREASE Housing Affordability Act establishes a new tax credit to incentivize the conversion of underutilized office buildings into residential or mixed-use rental properties. To further support this effort, the bill creates an advisory board to provide technical assistance and guidance to state and local agencies on navigating the regulatory and logistical challenges of these conversions. By offering financial incentives and expert support, the legislation aims to accelerate housing supply and expand affordability across the country.

The Combating Cartels on Social Media Act of 2025 directs federal agencies to assess and counter the use of social media and digital platforms by transnational criminal organizations for illicit recruitment and operations. The bill mandates the development of a comprehensive national strategy to improve interagency coordination, enhance intelligence analysis, and foster community outreach. This initiative aims to disrupt criminal activities—such as human and narcotics trafficking—while ensuring the protection of civil rights, privacy, and civil liberties.

The Saving the Civil Service Act protects the merit-based federal workforce by restricting the ability of agencies to reclassify competitive service positions into the excepted service. The bill establishes strict oversight, limits the number of positions that can be transferred, and mandates employee consent for such reclassifications. These measures ensure that federal staffing remains professional and protected from arbitrary political interference.

The Making Advancements in Commercial Hypersonics (MACH) Act authorizes NASA to establish a program providing testing opportunities for high-speed aircraft and related technologies. While the program supports the evaluation of these technologies, it is strictly prohibited from funding their development. The Act also mandates the creation of a strategic plan, interagency coordination with the Department of Defense and the FAA, and rigorous reporting requirements to ensure research security.

The BRAVE Act mandates that the Department of Veterans Affairs establish a specialized mental health outreach system for veterans who have experienced traumatic or highly stressful events. By allowing veterans to opt in for targeted resources, the program aims to improve access to mental health care in coordination with Department of Defense transition services. The VA is required to implement this system within two years of the bill's enactment.

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to expand the railroad track maintenance credit by increasing the per-mile tax credit to $6,100 and implementing annual inflation adjustments starting in 2026. It also extends the eligibility window for qualifying maintenance expenditures to include costs incurred through 2023. These updates aim to provide greater financial support for ongoing railroad infrastructure improvements.

The "No Tax on Tips Act" proposes a federal tax deduction of up to $25,000 per year for cash tips received by workers in traditionally tipped occupations. Additionally, the bill expands the existing tax credit for employer-paid Social Security taxes on tips to include beauty service establishments. These changes are designed to provide tax relief for service workers and support businesses where tipping is customary.

The PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Peer Support Program Act establishes a $25 million grant program within the Department of Veterans Affairs to fund peer-to-peer mental health support for veterans. This initiative provides grants to eligible organizations to hire veteran peer specialists, offer 24/7 nonclinical support, and ensure veteran privacy by prohibiting the collection of personally identifying information.

The Prevent Tariff Abuse Act amends the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to restrict the President's authority to impose import duties or quotas. This bill clarifies that emergency economic powers do not include the ability to levy trade restrictions on goods entering the United States.

The Skills Investment Act of 2025 modernizes Coverdell education savings accounts into "Coverdell lifelong learning accounts," expanding their use to include a wide range of career and technical training expenses. The bill increases flexibility for adult learners by raising contribution age limits and introduces new tax incentives, including a business tax credit for employer contributions and a tax deduction for individual account holders. These changes aim to support workforce development and lifelong skill acquisition for Americans of all ages.

The Veterans Foreign Medical Coverage Equality and Modernization Act of 2025 mandates that the VA provide hospital care and medical services to veterans with permanent and total service-connected disabilities residing outside the United States. The bill also modernizes the reimbursement process by requiring direct deposit options and new mobile application features for document tracking and submission. Additionally, it requires the VA to report to Congress on the implementation and effectiveness of these expanded services.

The Combating Global Corruption Act of 2025 mandates an annual State Department report that ranks foreign countries based on their efforts to combat corruption. The bill establishes clear minimum standards for anti-corruption measures and requires the designation of diplomatic points of contact to promote good governance. Additionally, it encourages the use of targeted sanctions against corrupt actors in countries that fail to meet these international standards.

The TRUST in Congress Act requires Members of Congress, their spouses, and their dependent children to place covered financial investments into qualified blind trusts to prevent conflicts of interest. The bill establishes strict deadlines for asset transfers and mandates public certification of compliance. These measures ensure that lawmakers cannot influence or benefit from their personal investments while serving in office.

The PRECEPT Nurses Act establishes a $2,000 annual tax credit for eligible healthcare professionals who provide at least 200 hours of clinical supervision to nursing students or newly hired nurses in designated health professional shortage areas. This initiative, effective from 2026 through 2032, aims to address nursing shortages by incentivizing hands-on training and mentorship. The bill also mandates periodic reporting to Congress to evaluate the program's effectiveness in expanding the nursing workforce.

The HEADWAY Act updates credentialing requirements for Early Head Start teachers to improve workforce accessibility while maintaining quality standards. The bill mandates that each classroom have at least one fully qualified teacher, while requiring all other staff to actively pursue a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. To support this professional development, agencies are required to provide mentorship for teachers working toward their certifications.

Goldie’s Act strengthens the Animal Welfare Act by mandating more rigorous USDA inspections and requiring the prompt confiscation of animals suffering from neglect. The bill increases financial penalties for violators, ensures the immediate sharing of violation records with local law enforcement, and establishes stricter oversight to prevent future animal abuse.

The Fair Milk Pricing for Farmers Act increases transparency in the dairy industry by requiring manufacturers to report detailed production costs and product yield data to the Secretary of Agriculture. This legislation mandates that these metrics be disclosed for all products processed within a facility, ensuring a more comprehensive view of dairy operations. The Secretary will publish these findings biennially to provide greater market insight for farmers and stakeholders.

The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) Act of 2025 reauthorizes critical funding for the protection and restoration of the Great Lakes ecosystem. This legislation secures $500 million annually from fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to support ongoing environmental recovery efforts.