Legislative Activity

The Virginia Beach Heroes Act ensures that donations made to support the families of law enforcement officers killed in Virginia Beach on February 22, 2025, qualify as charitable contributions, even if they are specifically for those families. It also clarifies that payments made by charitable organizations to the families of these officers will be considered as fulfilling the organization's exempt purpose, as long as the payments are made in good faith using a reasonable and consistent formula.

The Service-Connected Suicide Compensation Act directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to automatically provide dependency and indemnity compensation to the surviving family of a veteran with a service-connected mental disorder who dies by suicide.

This bill allows the Coast Guard to retain enlisted members who are close to retirement but facing involuntary separation or denial of reenlistment. It ensures that eligible members with at least 18 years of service are retained until they qualify for retirement, with specific protections for both regular and reserve members. The bill prevents the involuntary discharge or transfer of these members, allowing them to complete their service and receive retirement benefits.

The "Fair and Open Competition Act of 2025" seeks to ensure open competition and government neutrality in federal construction projects by preventing requirements for or bans against agreements with labor organizations. It prohibits discrimination based on labor affiliation, reduces construction costs, and expands job opportunities. The Act mandates revisions to regulations and allows exemptions only in special circumstances like public health or national security threats.

The HELPER Act of 2025 amends the National Housing Act to establish an FHA mortgage insurance program for first responders, including law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics, EMTs, and teachers. This program allows the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to insure mortgages up to 100% of the appraised value for eligible first-time homebuyers, waiving down payment requirements but requiring an up-front mortgage insurance premium. Mortgagors must meet specific eligibility criteria, including being a first-time homebuyer, completing a housing counseling program, and meeting employment and good standing requirements as a first responder. The bill authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 2026 through 2032 and requires reauthorization of the program after 5 years.

The Major Richard Star Act allows eligible combat-disabled veterans to receive both their retirement pay and disability compensation. This eliminates the previous offset that reduced retirement pay for those receiving disability compensation. The changes apply to payments beginning the month after enactment.

The Military Spouse Hiring Act amends the Internal Revenue Code to include qualified military spouses as eligible for the Work Opportunity Credit, incentivizing employers to hire them. A qualified military spouse is defined as someone certified by a local agency as married to a member of the U.S. Armed Forces. This change applies to amounts paid and individuals starting work after the Act's enactment.

The 25th Anniversary of 9/11 Commemorative Coin Act directs the Treasury Secretary to produce gold and silver coins to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the National September 11 Memorial and Museum. The coins' designs will represent the courage and resilience of those affected, with at least one coin bearing the inscription "Never Forget." Surcharges from the sale of these coins will be donated to the National September 11 Memorial and Museum to support its operations and maintenance. The Act ensures that the coin production does not create any net cost to the Federal Government.

The "Pay Our Troops Act of 2025" ensures that members of the Armed Forces, essential Department of Defense civilians, and contractors continue to receive pay and allowances during periods when regular funding is disrupted. This act provides necessary appropriations to cover these costs for fiscal year 2025. The Act's provisions will terminate upon the enactment of regular appropriations, a continuing resolution that provides funding for the same purpose, or on January 1, 2026.

The BAH Restoration Act aims to restore the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) to cover 100% of service members' housing costs. This will be done by amending title 37 of the United States Code, ensuring that the monthly BAH is equivalent to the determined monthly cost of adequate housing based on pay grade, dependency status, and location. The Secretary of Defense will determine the specific housing costs in each area.

The "Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act of 2025" aims to reduce maternal mortality by improving data collection, sharing best practices for prevention, and increasing funding for maternal mortality review committees. This act amends the Public Health Service Act and directs the CDC to disseminate best practices to hospitals and professional groups. The act increases funding to $100,000,000 annually from 2025 through 2029.

The IVF Access and Affordability Act introduces a tax credit to help individuals and couples offset the costs of assisted reproductive technology (ART) expenses, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF). The credit can cover up to $20,000 in ART expenses, or $40,000 for joint filers if both individuals incur expenses, but is reduced for those with higher incomes, phasing out completely for individuals earning over $300,000 and joint filers earning over $600,000. This credit aims to make fertility treatments more accessible by reducing the financial burden on eligible families. The credit is effective for taxable years beginning after the date the bill is enacted.

The "Protecting American Industry and Labor from International Trade Crimes Act of 2025" aims to combat trade-related crimes by establishing a specialized task force within the Department of Justice, enhancing the investigation and prosecution of illegal activities related to imports and exports. It mandates the Attorney General to develop partnerships, provide training, and submit annual reports to Congress on the progress and financial needs in addressing these crimes. The act allocates \$20 million for fiscal year 2026 to support these efforts, with a focus on bolstering the Criminal Division's capacity to prosecute trade-related offenses.

The "Keep America's Waterfronts Working Act of 2025" establishes a task force and grant program to support the preservation and improvement of working waterfronts. It enables covered entities to submit working waterfront plans for approval and receive financial assistance for implementation. The act also authorizes capitalization grants to coastal states for establishing working waterfront preservation loan funds. It allocates $50 million annually from 2025-2029 for both the grant and loan programs.

The Veterans Readiness and Employment Transparency Act of 2025 aims to improve outreach by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for training and rehabilitation programs for veterans with service-connected disabilities by establishing a dedicated phone number and contact information on regional office websites. It also mandates monthly Q&A sessions between VA employees and school certifying officials, as well as in-person briefings at educational institutions. The Act requires the Secretary to submit an annual report on vocational rehabilitation program extensions and approve or reject extension requests within 30 days.

The Strategic Ports Reporting Act requires the Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense to map and assess strategic ports, especially regarding Chinese control or investment. It mandates a report to Congress detailing the importance of these ports, potential threats, and strategies to ensure U.S. access and security, including alternatives to Chinese involvement. The Act aims to safeguard U.S. national security and economic interests related to critical maritime infrastructure.

The Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion Act of 2025 aims to protect veterans by establishing a dedicated officer within the VA to combat fraud and scams targeting them. This officer will manage prevention programs, disseminate information, and coordinate with other agencies to safeguard veterans' benefits and identities. Additionally, the bill includes a minor technical correction to the Department of Veterans Affairs home loan fees.

The "Fort Monroe National Historical Park Establishment Act" establishes the Fort Monroe National Historical Park, incorporating the former Fort Monroe National Monument, to preserve and interpret its significant historical, natural, and recreational resources. It defines the park's boundaries and authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire land within these boundaries. The Act also outlines administrative guidelines, including cooperative agreements with the Commonwealth of Virginia, to ensure the preservation and appropriate use of historic resources within and near the park.

The Veterans Education and Technical Skills Opportunity Act of 2025, or VETS Opportunity Act of 2025, refines the requirements for independent study programs under the Department of Veterans Affairs educational assistance programs. It clarifies necessary regular interaction between students and instructors, and hones the definition of eligible higher education institutions. These changes will apply to academic terms starting on or after August 1, 2025.

The "Sporting Goods Excise Tax Modernization Act" modifies excise tax regulations by treating marketplace providers as the importer and seller for excise tax purposes on taxable sporting goods sold through their platform if the goods are shipped from outside the U.S. This applies when the marketplace provider lists the product, collects payments, and the manufacturer is not the marketplace provider. The regulations will be applied to sales in calendar quarters starting 60 days after the enactment of this Act.