Legislative Activity

The Budgeting for a Better America Act fundamentally reforms the federal budget process by shifting to a two-year (biennial) cycle to promote stability and long-term planning. It also establishes a bipartisan commission tasked with developing a deficit-reduction plan that Congress must consider under fast-track procedures. Finally, the bill mandates greater transparency through required long-term financial reports and expanded participation in budget oversight.

This bill provides appropriations for the Department of Transportation and the Department of Housing and Urban Development for fiscal year 2027, allocating billions for infrastructure, housing assistance, and related agency operations. It directs significant funding toward highways, airports, transit, rental assistance, and homelessness programs while imposing numerous policy restrictions on how these funds can be used. The legislation aims to upgrade national infrastructure and support vulnerable populations while reinforcing congressional oversight and specific spending priorities.

The Tipped Employee Protection Act updates the definition of a "tipped employee" under federal law. It requires that the combined total of an employee's tips and cash wages must meet the federal minimum wage over an employer-defined work period. This change removes the previous $30 monthly tip threshold and applies regardless of the employee's specific duties.

The Protecting Veteran Access to Telemedicine Services Act of 2025 allows authorized Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare professionals to prescribe and dispense controlled medications to eligible veterans via telemedicine. This provision removes the prior requirement for an initial in-person visit before prescribing these medications remotely. The VA is required to establish specific regulations detailing the process for this telemedicine delivery while ensuring compliance with existing federal drug control laws.

This bill provides the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations for the Departments of Transportation and Housing and Urban Development, along with several related agencies. It allocates specific funding for infrastructure, rental assistance, and agency operations while imposing strict rules on spending, reporting, and program restrictions. The legislation aims to maintain current services while increasing oversight and transparency across funded programs.

This proposed constitutional amendment seeks to grant Congress the explicit power to prohibit the physical desecration of the United States flag. If ratified by three-fourths of the states within seven years, this would allow Congress to enact federal laws protecting the flag from physical damage or destruction.

The Duty Drawback Clarification Act updates the U.S. tariff schedule to standardize the classification of whiskies under Chapter 22. This legislation removes an outdated whiskey classification code and requires the U.S. International Trade Commission to add new statistical tracking codes for imports. These changes will take effect 15 days after the Act is officially enacted.

The Stephen Hacala Poppy Seed Safety Act addresses the danger of poppy seeds contaminated with high levels of opiates like morphine, which have led to accidental overdoses and deaths. This legislation directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish mandatory safety limits for these contaminants in poppy seeds sold commercially. Seeds exceeding these limits will be deemed adulterated and banned from interstate commerce. Furthermore, the Act clarifies that contaminated poppy seeds are not exempt from regulation under the Controlled Substances Act.

The Local Radio Freedom Act expresses Congressional opposition to imposing new performance fees, taxes, or royalties on local radio stations and businesses for playing music. It argues that the current system of free airplay provides essential promotional value to artists and that new fees would threaten the financial viability of local broadcasters and the vital community services they provide.

The BNA Fairness Act ensures that the Basic Needs Allowance (BNA) provided to eligible active-duty service members is exempt from federal income tax. By classifying this support as a qualified military benefit, the bill prevents these essential payments from being reduced by tax obligations.

The Pet Food Uniform Regulatory Reform (PURR) Act of 2025 establishes a streamlined, uniform federal regulatory framework for pet food to replace the current patchwork of state-level requirements. By centralizing oversight under the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine, the bill standardizes ingredient reviews, labeling, and marketing claims to improve marketplace certainty and innovation. Ultimately, this Act aims to enhance the nationwide availability of safe, nutritious, and affordable food for companion animals.