Legislative Activity

The COVID-19 Military Backpay Act of 2025 establishes a legal remedy for service members discharged due to non-compliance with the COVID-19 vaccination mandate. Covered members can sue in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims if their discharge is deemed involuntary or unlawful. If successful, the court must award remedies including back pay for missed training, continuous service credit, and adjustments to retirement eligibility. This legislation ensures that service records and benefits are corrected as if the wrongful discharge never occurred.

This bill would require the District of Columbia to recognize valid concealed carry permits or the legal right to carry a concealed firearm held by Members of Congress from their home states. Specifically, it allows Senators, Representatives, Delegates, and Resident Commissioners to carry a concealed firearm in D.C. provided they meet federal eligibility requirements and carry proper identification.

The Securing our Border Act reallocates existing federal funds to significantly enhance border security infrastructure, primarily by mandating 100% nonintrusive scanning at all land ports of entry and funding construction of the southwest border wall system. The bill also authorizes new financial incentives, including signing and retention bonuses, for Customs and Border Protection agents. Finally, it mandates stricter processing for individuals arriving from contiguous territories, requiring detention or immediate return while asylum claims are reviewed.

The Upending Secret Postal Shutdowns Act (USPS Act) establishes clear, mandatory procedures for the Postal Service when temporarily closing a post office due to an emergency. This bill requires immediate public notice, timely notification to elected officials, and specific review periods for longer closures. Ultimately, it aims to increase transparency and accountability regarding sudden postal service disruptions.

The End the Vaccine Carveout Act fundamentally changes vaccine injury compensation by allowing individuals to choose between filing a claim through the existing National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program or suing the manufacturer or administrator directly in court. This legislation removes the liability shield for vaccine makers and eliminates time limits for filing claims with the Program. Additionally, it specifically excludes COVID-19 vaccines from existing countermeasure liability protections.

The FASTER Act mandates a biennial survey of all tactical infrastructure and technology along the southern border to assess its condition and operational status. The Secretary of Homeland Security must report these findings to Congress and take immediate action to fix any identified deficiencies. This process includes the authority to waive normal legal requirements to expedite necessary repairs and maintenance.

The Review Every Veterans Claim Act of 2025 aims to significantly improve the efficiency and fairness of the VA claims and appeals process. This bill prohibits the VA from denying a veteran's claim solely because they missed a medical examination and mandates comprehensive tracking and reporting on claim adjudication times. Furthermore, it introduces quality assurance programs, enhanced training for Board of Veterans' Appeals members, and new authority for the Board to aggregate related appeals.

This bill officially renames the United States Postal Service facility located at 505 East 9th Avenue in Amarillo, Texas. The building will now be known as the "Mayor Jerry H. Hodge Post Office Building." This designation requires all official records and documents to use the new name for this specific location.

This Act prohibits "covered foreign entities," primarily defined as those connected to the People's Republic of China, from acquiring or leasing U.S. agricultural land. Covered entities currently owning such land must divest within one year or face severe daily fines and potential criminal forfeiture. Additionally, the bill imposes a temporary two-year ban on these same entities purchasing residential real estate, with separate penalties for non-compliance. The legislation mandates the creation of new enforcement offices within the Departments of Agriculture and Commerce to oversee compliance.

The SAVES Act establishes a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) pilot program to award grants to nonprofit organizations that provide service dogs to eligible veterans. These grants, up to $\$2,000,000$ each, will fund the training and provision of service dogs for veterans with qualifying conditions like PTSD or TBI. The bill also extends the expiration date for certain limits on veterans' pension payments until February 2033.

The Port Crane Tax Credit Act of 2025 establishes new federal tax incentives to bolster the domestic manufacturing of port cranes. It introduces a 25% investment tax credit for building or equipping U.S. facilities dedicated to crane production. Additionally, the bill creates a production credit for manufacturers selling qualifying U.S.-made port cranes, with higher rates for those using significant domestic components. Both credits offer flexible options for businesses, including transferability and elective payment.

The Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act strictly prohibits the Federal Reserve from directly or indirectly issuing a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) to individuals. This legislation prevents the Fed from developing, testing, or implementing any digital currency that functions as a direct liability of the Federal Reserve. Furthermore, Congress asserts that any authority to create such a digital asset must explicitly come from Congress itself.

This Act authorizes the presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to Chad Robichaux, Sarah Verardo, and six other Special Operations veterans for their heroic, independent efforts in evacuating over 17,000 people from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan following the 2021 withdrawal. The medal will be struck by the Treasury and ultimately displayed at the Smithsonian Institution. The bill also permits the sale of bronze duplicate medals to cover production costs.

This resolution formally recognizes and honors the extraordinary efforts of a specific team of veterans and one civilian for their bravery during the 2021 Afghanistan evacuation. These individuals are credited with leading rescue operations that safely evacuated over 17,000 people from Taliban-controlled territory. The bill ensures their exceptional service and valor are officially recorded in the Congressional Record.

The Equal Shot Act of 2025 prohibits the Small Business Administration (SBA) from denying financial assistance to otherwise qualified applicants solely based on their involvement in the firearms industry. This legislation ensures that businesses defined as "firearm entities," their affiliates, or trade associations are not unfairly rejected for SBA loans or guarantees. The Act clearly defines these terms to prevent discrimination against businesses involved in manufacturing, selling, or servicing firearms and related accessories.

This bill establishes a new program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) dedicated to significantly improving precipitation forecasts across all timeframes. The program will advance forecasting science, enhance Earth System Models, and incorporate new technologies like AI to better predict extreme rainfall events. It also mandates coordination across NOAA and engagement with external partners to ensure high-quality, accessible forecast data.

This resolution formally condemns the violent attack on the U.S. Border Patrol facility in McAllen, Texas, on July 7, 2025. It expresses support for the injured agents and reaffirms Congress's strong backing for the dedicated men and women of the Border Patrol. The bill emphasizes that such violence against law enforcement is unacceptable and undermines national security efforts.

The Defend Girls Athletics Act mandates that elementary, secondary, and higher education institutions must certify compliance with Executive Order 14201 regarding biological fairness in women's sports to receive federal funding. This certification must be renewed annually for K-12 districts and by July 1st for colleges and universities. Failure to comply or report results in the immediate requirement to return unobligated federal funds and ineligibility for future federal financial assistance until compliance is restored.

The Bracero Program 2.0 Act aims to modernize the H-2A temporary agricultural worker program by streamlining employer processes through a new online portal and setting a guaranteed minimum wage plus $\$2.00$ per hour for workers. It also establishes a six-year pilot program allowing certain returning H-2A workers to move between approved farms within the same state for greater job flexibility. Finally, the bill expands H-2A eligibility to include greenhouse and indoor farm workers and mandates several oversight reports by the GAO.

This resolution officially commends Petty Officer 3d Class Scott Ruskan for his heroic actions during the devastating central Texas floods of July 2025. It specifically recognizes him for personally rescuing 165 individuals and coordinating triage efforts under hazardous conditions. Furthermore, the bill extends deep gratitude to all federal, state, and volunteer responders who risked their lives during this major natural disaster.