Defence

Accountability for Veterans Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 January 2025

Accountability for Veterans Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to report to Congress on certain appeals, resources, and VA health care systems. Specifically, the report must address (1) the reasons why there is a backlog of appeals of claims for VA disability benefits; (2) ways to increase the amount of information, resources, and tools provided by the VA to individuals participating in the Transition Assistance Program of the Department of Defense; and (3) the management problems impacting one-star health care systems of the VA.

Master Sergeant Roddie Edmonds Congressional Gold Medal Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 January 2025

Master Sergeant Roddie Edmonds Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill provides for the posthumous award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Roddie Edmonds in recognition of his achievements and heroic actions during World War II.

Recognizing the roles and the contributions of Americas Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) and their critical role in providing quality health care for the public and the Nation's Armed Forces for more than 150 years and through multiple public health emergencies and beyond.

United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2025

This resolution recognizes the service of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) and encourages participation in National CRNA Week.

ACES Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2025

ACES Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to enter into an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to study and report on the prevalence and mortality of cancers among veterans who served on active duty as aircrew members and regularly flew in fixed-wing aircraft.

A joint resolution directing the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities in Syria that have not been authorized by Congress.

United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2025

This joint resolution directs the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities in or affecting Syria within 30 days of this resolution's adoption unless a declaration of war or specific authorization for such use of the Armed Forces has been enacted.

A joint resolution directing the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities in Ukraine that have not been authorized by Congress.

United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2025

This joint resolution directs the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities in or affecting Ukraine within 30 days of this resolution's adoption unless a declaration of war or specific authorization for such use of the Armed Forces has been enacted.

Restoring Trade Fairness Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2025

Restoring Trade Fairness Act This bill establishes various trade measures related to China, including by revoking China's permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) status and increasing the rates of duty (i.e., tariffs) on Chinese imported goods. The bill prohibits imported goods originating from North Korea, China, Russia, or Iran from receiving de minimis treatment. (Current law allows for U.S. imports under a de minimis threshold of $800 per shipment to enter free of tariffs, fees, and taxes.) Specifically, the bill revokes China's PNTR status. Currently, China's PNTR status allows for Chinese goods to have duty rates set forth in column 1 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS). With the removal of China's PNTR status, the bill generally sets the applicable duty rates on imported Chinese goods at the higher rates listed in column 2 of the HTS, with exceptions. The bill establishes a minimum duty rate of 35% for all Chinese goods, which requires column 2 rates to be at least 35%. However, the bill establishes a minimum duty rate of 100% for a list of specified goods (e.g., various minerals, certain vaccines and drugs, and certain defense-related articles). Duty rates are phased in over five years and adjusted annually for inflation. The bill also authorizes the President to take additional actions related to trade with China,  requires merchandise imported from China to be appraised based on U.S. value, and  establishes a trust fund to compensate U.S. producers for lost revenue resulting from retaliatory actions by China.

SWAG Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2025

Stop Wasteful Advertising by the Government Act or the SWAG Act This bill prohibits any federal agency or entity from using federal funds to purchase, acquire, or distribute swag (i.e., products distributed at no cost with the sole purpose of advertising or promoting an agency, organization, or program) or to manufacture or use a mascot for promotional purposes. Exceptions to these prohibitions include (1) express authorization in law, (2) recruitment related to armed forces enlistment, and (3) military academy athletic team mascots.

MEDAL Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2025

Monetary Enhancement for Distinguished Active Legends Act of 2025 or the MEDAL Act of 2025 This bill increases the monthly special pension for living Medal of Honor recipients from $1,406.73 to $8,333.33 and establishes a rate of $1,406.73 for the monthly special pension for surviving spouses of Medal of Honor recipients. Both amounts must be adjusted annually for inflation.

Veterans Health Care Freedom Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2025

Veterans Health Care Freedom Act This bill requires the Center for Innovation for Care and Payment within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement a three-year pilot program to provide veterans who are enrolled in the VA health care system with the ability to choose health care providers through the covered care system. Under the bill, the covered care system includes VA medical facilities, health care providers participating in the Veterans Community Care Program (VCCP), and eligible entities or providers that have entered into a Veterans Care Agreement. A veteran participating in the program may elect to receive care at any provider in the covered care system. The pilot program removes certain requirements (e.g., location of the veteran) to access care at VA and non-VA facilities. After four years, the bill permanently phases out the requirements for accessing care under the VCCP and Veterans Care Agreements and requires the VA to provide such care under the same conditions of the pilot program. Additionally, after four years, veterans may receive care at a VA medical facility regardless of whether the facility is in the same Veterans Integrated Service Network as the veteran.

Maintaining Academy Culture and Assuring Retention of Tradition, Honor, and Unity of the Republic Act (MACARTHUR) Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2025

Maintaining Academy Culture and Assuring Retention of Tradition, Honor, and Unity of the Republic Act (MACARTHUR) Act This bill requires the Department of the Army to amend the mission statement of the United States Military Academy to include the phrase “Duty, Honor, Country.”

VA CPE Modernization Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2025

Department of Veterans Affairs Continuing Professional Education Modernization Act or the VA CPE Modernization Act This bill modifies the program under which the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reimburses certain full-time health care professionals for continuing professional education expenses. Under current law, only board-certified physicians and dentists are eligible for such reimbursement. The bill expands the program to require reimbursement for various specified full-time health care professionals (e.g., registered nurses) and increases the amount available for a physician or dentist. Additionally, the bill removes the requirement that an individual be board-certified to receive reimbursement. The VA may adjust the amount of the reimbursement, so long as the adjustment does not result in a reimbursement of less than $2,000 per year for each specified position.

MACARTHUR Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2025

Maintaining Academy Culture and Assuring Retention of Tradition, Honor, and Unity of the Republic Act or the MACARTHUR Act This bill requires the Department of the Army to amend the mission statement of the United States Military Academy to include the phrase “Duty, Honor, Country.”

Caring for Survivors Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2025

Caring for Survivors Act of 2025 This bill increases the monthly rate of dependency and indemnity compensation payable to surviving spouses through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Dependency and indemnity compensation is a monthly payment made to eligible survivors (i.e., spouses, parents, or children) of (1) certain veterans who died as a result of a service-connected condition; (2) service members killed while on active military duty or active or inactive duty for training; or (3) veterans who did not die from a service-connected condition, but were totally disabled by a service-connected disability for a certain period of time. The bill also (1) reduces, from 10 years to 5 years, the period of time that certain veterans must have been rated totally disabled due to a service-connected disability in order for a survivor to qualify for benefits; and (2) specifies the amount that is payable to survivors of veterans who were rated totally disabled for a period of less than 10 years before their death.

Veterans Law Judge Experience Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2025

Veterans Law Judge Experience Act of 2025 This bill requires the Chairman of the Board of Veterans’ Appeals to prioritize individuals with three or more years of legal professional experience in relevant legal areas when recommending individuals to the Department of Veterans Affairs to serve as members of the Board.

Coordinating Care for Senior Veterans and Wounded Warriors Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2025

Coordinating Care for Senior Veterans and Wounded Warriors Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement a three-year pilot program to coordinate, navigate, and manage care and benefits for veterans who are enrolled in both the Medicare program and the VA health care system.

BNA Fairness Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2025

BNA Fairness Ac t This bill excludes from gross income (for federal income tax purposes) the basic needs allowance received by eligible members of the Armed Forces. Under current law, members of the Armed Forces may be eligible to receive the basic needs allowance (additional monthly payment) if (1) they have completed initial training, (2) they have at least one dependent, and (3) their total household income does not exceed 200% of the federal poverty level (based on the location and number of individuals in the household). Further, under current law, certain qualified military benefits may be excluded from gross income. However, the basic needs allowance is not included within the definition of qualified military benefits and must be included in gross income for federal tax purposes. Under the bill, the definition of qualified military benefits that may be excluded from gross income is expanded to include the basic needs allowance.

Restoring Trade Fairness Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2025

Restoring Trade Fairness Act This bill establishes various trade measures related to China, including by revoking China's permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) status and increasing the rates of duty (i.e., tariffs) on Chinese imported goods. The bill prohibits imported goods originating from North Korea, China, Russia, or Iran from receiving de minimis treatment. (Current law allows for U.S. imports under a de minimis threshold of $800 per shipment to enter free of tariffs, fees, and taxes.) Specifically, the bill revokes China's PNTR status. Currently, China's PNTR status allows for Chinese goods to have duty rates set forth in column 1 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS). With the removal of China's PNTR status, the bill generally sets the applicable duty rates on imported Chinese goods at the higher rates listed in column 2 of the HTS, with exceptions. The bill establishes a minimum duty rate of 35% for all Chinese goods, which requires column 2 rates to be at least 35%. However, the bill establishes a minimum duty rate of 100% for a list of specified goods (e.g., various minerals, certain vaccines and drugs, and certain defense-related articles). Duty rates are phased in over five years and adjusted annually for inflation. The bill also authorizes the President to take additional actions related to trade with China,  requires merchandise imported from China to be appraised based on U.S. value, and  establishes a trust fund to compensate U.S. producers for lost revenue resulting from retaliatory actions by China.

Protecting Military Parental Leave Evaluations Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2025

Protecting Military Parental Leave Evaluations Act This bill requires the Department of Defense to prescribe regulations regarding parental leave policies for members of the Armed Forces across all branches. Specifically, the regulations must (1) exempt a member from a performance evaluation when such member is taking parental leave that exceeds 31 consecutive days; and (2) authorize a member (without a waiver) to take leave during the two-year period after the birth of a child, adoption of a child, or placement of a minor child in the custody of such member.

To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish qualifications for the appointment of a person as a marriage and family therapist, qualified to provide clinical supervision, in the Veterans Health Administration.

United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2025

This bill establishes eligibility requirements for the appointment of an individual in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) as a marriage and family therapist who is qualified to provide clinical supervision. In order to be appointed as a marriage and family therapist in the VHA who is qualified to provide clinical supervision, a person must hold an appropriate master’s degree, be licensed or certified, and (1) be authorized to provide clinical supervision in the state they are licensed in, or (2) be designated as an approved supervisor by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.

Medal of Honor Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2025

Medal of Honor Act This bill increases the monthly special pension for living Medal of Honor recipients from $1,406.73 to $8,333.33 and establishes a rate of $1,406.73 for the monthly special pension for surviving spouses of Medal of Honor recipients. Both amounts must be adjusted annually for inflation.

Ensuring Veterans’ Final Resting Place Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2025

Ensuring Veterans’ Final Resting Place Act of 2025 This bill provides that the provision of an urn or commemorative plaque does not prohibit an individual from receiving a headstone or marker or other burial benefits (i.e., interment at a national cemetery) from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Under current law, individuals who request an urn or plaque do so in lieu of being furnished a headstone or burial benefit.

Expressing the support of the House of Representatives for the naming of new or undedicated facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs after women veterans and minority veterans in order to reflect the diversity of all who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States.

United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2025

This resolution supports the naming of new or undedicated Department of Veterans Affairs facilities after women veterans and minority veterans to reflect the diversity of all who have served in the Armed Forces.

Combat Veterans Pre-Enrollment Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2025

Combat Veterans Pre-Enrollment Act of 2025 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish a program to carry out all activities necessary to permit certain members of the Armed Forces to elect to enroll in the VA health care system on the date of separation of such members from active service. Specifically, the program is for those who served on active duty in a theater of combat operations during a period of war after the Persian Gulf War or in combat against a hostile force during a period of hostilities after November 11, 1998. The VA must, in conjunction with the Department of Defense (DOD) and Department of Homeland Security, establish a mechanism to permit a member of the Armed Forces to elect to pre-enroll in the VA health care system during the 180-day period preceding the date of separation of the member from active service. The VA-DOD Joint Executive Committee must brief Congress on the efforts to implement such a mechanism under the program. The Government Accountability Office must report on the program and include recommendations with respect to methods to improve the program.

WISER Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2025

Women Involuntarily Separated Earning Remittance Act of 2025 or the WISER Act of 2025 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DOD) to establish and implement certain programs to address the involuntary separation of women veterans who served during the period of April 27, 1951, through February 23, 1976, under Executive Order 10240. Such order provided for the involuntary separation of women from service for (1) being a parent via birth or adoption, (2) gaining custody of a child, (3) being a step-parent who lived with the child more than 30 days per year, (4) being pregnant, or (5) giving birth to a living child while serving. The VA must establish and implement a program to upgrade the discharge status of such women veterans, and DOD must establish and implement a program to provide them with a one-time compensation of $25,000. Veterans must apply to participate in such programs. For benefits purposes, the VA must treat veterans who receive a discharge status upgrade as if the veteran completed the duty to which the veteran was assigned at the time they were discharged from service. If a veteran dies after the enactment of this bill, a surviving spouse is eligible to participate in the DOD compensation program. The bill provides a rebuttable presumption of eligibility for the programs for a veteran who gave birth, obtained custody, adopted a child, or experienced an incomplete pregnancy during the 10-month period after the veteran was separated from service.

Domestic SUPPLY Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2025

Domestic Security Using Production Partnerships and Lessons from Yesterday Act of 2025 or the Domestic SUPPLY Act of 2025 This bill establishes a program and sets out other requirements to promote domestic manufacturing of personal protective equipment (PPE) to address infectious diseases and other public health emergencies. Specifically, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must establish a program to enter into purchasing agreements with eligible domestic manufacturers for PPE to prepare for and respond to public health emergencies. To be eligible, manufacturers must be majority owned and operated by U.S. citizens and must manufacture a majority of their contracted products domestically, with 100% of products manufactured domestically by 2028. HHS must coordinate with the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security on this program. In addition, the federal government must only procure, subject to limited exceptions, clothing or equipment that is produced domestically to prevent the transmission of an infectious disease. If using federal funds, states or localities must also procure such items domestically. Further, the bill requires HHS to submit to Congress a report about changes to federal requirements for PPE since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of those changes on health care workers who cared for patients in 2020 and 2021.

To direct the Secretary of Defense to establish a compensation fund for military firefighters exposed to PFAS.

United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2025

This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to establish the Military Firefighters Compensation Fund to provide compensation to current and former military firefighters, or survivors of such firefighters, for illnesses incurred in the line of duty due to exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS. PFAS are man-made and may have adverse human health effects. Under the bill, current and former military firefighters are presumed to have been exposed to PFAS (in the absence of substantial evidence to the contrary) if the firefighter was employed at a military installation, facility of the National Guard, or formerly used defense site during a period when PFAS would have been present at such facility. The bill provides that in cases where a military firefighter is deceased at the time of payment of compensation, the surviving spouse must receive the payment. If there is no surviving spouse, the bill provides for the order of distribution to other surviving parties (e.g., a child or parent of the firefighter). The bill also provides that a survivor of a firefighter may file a claim for compensation if the firefighter dies before filing a claim. DOD must furnish the services, appliances, and supplies prescribed or recommended to a military firefighter who is receiving medical benefits for an illness related to PFAS exposure. Additionally, such firefighter may be furnished necessary and reasonable transportation and expenses incident to securing care for such illness.

Strengthening our Servicemembers with Milk Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2025

Strengthening our Servicemembers with Milk Act This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to provide varieties of fluid or powdered milk (e.g., unflavored or organic) to members of the Armed Forces at dining facilities on military installations. Under the bill, DOD is prohibited from purchasing such milk from an entity owned or controlled by a foreign adversary.

A bill to require agencies submit zero-based budgets.

United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2025

This bill requires federal agencies to submit zero-based budgets to the Office of Management and Budget and the congressional budget committees .  Under the bill, a  zero-based budget is a systematic budget analysis in which managers (1) examine current objectives, operations, and costs; (2) consider alternative ways of carrying out programs or activities; and (3) rank different programs or activities by order of importance. The bill also requires federal agencies to submit recommendations to reduce spending by at least 2% from the previous year's levels. The Department of Defense and the National Nuclear Security Administration are exempt from this requirement.

Fiscal Year 2025 Veterans Affairs Major Medical Facility Authorization Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2025

Fiscal Year 2025 Veterans Affairs Major Medical Facility Authorization Act This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to carry out specified major medical facility projects during FY2025. The bill also indicates the maximum amount that may be spent on each project.

Protecting Military Installations and Ranges Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2025

Protecting Military Installations and Ranges Act of 2025 This bill places restrictions on the purchase of certain property by a foreign person (e.g., an individual or entity) who is owned or controlled by, is acting for or on behalf of, or receives subsidies from Russia, China, Iran, or North Korea. Specifically, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) must review a purchase or lease by, or a concession to, any such foreign person of private or public real estate in the United States that is within (1) 100 miles of a military installation; or (2) 50 miles of a military training route, special use airspace, a controlled firing area, or a military operations area. Further, the Department of Defense and the Department of Transportation may not issue final determinations regarding specified projects (e.g., energy projects) that involve a transaction under review by CFIUS until CFIUS concludes its action.

Pregnancy Resource Center Defense Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2025

Pregnancy Resource Center Defense Act  This bill increases criminal penalties and authorizes additional civil remedies for intentionally damaging or destroying property that is a place of religious worship or a facility that exclusively provides abortion-alternative services. The bill also increases the mandatory minimum prison term for maliciously damaging or destroying, by means of fire or explosives, a building that is a place of religious worship or a facility that exclusively provides abortion-alternative services.

SANE Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2025

Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner in VA Hospitals Act of 2025 or the SANE Act of 2025 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to employ at each of its hospitals and urgent care facilities at least one sexual assault nurse examiner or a health care provider who is qualified to conduct a sexual assault forensic examination. The bill also provides that after examining an individual for sexual assault, a VA health care provider must verbally refer the individual to mental health care services furnished by the VA in a VA hospital or by a non-VA provider under the Veterans Community Care Program if the wait time for services at a VA hospital exceeds 30 days. In providing such duties related to sexual assault care, the VA must ensure that there is no reduction in, or negative effect on, the patient care responsibilities otherwise carried out by its employees.

Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 21 January 2025

Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act of 2025 This bill reauthorizes the Department of Defense to sell its excess aircraft and aircraft parts that are acceptable for commercial sale for wildfire suppression purposes. Such authority begins October 1, 2025, and ends October 1, 2035. The bill also provides that such aircraft may be used to deliver water by air in order to suppress wildfire (the previous authority only provided for the delivery of fire retardant). The bill removes the previous limitation on providing international wildfire suppression assistance with such purchased aircraft.

Vietnam Veterans Liver Fluke Cancer Study Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 January 2025

Vietnam Veterans Liver Fluke Cancer Study Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to conduct an epidemiological study and report on the prevalence of cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) in veterans who served in the Vietnam theater of operations during the Vietnam era. The study must identify the rate of incidence of cholangiocarcinoma in such veterans and in U.S. residents. The bill also requires the VA to track and report on the prevalence of cholangiocarcinoma using the Veterans Affairs Central Cancer Registry. Additionally, the VA must periodically submit follow-up reports to Congress regarding the epidemiological study and information collected from the cancer registry regarding the prevalence of bile duct cancer.

Supporting Veteran Families in Need Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 January 2025

Supporting Veteran Families in Need Act This bill permanently extends authorization for the Supportive Services for Veteran Families program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, which provides supportive services to very low-income veterans (and their families) occupying or transitioning to permanent housing.

Birthright Citizenship Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 21 January 2025

Birthright Citizenship Act of 2025 This bill limits birthright citizenship by redefining what it means to be subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. Currently, a person born in the United States and subject to U.S. jurisdiction is entitled to citizenship. Under the bill, a person is subject to U.S. jurisdiction if he or she is born to a parent who is (1) a U.S. citizen or national, (2) a lawful permanent resident residing in the United States, or (3) a non-U.S. national ( alien under federal law) with a lawful immigration status who is performing active service in the Armed Forces. The bill does not affect the citizenship or nationality status of any person born before the bill's enactment date.

_______ Act of 2024

United States · United States Congress · 21 January 2025

This bill requires the consent of the chief executive officers (e.g., governors) of involved states when the President or Department of Defense orders National Guard units to perform training or other duty in such states. Under the bill, the term state  includes the District of Columbia and territories or possessions of the United States. The bill also subjects the ordered training or duty to the limitations of the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878, which prohibits the use of the military for civil law enforcement purposes.

Community Protection and Wildfire Resilience Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 January 2025

Community Protection and Wildfire Resilience Act This bill establishes a wildfire resilience grant program within the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), expands an existing U.S. Forest Service (USFS) wildfire risk reduction grant program, and requires the USFA and Government Accountability Office (GAO) to produce various reports and resources relating to wildfire resilience. Specifically, the bill requires the USFA to award grants to state or local governments, tribes, volunteer fire departments, or groups thereof for developing a community protection and wildfire resilience plan or carrying out projects that support strategies described in such a plan.  Also, under current law, the USFS’s Community Wildfire Defense Grant program provides grants to at-risk communities for implementing wildfire risk reduction, including reducing hazardous fuels and restoring fire-adapted ecosystems, but excluding activities such as construction and home hardening (e.g., roof upgrades, fire-resistant siding). The bill expands the eligible project types to include construction or modification of a structure to increase fire-resistance and modification of a structure or the adjacent area to reduce exposure to contact with wildfire.  Additionally, the bill requires the USFA to develop and publish a map depicting communities at risk from wildfire. The USFA must also provide a report evaluating and ensuring public entities have radio communication capabilities adequate for wildfire management. The bill also requires the GAO to publish a study on potential certification for community protection and wildfire resilience plans, and a report assessing impediments for federal wildfire resilience programs.

Keith Bass, of Texas, to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense, vice Lester Martinez-Lopez.

United States · United States Senate · 20 January 2025

A resolution honoring the service of women in combat roles in the Armed Forces.

United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2025

This resolution recognizes the contribution of women serving in combat roles in the Armed Forces.

Offshore Energy Security Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2025

Offshore Energy Security Act of 2025 This bill directs the Department of the Interior to conduct two offshore oil and gas lease sales per year for 10 years in the Gulf of Mexico Region Program Area, places a moratorium on oil and gas leases in certain areas, and establishes related requirements. Interior must offer at least 74 million acres for each offshore lease sale in such region. The bill stipulates the terms and conditions of such leases. Interior must also carry out the lease sales in accordance with the Record of Decision approved by Interior on January 17, 2017. Interior may waive certain requirements under the National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program that would delay final approval of those lease sales. In addition, the bill prohibits such lease sales from being invalidated as a result of lawsuits relating to environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. It also limits delays to the lease sales as a result of the lawsuits. Finally, the bill extends through 2035 a moratorium on oil and gas leasing in (1) any area east of the Military Mission Line in the Gulf of Mexico; (2) any area in the Eastern Planning Area that is within 125 miles of Florida's coastline; and (3) certain areas in the Central Planning Area, including specified areas along Florida's coastline. It also places a moratorium through 2035 on oil and gas leasing in the South Atlantic Planning Area or the Straits of Florida Planning Area.

AMERICANS Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2025

Allowing Military Exemptions, Recognizing Individual Concerns About New Shots Act of 2025 or the AMERICANS Act This bill prohibits the Department of Defense (DOD) from issuing any COVID-19 vaccine mandate as a replacement for the rescinded vaccine mandate of August 24, 2021, unless the mandate is expressly authorized by Congress. The bill also provides that DOD must establish an application process for remedies for members of the Armed Forces who were discharged or subject to adverse action under the rescinded mandate. Any administrative discharge of a member on the sole basis of a failure to receive a COVID-19 vaccine must be categorized as an honorable discharge, and DOD is prohibited from taking any adverse action against such a member for that reason. DOD must try to retain unvaccinated members and provide such members with professional development, promotion and leadership opportunities, and consideration equal to that of their peers. Additionally, DOD may only consider the COVID-19 vaccination status of members in making certain decisions (e.g., deployments in countries where it is the law) and must establish a process to provide exemptions to certain members for such decisions. Members who were separated from the Armed Forces for refusing to receive a COVID-19 vaccine are not required to repay any bonuses and must be reimbursed if they repaid any portion of a bonus prior to this bill's enactment. This bill applies to all members of the Armed Forces, regardless of whether they sought an accommodation to any DOD COVID-19 vaccination policy.

GATE CRASHERS Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2025

Guarding and Administering Trespass Enforcement, Controlling Restricted Areas, and Stopping High-risk Encroachment Recidivism and Sabotage Act or the GATE CRASHERS Act This bill establishes a new federal criminal offense for going onto Department of Defense property that is closed or restricted without authorization.

A bill to rename the medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Dallas, Texas, as the "Eddie Bernice Johnson VA Medical Center".

United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2025

This bill designates the medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Dallas, Texas, as the Eddie Bernice Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center or the Eddie Bernice Johnson VA Medical Center.

Restore VA Accountability Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2025

Restore Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability Act of 2025 or the Restore VA Accountability Act of 2025 This bill modifies personnel action procedures regarding certain employees and executives of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).  The bill authorizes the VA to remove from civil service, demote, or suspend VA employees that are supervisors or managers if the VA determines by substantial evidence that the performance or misconduct of such individual warrants such action. This authority does not apply to certain appointees or individuals in their probationary or trial period. Supervisors or managers who are subject to a removal, demotion, or suspension under this bill are entitled to (1) advance notice of the action and supporting evidence, (2) representation by an attorney or representative, and (3) grieve the action in accordance with an internal grievance process. The bill also provides protections from removal, demotion, or suspension for supervisor or managers who are whistleblowers or are seeking corrective action for an alleged prohibited personnel practice such as discrimination. The bill also modifies the procedures to remove, demote, or suspend VA employees or senior executives based on performance or misconduct, specifically by requiring the VA to determine by substantial evidence that the performance or misconduct of the individual warrants such removal, demotion, or suspension. Such procedures must apply retroactively, beginning on the date of enactment of the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017 (June 23, 2017).

VA Home Loan Awareness Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2025

VA Home Loan Awareness Act of 2025 This bill requires mortgage lenders to include on the Uniform Residential Loan Application (i.e., Fannie Mae Form 1003 or Freddie Mac Form 65) a notification that applicants with military service may qualify for a Department of Veterans Affairs Home Loan. Not later than 18 months after the enactment of the bill, the Government Accountability Office must study and report on whether at least 80% of lenders using the loan application form have met this requirement.

Subterranean Border Defense Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2025

Subterranean Border Defense Act This bill requires recurring annual reporting by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on the implementation of a strategic plan to counter illicit cross-border tunnel operations. Currently, CBP is only required to report once no later than one year after the plan's development. 

Veterans 2nd Amendment Restoration Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2025

Veterans 2nd Amendment Restoration Act of 2025 This bill provides that certain individuals are not prohibited from purchasing, selling, or possessing a firearm or ammunition solely because the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has determined they require a fiduciary or are mentally incompetent (i.e., unable to manage their affairs).  Under current law, it is unlawful to sell or otherwise dispose of any firearm or ammunition to any person who has been adjudicated as mentally defective. The bill provides that a person must not be treated as having been adjudicated as mentally defective solely because the VA determined the person requires a fiduciary or is mentally incompetent per its regulations. Within 30 days of the enactment of this bill, the VA must notify the Department of Justice (DOJ) that the VA's transmittals of certain information that was provided solely on the basis that a veteran's benefits are managed by a fiduciary were improper, do not apply, or no longer apply. This applies to VA transmittals to DOJ on or after November 30, 1993, for use by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System for firearm transferees.

Veterans Collaboration Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2025

Veterans Collaboration Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement a two-year pilot program to promote and encourage partnerships between the VA and nonprofit organizations and institutions of higher learning. Specifically, the VA must encourage partnerships between (1) veterans service organizations that provide credentialed personnel to assist veterans with legal needs, and (2) law schools that provide pro bono legal assistance and legal services to veterans.