Nikki Budzinski

SAFE STEPS for Veterans Act of 2025

Supporting Access to Falls Education and prevention and Strengthening Training Efforts and Promoting Safety initiatives for Veterans Act of 2025 or the SAFE STEPS for Veterans Act of 2025 This bill addresses certain mobility and aging care and services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). First, the bill requires the establishment and operation of the Office of Falls Prevention within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) for purposes of providing, evaluating, and improving VA health care services related to falls prevention. Among other duties, the office must oversee and support a national education campaign for veterans, their families, and health care providers that focuses on reducing falls and increases awareness of available benefits or services provided by the VA to reduce falls. The bill also expands membership of the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Healthy Aging and Age-Friendly Communities by including the VA. The VA must issue or update directives of the VHA for facilities and providers relating to safe patient handling and mobility policies. Additionally, the VA must determine the feasibility and advisability of implementing a pilot program to provide home improvements and structural alterations to prevent falls for veterans who are eligible for such services under VA laws. Finally, the bill requires the VA to ensure certain veterans receive a falls risk assessment from a licensed physical therapist or occupational therapist.

VA Mental Health Outreach and Engagement Act

The bill would require the Department of Veterans Affairs to expand mental health outreach and engagement programs specifically designed to reach veterans who may not be actively seeking help. It aims to improve how the VA identifies and connects with veterans struggling with mental health issues, particularly those who are isolated or unaware of available services. The legislation would affect veterans and the VA's mental health care system by making it easier for struggling veterans to access treatment and support.

Veteran DATA Act

The bill would require the Department of Veterans Affairs to improve how it collects, manages, and shares data about veterans' health, benefits, and services. This would help the VA better track outcomes, identify gaps in care, and make it easier for veterans to access the benefits and medical treatment they're entitled to. The changes aim to modernize the VA's outdated data systems so veterans receive faster, more coordinated support.

PREDICT Act

Without access to the bill's specific text, this legislation likely addresses government operations and administration based on its referral to committees overseeing government reform, House administration, and judicial matters. The bill's name suggests it may focus on prediction, forecasting, or planning within federal government functions, though the exact policy changes would depend on the bill's detailed provisions. Once the committees review it, they will determine whether the proposed changes should move forward for a vote.

Grocery, Farm, and Food Worker Stabilization Grant Program Act of 2026

Grocery, Farm, and Food Worker Stabilization Grant Program Act of 2026 This bill directs the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) to establish a grant program to provide farmworkers, meat processing workers, and grocery workers stabilization payments in the case of a natural disaster or other disaster. Specifically, AMS must provide funding to membership organizations or labor unions representing farmworkers, meat processing workers, and grocery workers for the payments.

Gateway Arch National Park Boundary Revision Act of 2026

This bill would adjust the boundaries of Gateway Arch National Park in St. Louis, Missouri, likely to expand or modify the park's protected land area. The changes would affect how much federal land is managed as part of the park and could impact local property owners, visitors, and the National Park Service's management of the site. The specific boundary adjustments would need to be approved by Congress before taking effect.

Protect Veterans from the THIEF Act

This bill aims to protect military veterans from identity theft and fraud by strengthening security measures for their personal information held by the Department of Veterans Affairs and other federal agencies. The legislation would likely require better safeguards, faster notification if veterans' data is compromised, and potentially provide credit monitoring or other protections to affected veterans. Veterans and their families would be the primary beneficiaries of these enhanced privacy and security protections.

More Behavioral Health Providers Act of 2026

More Behavioral Health Providers Act of 2026 This bill provides for additional Medicare payments to health care practitioners who provide services in mental health professional shortage areas for individuals with mental health or substance use disorders. The bill applies to physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, clinical social workers, clinical psychologists, marriage and family therapists, and mental health counselors.

Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act

The proposal would increase Social Security benefits and cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for seniors, meaning retirees would receive larger monthly payments to help keep up with inflation and rising expenses. This would primarily affect older Americans who depend on Social Security income, potentially improving their financial security in retirement. The bill is currently being reviewed by congressional committees to determine how it would be funded and what specific benefit increases would look like.

New Producer Economic Security Act

New Producer Economic Security Act This bill establishes the New Producer Economic Security Program within the Farm Service Agency (FSA) to provide funding and grants to help new farmers, ranchers, and forest owners. Specifically, the FSA must make competitive grants to, enter into cooperative agreements with, or provide other capital support to eligible entities (e.g., state or local governments, Indian tribes, nonprofit organizations, and institutions of higher education). These entities must provide direct assistance to qualified farmers, ranchers, and forest owners (e.g., those who have not operated a farm or ranch for more than 10 consecutive years or are economically disadvantaged). The bill specifically excludes from assistance any foreign-based or foreign-owned corporation. The direct assistance may include payments to qualified beneficiaries to acquire real property (including air rights and water rights), secure clear title on heirs' property, and improve or remediate land, water, and soil. Eligible entities may also use grants (1) to provide direct assistance to qualified beneficiaries in assessing, purchasing, acquiring, or retaining eligible land; (2) for activities designed to support farm establishment and long-term viability; and (3) to provide technical assistance. The FSA must establish a stakeholder committee, and in collaboration with the committee, develop a process for evaluating and selecting applications submitted by eligible entities. The stakeholder committee must include perspectives reflecting the complexity of the rural and urban U.S. agricultural landscapes and the wide variety of agricultural production models.

Protect Postal Performance Act

This bill would establish new standards and oversight measures for the U.S. Postal Service to improve mail delivery performance and accountability. It likely aims to address concerns about delayed mail delivery and service reliability by setting specific performance targets and giving Congress or oversight bodies better tools to monitor whether the Postal Service meets those goals. The changes would affect both postal workers and the millions of Americans who depend on mail delivery for bills, packages, and important documents.