Chuck Edwards

Equal Representation Act of 2025

Equal Representation Act This bill requires that the statement sent by the President to Congress after the decennial census indicating the number of persons in each state exclude noncitizens. (This statement is the basis for reapportionment of U.S. Representatives.) The bill also requires any questionnaire used in the decennial census to include a checkbox or other similar option for respondents to indicate whether the respondent and each household member is (1) a U.S. citizen, (2) a U.S. national but not a citizen, (3) a non-U.S. national ( alien under federal law) lawfully residing in the United States, or (4) a non-U.S. national unlawfully residing in the United States. The Department of Commerce must make public the number of persons in each state, disaggregated by each of these four categories.

To amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to prohibit the use of Federal funds for election administration in States that permit ballot harvesting.

No Federal Funds for Ballot Harvesting Act This bill requires each state, in order to receive federal funds for election administration, to prohibit the knowing collection and transmission of a ballot in a federal election that was mailed to another person (commonly referred to as ballot harvesting), with exceptions.

Vets Connect Act

The bill would improve how veterans connect with and access benefits and services from the Department of Veterans Affairs, likely by streamlining communication channels, updating technology systems, or making it easier for veterans to find information about the programs they're eligible for. Veterans and their families would benefit from clearer pathways to healthcare, disability compensation, education benefits, and other support services. The changes would help reduce confusion and barriers that currently prevent some veterans from getting the assistance they've earned.

To amend the Agricultural Act of 2014 to allow for the advance payment of assistance under Tree Assistance Program, and for other purposes.

The proposal would let farmers and landowners get money from the Tree Assistance Program earlier than usual, rather than waiting until after they've already replanted trees damaged by natural disasters or disease. This change would help agricultural producers cover upfront costs like buying seedlings and paying for planting work without having to wait for reimbursement from the government.

Stratton Ridge Air Force Memorial Act

This bill would establish a memorial on public land to honor the history and significance of Stratton Ridge, likely related to Air Force operations or personnel. The proposal has been referred to the House Agriculture Committee, which oversees federal land management, suggesting it involves designating or developing a specific area for this commemorative purpose. The memorial would affect how that particular piece of public land is used and managed going forward.

Disaster Survivors Fairness Act of 2025

Disaster Survivors Fairness Act of 2025 This bill establishes a unified application system for disaster assistance, expands disaster assistance for individuals and households, and requires related studies and reporting. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) must establish an interagency electronic information sharing system known as the unified disaster application system to carry out disaster assistance, including administration of a universal application for federal disaster assistance for individuals. The bill expands FEMA's assistance to individuals and households by (1) changing the eligibility standard for housing assistance from residences rendered uninhabitable to residences damaged by a disaster, (2) allowing direct (i.e., non-financial) assistance for home repair and hazard mitigation for residences, and (3) allowing hazard mitigation assistance for residences separate from assistance for home repairs. FEMA may (1) provide funding for state agencies to establish websites to provide information on post-disaster recovery resources; and (2) reimburse state, tribal, or local governments for certain costs relating to sheltering emergency response personnel. The bill extends FEMA's authority to implement state-managed housing assistance as a pilot program. FEMA must establish an online dashboard displaying certain information relating to the Individual Assistance program for each major disaster declaration. FEMA must also conduct a study and report to Congress on challenges for renters seeking disaster assistance. The Government Accountability Office must report on (1) identity theft and fraud in federal disaster assistance, (2) preliminary damage assessment practices under the Individual Assistance program, and (3) challenges in obtaining assistance under Public Assistance alternative procedures.

Unemployment Integrity Act of 2025

This bill would likely strengthen verification and fraud-prevention measures in the unemployment insurance system to ensure benefits go only to eligible workers. It probably includes requirements for states to better verify applicants' identities and employment status, and may impose penalties on those who fraudulently claim benefits. The changes would affect both unemployed workers seeking benefits and the state agencies that administer these programs.

Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act of 2025

This bill would create a way for people to sue cities and states that have policies limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, if they believe they were harmed by a crime committed by someone who was in the country illegally. The legislation aims to hold local governments financially accountable when their immigration policies are blamed for crimes, affecting both victims seeking compensation and local governments' budgets and legal liability.