Sam Liccardo

Major Richard Star Act

This bill allows a veteran with a combat-related disability to receive retirement pay, without reduction, concurrently with their disability compensation. This includes veterans with a combat-related disability and fewer than 20 years of creditable service. (Currently, veterans who receive combat-related special compensation and retirement pay are subject to an offset in retirement pay for concurrent receipt of such benefits.)

Governing Unaccredited Representatives Defrauding VA Benefits Act or the GUARD VA Benefits Act

This bill imposes fines on individuals for soliciting, contracting for, charging, or receiving any unauthorized fee or compensation with respect to the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of any claim for Department of Veterans Affairs benefits. The attempted commission of such offenses is also punishable by fine.

NSF AI Education Act of 2025

This bill establishes, or authorizes the National Science Foundation (NSF) to establish, various scholarship, fellowship, and grant programs to promote education and professional development related to artificial intelligence (AI).

The bill authorizes NSF to award scholarships and fellowships to college students focusing their studies on AI. NSF may also support AI-related professional development fellowships for (1) students and faculty, (2) K-12 teachers and school professionals, and (3) industry professionals seeking short-term appointments to teach AI.

NSF must also establish up to eight centers of AI excellence at community colleges or area career and technical education schools. Designated centers must develop best practices for AI research and education, integrating AI into the classroom, and facilitating partnerships with the private sector, among other topics. This program must be administered in coordination with the Department of Commerce Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs program.

NSF may make merit-based grants to eligible entities, including institutions of higher education and nonprofit organizations, for research on AI teaching models, integration of AI in the classroom, and AI’s impact on educational outcomes for students through grade 12. Awards must be used to (1) prepare K-12 teachers to integrate AI into their classrooms; and (2) research, test, and implement AI-related instructional materials, teaching models, and professional development for teachers.

Finally, NSF may establish a pilot program through which regional cohorts will provide AI-related peer support, mentoring, and research experiences to K-12 teachers and school leaders.

Neighbors Not Enemies Act

This bill repeals provisions authorizing the President to apprehend and remove from the United States the citizens of a particular nation, if the United States has declared war against that nation or that nation has threatened an invasion against the United States.

Protect Our Letter Carriers Act of 2025

This bill requires or authorizes certain actions related to the U.S. Postal Service (USPS).

The bill requires the Department of Justice to appoint an assistant U.S. attorney in each judicial district to coordinate and supervise the investigation and prosecution of various crimes related to postal services (for example, assault on a postal service employee, breaking into a post office, or obstruction of mails).

The bill also requires the U.S. Sentencing Commission to amend sentencing guidelines to provide that the assault or robbery of a postal employee shall be treated the same as the assault of a law enforcement officer.

Additionally, the bill authorizes appropriations for the USPS to install high security collection boxes and replace older versions of the universal mailbox key with electronic versions.

Keep STEM Talent Act of 2025

This bill addresses issues relating to non-U.S. nationals (aliens under federal law) with advanced degrees in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) field, including exempting certain such individuals from direct limitations on the number of immigrant visas granted per year.

To be exempt from the annual numerical limitations on immigrant visas, the individual must (1) have earned a master's level or higher degree in certain STEM fields while in the United States attending an accredited higher education institution, (2) be employed (or have an offer) to perform work directly related to the degree and earn higher than the median wage for that occupation, and (3) meet certain labor certification requirements.

The bill also allows an individual seeking a nonimmigrant F-1 (student) visa for an advanced STEM degree to obtain the nonimmigrant visa even if the individual seeks lawful permanent resident status. (Generally, an individual may be denied a nonimmigrant visa if the individual actually intends to seek immigrant status, unless dual intent is allowed for that visa.)

Under this bill, to be approved for an F-1 visa for an advanced STEM degree, the applicant must apply for the visa before beginning the advanced degree program.

The bill also requires an individual who is inside the United States and applying for an F-1 visa for an advanced STEM degree to undergo the same vetting (e.g., verifying academic credentials and undergoing background checks) as an individual applying from outside the United States.