Legislation

This resolution commemorates the continuation of the semicentennial of hip hop by officially designating specific dates to honor its cultural impact. It recognizes August 11, 2025, as "Hip Hop Celebration Day," August 2025 as "Hip Hop Recognition Month," and November 2025 as "Hip Hop History Month." The bill celebrates hip hop's origins in the Bronx and its evolution into a globally influential, multi-billion dollar American art form.

This resolution officially recognizes July 28, 2025, as "World Hepatitis Day" to bring urgent attention to the deadly threat of viral hepatitis B and C in the United States. It highlights the high rates of undiagnosed infections and disproportionate impact on vulnerable communities. The bill urges increased public education, vaccination efforts for adults, and improved access to curative treatments for hepatitis C. Ultimately, it supports national goals to eliminate viral hepatitis through coordinated public health action.

This resolution honors Dr. Paul Farmer by urging the U.S. government to adopt a 21st-century global health solidarity strategy to end preventable deaths worldwide. It calls for significantly increased U.S. aid, focused on strengthening local health systems through "accompaniment," while simultaneously taking action to stop economic injustices that drain resources from developing nations. Ultimately, the bill demands that U.S. development policy prioritize global health equity alongside addressing historical harms like slavery and colonialism.

This resolution recognizes the 50th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Cabo Verde and celebrates the deep, historical ties between the U.S. and Cabo Verde. It honors the significant contributions of Cabo Verdean-Americans to both nations and acknowledges Cabo Verde's commitment to democracy and good governance. The document also commends Cabo Verde's role in international affairs, including its support for Ukraine.

This bill appropriates funding for Fiscal Year 2026 across the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services (HHS), and Education, along with related agencies. It sets spending levels for workforce training, public health initiatives, K-12 and higher education programs, and administrative oversight. The legislation also includes numerous provisions governing fund transfers, lobbying restrictions, and specific operational rules for various federal programs.

The Judicial Reorganization Act of 2025 splits the existing Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals into two separate circuits: the new Ninth Circuit and the new Twelfth Circuit. This legislation increases the total number of federal circuits to fourteen and authorizes the appointment of two new judgeships for the remaining Ninth Circuit. The Act also establishes procedures for assigning existing judges and handling all pending and future court cases following the reorganization.

The Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2026 provides comprehensive funding across all military personnel, operations, procurement, and research and development for the U.S. Armed Forces. It allocates billions to pay service members, maintain equipment, modernize assets like ships and aircraft, and support vital health and oversight programs. The bill also establishes strict rules for spending, mandates significant domestic sourcing for certain materials, and rescinds previous appropriations.

The Pigs and Public Health Act enacts sweeping reforms for the humane handling and processing of pigs, banning certain growth-promoting drugs and establishing strict transportation and euthanasia standards for nonambulatory animals. It also significantly increases public health transparency by creating a confidential reporting portal for violations and strengthening whistleblower protections for employees. Furthermore, the bill mandates a study on the public health risks associated with nonambulatory pigs entering the food system. These measures aim to improve animal welfare while empowering workers to report safety concerns.

This bill establishes the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies to investigate the history and impact of these federal policies on Native American communities over a six-year period. The Commission is empowered to gather testimony, review federal records, and work with specialized subcommittees to address the resulting social, cultural, and physical harm. Furthermore, the legislation strengthens NAGPRA to ensure the return and respectful reburial of associated cultural items.

The Critical Minerals Investment Tax Modernization Act of 2025 updates tax incentives for domestic mineral production. Specifically, this bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the percentage depletion rate to 22% for the mining of rare earths and scandium. This change aims to encourage investment in the extraction of these strategically important materials.

The Pensions for All Act mandates that all employers and self-employed individuals must provide a retirement plan equivalent to the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) or enroll participants in FERS itself. This legislation also creates a pathway for non-Federal employees and the self-employed to participate directly in FERS, including crediting their service time. Furthermore, the bill establishes a new, tiered federal income tax credit to incentivize retirement contributions for smaller entities. Finally, it imposes a daily penalty tax on employers and the self-employed who fail to meet these new retirement coverage requirements.

The CLEAR Waters Act narrows the definition of "navigable waters" under federal law. This legislation explicitly excludes features like wastewater treatment systems, ephemeral streams, and groundwater from federal water protection regulations. The goal is to clarify which bodies of water fall under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.

The Don Young American Grown Act mandates that official floral and greenery decorations in high-level federal buildings, including the Executive Office of the President, State, and Defense Departments, must be grown in the United States. This requirement applies to cut flowers and greens used for official displays, excluding personal decorations. The new rule will take effect one year after the Act is signed into law.

The Investing in Children Before Missiles (ICBM) Act pauses the costly and delayed Sentinel missile program due to significant cost overruns. This legislation redirects unspent funds earmarked for Sentinel and related warhead modifications directly to the Department of Education to support low-income students. Furthermore, the bill mandates an independent study on extending the life of the existing Minuteman III missiles until at least 2050, while also analyzing strategic alternatives.

The Climate Change Health Protection and Promotion Act of 2025 establishes the Office of Climate Change and Health Equity within HHS to coordinate federal efforts against climate-related health threats. This Act mandates the creation of a National Strategic Action Plan to prepare public health and healthcare systems, especially for vulnerable communities. It also establishes a permanent scientific advisory board and requires expert reports to guide strategy and assess preparedness.

The Cutting LNG Bunkering Red Tape Act clarifies that transferring Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) to a ship for marine fuel is generally not considered an "export" under the Natural Gas Act. This exemption applies regardless of the vessel's flag, provided the refueling occurs within U.S. waters. The bill aims to streamline the process for using LNG as ship fuel within the United States.

This bill, the STUDENT Act, seeks to fundamentally alter the federal charter and operations of the National Education Association (NEA). It imposes strict new requirements on the organization's political activities, membership dues collection from government employees, and governance structure. Furthermore, the Act prohibits the NEA and its affiliates from engaging in strikes or promoting specific controversial ideological beliefs within schools.

The EARLY Act Reauthorization of 2025 extends the authorization of funding for the Young Women's Breast Health Education and Awareness Requires Learning (YWBHEAL) Act of 2009. This legislation pushes the program's expiration date from 2026 to 2031. The bill ensures continued federal support for breast health education initiatives specifically targeting young women for an additional five years.

The Young Fishermen's Development Extension Act reauthorizes and extends the existing Young Fishermen's Development Act. This legislation pushes the program's scheduled expiration date from 2026 to 2031. The bill ensures continued support for young individuals entering the commercial fishing industry.

This resolution officially designates the week of August 3 through August 9, 2025, as "National Farmers Market Week." It aims to celebrate the vital role farmers markets play in strengthening local economies and supporting farmers across the nation. Furthermore, the resolution recognizes how these markets improve community health by increasing access to fresh food and promoting sustainable agriculture.