Legislative Activity

This resolution recognizes July 21, 2026, as Black Women’s Equal Pay Day to highlight the persistent and significant wage gap between Black women and white, non-Hispanic men. It calls attention to the systemic racial and gender-based barriers contributing to this disparity and reaffirms a commitment to achieving true pay equity.

The FACT Pilot Program Act establishes a five-year federal grant program to expand Forensic Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) teams, which provide intensive, multidisciplinary support to individuals with serious mental illness involved in the criminal justice system. In addition to funding existing programs, the bill mandates a comprehensive national study to evaluate program effectiveness, establish performance metrics, and develop a framework for scaling these services nationwide.

The Extreme Temperatures Injustice in Prisons Act of 2026 mandates that the Bureau of Prisons upgrade HVAC systems and implement strict temperature monitoring across all federal correctional facilities. The bill establishes enforceable standards to protect both incarcerated individuals and staff from extreme heat and cold while requiring the provision of essential mitigation supplies. Additionally, it mandates regular health reporting, oversight by the Inspector General, and specialized protections for medically vulnerable populations.

The Living Wage for Federal Contractors Act establishes a phased increase in the minimum hourly wage for federal contract employees, reaching $25.00 per hour within five years, followed by annual inflation-based adjustments. The bill mandates strict enforcement mechanisms, including contract termination, debarment for violators, and civil penalties, while aligning existing federal wage standards with these new requirements.

The Saving Transit Art Resources (STAR) Act amends federal transit law to explicitly allow the use of federal transit funds for art projects. This legislation removes previous restrictions, making art an eligible expense for capital project funds. The bill streamlines existing regulations by eliminating an outdated special rule concerning transit art.

This bill supports designating a week in April 2026 as "Black Maternal Health Week" to focus national attention on the severe maternal health crisis facing Black women. It highlights the unacceptable and unjust disparities in maternal mortality and morbidity rates among Black women due to structural racism and inequities. The legislation urges Congress to invest in comprehensive maternal care and pass legislation, like the Momnibus Act, grounded in human rights and reproductive justice.

The Army Security Agency Monument Act authorizes the placement of a monument at Arlington National Cemetery to honor veterans who served in the Army Security Agency between 1945 and 1976. The legislation requires the National Army Security Agency Association to fund all costs associated with the design, installation, and maintenance of the memorial.

The Kira Johnson Act aims to eliminate maternal health disparities by funding community-based organizations that provide evidence-based support to high-risk populations. The legislation also establishes grant programs to implement anti-bias training for maternity care providers and creates compliance programs to address racism and discrimination in clinical settings. Through these initiatives, the bill seeks to ensure respectful, culturally congruent care and improve health outcomes for pregnant and postpartum individuals.

The Improving Access to Nutrition Act of 2026 addresses the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by eliminating a specific work requirement exemption and related state funding provisions. Congress finds that existing SNAP work requirements are ineffective at reducing poverty and create significant barriers to food assistance, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations. This legislation aims to streamline access to benefits by removing these administrative hurdles.

This bill recognizes the historic 1960 Greensboro Four sit-in, honoring the students whose peaceful protest launched a nationwide movement against segregation. It designates February 1, 2026, as the 66th anniversary, coinciding with the start of Black History Month. Furthermore, the bill encourages states to include the Greensboro Four's contributions in educational curricula.

The EFFECTIVE Food Procurement Act directs the USDA to reform its food purchasing practices to support a more just, healthy, and sustainable food system. This is achieved by mandating the purchase of foods that prioritize equity, resilient supply chains, worker well-being, and climate mitigation. The bill also establishes reporting requirements, a set-aside for specific producers, and pilot programs to help smaller and targeted producers participate in USDA contracts.

The Fair Credit for Farmers Act provides immediate financial relief to eligible farmers by deferring loan payments and setting interest rates to 0.125% for two years. It also institutes significant reforms to farm loan programs, improving transparency in adverse decision notifications and restricting the use of a principal residence as collateral. Finally, the bill reforms the National Appeals Division process by shifting the burden of proof to the agency in certain appeals involving lower-income farmers.

This resolution expresses the sense of Congress to observe August 30, 2025, as the 135th anniversary of the 1890 Institutions. It recognizes the vital history and ongoing contributions of these 19 historically Black land-grant universities to education, research, and community extension. The bill encourages federal and state partners to celebrate this milestone and reaffirms commitment to strengthening federal collaboration with these institutions.

The Closing the Meal Gap Act of 2025 updates federal food assistance by basing benefit calculations on a new, higher "low-cost food plan" standard. It also modifies income calculations by removing the cap on excess shelter deductions and establishing a standardized, inflation-adjusted medical expense deduction. Finally, this Act completely eliminates the time limit restrictions previously placed on receiving food assistance benefits.

This resolution expresses support for designating the week of August 25 through August 31, 2025, as "Black Breastfeeding Week." It highlights significant health disparities and systemic barriers that negatively impact breastfeeding rates among Black mothers. The designation aims to raise awareness about the critical role of breastfeeding in reducing infant mortality and improving maternal health in Black communities. Ultimately, the bill calls for comprehensive policy support to address structural racism affecting Black families' access to healthcare and essential resources.

This resolution formally recognizes the significant and persistent wage disparity faced by Black women in the United States. It highlights that despite existing equal pay laws, Black women earn substantially less than their male counterparts, leading to massive lifetime earnings losses. Congress uses this measure to emphasize the urgent need to address both racial and gender discrimination to achieve true pay equity.

The American Neighborhoods Protection Act of 2025 establishes a federal excise tax on certain large-scale owners who hold more than 75 single-family residences. Revenue generated from this tax will fund a new Housing Trust Fund dedicated to providing down payment assistance grants to homebuyers through state agencies. The law aims to incentivize the sale of excess housing inventory while supporting first-time buyers.

The Real Education and Access for Healthy Youth Act of 2025 aims to establish comprehensive, evidence-based, and culturally responsive sex education and health services for young people aged 10 to 29. The bill creates competitive grant programs to fund sex education in K-12 schools and higher education, support educator training, and improve access to youth-friendly sexual health services, especially for underserved communities. It explicitly mandates that all funded programs must be medically accurate, inclusive of all identities, and centered on principles of consent and reproductive justice. The Act authorizes $100 million annually and repeals prior funding streams dedicated to abstinence-only education.

This resolution officially designates the week of April 11–17, 2025, as the eighth annual Black Maternal Health Week to raise national awareness of the severe maternal and reproductive health crisis facing Black women and birthing people. It highlights the unacceptable disparity where Black women are significantly more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes, emphasizing that most of these deaths are preventable. The bill calls for targeted investments, policy changes addressing systemic barriers, and the centering of Black women's voices in developing solutions to achieve equitable maternal health outcomes.

This bill amends the Higher Education Act to provide additional funding opportunities for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) specifically focused on the arts. It recognizes the crucial role HBCUs play in preserving and promoting Black art and culture. The legislation authorizes HBCUs to use grant funds for student support, outreach, exhibitions, and partnerships with the National Endowment for the Arts to strengthen their arts programs.