Legislative Activity

The DeOndra Dixon INCLUDE Project Act of 2025 establishes a dedicated, comprehensive research program within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) focused on Down syndrome. This new initiative, the INCLUDE Project, will fund studies across basic science, clinical trials, and biomarker identification to better understand and treat co-occurring medical conditions. The ultimate goal is to improve the health, quality of life, and daily functioning for individuals with Down syndrome.

This resolution congratulates the students, parents, teachers, and leaders of public charter schools for their ongoing contributions to American education. It highlights the growth, academic achievements, and parental choice offered by these tuition-free public schools. The measure officially recognizes and supports the goals of the 26th Annual National Charter Schools Week, scheduled for May 11–17, 2025.

The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2025 aims to modernize and increase transparency in the prior authorization process for Medicare Advantage plans. This bill mandates the adoption of electronic prior authorization systems and requires plans to publicly report detailed data on their approval, denial, and appeal rates. Furthermore, it establishes new standards to protect enrollees and grants the Secretary authority to enforce faster decision timelines for care requests.

This resolution supports designating May 29, 2025, as "Mental Health Awareness in Agriculture Day." It aims to raise awareness about the significant mental health challenges faced by farmers and farmworkers, who experience disproportionately high rates of suicide. The day seeks to reduce the stigma associated with seeking mental health support within the agricultural industry.

The Empower Charter School Educators to Lead Act revises federal grant management for high-quality charter schools to enhance technical assistance and oversight for authorizing agencies. The bill establishes new experience and planning requirements for educator-led groups applying for pre-charter planning grants. It also adjusts the required percentages for how states must allocate these federal grant funds across various authorized activities.

This bill officially codifies the long-standing United States policy of refusing to recognize Russia's claim of sovereignty over Crimea or any other territory in Ukraine seized by force. It prohibits all federal departments and agencies from taking any action that implies acceptance of Russia's control over these forcibly seized areas. Recognition of Russian sovereignty is only permissible if formally agreed to by the democratically elected government of Ukraine.

The Kids Online Safety Act establishes a comprehensive "duty of care" requiring online platforms to design features that mitigate specific harms to minors, such as those related to mental health and exploitation. It mandates that platforms provide minors with default, restrictive safety settings and robust parental controls over data sharing and recommendations. Furthermore, the legislation demands significant transparency regarding algorithmic ranking systems and grants the FTC enforcement authority.

The Equitable Access to School Facilities Act aims to improve charter school facilities by supporting states in developing policies that enhance funding and financing options for school buildings. It authorizes a new competitive grant program for states to create or improve their own facility aid programs, prioritizing fairness and access, especially for schools in low-income and rural areas. Furthermore, the bill adjusts existing grant structures to allow states more flexibility in using funds for facility acquisition, renovation, and startup loans for high-quality charter schools.

This resolution officially designates the week of May 11 through May 17, 2025, as "National Police Week." It serves to honor the valor and integrity of law enforcement officers across the nation. The resolution specifically remembers the officers killed in the line of duty during 2024 and encourages the public to observe this week to show appreciation for law enforcement personnel.

This resolution calls for the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid to address the severe crisis facing civilians in Gaza, highlighting widespread hunger and the collapse of essential services due to blocked aid. It urges the Administration to immediately use all diplomatic tools to secure the release of hostages, lift the blockade on aid, and work toward a lasting end to the fighting.

This resolution condemns the acceptance of substantial gifts, such as presidential aircraft, from foreign governments, citing serious national security and foreign influence concerns. It asserts that accepting such gifts violates the Constitution's Emoluments Clause and undermines public trust. The measure demands that the President must receive explicit Congressional approval before accepting any significant foreign gift.

The Small Business Disaster Coordination Act aims to improve the Small Business Administration's (SBA) disaster response by allowing its resource partners to provide assistance outside their normal service areas following a disaster declaration. This legislation also mandates better coordination and information sharing between the SBA, its partners, and other agencies regarding disaster loan applications and planning. The goal is to ensure small businesses receive timely and comprehensive support when disaster strikes.

The Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act mandates that health plans cover medically necessary diagnosis and treatment for congenital anomalies or birth defects affecting the eyes, ears, teeth, mouth, or jaw. This coverage must apply to outpatient and inpatient care, including necessary dental and orthodontic support, unless the procedure is purely cosmetic. These new requirements take effect for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.

The Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act of 2025 bans the practice of paid conversion therapy aimed at changing an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity, deeming it ineffective and harmful. This Act treats the provision or advertisement of such therapy as an unfair or deceptive business practice under the FTC Act. Enforcement authority is granted to the Federal Trade Commission, the U.S. Attorney General, and State Attorneys General. The law includes a severability clause ensuring that the invalidation of one provision does not void the entire Act.

The Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program Reauthorization Act of 2025 extends the successful restoration program through 2034 and significantly expands its scope and capacity. This bill increases the number of projects funded annually, allows projects to address forest pathogens, and encourages innovative funding and implementation methods. Furthermore, it strengthens support for local collaboratives and prioritizes projects focused on wildfire risk reduction and watershed health across all land types.

The SEMI Investment Act clarifies and expands the definition of an "advanced manufacturing facility" eligible for the existing investment tax credit. This change specifically targets property used to manufacture semiconductors, semiconductor equipment, or essential semiconductor materials. The legislation provides detailed definitions for both direct and indirect production materials that qualify for this credit. Furthermore, it mandates the Treasury and Commerce Departments to publish and annually update a definitive list of qualifying materials.

This resolution expresses strong support for designating the week of May 4 through May 10, 2025, as National Small Business Week. It aims to celebrate the vital contributions of the over 34.5 million small businesses that support tens of millions of jobs nationwide. The bill honors the hard work and entrepreneurial spirit of small business owners in every community.

The America the Beautiful Act reauthorizes and modifies the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund through fiscal year 2033, increasing its authorized funding to \$2.0 billion. This legislation broadens eligible lands for maintenance projects and prioritizes those receiving significant private donations. It also enhances transparency by requiring multi-year project lists and actively encouraging public contributions to address deferred maintenance across federal lands.

This bill modifies the railroad track maintenance credit by significantly increasing the maximum credit amount per mile from $\$3,500$ to $\$6,100$. It also updates the eligibility period for qualifying expenditures and mandates that the new credit limit will be adjusted for inflation starting in 2026. These changes are designed to provide greater financial support for ongoing railroad infrastructure upkeep.

The Assault Weapons Ban of 2025 comprehensively defines and bans the manufacture, sale, and transfer of specific semiautomatic assault weapons and large-capacity ammunition feeding devices. It grandfathers existing possessions but requires background checks for all future private transfers of these previously owned weapons. The bill also permits the use of federal Byrne grant funds for state-run buy-back programs targeting these banned items.