Legislative Activity

This bill recognizes the 60th anniversary of SkillsUSA and its contributions to workforce development through career and technical education. It acknowledges SkillsUSA's role in equipping students with essential skills through partnerships between education, government, business, and industry. The bill supports SkillsUSA's mission to empower students as skilled professionals and leaders.

This bill recognizes and supports National Nurses Week, founded by the American Nurses Association. It acknowledges the crucial role of nurses in healthcare, patient advocacy, and public health. The bill also supports nursing workforce development and encourages Americans to celebrate nurses' contributions during National Nurses Week.

This resolution expresses support for designating May 5, 2025, as the "National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls" to raise awareness of the crisis, remember victims, and support their families. It acknowledges the disproportionately high rates of violence experienced by Indigenous women and girls and the need for continued action and updated research on this issue. The resolution also recognizes past and present efforts to address the crisis, including Operation Lady Justice, the Savannas Act, the Not Invisible Act, and the establishment of dedicated units and commissions.

This bill expresses support for Wildfire Preparedness Week, a national event focused on educating the public on fire safety and preparedness. It highlights the significant impact of wildfires in the United States, including the acres burned and the need for preventative measures. The bill supports resources and educational programs that teach communities to prevent wildfires through early warning systems, reducing human-caused ignitions, and safe evacuation practices for people and animals. It also commits to providing financial support to communities affected by catastrophic firestorms.

This bill recognizes the vital role of elementary and secondary teachers in the civic, cultural, and economic well-being of the United States. It supports National Teacher Appreciation Week in 2025 to raise awareness and encourage respect for the teaching profession, urging communities to acknowledge and thank educators for their contributions.

The "PFAS Alternatives Act" aims to promote firefighter safety by funding research and development of next-generation, PFAS-free turnout gear. It establishes a grant program for eligible entities to develop and test safer alternatives, and mandates training programs for firefighters on the proper use and maintenance of the new gear. The Act allocates \$25 million annually for research and \$2 million annually for training, and requires a report to Congress on the progress of these initiatives.

The Public Service Worker Protection Act amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to include state, federal, and local governments as employers, thereby extending OSHA protections to public service workers. This change ensures that public employees receive the same workplace safety standards and protections as those in the private sector. The Act will take effect 90 days after enactment for most entities, and 36 months after enactment for states without an approved state plan.

The Community Services Block Grant Improvement Act of 2025 reauthorizes and amends the Community Services Block Grant Act to reduce poverty by supporting community action agencies and similar organizations. The bill updates definitions, modifies funding allocations to states, and revises how funds can be used to support programs and services for low-income individuals and families. It also strengthens accountability and transparency requirements for eligible entities and state lead agencies.

The Equality Act amends existing civil rights laws to explicitly include protections against discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity in areas such as public accommodations, employment, housing, credit, and jury selection. It clarifies and expands the definition of sex to include sex stereotypes, pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics. The act ensures equal access to shared facilities and prohibits the use of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 to justify discrimination. Ultimately, the Equality Act seeks to provide consistent and comprehensive protections against discrimination for LGBTQ+ individuals and women across various sectors.

The ASCEND Act directs NASA to establish a "Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition Program" to acquire and share commercial Earth remote sensing data, prioritizing U.S. vendors when possible. This program aims to broaden data use for scientific research and applications without restricting the publication of findings. NASA is required to report annually to Congress on its agreements, license terms, and how these agreements advance scientific research.

The Arctic Refuge Protection Act seeks to reinstate protections for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge by repealing the 2017 law that opened the area to oil and gas development. It further designates approximately 1.5 million acres of the Refuge as wilderness, ensuring its preservation under the National Wilderness Preservation System. This area will be managed by the Secretary of the Interior in accordance with the Wilderness Act.

The "RESEARCHER Act" aims to improve the financial stability of graduate and postdoctoral researchers by directing federal research agencies to develop and implement policies that address issues such as low stipends, healthcare access, housing affordability, food insecurity, and family care costs. It mandates the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to create policy guidelines, requires federal agencies to align with these guidelines, and orders data collection and studies to assess and address financial instability among these researchers. Additionally, the Act requires regular reporting to Congress on the implementation and effectiveness of these measures.

The "Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act" authorizes the presentation of three Congressional Gold Medals to honor the 1980 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team for their historic "Miracle on Ice" victory. These medals will be given to the Lake Placid Olympic Center, the United States Hockey Hall of Fame, and the US Olympic and Paralympic Museum for public display. The Act also allows for the creation and sale of bronze duplicates to fund the medal production.

This resolution supports the designation of "National Specialized Instructional Support Personnel Appreciation Week" to recognize the vital contributions of specialized instructional support personnel (SISP) in schools. SISP, including counselors, social workers, and therapists, provide crucial services that support students' academic, social, emotional, and physical well-being. The resolution encourages increased awareness and support for SISP at all levels, highlighting their role in improving student outcomes, mental health, and school safety. It also promotes the sharing of best practices related to specialized instructional support.

The Ocean Regional Opportunity and Innovation Act of 2025 aims to foster growth in the "Blue Economy" by designating at least seven Ocean Innovation Clusters across the country. These clusters will be partnerships led by not-for-profit organizations, focusing on cross-sector collaboration and sustainable development in ocean-related industries. The Act directs federal agencies to support these clusters through partnership managers, technical knowledge exchange, and measurement of their economic impact. Furthermore, it authorizes grants to support the operation and administration of these Ocean Innovation Clusters, promoting innovation, workforce development, and economic opportunity in coastal communities.

**Protecting America’s Workers Act Summary:** This bill aims to strengthen workplace safety and health protections by expanding coverage to public employees, increasing whistleblower protections, improving reporting and enforcement, and enhancing state plan oversight. It broadens employer responsibilities, updates safety standards, and increases penalties for violations, while also ensuring victims' rights are protected. The Act also enhances the role of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in evaluating workplace hazards and expanding training resources. Finally, it establishes a clear timeline for the implementation of these provisions across different jurisdictions.

This resolution expresses support for honoring Earth Day and its role in promoting environmental awareness and action. It recognizes the historical impact of Earth Day on environmental protection and highlights ongoing challenges like climate change. The resolution urges continued action, referencing recent legislation and emphasizing the need to address environmental injustices and promote environmental literacy. It also encourages the President to issue a proclamation recognizing Earth Day and urges Americans to observe it through various environmental activities.

The SERVICE Act requires federal agencies to submit a report to the Comptroller General and Congress before reducing their workforce by more than 5% in a fiscal year. This report must detail the anticipated financial and mission-related impacts of the workforce reduction. The Comptroller General then assesses the agency's report and publishes their findings on the Government Accountability Office's website.

The Clean Ocean and Safe Tourism Anti-Drilling Act of 2025 prohibits the Department of Interior from issuing leases for oil, natural gas, or mineral exploration in the North Atlantic, Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic, and Straits of Florida planning areas of the Outer Continental Shelf. This bill aims to protect coastal economies and marine environments by preventing offshore drilling in these specified regions.

The Child Care Nutrition Enhancement Act of 2025 amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to increase meal and supplement reimbursement rates by 10 cents for eligible child care facilities. It also updates language regarding consultation and modifies reimbursement calculations for family or group day care home sponsoring organizations.