Legislative Activity

The ACES Act mandates a National Academies study on cancer prevalence and mortality among veterans who served as active duty aircrew, identifying potential links between military exposures and cancer rates. Additionally, it extends certain limits on pension payments to December 31, 2031.

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.

The "Improving SCRA Benefit Utilization Act" aims to enhance financial literacy among servicemembers and their families regarding the protections offered by the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA). It mandates that servicemembers receive comprehensive training on consumer financial protections, especially concerning interest rate limits. The bill also requires that servicemembers are notified of their SCRA benefits upon entering military service or being called to active duty and requires financial institutions to apply the maximum interest rate reduction to all debts incurred before military service and provide multiple avenues for submitting necessary documentation.

This bill recognizes the impact of menstrual stigma on women, girls, and people who menstruate, and supports the designation of May as "National Menstrual Health Awareness Month." It emphasizes that menstrual health is a crucial aspect of overall health and human dignity, affecting access to education, work, and freedom from discrimination. The bill aims to normalize menstruation, improve education and care, and increase access to resources, thereby promoting gender equity and equality. It also seeks to address disparities in women's health research and promote better understanding and management of menstrual health conditions.

This bill expresses support for designating May 2025 as "Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month" to promote motorcycle safety and awareness among all road users. It recognizes the importance of motorcycles as a fuel-efficient mode of transportation and encourages the safe sharing of roadways. The bill also emphasizes the need for rider safety education, training, and the use of proper gear for safe motorcycle operation.

The Reduction in Force Review Act requires federal agencies to provide detailed justifications to Congress for any planned workforce reductions. These justifications must include the reasons for the reduction, its impact on employees and operations (including veterans), considered alternatives, and summaries of consultations with employees. The bill also broadens the definition of "rule" to include significant agency actions like workforce restructuring or office closures that affect employees.

This bill supports the designation of May 4, 2025, as the National Day of Reason to recognize the importance of reason in addressing societal challenges, defending democratic principles, and advancing human rights. It highlights the role of reason and critical thinking in countering disinformation, promoting civil liberties, and upholding the separation of church and state. The bill also recognizes the importance of the scientific method and free inquiry in improving human welfare.

The "Increasing Penalties for Offshore Polluters Act" increases both civil and criminal penalties for oil spills and other pollution offenses under the Clean Water Act. The bill raises the minimum and maximum fines for civil violations, while also increasing the fines and prison terms for criminal violations, with the goal of deterring offshore polluters.

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 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.

This bill supports designating the last Tuesday of April as "APOL1-Mediated Kidney Disease (AMKD) Awareness Day" to raise awareness about the genetic factors contributing to kidney disease, which disproportionately affects Black individuals. It encourages increased research, regular medical check-ups, and genetic testing, especially for those with West and Central African ancestry, to promote early detection and prevention. The bill aims to address health disparities and reduce the significant financial burden of kidney disease on the healthcare system.

The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit Enhancement Act of 2025 increases the amount of expenses that qualify for the child and dependent care tax credit, and adjusts the income levels at which the credit phases out. It also makes the credit refundable and indexes certain amounts to inflation. These changes are intended to make the credit more accessible and beneficial for working families.

This bill amends Title 38 of the United States Code to increase funding for comprehensive service programs addressing veteran homelessness. It extends the authorization of appropriations through fiscal year 2024 and provides $350 million for fiscal year 2025, as well as necessary funds for subsequent fiscal years.

This bill expresses support for designating April as National Arab American Heritage Month (NAAHM). It recognizes the significant contributions of Arab Americans to the culture, economy, and identity of the United States. The bill encourages public celebration of Arab American heritage through appropriate programs and activities.

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.

This bill recognizes April 2025 as "Community College Month" to celebrate the significant role of community colleges in providing accessible higher education, workforce training, and economic support across the United States. It acknowledges the extensive contributions of over 1,000 community colleges, which serve millions of students and contribute significantly to the national GDP. The resolution highlights the importance of these institutions in fostering economic prosperity and community vitality.

The California Clean Coast Act of 2025 permanently prohibits any new oil and gas leasing activities in federal waters off the coast of California. This amendment to the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act aims to protect California's coastal environment and economy. Existing leases issued before the enactment of this law are not affected.

The "Stop Arctic Ocean Drilling Act of 2025" prohibits the Department of Interior from issuing or extending leases for oil, natural gas, or mineral exploration and development in the Arctic areas of the outer Continental Shelf. This bill aims to prevent any further drilling in the Arctic region.

The Southern California Coast and Ocean Protection Act prohibits the Department of Interior from issuing any new leases for oil and gas exploration, development, or production in the Southern California Planning Area. This area is defined by the 2024-2029 National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program. The bill amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to implement this prohibition.

The Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to limit consumer reporting agencies from sharing credit report information when a person requests a credit report for a residential mortgage loan. Consumer reporting agencies can only furnish this information if the entity has a firm offer of credit or insurance, has the consumer's authorization, or has an existing relationship with the consumer as a mortgage lender, servicer, or financial institution. This act aims to protect consumers' privacy during the home buying process by limiting the amount of entities that get access to their credit information. The changes will take effect 180 days after the Act is enacted.