Legislative Activity

This resolution officially recognizes May as "Sex Ed For All Month" to promote honest and inclusive sexual health education for all young people. It highlights the need to address current disparities and barriers that prevent youth from accessing vital health information. The bill urges federal, state, and local officials to support evidence-based, medically accurate sex education programs. Ultimately, it champions the right of every young person to receive comprehensive education necessary for making healthy decisions about their bodies and futures.

The Reducing Waste in National Parks Act mandates the National Park Service (NPS) to establish a program to significantly reduce or eliminate the sale and distribution of disposable plastic products, including single-use water bottles, across all park units. Regional directors must implement these changes while considering operational costs, visitor safety regarding water access, and vendor contracts. The law also requires proactive visitor education and biennial reviews to assess the program's effectiveness and public impact.

The Improving Veterans’ Experience Act of 2025 establishes a new Veterans Experience Office within the Department of Veterans Affairs, led by a Chief Officer reporting directly to the Secretary. This office is tasked with creating a unified strategy to improve veteran satisfaction by collecting feedback, assessing service quality, and advising other VA departments. The Secretary must submit an annual report to Congress detailing customer feedback and proposed solutions for barriers preventing veterans from accessing benefits.

The Second Chance Reauthorization Act of 2025 extends and improves key federal grant programs designed to support successful reentry for formerly incarcerated individuals. This legislation shifts the authorization window for several demonstration projects to run from 2026 through 2030. It also specifically broadens the scope of reentry demonstration projects to explicitly fund substance use disorder treatment, including peer recovery services and reentry housing. Overall, the bill ensures continued federal support for vital reentry, education, and substance abuse collaboration initiatives through the end of the decade.

The Fit to Serve Act prohibits the U.S. Armed Forces from discriminating against service members based on their gender identity. This means military branches cannot set different standards, involuntarily discharge personnel, or deny medically necessary healthcare due to a service member's gender identity. The bill ensures equal opportunity for joining, serving, and receiving care regardless of one's internal sense of self.

The Wildlife Confiscations Network Act of 2025 establishes a national, voluntary partnership—the Wildlife Confiscations Network—to coordinate the care and placement of illegally smuggled or confiscated wildlife. This network will utilize qualified animal care facilities to ensure seized animals receive proper triage, housing, and forensic documentation. The Act authorizes up to $5 million annually from Fiscal Year 2026 through 2030 to support this critical infrastructure.

The Protect our Parks Act of 2025 mandates the Secretary of the Interior to immediately ensure the National Park Service is fully staffed to protect resources and enhance visitor safety. This legislation requires filling all maintenance positions and reinstating any NPS employees terminated since January 20, 2025. Furthermore, the Act ensures the continuation of all previously authorized and funded National Park Service projects.

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.

The Save Our Forests Act of 2025 aims to strengthen the management and health of the National Forest System. This legislation mandates the immediate hiring of additional Forest Service personnel and the reinstatement of recently departed employees. Furthermore, it ensures the continuation of all previously authorized and funded Forest Service projects under various existing laws.

The BRUSH Fires Act mandates a comprehensive, one-year study by the Forest Service to evaluate the effectiveness of current wildfire mitigation methods in shrubland ecosystems. This study must analyze fuel management, ignition source control, and implementation hurdles to determine best practices. The resulting report will provide Congress with recommendations for improving fire risk reduction and enhancing partnerships to protect communities near wildlands.

The Striking and Locked Out Workers Healthcare Protection Act ensures that employers cannot terminate or alter group health plan coverage for employees during a lawful strike or an employer-initiated lockout. This legislation aims to prevent employers from using health benefits as leverage during labor disputes. The bill also establishes significant civil penalties, including fines up to \$150,000 per violation, for employers who interfere with this coverage, and allows for individual liability for directors and officers involved in such violations.

This resolution expresses strong support for designating May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month to combat a growing national crisis. It highlights alarming statistics regarding rising mental illness rates, significant barriers to accessing care, and disproportionate impacts on youth and marginalized communities. Ultimately, the bill declares mental health a national priority and encourages increased public awareness and support for mental health services.

The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2025 aims to streamline and modernize the prior authorization process within Medicare Advantage plans. This bill mandates the adoption of electronic prior authorization systems and significantly increases transparency regarding approval rates and decision times starting in 2027. Furthermore, it establishes new enrollee protections and grants the Secretary authority to enforce faster decision timeframes for medical services.

The Uplifting First-Time Homebuyers Act of 2025 significantly increases the penalty-free withdrawal limit from retirement accounts for first-time homebuyers. This legislation raises the maximum allowable distribution from $\$10,000$ to $\$50,000$. This change is designed to provide greater financial flexibility for individuals purchasing their first home, taking effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.

The Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act of 2025 establishes a mandatory, public code of conduct and a formal complaint process for Supreme Court Justices, modeled after procedures for lower federal judges. The bill also institutes stricter disclosure requirements for gifts and financial ties, and mandates judicial disqualification in cases involving recent lobbying contact or significant financial relationships with involved parties. Furthermore, it creates new review panels for disqualification motions and requires parties and *amici* to disclose financial supporters connected to the case.

The Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act of 2025 establishes a new advisory committee within the VA to focus on improving physical, digital, and service accessibility for veterans with disabilities. This committee, composed of veterans, experts, and VA staff, will review compliance with accessibility laws and provide recommendations to the VA Secretary. Additionally, the bill extends the expiration date for a limitation on certain pension payments for veterans residing in nursing facilities.

The Valve Safety Fairness Act of 2025 mandates that the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) apply specific safety standards to Type A gas gathering lines. This action ensures these lines comply with the existing "Pipeline Safety: Requirement of Valve Installation and Minimum Rupture Detection Standards" published in April 2022. In short, the bill extends crucial valve and rupture detection requirements to this category of gas pipelines.

The Protecting Our Constitution and Communities Act aims to reassert Congress's exclusive constitutional authority over federal spending by clarifying that the President cannot unilaterally withhold appropriated funds. It strengthens the Comptroller General's oversight role and establishes new legal avenues for private citizens and governments to sue for damages if funds are improperly impounded. Furthermore, the bill tightens the definition of budgetary "contingencies" and ensures that judicial review of these spending disputes remains robust.

The Housing Stability for Dreamers Act ensures that individuals with current DACA status are eligible for key federal housing programs, including FHA mortgages and certain housing assistance. This legislation specifically prohibits federal agencies and mortgage purchasers like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac from denying benefits based solely on DACA status. Furthermore, it clarifies that DACA recipient veterans will not be disqualified from receiving earned VA housing loan guarantees.

The Nurse Staffing Standards for Hospital Patient Safety and Quality Care Act of 2025 establishes mandatory minimum registered nurse-to-patient ratios across various hospital units to enhance patient safety and care quality. This legislation requires hospitals to implement detailed staffing plans, ensures enforcement through federal programs like Medicare and Medicaid, and supports the nursing workforce through expanded financial aid and retention initiatives. Furthermore, the bill protects nurses who refuse unsafe assignments and establishes clear mechanisms for reporting violations.