Legislative Activity

The Raise the Age Act of 2025 generally prohibits Federal Firearms Licensees from selling certain semiautomatic centerfire rifles or shotguns capable of holding magazines over five rounds to anyone under 21, with exceptions for qualified military or government personnel. The bill also maintains the existing minimum age of 18 for general firearm purchases, excluding the newly restricted categories. Finally, it mandates that the FBI Director report on the operational procedures of its public access line within 90 days of enactment.

The American Families United Act grants immigration officials increased discretion to halt removal proceedings or grant immigration benefits for family members of U.S. citizens when separation would cause hardship. This discretion is presumed to be met if the action results in family separation, though certain serious criminal grounds remain disqualifying. The Act also allows individuals to file motions to reopen or reconsider past immigration decisions if the outcome would have been different under these new provisions, subject to a two-year filing deadline.

The Food Secure Strikers Act of 2025 aims to clarify and simplify eligibility rules for striking workers seeking Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. This legislation removes outdated restrictions and clarifies the precise conditions under which participation in a labor strike affects a worker's SNAP eligibility. The goal is to streamline the existing law regarding striker access to food assistance.

The Paycheck Fairness Act significantly strengthens federal equal pay protections by broadening definitions of sex discrimination, tightening employer defenses against pay disparities, and increasing penalties for violations. It also prohibits employers from using salary history in hiring decisions and mandates new data collection by the EEOC to better enforce anti-discrimination laws. Furthermore, the bill establishes new training and outreach programs to combat systemic wage bias.

The Protecting Students with Disabilities Act reaffirms that the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) must remain within the Department of Education as mandated by existing law. This legislation explicitly prohibits the executive branch from eliminating, reorganizing, or moving IDEA program offices or staff. Furthermore, it prevents the delegation of IDEA program management or enforcement duties to any entity outside the Department of Education.

The Brake for Kids Act of 2025 establishes a national public safety messaging campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of illegally passing a stopped school bus. This initiative will be funded using existing allocations from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The required campaign must utilize broad outreach methods, including national television, radio, social media, and edge service advertising.

This resolution formally recognizes the significant and persistent wage gap between men and women in the United States, highlighting statistics that show women earn substantially less. It serves as a strong public statement reaffirming Congress's commitment to achieving pay equity. The measure does not enact new laws but emphasizes the economic harm caused by unequal pay for women and their families.

This bill officially ratifies the Equal Rights Amendment, declaring it a valid part of the U.S. Constitution. It specifically removes any previously imposed deadlines for state ratification. If three-fourths of the states have approved the amendment, this law confirms its official status regardless of past time constraints.

This bill affirms the House of Representatives' belief that every person has the right to emergency health care, including abortion care. It argues that abortion restrictions endanger lives, force doctors to make impossible choices, and disproportionately harm people of color, low-income individuals, and LGBTQI individuals. The bill emphasizes that delays in emergency care due to abortion bans can lead to life-threatening situations and that everyone, including pregnant individuals, should have access to necessary medical care without discrimination.

The Puppy Protection Act of 2025 significantly increases humane treatment standards for dog dealers under the Animal Welfare Act. This legislation mandates specific minimum space requirements, daily exercise access, and mandatory socialization for housed dogs. Furthermore, it establishes strict limits on female dog breeding frequency and age, alongside enhanced veterinary care protocols.

The Don't Penalize Victims Act simplifies the process for determining eligibility for federal disaster assistance. It removes language that required agencies to check every potential funding source to prevent duplication of benefits. This change streamlines aid distribution by focusing on preventing double payments for the same disaster loss.

The Air America Act of 2025 recognizes the sacrifices of former Air America employees who served the U.S. Government between 1950 and 1976. This Act authorizes a one-time monetary award, up to $40,000 plus potential additional amounts, for qualifying service members or their survivors. The CIA Director is responsible for administering these payments, which are capped at a total of $60 million, and establishing the application procedures. Decisions made by the Director regarding these awards are final and not subject to judicial review.

The Feed Hungry Veterans Act of 2025 expands eligibility for certain food assistance benefits for veterans. It updates the criteria for veterans based on service-connected disability ratings and adds specific categories of disabled or pensioned veterans who will now qualify. These changes are scheduled to take effect on October 1, 2030.

The HELPER Act of 2025 establishes a new FHA mortgage insurance program to assist first responders, educators, and law enforcement officers in purchasing homes. This program offers eligible first-time homebuyers 100% financing with no down payment required. Instead of monthly premiums, borrowers pay an upfront FHA insurance premium at closing.

The Preventing Illegal Weapons Trafficking Act of 2025 mandates the creation of a federal strategy to intercept and seize illegal machinegun conversion devices entering or moving within the U.S. It also enhances penalties by allowing the forfeiture of proceeds derived from illegal machine gun trafficking. Furthermore, the Attorney General must now specifically report on crimes involving these conversion devices in the annual firearms trafficking report.

The Major Richard Star Act ensures that military retirees with combat-related disabilities can receive both their military retirement pay and VA disability compensation concurrently without reduction. This law removes previous restrictions that caused military retirement pay to be offset by VA disability payments for these specific cases. The changes take effect on the first day of the month following the Act's enactment.

The Postal Police Reform Act of 2025 officially designates Postal Service police officers as federal law enforcement agents under Title 18 of the U.S. Code. This legislation grants the Postmaster General the authority to establish and enforce rules for protecting Postal Service property. Violations of these new rules may result in federal fines or imprisonment up to 30 days.

This bill, the Donut Dollies Congressional Gold Medal Act, directs the striking of a Congressional Gold Medal to honor the American Red Cross volunteers who served in the Supplemental Recreation Activities Overseas (SRAO) program during the Vietnam War. These volunteers, known as "Donut Dollies," provided crucial morale support to troops on the front lines. The original medal will be presented on behalf of Congress and ultimately housed at the Smithsonian Institution, with provisions made for selling bronze duplicates.

The Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act aims to improve support for individuals diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. This bill eliminates the standard waiting period for receiving Social Security disability insurance benefits and waives the 24-month waiting period for Medicare coverage. These changes ensure immediate access to crucial financial and healthcare support upon diagnosis.

The Rights for the Transportation Security Administration Workforce Act transitions TSA personnel to standard federal employment rules under Title 5 of the U.S. Code by a set date no later than December 31, 2025. This mandates the freezing of current personnel policies during the transition while protecting current employee pay and benefits. The bill also requires extensive reviews by the Comptroller General on hiring, diversity, and workplace safety, and mandates consultation with employee representatives regarding labor relations. Finally, it ensures that screening agents retain collective bargaining rights and addresses specific concerns for Federal Air Marshals.