Legislative Activity

This bill expresses support for the nation's public K-12 schools and the Department of Education, highlighting the Department's role in providing critical funding and resources to students, schools, and families. It condemns any actions that would defund public education or weaken the Department of Education. The bill affirms that public education investment should not be diverted to private K-12 schools through vouchers. It also rejects any claim that the executive branch has the authority to dismantle or relocate major offices within the Department of Education, dismantle or relocate the Department of Education, reduce federal funding for public education, block major federal grant programs for education, or transfer education funding burdens to state and local governments.

This bill authorizes the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the Freedom Riders, collectively, in recognition of their contributions to the Civil Rights movement. The medal will be displayed at the Smithsonian Institution and other appropriate locations, with bronze duplicates available for sale to the public. Funds from the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund will cover the costs.

The NO BAN Act amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to limit the President's power to suspend or restrict the entry of foreign nationals based on nationality. It requires the President to provide Congress with specific evidence justifying any such restrictions, ensuring they are narrowly tailored and time-limited. The bill also expands nondiscrimination provisions in immigration law and allows those harmed by violations to sue the government. Additionally, the Act mandates detailed reports to Congress on visa applicants affected by any restrictions.

The "Stop Arming Cartels Act of 2025" aims to combat the arming of cartels by banning .50 caliber rifles, allowing lawsuits against gun manufacturers who knowingly sell to prohibited individuals, and prohibiting firearm sales to significant foreign narcotics traffickers. It also expands reporting requirements for multiple firearm sales to include rifles.

The "Access to Counsel Act" amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to guarantee individuals undergoing inspection at ports of entry or deferred inspection have access to legal counsel and assistance. It mandates that the Department of Homeland Security provide these individuals with the opportunity to consult with counsel within one hour of secondary inspection and allows counsel to advocate on their behalf. The Act also ensures lawful permanent residents are given the chance to seek legal advice before abandoning their residency status. This act aims to ensure due process and protect the rights of individuals during immigration inspections.

The "Stop the Wait Act of 2025" eliminates the waiting period for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, phasing it out completely by 2030. It also waives the 24-month waiting period for Medicare eligibility for certain SSDI recipients who lack minimum essential health coverage, allowing them to access Medicare retroactively to the start of their SSDI entitlement. The Act establishes special enrollment periods for Medicare Part B for these newly eligible individuals.

The "Stop Antiabortion Disinformation Act" or the "SAD Act" aims to prevent deceptive advertising related to reproductive health services, particularly concerning contraception, abortion services, or the employment of licensed medical personnel. It empowers the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to enforce these prohibitions, treat violations as FTC Act violations, and pursue civil actions against violators, including imposing significant civil penalties. The FTC is required to report to Congress on its enforcement activities under this act.

The Aviation-Impacted Communities Act aims to mitigate the impact of aviation noise and pollution on communities near airports. It expands eligibility for noise mitigation funding, establishes community boards to address local concerns, and requires the FAA to conduct community assessments and develop action plans based on those assessments. The Act also directs the FAA to contract with the National Academy of Sciences to study aviation impacts and create a framework for community assessments, and it sets aside funding to implement these provisions.

The "Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act of 2025" extends increased Medicare payment support for physicians and practitioners through 2025. It increases payment rates by 6.62% for services provided from April 1, 2025, to January 1, 2026. The bill also updates a section of the Social Security Act to include the years 2021 through 2025 for conforming changes.

The "Household Goods Shipping Consumer Protection Act" increases consumer protection in the household goods shipping industry by allowing the Secretary to enforce penalties for violations, enabling states to use grant money for enforcement and retain penalties, and setting requirements for registration. This includes defining "principal place of business," requiring disclosure of relationships within the transportation industry, and allowing the Secretary to withhold or revoke registration for non-compliance.

The "Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act" expands Medicare coverage to include FDA-approved multi-cancer early detection screening tests starting in 2028. It defines the criteria for these tests, sets payment guidelines, and establishes age and frequency limitations for coverage. The bill ensures that existing cancer screening coverage remains unaffected and allows for waivers of limitations based on recommendations from the United States Preventive Services Task Force.

The "Semiconductor Technology Advancement and Research Act of 2025" or "STAR Act of 2025" incentivizes domestic semiconductor design by adding qualified semiconductor design expenditures to the advanced manufacturing investment credit. This includes a 25% tax credit for these expenditures, covering in-house and contract design expenses for semiconductor design conducted in the United States. This credit aims to boost innovation and development in semiconductor technology. The credit will terminate for construction beginning or expenditures made after December 31, 2036.

The "Holocaust Education and Antisemitism Lessons Act" directs the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum to conduct a study on Holocaust education efforts in schools across the country. The study will assess curriculum requirements, teaching methods, materials used, and how students' knowledge and recognition of antisemitism are evaluated. A report on the study's findings must be submitted to Congress.

This bill supports the designation of January 30, 2025, as CTE and RHI Awareness Day to increase public knowledge of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and repeated head impacts (RHI). It acknowledges the risks and impact of these conditions, particularly for athletes, veterans, and others susceptible to head trauma. The bill encourages further research, early diagnosis, and informed decision-making, while also recognizing the contributions of researchers, affected families, and organizations dedicated to CTE awareness. It also urges the CDC and NIH to include CTE and RHI information in concussion education.

The "Global Health, Empowerment, and Rights Act" aims to ensure that foreign nongovernmental organizations are eligible for assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, part I, regardless of the health or medical services they provide with non-U.S. government funds if such services are legal in their country. It also prevents these organizations from facing stricter requirements than U.S. organizations regarding the use of non-U.S. government funds for advocacy and lobbying.

This bill expresses the House of Representatives' view that Congress should act to maintain the United States Postal Service (USPS) as an independent entity within the Federal Government. It emphasizes the USPS's role as a self-sustaining service vital to the economy and national connectivity. The resolution discourages privatization, citing concerns about increased costs, reduced services, and damage to critical infrastructure.

The "Tim Hart Wildland Firefighter Classification and Pay Parity Act" aims to reform and enhance the pay, benefits, and retirement options for Federal wildland firefighters. It establishes special base rates of pay, incident response premium pay, and rest and recuperation leave, while also addressing health concerns like cancer, cardiovascular disease, and mental health support. The act also ensures pay parity for Federal structural firefighters and establishes a casualty assistance program for families of firefighters injured or killed in the line of duty. Finally, it modifies retirement calculations and service credit for firefighters.

The "Federal Firefighters Families First Act" aims to improve pay equality for Federal firefighters, enhance recruitment and retention, and ensure comprehensive calculation of retirement benefits. It updates the computation of pay and annuity calculations to include additional compensation for overtime hours in regular tours of duty. The Act also directs the Office of Personnel Management to establish a maximum regular workweek for Federal firefighters, not exceeding an average of 60 hours per week. These changes will impact annuity payments for individuals who separate from service 60 days after the law's enactment.

The FIRE Act of 2025 directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to establish a program enhancing wildfire forecasting, detection, and smoke dispersion prediction. This program will collaborate with the U.S. weather industry and academic institutions to improve early wildfire detection and risk communication. The Act also authorizes the creation of weather research testbeds and allocates $15 million for fiscal year 2026 to support these efforts.

The Fred Korematsu Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2025 authorizes the posthumous presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to Fred Korematsu, recognizing his advocacy for civil rights and justice. This act directs the Secretary of the Treasury to create the medal, which will be displayed at the Smithsonian Institution and other locations. The legislation also allows for the creation and sale of bronze duplicates of the gold medal to cover production costs, with proceeds deposited into the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund. This act commemorates Korematsu's legacy and dedication to equality.