Legislative Activity

This resolution recognizes the importance of the Rangel, Pickering, Clarke, and Payne fellowship programs in promoting diversity within U.S. foreign affairs agencies like the State Department and USAID. It emphasizes that these programs strengthen national security by ensuring a workforce that reflects the diversity of the American people. The resolution also acknowledges that terminating these programs would be a waste of taxpayer dollars and would weaken national security.

The Do No Harm Act amends the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) to ensure that federal anti-discrimination, labor, and equal access laws take precedence over religious freedom claims in specific circumstances. This legislation clarifies that RFRA protections cannot be used to override requirements in federal contracts or agreements involving government funding. Furthermore, the Act explicitly limits the application of RFRA to challenges against government actions, precluding its use in private litigation between non-governmental parties.

This Act establishes a new Office within the State Department, led by a Special Envoy, dedicated to monitoring and combating international Islamophobia. It mandates that the State Department specifically track and report on acts of Islamophobia and anti-Muslim incitement in its annual human rights and religious freedom reports. The goal is to systematically address and document prejudice and violence targeting Muslims abroad.

The CROWN Act of 2025 prohibits discrimination based on hair texture and hairstyle in federally funded programs, housing, public accommodations, and employment. This bill aims to protect individuals from race-based hair discrimination by explicitly including hair texture and hairstyles commonly associated with a particular race or national origin in the definition of discrimination. It enforces these protections under existing civil rights laws, ensuring that people are not denied opportunities due to their natural or protective hairstyles. The act clarifies that it does not change the existing definitions of race or national origin in existing civil rights laws.

This resolution celebrates Black History Month, acknowledging the historical injustices and significant contributions of African Americans to the United States. It recognizes Black History Month as a time for reflection, commemoration, and learning from the past. The resolution encourages the celebration of Black History Month and emphasizes the importance of moving forward as a united nation with liberty and justice for all.

The "Sickle Cell Disease Comprehensive Care Act" enables state Medicaid programs to provide comprehensive care through health homes for individuals with sickle cell disease starting January 1, 2026. It requires states with sickle cell disease-focused plans to provide dental and vision services and to report on healthcare quality, access, and expenditures. The Act also directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to publish best practices for these state plans.

The "Temporary Extension of Fentanyl-Related Substances Scheduling Act" extends the temporary scheduling order for fentanyl-related substances, which was set to expire on March 31, 2025, to September 30, 2025. This extension allows law enforcement to continue to treat fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs, helping to combat the opioid crisis.

The United States Colored Troops Congressional Gold Medal Act directs the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the posthumous presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to the African Americans who served with Union forces during the Civil War in recognition of their service and bravery. The Act directs the Secretary of the Treasury to strike the gold medal, which will then be given to the Smithsonian Institution for display and research. The Act also allows for the creation and sale of bronze duplicates of the medal to cover production costs, with proceeds going back to the Mint's Public Enterprise Fund.

This resolution declares racism a public health crisis, citing significant racial inequities in health outcomes and the impact of historical and contemporary racism. It commits to establishing a nationwide strategy to address health disparities, dismantle systemic practices that perpetuate racism, and promote efforts to improve social determinants of health for racial and ethnic minorities. The resolution supports similar declarations at the local level and calls for reforms to address policies leading to poor health outcomes. It also charges the people of the United States to ensure the country honors its moral purpose of advancing the truths that all people are created equal with unalienable rights, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

The "Students Helping Young Students Act of 2025" amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to expand the Federal work-study program by including off-campus community service at after-school activities. It allows institutions to use work-study funds to compensate students working in after-school programs at eligible schools, prioritizing those in low-income communities. The Secretary of Education is directed to inform schools about the program, establish registration processes and participation standards, and ensure students receive appropriate training. This act aims to support educational after-school activities through the work-study program.

The "Expanded Food Safety Investigation Act of 2025" enables the Secretary to request access to concentrated animal feeding operations for microbial sampling to investigate foodborne illness outbreaks. These operations must provide reasonable access for sampling of plants, animals, water, and the environment. The collected data will be shared with the Secretary of Agriculture and relevant public health agencies to aid in preventing foodborne illnesses. Refusal to provide reasonable access for microbial sampling will be a prohibited act.

The "Transition-to-Success Mentoring Act" establishes a grant program to fund school-based mentoring initiatives that support students transitioning from middle school to high school. These programs will assign success coaches to students to help them create personalized plans for academic and personal growth, connect them with resources, and ensure a successful transition. The bill prioritizes programs serving high-need students and requires regular reporting on student outcomes and program effectiveness.

This resolution supports the recognition of January as "Muslim-American Heritage Month" to honor the heritage, culture, and contributions of Muslim Americans to the United States. It acknowledges their diverse backgrounds, contributions to various sectors, and the discrimination many have faced. The resolution encourages public celebration of Muslim-American achievements and contributions to the country.

This resolution designates January 23, 2025, as "Maternal Health Awareness Day" to raise awareness about maternal mortality, illness, and disparities in the United States. It supports initiatives to eliminate disparities in maternal health and ensure equitable maternity care for all women. The resolution also honors those who have died from pregnancy-related causes and promotes investments in improving maternal health outcomes.

The "Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act" establishes a commission to examine the legacy of slavery and discrimination against African Americans from 1565 to the present. The commission will identify the harms caused by these injustices and recommend appropriate remedies, including how the nation can best educate itself on the commission's findings. It will also explore methods of reparations, such as a formal apology, eliminating discriminatory laws, and providing compensation to descendants of enslaved individuals. The commission will then submit its findings and recommendations to Congress.