Legislative Activity

The "Protect America's Workforce Act" nullifies a 2025 executive order that limited federal labor-management relations programs. It prevents the enforcement of the executive order and prohibits the use of federal funds for its implementation. Additionally, the bill ensures the validity of existing collective bargaining agreements between federal agencies and labor organizations until their original expiration dates.

The "Revitalizing Downtowns and Main Streets Act" introduces the Affordable Housing Conversion Credit, a tax incentive for converting non-residential buildings into affordable housing units. This credit covers 20% to 35% of qualified conversion costs, depending on the location and project type, with a national cap of $12 billion allocated to states based on population and economic need. To qualify, conversions must meet specific criteria, including affordability requirements and building age, aimed at boosting affordable housing options and revitalizing communities. The credit is transferable and applies to buildings placed in service after the Act's enactment.

This bill recognizes the 10th anniversary of Educators Rising and its efforts to combat the teacher shortage in the United States. It highlights the organization's work in attracting local talent to the education field and creating a teaching staff that reflects the diversity of the student population. The bill also acknowledges the scholarship programs and partnerships that support students pursuing careers in education through Educators Rising. It encourages continued investment in similar programs to inspire and prepare future educators.

The Raise the Age Act of 2025 prohibits licensed firearm dealers from selling certain semiautomatic rifles and shotguns to individuals under 21, with exceptions for active military members and law enforcement officers. It also requires purchasers of these firearms to certify they are at least 21 or a "qualified individual". Additionally, the Act mandates a report from the FBI Director on improving information-sharing protocols for the FBI's public access line.

This resolution recognizes the significant gender pay gap, where women earn less than men for comparable work, and highlights the economic impact this disparity has on women, families, and the nation. It also acknowledges the disproportionate effect on women of color. The resolution reaffirms the commitment to achieving equal pay and reducing the gender wage gap.

The Paycheck Fairness Act aims to strengthen and enhance enforcement of equal pay requirements by redefining "sex," modifying the "bona fide factor" defense for pay disparities, broadening the definition of "same establishment," strengthening non-retaliation protections, and enhancing penalties for employers who violate equal pay provisions. The Act also requires training programs, research, education, and outreach initiatives to eliminate pay disparities, and establishes a National Award for Pay Equity in the Workplace. Additionally, the Act directs the EEOC to collect compensation data, reinstates pay equity programs, prohibits the use of wage history in determining salary, and establishes a National Equal Pay Enforcement Task Force to improve compliance and enforcement of equal pay laws.

The "Access to Small Business Investor Capital Act" allows registered investment companies to exclude fees and expenses from investments in business development companies when reporting "Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses". This change affects how investment companies report fees, specifically excluding those from business development companies. The Act defines relevant terms to ensure clarity and consistent application of the new reporting rule.

The Major Richard Star Act amends Title 10 of the U.S. Code to allow disability retirees with combat-related disabilities to receive both veterans' disability compensation and retired pay concurrently, without reduction. It ensures that eligible veterans are not penalized by reductions under sections 5304 and 5305 of Title 38. This change is effective the first day of the month following the bill's enactment.

This resolution requests the President to provide the House of Representatives with information regarding the Social Security Administration's operations after January 20, 2025. The request includes details on the Department of Government Efficiency's access to the Social Security Administration, compliance with specific Executive Orders, call and visitor statistics, office closures, and staff reductions. The President is required to furnish the requested documents and information within 14 days of the resolution's adoption.

This resolution requests the President and Secretary of the Treasury to submit documents to the House of Representatives regarding the Department of Government Efficiency's (DOGE) access to Treasury payment systems and taxpayer information. The request includes communications and documents related to DOGE, Elon Musk, or his team's access to these systems, as well as any screenshots of Treasury payment systems data. The information must be provided within 14 days of the resolution's adoption.

The Medicare Dental, Vision, and Hearing Benefit Act of 2025 expands Medicare coverage to include dental, vision, and hearing services, including preventative care, exams, and devices like dentures, eyeglasses, and hearing aids. Coverage for most services begins in 2026, with specific cost-sharing arrangements and limitations outlined in the bill. The Secretary has the authority to implement additional limitations and modify coverage based on recommendations from the United States Preventive Services Task Force. The bill also requires the United States Preventive Services Task Force to include at least one oral health professional.

The "Pay Federal Workers and Servicemembers Act" ensures that federal employees and servicemembers required to work without pay during a government shutdown on or after March 14, 2025, are eligible for unemployment compensation. These essential workers will be considered temporarily separated from federal service, allowing them to access unemployment benefits during the shutdown period.

The "No Invading Allies Act" restricts the President from using the U.S. Armed Forces to invade or seize territory from Canada, Panama, and Greenland without congressional authorization, a declaration of war, or a national emergency. It reinforces the U.S. commitment to international order, alliances, and opposition to territorial aggression. The Act also limits the use of funds for military actions in these countries without proper authorization or in the absence of a national emergency, with specific time constraints during such emergencies. This law does not alter existing constitutional powers, treaties, or previously approved activities.

The "Securing Access to Care for Seniors in Critical Condition Act of 2025" amends the Social Security Act to change Medicare payment rules for long-term care hospitals. Beginning October 1, 2026, hospitals will not be subject to site-neutral payment rules for patients discharged under specific high-severity diagnosis groups. This adjustment aims to ensure adequate financial support for hospitals treating the most critical patients.

The "Keeping Our Field Offices Open Act" prevents the Social Security Administration (SSA) from closing or consolidating field offices, hearing offices, and resident stations, ensuring continued access to services. It requires the SSA Commissioner to justify any planned closures to Congress with detailed analysis and cost-benefit assessments, considering the impact on vulnerable populations. The bill mandates public notice, hearings, and a final report to Congress before any changes, allowing appeals and maintaining the number of offices at or above the January 20, 2025 level, excluding temporary emergency closures.

The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2025 amends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to address vote dilution, denial, and abridgment claims, and to update which states and political subdivisions are subject to federal oversight based on a history of voting rights violations. It broadens the types of violations that allow a court to retain jurisdiction over a case, clarifies the Attorney General's authority to assign observers, and ensures transparency in voting-related changes. The Act also authorizes the Attorney General to demand documents and information to enforce voting rights and provides grants to small jurisdictions to assist with notification requirements.

The "Protecting Americans' Social Security Data Act" aims to safeguard Social Security data by restricting access for political appointees and special government employees, and by creating avenues for civil lawsuits for unauthorized data access or disclosure. It mandates investigations by the Inspector General of the Social Security Administration into data breaches and requires regular reports to Congress. The Act also directs the Comptroller of the United States to study the effects of changes to the Social Security Act made by this Act and subsequent Acts.

This bill, the Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2025, seeks to amend the National Labor Relations Act and other labor laws to strengthen protections for workers' rights to organize and collectively bargain. It aims to modernize labor regulations by clarifying definitions, addressing unfair labor practices, enhancing enforcement, and increasing transparency in labor-management relations. The bill introduces measures such as electronic voting in union elections, strengthens whistleblower protections, and mandates studies on collective bargaining practices. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure fair treatment of workers and promote equitable labor practices.

The Recruiting Families Using Data Act of 2025 aims to improve foster care and adoption outcomes by requiring states to develop "family partnership plans" that focus on identifying and supporting relatives as placement options, creating child-specific recruitment plans, and using data to improve family recruitment and retention efforts. It also mandates states to collect and report data on foster family capacity, congregate care utilization, and feedback from foster and adoptive parents and youth. Additionally, the Act requires the annual child welfare outcomes report to Congress to include detailed state-by-state data on foster and adoptive families, challenges and barriers to foster parenting, and efforts to recruit diverse families.

The MERIT Act requires federal agencies to reinstate probationary employees who were terminated as part of a mass termination event between January 20, 2025, and the Act's enactment date, providing them with back pay and benefits. The Act also mandates reports on government employee terminations and the reinstatement process. It defines key terms such as "affected probationary employee" and "mass termination" to clarify the scope and applicability of the Act. This act ensures that affected employees are treated as involuntarily separated without cause and outlines the process for determining back pay and providing notice to eligible employees.