Legislative Activity

The "Invest to Protect Act of 2025" establishes a grant program within the Department of Justice to provide resources to local law enforcement agencies with fewer than 175 officers. These grants can be used for de-escalation training, mental health support for officers, officer recruitment and retention, and other community safety programs. The Act prioritizes a streamlined grant application process and emphasizes accountability and transparency in the use of funds, with \$50 million authorized annually from 2027 through 2031.

The "Clear Communication for Veterans Claims Act" aims to improve the clarity of Veterans Affairs notices through an independent assessment, ensuring veterans receive understandable information regarding their claims. It also extends certain limits on pension payments through the end of December 2031.

The "No Tax Breaks for Union Busting (NTBUB) Act" aims to eliminate tax deductions for employer expenses used to influence employees' decisions regarding unionizing and collective bargaining. It defines "labor organization activity" broadly, encompassing elections, disputes, and collective actions. The bill mandates detailed reporting of such activities, with significant penalties for non-compliance, and directs the Treasury Secretary to issue implementing guidance. This would apply to expenses incurred more than 240 days after the bill's enactment.

The "Tax Fairness for Workers Act" permits employees to deduct union dues and other employee business expenses above-the-line, bypassing previous deduction limitations. This change is achieved by amending sections of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, specifically 62(a)(1) and 67(g). These amendments will be effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

The IDEA Full Funding Act aims to increase federal funding for special education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) from fiscal year 2026 through 2035 and subsequent years. It authorizes and appropriates specific funding levels for IDEA, excluding section 619, with increasing amounts each year. The funding is determined by both a set dollar amount and a percentage based on the number of children with disabilities and average per-pupil expenditure, whichever is greater. The bill also mandates that the increased funding adhere to "cut-as-you-go" rules, ensuring fiscal responsibility.

The "Armenian Genocide Education Act" directs the Librarian of Congress to develop and implement a program to support Armenian Genocide education by creating resources, offering teacher training, and encouraging the inclusion of these resources in school curriculums. The Act authorizes the Librarian of Congress to collect and manage donations to support these activities and requires an annual report to Congress on the program's progress. It also authorizes $2,000,000 in appropriations for fiscal year 2026 and each of the following four fiscal years to implement the Act.

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 "Trucker Bathroom Access Act" ensures commercial truck drivers have access to restrooms at businesses where they are delivering or waiting to load goods. It also requires terminal operators to provide adequate restroom facilities for drayage truck operators at ports and intermodal rail yards. The bill aims to address the challenges faced by truckers in finding safe and accessible restroom facilities during their work. This access does not require businesses to make any physical changes to their restrooms.

The Rural Veterinary Workforce Act amends the Internal Revenue Code to include loan repayments or loan forgiveness programs aimed at increasing access to veterinary services, specifically those under the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977. This change applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

The "Honor Farmer Contracts Act" ensures the Department of Agriculture upholds existing contracts with farmers and related entities by releasing committed funding, paying outstanding debts, and preventing unwarranted contract cancellations. It also requires a 60-day notice to Congress before closing any Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, or Rural Development local offices.

This bill designates the United States Postal Service facility located at 5225 Harrison Avenue in Rockford, Illinois, as the "Jay P. Larson Post Office Building." It also mandates that all references to this facility in any legal or official documents of the United States will now refer to it by this new name.

The Food Secure Strikers Act of 2025 amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to eliminate the restriction that prevents striking workers from being eligible for SNAP benefits. This bill ensures that striking workers are not automatically disqualified from receiving food assistance.

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.

This bill validates the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) as a valid part of the U.S. Constitution. It asserts that the ERA has been ratified by the required number of states, regardless of any previously set time limits.

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 Air America Act of 2025 authorizes the Director of the CIA to award payments to former employees of Air America and affiliated companies who supported the U.S. government between 1950 and 1976, or to their survivors. Eligible individuals or their survivors could receive up to $40,000 for five years of qualifying service, with additional amounts for longer service, with a cap on total awards at $60 million. The Act establishes application procedures, limitations on attorney fees, and prohibits judicial review of the Director's decisions, while also requiring regular reports to Congress on the status of the award payments. This act does not qualify anyone for federal benefits like retirement, disability, or death benefits.

The "Feed Hungry Veterans Act of 2025" amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, expanding SNAP eligibility for disabled veterans. It includes veterans with a 60% or higher disability rating, those with multiple disabilities totaling 70% or higher with one at 40%, those catastrophically disabled, and those under 65 receiving certain pensions. These changes will take effect on October 1, 2030.

The "Innovative FEED Act of 2025" amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to regulate zootechnical animal food substances—additives that affect digestion or gut health, but are not intended to treat animal diseases. It classifies these substances as food additives, requiring FDA approval based on safety and intended effect, with specific labeling requirements. The FDA retains authority over approval and can reject substances that do not achieve their intended effect. This act does not authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to require the use of any zootechnical food substance or food additive.

This resolution expresses support for designating March 18, 2025, as "National Agriculture Day." It recognizes and celebrates the significant impact of agriculture as a leading industry in the United States.