Legislative Activity

The Extreme Heat Economic Study Act of 2025 mandates a comprehensive study, led by NOAA, to quantify the full financial costs of extreme heat events in the United States. This study must analyze impacts across health, property damage, labor productivity, and critical infrastructure like energy and agriculture. The final report will recommend a national system for tracking and publicly reporting these economic losses within four years of enactment.

The Fair and Equal Housing Act of 2025 significantly updates existing fair housing laws to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. This legislation broadens protections to cover discrimination based on association or perceived association with protected groups. Furthermore, it strengthens anti-intimidation measures related to these newly defined protected characteristics in housing matters.

This resolution expresses strong support for designating June 6, 2025, as "National Gun Violence Awareness Day" and June 2025 as "National Gun Violence Awareness Month." It highlights the devastating scale of gun violence in the U.S., recognizing the thousands of annual deaths and injuries across all demographics. The bill encourages Americans to wear orange on the designated day to honor victims and promote increased awareness and community action regarding gun safety.

The Menstrual Equity For All Act of 2025 aims to eliminate period poverty by ensuring access to free menstrual products across various sectors of society. This comprehensive bill mandates the availability of these essential supplies in K-12 schools, colleges, correctional facilities, federal buildings, and workplaces with over 100 employees. Furthermore, it expands coverage under Medicaid, allocates specific funding through social service block grants and TANF programs, and prohibits states from taxing menstrual products.

The MARSHALS Act fundamentally restructures the United States Marshals Service (USMS), moving its organization entirely into the judicial branch. This bill establishes that the Director and all U.S. Marshals will be appointed by the Chief Justice, subject to oversight from a new Board. The legislation also clarifies the USMS's authority to protect federal judicial personnel and outlines specific conditions under which the Service can assist the Department of Justice.

This resolution expresses strong support for designating May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month to combat a growing national crisis. It highlights alarming statistics regarding rising mental illness rates, significant barriers to accessing care, and disproportionate impacts on youth and marginalized communities. Ultimately, the bill declares mental health a national priority and encourages increased public awareness and support for mental health services.

The Striking and Locked Out Workers Healthcare Protection Act ensures that employers cannot terminate or alter group health plan coverage for employees during a lawful strike or an employer-initiated lockout. This legislation aims to prevent employers from using health benefits as leverage during labor disputes. The bill also establishes significant civil penalties, including fines up to \$150,000 per violation, for employers who interfere with this coverage, and allows for individual liability for directors and officers involved in such violations.

The Fit to Serve Act prohibits the U.S. Armed Forces from discriminating against service members based on their gender identity. This means military branches cannot set different standards, involuntarily discharge personnel, or deny medically necessary healthcare due to a service member's gender identity. The bill ensures equal opportunity for joining, serving, and receiving care regardless of one's internal sense of self.

The College for All Act of 2025 establishes a Federal-State partnership to eliminate tuition and required fees at public and Tribal colleges for eligible students, while significantly increasing Federal Pell Grant maximum awards and expanding eligibility to include many "Dreamer students." The bill also creates new grant programs to cover tuition at private non-profit HBCUs and MSIs, and funds initiatives to improve student success and support for low-income and first-generation students. Finally, it increases overall appropriations for HBCUs, Tribal Colleges, and other Minority-Serving Institutions.

The Healthy Food Financing Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2025 ensures continued federal support for projects that improve access to healthy food options. This bill reauthorizes the initiative by significantly increasing mandatory funding levels, starting at \$25 million in FY 2026 and rising to \$50 million annually by FY 2030. These funds are drawn from the Commodity Credit Corporation to support healthy food infrastructure development.

The Uplifting First-Time Homebuyers Act of 2025 significantly increases the penalty-free withdrawal limit from retirement accounts for first-time homebuyers. This legislation raises the maximum allowable distribution from $\$10,000$ to $\$50,000$. This change is designed to provide greater financial flexibility for individuals purchasing their first home, taking effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.

This bill mandates the Secretary of State to immediately provide Congress with all documents and a detailed report concerning the proposed transfer of an aircraft from Qatar to an entity controlled by former President Trump. Furthermore, it prohibits the use of any federal funding for aircraft transfers involving foreign governments to the U.S. Government, the President, or the Trump Presidential Library. The Act aims to ensure transparency and halt federal financial support for these specific property transfers.

The Improving Training for School Food Service Workers Act of 2025 establishes new federal standards for required training programs for school food service personnel. This bill mandates that all required training must be paid for by the employer, conducted during regular work hours whenever possible, and offered at no cost to the employee. Furthermore, the Act strictly prohibits employers from penalizing staff who are unable to attend training sessions.

The Pacific Partnership Act formally establishes the U.S. commitment to strengthening its comprehensive policy toward the Pacific Islands region, emphasizing peace, security, and prosperity. It mandates the President to develop and submit a detailed "Strategy for Pacific Partnership" to Congress by 2026 and 2030, outlining diplomatic, economic, and security goals. Furthermore, the bill enhances coordination with allies on aid delivery and grants the Pacific Islands Forum diplomatic immunities. Finally, it requires enhanced reporting from the State Department on transnational issues affecting the region.

The Born in the USA Act of 2025 declares that Executive Order 14160, which attempted to restrict birthright citizenship, is unconstitutional and contrary to the 14th Amendment. This Act prohibits the use of any federal funds to implement or enforce that Executive Order. It affirms the established constitutional right to birthright citizenship for nearly everyone born on U.S. soil.

The Water Affordability, Transparency, Equity, and Reliability Act of 2025 establishes a dedicated federal Trust Fund, financed by an increase in the corporate tax rate, to support water infrastructure and affordability programs nationwide. The bill mandates a comprehensive EPA report analyzing water affordability, civil rights compliance, and public participation in water planning. It also significantly increases funding for household water well systems and revises state revolving loan fund rules to expand eligible projects, including lead line replacement and PFAS contamination cleanup. Finally, the Act creates new job training grants for the water sector and enhances drinking water assistance for colonias.

The GHOST Act of 2025 establishes a new Federal Interstate Firearm Parts Reporting System to track the shipment of specific gun components, including barrels, slides, and bolts, across state or international lines. Shippers must pre-register these covered components with the Attorney General, detailing sender, recipient, and shipping method, and later confirm delivery. The system allows for retroactive registration but imposes significant penalties for knowingly circumventing these tracking requirements.

The Children Don't Belong on Tobacco Farms Act amends child labor laws to prohibit individuals under 18 from having direct contact with tobacco plants or dried tobacco leaves. This change ensures that agricultural work involving direct handling of tobacco falls under federal child labor protections. The bill specifically updates exemptions to reflect this new restriction on youth employment in tobacco agriculture.

This resolution officially recognizes and celebrates Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month every May. It highlights the significant historical contributions of these communities to the United States, while also acknowledging past hardships and ongoing challenges. The bill encourages the nation to observe this month to appreciate the diversity and strength AANHPI individuals bring to the country.

The PSLF Payment Completion Fairness Act simplifies the requirements for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. This bill removes the confusing dual requirement that previously mandated simultaneous qualifying employment and payment status for service time to count. Moving forward, the focus is simply on having been employed in a qualifying job while making the required payments.