Legislative Activity

The Pacific Ready Coast Guard Act establishes a Center of Expertise for Indo-Pacific Maritime Governance to enhance regional training and cooperation. It mandates the Coast Guard to produce an annual operational plan and budget specifically for Pacific activities, aligning with State and Defense goals. Furthermore, the bill requires several key reports assessing the feasibility of a standing maritime group, the need for forward operating bases, and the expansion of Coast Guard diplomatic attaché presence in the region.

The South Pacific Tuna Treaty Act of 2025 significantly updates the existing 1988 Tuna Act by revising key definitions, clarifying prohibited fishing acts, and adjusting enforcement and penalty structures. This legislation streamlines licensing procedures, tightens rules regarding confidential data disclosure, and modifies the process for international dispute resolution through arbitration. Overall, the Act modernizes the legal framework governing U.S. tuna fishing activities in the South Pacific.

This resolution supports designating May 10, 2025, as "National Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Mental Health Day." It highlights the severe mental health disparities and lack of access to care within AANHPI communities. The bill encourages federal agencies to improve culturally and linguistically appropriate services to better address the unique needs of these diverse populations.

The Stop Mental Health Stigma in Our Communities Act of 2025 aims to address the significant mental health disparities and high suicide rates within Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities. The bill mandates the creation of a national behavioral health outreach strategy tailored to the diverse AANHPI population to reduce stigma and increase culturally competent care. Furthermore, it requires comprehensive systematic reviews and reports on the AANHPI youth mental health crisis and strategies to increase the number of AANHPI behavioral health professionals.

The Rural Broadband Modernization Act updates federal support for building high-speed internet infrastructure in underserved rural areas. It establishes new minimum buildout requirements of 100 Mbps symmetrical speed and prioritizes funding for the most unserved communities. The Act authorizes significant annual appropriations through fiscal year 2030 to provide grants, loans, and loan guarantees for these modernization projects.

The Providing Child Care for Police Officers Act of 2025 establishes a new federal grant program to help law enforcement officers secure childcare during non-traditional hours. Administered by HHS, these competitive grants will fund local agencies to offer subsidies, start new facilities, or cover operational costs for officers. The program requires state agencies to apply and secure matching funds, with a sunset date of September 30, 2030.

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 Fiscal Commission Act establishes a bipartisan commission tasked with developing legislative recommendations to improve the nation's long-term fiscal health, aiming to reduce the national debt ratio to 100% of GDP by 2039. This Commission, composed of appointed members from both chambers of Congress and outside experts, must submit its final report and proposed legislation within a specific timeframe. The Act also creates an expedited, amendment-free process for Congress to consider and vote on any resulting "implementing bills."

The HABLA Act of 2025 mandates that all federal agencies develop and implement detailed plans to ensure individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP) can access federally conducted programs. Furthermore, the bill requires agencies distributing federal funds to issue specific guidance to their recipients on providing language access to avoid national origin discrimination. Throughout this process, agencies must consult with LEP individuals and stakeholders to create practical, fiscally responsible implementation strategies.

The PATCH Act, or Protecting Access To Care in Hawaii Act, ensures that physicians in Hawaii receive fair compensation for their services. Starting in 2026, this bill mandates a minimum work geographic index of 1.5 for calculating Medicare payments for physicians' services furnished in the state. This adjustment is a direct increase to the payment formula and will not be offset by budget neutrality requirements.

The Defense Workforce Integration Act of 2025 aims to streamline the transition of separating service members into civilian Department of Defense (DoD) roles, particularly for those medically disqualified from service. It also establishes a new program to connect medically ineligible individuals with career opportunities in the defense industrial base and related national security sectors. Furthermore, the bill mandates that the Navy inform separating personnel about career opportunities within the Military Sealift Command. The DoD must report to Congress within one year on the implementation of these integration and information-sharing provisions.

The American Ownership and Resilience Act establishes an Ownership Investment Facility within the Department of Commerce to provide government-backed leverage to investment companies. This facility is designed to encourage capital investments that support the sale of businesses to Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) or worker-owned cooperatives. The bill sets strict oversight, fairness, and control requirements for these employee-centric transactions while establishing licensing and capital standards for the participating investment companies.

The Taiwan International Solidarity Act clarifies that UN Resolution 2758 does not determine Taiwan's status and affirms U.S. opposition to any change in Taiwan's status without its consent. The bill directs the U.S. government to actively advocate in international organizations against the People's Republic of China's (PRC) distortion of the "One China" position regarding Taiwan. Furthermore, it mandates encouraging allies to resist PRC efforts to undermine Taiwan's international partnerships and requires expanded reporting on these PRC actions.

This resolution formally recognizes the vital role of elementary and secondary school teachers in strengthening the civic, cultural, and economic well-being of the United States. It designates the week of May 5 through May 9, 2025, as National Teacher Appreciation Week. The bill encourages public awareness and respect for the teaching profession and its essential contributions to the nation.

The Albatross and Petrel Conservation Act of 2025 establishes comprehensive federal measures to protect vulnerable seabirds by restoring habitats, mitigating harm from human activities like pollution and fishing bycatch, and managing invasive species. It strictly prohibits the harming or interference with these birds unless specific permits are obtained for conservation or scientific purposes. The bill also creates the domestic structure necessary to uphold international conservation agreements and assigns enforcement penalties through existing federal wildlife and fisheries laws. Ultimately, this legislation aims to improve the survival rates of covered albatrosses and petrels through coordinated domestic action and global cooperation.

This resolution expresses strong support for designating May 4 through May 10, 2025, as Wildfire Preparedness Week. The measure aims to raise public awareness about the dangers of wildfires and promote essential fire safety and community preparedness education. It highlights the need for proactive measures, such as evacuation planning and better land management, to mitigate the growing threat posed by these destructive events.

This bill establishes a permanent advisory committee focused on studying and reporting on the severe financial market fallout that could result from Chinese military aggression toward Taiwan. The committee, composed of market experts and regulators, will advise the Financial Stability Oversight Council on potential economic vulnerabilities. The Council must then issue an annual public report detailing market risks, potential losses, and specific recommendations for regulators to fortify U.S. financial systems against such geopolitical shocks.

This resolution expresses the House of Representatives' support for designating May 5, 2025, as the "National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls." It highlights the severe crisis of violence against Native women and girls and calls for remembrance and support for affected families. Additionally, the bill urges the Department of Justice to conduct an updated study on the data surrounding this ongoing national tragedy.

The Migratory Bird Protection Act of 2025 amends the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to establish a clear framework for authorizing the accidental "take" of migratory birds during otherwise legal activities. This includes creating a system for issuing incidental take permits and establishing civil penalties for unauthorized harm. The bill also creates the Migratory Bird Recovery Fund, financed by permit fees, to support bird conservation efforts and mandates ongoing research and reporting to Congress.

The Noncontiguous Energy Relief and Access Act of 2025 creates a specific exemption for shipping essential energy products and equipment between the mainland United States and noncontiguous areas like Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. This change waives certain existing maritime restrictions for the transport of fuel, generators, and related materials necessary for energy infrastructure in these regions. The goal is to streamline the movement of vital energy supplies to these territories.