Legislative Activity

The WIC Benefits Protection Act mandates that all states must operate the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). This legislation also guarantees permanent, mandatory funding for WIC starting in fiscal year 2026, ensuring the program has the necessary resources annually. Furthermore, it clarifies eligibility language within the program's governing statute.

This resolution officially designates October 8, 2025, as Latina Equal Pay Day to highlight the significant wage disparity faced by Latina workers. It recognizes that Latinas currently earn only about 58 cents for every dollar earned by White, non-Hispanic men, resulting in substantial lifetime earnings loss. The bill calls attention to systemic factors like workplace policies and harassment that contribute to this ongoing economic injustice. Ultimately, Congress reaffirms its commitment to achieving pay equity for all women.

This resolution strongly condemns the brutal October 7th attacks by Hamas, demanding the immediate and unconditional surrender of the terrorist group and the release of all hostages, including Americans. It reaffirms Israel's right to self-defense while urging international action against Hamas and condemning the global surge in antisemitism. The measure serves as a formal statement of U.S. policy and support following the attacks.

This resolution expresses deep concern over the growing trend of book banning and threats to freedom of expression in U.S. schools and libraries. It asserts that such censorship undermines democratic values and harms students by restricting access to diverse ideas and histories. The bill urges local entities to follow best practices for book challenges and calls for the immediate reinstatement of books removed from Department of Defense schools. Ultimately, it reaffirms the nation's commitment to First Amendment rights and the freedom to read.

The Emergency Relief for Federal Workers Act of 2025 provides financial relief to federal employees affected by government shutdowns. This bill waives the 10% early withdrawal penalty on Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) distributions up to $30,000 during a qualifying shutdown. Additionally, it allows affected employees greater access to TSP hardship withdrawals and loans, and prevents missed TSP loan payments due to a shutdown from being treated as a taxable distribution.

The Stop the Trump Electricity Price Hikes Act immediately reinstates financial assistance awards previously canceled by the Department of Energy (DOE). This action specifically reverses cancellations based on the May 15, 2025 Secretarial Memorandum. The bill ensures these awards continue as if they had never been terminated.

The Federal Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act ensures that federal firefighters continue to receive their pay and allowances if Congress delays passing the budget for fiscal year 2026. This legislation also prohibits the reduction in force or layoffs of federal firefighters specifically due to government shutdowns caused by funding lapses. Essentially, this bill protects the paychecks and employment stability of federal firefighters during budget uncertainty.

This resolution expresses the support of Congress for recognizing September 29, 2025, as the "International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste." It highlights the severe global impacts of food waste on hunger and climate change, noting that nearly 40% of all food produced is lost annually. By supporting this awareness day, the bill encourages efforts to meet the U.S. goal of halving food loss and waste by 2030.

This act authorizes the creation and issuance of a new circulating and numismatic $2.50 coin to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The bill mandates specific historical designs for the initial release, continuing a tradition from the 150th anniversary celebration. The Treasury Secretary is given authority over the production, alloy, and future designs, with a goal for the coins to be available by July 4, 2026.

The Wildfire Recovery Act ensures the federal government covers at least 75% of eligible fire management assistance costs for newly appropriated funds. It also mandates new rulemaking to establish clear standards for increasing federal disaster cost-sharing based on measurable financial impact. Finally, the bill updates FEMA policy to allow state, local, and Tribal governments to seek reimbursement for pre-staging their own equipment before a disaster is officially declared.

This resolution expresses support for designating October 1, 2025, as "National Animal Rescue Day." The goal is to raise awareness about the importance of animal adoption and the critical work of rescue organizations nationwide. This day aims to encourage spaying and neutering efforts to combat pet overpopulation and promote increased animal adoptions.

The BECCS Advancement Commission Act of 2025 establishes a new commission within the Department of Agriculture to study and recommend improvements to federal policy regarding Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS). This group, composed of government, industry, and community representatives, will assess how BECCS development impacts local economies, forest health, and wildfire management. The Commission must deliver a comprehensive report to Congress within one year outlining policy suggestions to expand BECCS use, including its role in powering data centers.

The Baltic Security Assessment Act of 2025 affirms the critical importance of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania to U.S. national security amidst Russian aggression. This bill mandates that the Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense deliver a comprehensive report to Congress detailing emerging military, cyber, and political threats to the Baltic states. The report must also recommend specific actions to enhance U.S. and NATO defense cooperation and bolster Baltic resilience.

This resolution expresses support for designating September 22, 2025, as "National Hispanic Nurses Day" to recognize the vital contributions of Hispanic nurses to the U.S. healthcare system. It specifically honors the National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN) as the leading organization advocating for this essential group. The designation aims to raise awareness about the role Hispanic nurses play in providing culturally sensitive care and addressing health disparities in diverse communities.

This resolution officially recognizes the vital role of the Latino community in outdoor recreation and natural resource protection across the United States. It expresses support for designating the third week of September as "Latino Conservation Week" to celebrate their ongoing commitment to conservation. The bill highlights the importance of ensuring equitable access to nature for all communities.

The Aviation Funding Stability Act of 2025 establishes an automatic mechanism to ensure the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) remains funded during a lapse in appropriations. This allows the FAA to continue essential operations using existing funds from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund until a new budget or continuing resolution is enacted. Funding will cease after 30 days if no new appropriations are passed. This ensures continuity for core FAA programs, including operations, infrastructure, and grants.

This resolution formally acknowledges the hate and discrimination faced by communities following the September 11th attacks, including government actions that unfairly targeted them. It calls for an independent commission to review past policies and suggest remedies for ongoing profiling. Furthermore, the bill supports funding for community-led victim services and mandates a study on the long-term health impacts of this targeting.

The Redistricting Reform Act of 2025 fundamentally overhauls congressional map-drawing by mandating the use of independent, non-partisan commissions in every state. This legislation establishes strict, prioritized criteria for map creation, explicitly banning partisan manipulation and requiring maps to prioritize community representation over political advantage. Furthermore, it sets firm deadlines for map enactment and establishes clear federal court procedures to intervene if states fail to adopt a lawful plan. Overall, the bill aims to ensure fairer congressional representation by removing map-drawing authority from state legislatures.

The Direct Seller and Real Estate Agent Harmonization Act amends the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to explicitly exclude direct sellers and qualified real estate agents from the definition of "employee." This reclassification means these workers are generally not covered by federal minimum wage and overtime protections. The bill aims to solidify the independent contractor status for these specific sales professionals.

The **988 LGBTQ+ Youth Access Act of 2025** addresses the high rates of suicide risk among LGBTQ youth by strengthening specialized support through the national crisis hotline. This bill mandates that dedicated resources and services, such as a specific dialing option, must be maintained for LGBTQ individuals contacting 988. Furthermore, it requires that at least 9 percent of appropriated funds for the hotline be specifically reserved to ensure these specialized services for LGBTQ youth remain fully operational.