Legislative Activity

The CIRCLE Act aims to boost domestic recycling capacity by introducing a new, temporary federal tax credit for investments in recycling infrastructure. This credit, set at 30% of qualified investment, incentivizes modernizing facilities and increasing the supply of domestically recycled materials. The bill also enhances the definition of recyclable materials to support U.S. markets against foreign competition.

The Asunción Valdivia Heat Illness, Injury, and Fatality Prevention Act of 2025 mandates that employers protect workers from dangerous heat stress by establishing comprehensive safety standards. This Act requires the Secretary of Labor to create evidence-based rules covering engineering controls, administrative procedures, required training, and paid rest breaks to prevent heat-related illness. Furthermore, the law establishes strict enforcement mechanisms, whistleblower protections, and specific timelines for the implementation of these new federal heat protection standards.

This resolution declares a health and safety emergency disproportionately affecting children due to prior administration directives that promoted fossil fuels and suppressed climate science. Congress asserts that these actions harm children's fundamental rights to life and a stable environment by worsening climate change impacts. The bill demands the current administration cease policies that increase greenhouse gases and restore access to suppressed climate research. Ultimately, it calls for aligning all energy and climate laws with the duty to protect the rights and future of young people.

The Cool Corridors Act of 2025 aims to combat extreme heat and improve transportation safety by funding the installation of green infrastructure, like trees, along walking, biking, and transit routes. This legislation reauthorizes and updates the Healthy Streets program to prioritize these cooling projects in the most vulnerable and underserved communities. The Act defines "cool corridors" and establishes clear criteria for demonstration projects focused on heat mitigation and long-term maintenance.

The Child Care for Working Families Act establishes comprehensive federal programs to ensure access to high-quality, affordable child care and universal preschool for young children. The legislation creates an entitlement program for child care, mandates that provider reimbursement rates cover actual costs and ensure living wages for staff, and establishes free, universal preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds. Additionally, it provides dedicated funding to stabilize childcare providers and extend the operating hours and compensation for Head Start staff.

The Veteran Burial Timeliness and Death Certificate Accountability Act addresses significant delays in obtaining death certificates for veterans who die from natural causes, often due to VA medical staff delays. This bill mandates that VA medical providers must certify a veteran's death within 48 hours or allow the local medical examiner to step in. Furthermore, the VA must annually report on its compliance with this new timely certification requirement.

The Don't Feed the Bears Act of 2025 prohibits the intentional feeding of bears, including for hunting bait, on federal public lands managed by the National Park Service and Wildlife Refuges. This Act mandates that the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture develop and enforce new regulations to stop bear baiting on Bureau of Land Management and National Forest System lands within one year. The goal is to prevent bears from losing their natural fear of humans, which causes property damage and dangerous encounters. Exceptions are allowed only for bear welfare, public safety, or authorized research.

This Act authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and sell special commemorative coins for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games and the 2034 Salt Lake City Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. The coins will feature designs celebrating American athletes and the Games themselves. All surcharges collected from the sale of these coins will be directed to the respective organizing committees to help fund the events and related youth sports programs. The entire program must be conducted at no cost to the U.S. Government.

This resolution expresses support for designating July 10th as Journeyman Lineworkers Recognition Day. It honors the essential and dangerous work performed by these skilled professionals, especially their heroic efforts in restoring power after major disasters. The day serves to recognize their service and remember those who have lost their lives performing this vital work.

The Food Chemical Reassessment Act of 2025 mandates that the FDA systematically review the safety of at least ten existing food ingredients every three years, starting in 2026. This process targets substances like certain food additives, colorings, and GRAS ingredients, prioritizing those with the greatest public health concern. If a reassessment determines a substance is unsafe, the FDA is required to take regulatory action, such as repealing approvals or revoking authorizations. The Act also establishes an advisory committee to guide the FDA on reassessment standards and methods.

This resolution formally recognizes the significant and persistent wage disparity faced by Black women in the United States. It highlights that despite existing equal pay laws, Black women earn substantially less than their male counterparts, leading to massive lifetime earnings losses. Congress uses this measure to emphasize the urgent need to address both racial and gender discrimination to achieve true pay equity.

This bill mandates that the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) conduct and publish an economic review before any modification to existing tariffs or duties on imported goods can be implemented. This ensures that the potential economic impact of changing import taxes is assessed and made public prior to taking effect.

The SAK PASE in Haiti Act of 2025 mandates the Secretary of State to develop a comprehensive U.S. strategy to address the escalating security, economic, and humanitarian crises in Haiti. This strategy must focus on bolstering Haitian security forces, countering illicit gang support, promoting economic opportunity, and ensuring Haitian leadership in the solutions. The Secretary is required to report annually to Congress for five years on the implementation and progress of this coordinated international effort.

The Stopping the Fraudulent Sales of Firearms Act makes it illegal to import, manufacture, or sell firearms or ammunition using false claims or representations. This prohibition also covers using interstate or international communications to promote such fraudulent activities. The bill updates existing federal law to ensure penalties apply to these newly defined fraudulent dealings.

The Expanding Access to Mental Health Services in Schools Act of 2025 establishes a new federal grant program to increase the number of mental health professionals in high-need school districts. This funding is specifically designed to help eligible agencies recruit, hire, and retain school counselors, psychologists, and social workers. Grantees must demonstrate a plan to improve student-to-provider ratios and report annually on staffing improvements and provider retention.

The SECURE Act aims to strengthen due process protections for all individuals facing security clearance revocation or denial, extending coverage beyond just executive branch employees. It also enhances transparency by requiring agencies to report detailed annual statistics on clearance actions, including employer identification and the reasons for denial or revocation. This legislation ensures clearer reporting standards for government-wide security clearance decisions.

The Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2025 aims to combat the growing obesity epidemic, particularly among older adults, by expanding access to intensive behavioral therapy under Medicare. This bill mandates that Medicare Part D plans begin covering FDA-approved medications for obesity and weight management in individuals with related health conditions. Finally, it requires the Secretary of HHS to report regularly to Congress on the implementation and coordination of these new obesity treatment strategies.

The Connecting Students with Mental Health Services Act establishes a new grant program to enhance mental and behavioral health support for K-12 students through telehealth services. These grants prioritize funding for schools in high-poverty, rural, or underserved areas to acquire necessary equipment and staff for remote care delivery. The program aims to expand access to mental health services while ensuring strict compliance with student privacy laws.

The CONNECT for Health Act of 2025 significantly expands and permanently secures access to Medicare telehealth services by eliminating outdated geographic restrictions and allowing more practitioners to offer remote care. The bill also strengthens program integrity by dedicating funds for telehealth oversight while clarifying rules around providing necessary technology to patients. Finally, it mandates the creation of tailored educational resources and public reporting to improve quality measurement and transparency in remote care delivery.

The Saving Hazardous And Declining Environments (SHADE) Act establishes a new, federally funded grant program to support tree planting initiatives. Administered by HUD and the Forest Service, this program prioritizes projects in historically redlined or urban heat island areas. Applicants must submit detailed 5-year plans that include community involvement and strategies to prevent resident displacement. The program is authorized to receive $50 million annually from fiscal year 2026 through 2036.