Legislative Activity

This resolution commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Fall of Saigon and recognizes the profound contributions of Vietnamese Americans to the United States. It honors those who fled the communist regime after April 30, 1975, and reaffirms American commitment to democracy and human rights. The bill encourages all citizens to observe this anniversary and remember the sacrifices made in the pursuit of freedom.

The Fairness to Freedom Act of 2025 establishes a guaranteed, government-funded right to counsel for all individuals in immigration proceedings who cannot afford a lawyer. It creates an independent Office of Immigration Representation to manage and deliver this high-quality legal defense across the country. Furthermore, the bill ensures this new system is adequately funded by tying its minimum budget to the scale of federal immigration enforcement spending.

This resolution expresses strong support for designating April 30, 2025, as "National Adult Hepatitis B Vaccination Awareness Day." It highlights the significant number of undiagnosed chronic Hepatitis B cases in the U.S. and the severe long-term health risks, such as liver cancer. The bill encourages increased testing, vaccination among susceptible adults, and prompt care for those diagnosed to curb rising infection rates.

The Women and Underrepresented Minorities in STEM Booster Act of 2025 establishes a new grant program managed by the National Science Foundation. This program is designed to increase the participation and retention of women, underrepresented minorities, and people with disabilities in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. Funds will support activities such as mentoring, internships, and outreach aimed at addressing documented gaps in STEM education and the workforce. Congress has authorized $15 million annually for this initiative from 2026 through 2030.

The Better CARE for Animals Act of 2025 significantly strengthens enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act by clarifying definitions and expanding the scope of investigations. It grants the Attorney General explicit authority to file civil actions seeking penalties up to $10,000 per day, and mandates that collected fines help cover temporary animal care costs. The bill also requires the Secretary of Agriculture and the Attorney General to establish a formal agreement for coordinated enforcement.

The Medicare for All Act establishes a universal, nationwide health insurance program providing comprehensive coverage for all U.S. residents with no out-of-pocket costs. It fundamentally restructures healthcare financing by implementing global budgets for institutions and a new fee schedule for individuals, while phasing out existing federal programs like Medicare and Medicaid. The legislation also sets strict quality standards for providers and creates a dedicated Trust Fund to manage the system's finances.

The Consent is Key Act increases federal grant funding for states that enact laws allowing civil lawsuits against individuals who remove sexual protection barriers without consent. To receive this increased funding, states must apply to the Attorney General, detailing their compliance with the new law. This funding boost, capped at 20% of recent averages, is available for a four-year period.

The Stealthing Act of 2025 establishes a federal civil right of action against individuals who remove a sexual protection barrier, such as a condom, during sexual contact without the partner's consent. This law recognizes the non-consensual removal of protection as a serious violation exposing victims to risks like STIs and pregnancy. Victims can sue for damages if the act involved interstate travel, commerce, or communication.

The Equality Act comprehensively expands federal civil rights protections against discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity across key areas of American life. It amends existing laws to prohibit discrimination in public accommodations, housing, credit, employment, and federal funding. The purpose of the bill is to provide consistent, explicit, and comprehensive remedies for individuals facing bias in these essential sectors.

The Arctic Refuge Protection Act officially repeals the previous law authorizing oil and gas leasing in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. This legislation simultaneously designates approximately 1.56 million acres within the Refuge as protected wilderness under the National Wilderness Preservation System. The Secretary of the Interior is now required to manage this newly designated land according to strict wilderness preservation standards.

The West Bank Violence Prevention Act of 2025 declares extreme settler violence and displacement in the West Bank a threat to U.S. national security interests. This Act mandates the President to impose sanctions, including asset freezes and visa bans, on foreign individuals responsible for undermining peace and stability in the region. The Treasury Department must report to Congress on the implementation of these sanctions every 90 days.

The **Protecting America’s Workers Act** significantly expands OSHA coverage to include public employees, strengthens whistleblower protections by lowering the burden of proof for workers and increasing remedies for retaliation, and mandates stricter reporting, increased penalties, and greater transparency for workplace safety violations. The bill also tightens federal oversight of state-run safety plans and enhances NIOSH's role in hazard evaluation and safety training.

The Victims of Agent Orange Act of 2025 aims to address the ongoing health and environmental damage caused by the use of herbicides, including Agent Orange, during the Vietnam War. This legislation establishes comprehensive assistance programs through USAID for affected individuals and environmental cleanup in Vietnam. Furthermore, it mandates health assessments and the creation of dedicated health centers by HHS to support Vietnamese Americans impacted by the toxic exposure.

The Tenants’ Right to Organize Act establishes and protects the right of tenants receiving federal rental assistance, including Section 8 voucher holders and those in LIHTC projects, to form and participate in tenant organizations without fear of retaliation. The bill mandates that Public Housing Agencies and property owners must recognize these legitimate groups, consider their concerns, and respond to their feedback. Furthermore, it creates new enforcement mechanisms, allows tenants to sue for violations, and establishes funding for technical assistance and training for tenant groups.

The Agent Orange Relief Act of 2025 aims to address the ongoing health crises stemming from the U.S. use of herbicides during the Vietnam War. This legislation expands benefits for children of male veterans born with certain birth defects and mandates new research into intergenerational health effects. Furthermore, the Act requires the Department of Health and Human Services to fund health studies and establish treatment centers for affected Vietnamese Americans. Agencies are given 18 months to fully implement these provisions, followed by mandatory quarterly progress reports to Congress.

This bill amends the Social Security Act to limit the amount the Social Security Administration can withhold from a person's monthly benefit to recover an overpayment. Unless the individual agrees to a higher rate, the SSA can withhold no more than 10 percent of a monthly benefit payment to recoup accidental overpayments. This new limit applies to existing and future unrecovered overpayments under Title II benefits.

The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit Enhancement Act of 2025 significantly increases the maximum expenses eligible for the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit to \$8,000 for one child and \$16,000 for two or more. This legislation also modifies the income-based calculation for the credit percentage and makes the credit partially or fully refundable for eligible taxpayers. Furthermore, key dollar limits will be adjusted annually for inflation starting in 2026.

This resolution expresses strong support for honoring Earth Day and recognizes its historical importance in launching the modern environmental movement. It highlights ongoing challenges like climate change while celebrating recent landmark investments in clean energy and infrastructure. Ultimately, the bill urges the President to issue a proclamation recognizing Earth Day and encourages all Americans to take sustained action to protect the environment for future generations.

This resolution supports the designation of the week of April 21 through April 25, 2025, as "National Home Visiting Week." It recognizes the critical role home visiting programs play in supporting early childhood development and strengthening families nationwide. These evidence-based services provide essential guidance and support to parents, promoting positive outcomes for children. The bill formally endorses the goals and ideals associated with this important national observance.

The Neighborhood Homes Investment Act establishes a new federal tax credit designed to close the financing gap hindering the construction and rehabilitation of affordable starter homes in distressed communities. This credit incentivizes developers to build or substantially renovate housing in specific low-income census tracts and sell it affordably to qualified moderate-income homeowners. State agencies will manage the allocation of these credits, ensuring projects meet affordability standards and promoting revitalization in struggling neighborhoods.