Legislative Activity

The Keep Seniors Fed Act makes technical amendments to the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 regarding how income is calculated for food assistance eligibility. Specifically, it mandates that income received under Title II of the Social Security Act must now be counted when determining eligibility for benefits. These changes will take effect 90 days after the bill is signed into law.

This resolution expresses strong support for recognizing August 17 through August 23, 2025, as "Warehouse Worker Recognition Week." It honors the critical role over 1.8 million warehouse workers play in the national supply chain and economy. Furthermore, the resolution acknowledges the demanding and often hazardous working conditions these essential employees face.

The High Occupancy Vehicle Lane Exemption Reauthorization Act extends the federal regulations governing High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) facilities. Specifically, this bill pushes back the expiration date for these existing HOV facility rules from September 30, 2025, to September 30, 2031. This ensures the current federal guidelines remain in effect for an additional six years.

The EQUAL Parks Act codifies a previous Presidential Memorandum into permanent law, ensuring that federal policies regarding public lands and waters prioritize diversity and inclusion. This legislation solidifies the commitment to making these shared spaces accessible and welcoming to all Americans.

The Affordable Housing Resident Services Act establishes a new competitive grant program managed by the Department of Health and Human Services to fund supportive services in qualified affordable housing properties. These grants will finance activities like health coordination, education, and financial stability assistance for residents, with a requirement that services remain strictly voluntary. Grantees must dedicate at least 25% of the funds to service coordinator salaries and report annually on the impact of the services provided.

The Central Coast Heritage Protection Act designates significant new wilderness areas and additions across California, alongside establishing protected Wild and Scenic River segments along several creeks and rivers. The bill also creates the Fox Mountain Special Management Area and two new Scenic Areas, all with specific conservation mandates. Finally, it directs studies for a new national scenic trail and improved nonmotorized recreation opportunities in designated National Forest districts.

The Reproductive Freedom for Veterans Act mandates that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) must now provide abortion care, counseling, and related medication as part of the medical services offered to eligible veterans and certain other beneficiaries. This legislation formally amends existing VA health care provisions to include these reproductive health services.

The Protecting Health Care and Lowering Costs Act of 2025 repeals specific prior reconciliation health provisions. This bill significantly expands eligibility for the Premium Tax Credit by eliminating the 400% Federal Poverty Level income cap. It also updates the subsidy calculation formula to ensure a smoother, linear adjustment of assistance across various income levels.

The Wildfire Emergency Preparedness Act of 2025 aims to significantly enhance national readiness for wildfires and wildland-urban interface fires. It establishes a national training plan and grant program for structural firefighters, creates a new high-level Under Secretary for Fire Coordination within the Department of Agriculture, and boosts firefighter health and safety research. Furthermore, the Act authorizes supplemental funding for local departments to purchase protective gear and receive specialized training.

The LOAN Act significantly overhauls federal student aid by dramatically expanding Pell Grants, making higher education more accessible through increased funding and eligibility pathways. It also restructures federal student loans by eliminating origination fees, introducing new income-driven repayment plans, and stopping interest capitalization to reduce borrower debt. Furthermore, the bill establishes new fixed interest rate formulas for future loans and creates refinancing options for both existing federal and private student loans. Overall, the legislation aims to lower the cost of college and ease the burden of repayment for millions of borrowers.

The Restoring Essential Healthcare Act repeals an outdated ban that prevented Medicaid from making payments to certain healthcare providers. This legislation ensures that these previously prohibited entities will now be reimbursed for medical services rendered between the enactment of the original ban and the passage of this Act. In short, it restores payment eligibility and retroactively covers past services.

The EATS Act of 2025 significantly updates eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by removing previous restrictions that often disqualified students. This legislation explicitly includes bona fide students enrolled at least half-time in recognized educational programs as eligible participants for food assistance. These changes take effect on January 2, 2026.

This resolution supports Minority Mental Health Awareness Month by recognizing the disproportionate impact of mental health conditions on minority populations. It highlights significant racial disparities in mental health experiences and barriers to culturally competent care. The bill calls on the President to increase efforts to improve access to mental health services that specifically address the unique cultural and social challenges faced by minority communities.

The Filing Relief for Natural Disasters Act allows the IRS to postpone tax deadlines for affected taxpayers based on a formal request from a state Governor following a major disaster declaration. This legislation also doubles the automatic postponement period for certain tax deadlines from 60 days to 120 days. These changes aim to provide quicker and more substantial relief to individuals and businesses impacted by state-declared catastrophes.

The VISIBLE Act mandates that federal immigration enforcement officers, such as those from CBP and ICE, must clearly display their agency name and either their last name or badge number during all public-facing civil immigration enforcement activities. This requirement ensures officers are easily identifiable to the public from a distance, promoting transparency and public trust. The law also establishes disciplinary procedures for non-compliance and requires annual reporting to Congress on enforcement activities and violations.

The Restoring Artistic Protection Act of 2025 (RAP Act) seeks to limit the admissibility of a defendant's creative or artistic expression in court proceedings. This bill adds a new rule to the Federal Rules of Evidence, generally banning the use of a defendant's art as evidence against them. The government can only introduce such evidence if it meets strict exceptions requiring clear and convincing proof that the art directly relates to the facts of the case and possesses unique evidentiary value. If admitted, the court must provide specific instructions to the jury regarding its consideration.

This bill mandates the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish a comprehensive system for tracking and reporting all instances where U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents are detained or removed during immigration enforcement actions. The system requires quarterly reports to Congress detailing these incidents, including those involving individuals transferred from other law enforcement agencies. Furthermore, the bill requires DHS to create a formal process allowing detained or removed individuals to submit proof of their citizenship or permanent resident status.

The Transparency, Readability, Understandability, Truth, and Helpfulness in Labeling Act mandates clear front-of-package labeling for foods high in added sugars, sodium, or saturated fat. These labels must use a prominent "High in" warning icon to help consumers make healthier choices quickly. Furthermore, the law requires a specific warning on labels if a product contains non-nutritive (artificial) sweeteners, especially for products marketed to children. These requirements aim to align food labeling with current dietary guidelines and public health concerns.

This bill, the Renewing Immigration Provisions of the Immigration Act of 1929, updates the eligibility requirements for creating records of lawful admission for long-term residents. It replaces a fixed entry date with a new standard requiring applicants to have resided in the U.S. for at least seven years prior to applying. These revised provisions will take effect 60 days after the Act is enacted.

The Fire Department Repayment Act of 2025 seeks to expedite payments to local fire departments for fire suppression cost share agreements. It mandates federal agencies to establish standard payment timelines, revise existing agreements for compliance, and ensure alignment with cooperative fire protection agreements. The bill aims to reimburse local fire departments promptly, ideally within one year of fire suppression activities.