Legislative Activity

This bill authorizes the presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to the Freedom Riders in recognition of their courageous, nonviolent efforts to end racial segregation in interstate travel. By challenging discriminatory laws through the 1961 Freedom Rides, these activists played a pivotal role in advancing the American Civil Rights Movement. The medal will be housed at the Smithsonian Institution to honor their historic contribution to equality.

The Access to Counsel Act ensures that U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents, and valid visa holders have the right to consult with legal counsel and interested parties during secondary or deferred immigration inspections at ports of entry. The bill mandates that this access be provided within one hour of inspection and offers specific protections for permanent residents regarding the abandonment of their status. By guaranteeing this support, the legislation aims to provide individuals with meaningful advocacy and assistance during the inspection process.

This resolution affirms strong support for the U.S. Department of Education and its critical role in funding and protecting public K-12 schools. It emphasizes the importance of federal investment in closing opportunity gaps and ensuring civil rights protections for all students. Furthermore, the bill explicitly condemns any efforts to defund public education, dismantle the Department of Education, or divert public funds to private school vouchers.

The NO BAN Act prohibits discrimination in immigration based on religion, race, sex, nationality, or place of birth. It also places strict limitations on the President’s authority to suspend or restrict entry into the United States, requiring evidence-based justification, congressional oversight, and public reporting. These measures ensure that any future immigration restrictions are narrowly tailored and subject to judicial review.

The Black History is American History Act amends federal education law to ensure that Black history is explicitly integrated into American history and civics curricula nationwide. By requiring the inclusion of Black history in teacher training, instructional materials, and national educational assessments, the bill aims to provide a more comprehensive and accurate understanding of the American experience. Additionally, it establishes a formal partnership with the National Museum of African American History and Culture to support educators and students.

The Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act directs the Department of Justice Inspector General to conduct a comprehensive review of sexual harassment and assault against Bureau of Prisons staff by incarcerated individuals. Following this analysis, the Attorney General is required to establish national standards to better prevent, reduce, and punish such conduct.

The Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act of 2025 aims to support healthcare providers by extending Medicare payment adjustments through the end of 2025. Specifically, the bill provides a 6.62 percent payment increase for services rendered between April 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025, to help practitioners adjust to evolving Medicare payment policies.

This bill recognizes the significant historical and ongoing contributions of tax-exempt fraternal benefit societies to communities across the United States through charitable activities, volunteer work, and financial support for members. It expresses the sense of Congress that these societies are a valuable support system that addresses unmet needs and generates substantial returns to the U.S. through their tax-exempt status. The bill also advocates for the continued promotion of fraternal benefit societies.

The Federal Firefighters Families First Act aims to improve pay equity, recruitment, and retention for federal firefighters by modernizing pay computation and establishing a maximum 60-hour regular workweek. Additionally, the bill ensures that regularly scheduled overtime is included in the calculation of federal retirement annuities. These measures seek to align federal firefighter compensation more closely with municipal standards and provide greater financial security for their families.

This bill expresses the House of Representatives' view that Congress should act to maintain the United States Postal Service (USPS) as an independent entity within the Federal Government. It emphasizes the USPS's role as a self-sustaining service vital to the economy and national connectivity. The resolution discourages privatization, citing concerns about increased costs, reduced services, and damage to critical infrastructure.

The Closing the College Hunger Gap Act aims to reduce food insecurity among students by ensuring those with the highest financial need are informed of their potential eligibility for SNAP benefits. The bill requires the Department of Education to proactively notify students who qualify for federal aid about the SNAP application process. By streamlining communication between federal agencies, this legislation helps eligible students access essential nutritional support.

The Global Health, Empowerment and Rights Act prevents the U.S. government from denying foreign aid to nongovernmental organizations based on the legal health services they provide using their own private funds. It ensures that these organizations are not penalized for offering counseling or referrals that comply with local laws. Additionally, the bill prohibits the imposition of restrictive advocacy and lobbying requirements on these groups that exceed those applied to U.S.-based organizations.

This bill recognizes the cultural and historical significance of Lunar New Year. It acknowledges the importance of Lunar New Year for Asian Americans and others in the U.S., and expresses respect for those who celebrate it worldwide. The bill wishes all celebrants a happy and prosperous new year.

The Lunar New Year Day Act proposes designating Lunar New Year Day as an official federal legal public holiday. If passed, this legislation would amend federal law to include the holiday in the official list of observed public holidays in the United States.

The Holocaust Education and Antisemitism Lessons Act directs the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum to conduct a comprehensive study of Holocaust education in public elementary and secondary schools across the United States. This study will evaluate current curriculum standards, teaching methods, and available resources to identify gaps and improve how students learn about the Holocaust and the history of antisemitism. The findings will be compiled into a report submitted to Congress to help strengthen educational efforts in preventing hate and bigotry.

This bill expresses the House of Representatives' disapproval of the President's decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement, recognizing climate change as a threat and highlighting the increasing costs of extreme weather events. It commends entities supporting the Agreement, urges the President to reconsider, and encourages Congress to prioritize U.S. leadership on climate change.

The Combat Veterans Pre-Enrollment Act of 2025 establishes a pilot program allowing eligible active-duty service members to pre-enroll in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) patient system before separating from the military. This initiative aims to streamline the transition to VA healthcare by ensuring seamless coverage for veterans immediately upon their departure from service.

The Restricting First Use of Nuclear Weapons Act of 2025 prohibits the use of federal funds for a first-use nuclear strike unless Congress has explicitly authorized such an action through a declaration of war. This legislation aims to establish a constitutional check on presidential authority by ensuring that the decision to initiate nuclear conflict rests with the people’s representatives. The bill maintains the President's ability to authorize retaliatory nuclear strikes in response to an existing nuclear attack.

The "Hershel Woody Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act" allows the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation to build a monument on federal land in Washington, D.C., to honor Medal of Honor recipients. It places the National Medal of Honor Monument near the Lincoln Memorial, and overrides location restrictions to allow it to be within the Reserve, as defined in section 8902. All other provisions regarding commemorative works still apply.

The Health Care Providers Safety Act of 2025 authorizes federal grants to help health care facilities enhance the safety of their personnel, patients, and infrastructure. These funds support critical security upgrades, including physical site improvements, advanced surveillance systems, and strengthened cybersecurity measures.