Legislative Activity

The Pay Paraprofessionals and Support Staff Act establishes minimum federal salary and wage floors for school support staff, requiring states to implement higher state-level standards. It authorizes significant federal funding through grants to help states and local districts meet these new pay requirements within four years. States must prioritize funding distribution to districts serving high numbers of low-income students to ensure compliance with the mandated pay increases.

This bill amends the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 to temporarily exclude certain False Claims Act recoveries from being deposited into the Crime Victims Fund through fiscal year 2029. It also mandates a comprehensive audit by the Department of Justice Inspector General on the Fund's sustainability and the impact of recent legislative changes. The resulting report will provide recommendations for improving the Fund's effectiveness and oversight.

The **No Funds for NATO Invasion Act** prohibits the use of any federal funds for an invasion of any territory belonging to a member nation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Furthermore, the bill bars U.S. officials from taking any action to execute such an invasion.

This resolution commemorates the 15th anniversary of the tragic January 8, 2011, Tucson shooting, honoring the six lives lost and the thirteen injured. It specifically commends the courage and ongoing advocacy of gun violence survivor and former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. The resolution also recognizes the resilience of the community and reaffirms a commitment to ending political violence.

This resolution observes the one-year anniversary of the devastating 2025 Southern California wildfires. It honors the 31 lives lost, recognizes the heroic efforts of thousands of emergency responders, and affirms commitment to supporting the ongoing rebuilding efforts in affected communities.

The PROTECT Military Families Act establishes a new parole program to allow certain immediate family members of U.S. service members and veterans to enter the United States. This program specifically targets spouses, widows/widowers, parents, and children of active duty or honorably discharged military personnel. Parole decisions require joint approval from the Secretaries of Homeland Security, Defense, and Veterans Affairs for any denial.

The Stop Unfair Medicaid Recoveries Act prohibits states from imposing new liens on an individual's home for Medicaid benefits already paid. This legislation also stops states from initiating or continuing efforts to recover the costs of correctly paid Medicaid benefits from an individual's estate. Furthermore, existing liens related to these recoveries must be withdrawn shortly after the law is enacted.

This bill prohibits the use of federal funds for military force in or against Venezuela through the end of 2026. This restriction remains in place unless Congress formally declares war or passes a new, specific authorization for military action that complies with the War Powers Resolution. An exception is made for necessary defensive actions, such as repelling a sudden attack.

The Northwest California Wilderness, Recreation, and Working Forests Act is a comprehensive bill designed to restore federal forest health, expand outdoor recreation opportunities, and permanently conserve significant natural landscapes in Northern California. It establishes large restoration areas to reduce wildfire risk, designates new wilderness and wild and scenic rivers, and authorizes new trails and visitor centers. The legislation also protects existing utility operations and affirms the rights of Indian Tribes for traditional and religious uses.

The Disaster Survivors Tax Relief and Recovery Act provides essential financial support to individuals and businesses impacted by major disasters occurring in 2025. The bill offers temporary tax relief, including flexible income calculations for tax credits, penalty-free access to retirement funds, and expanded deductions for charitable contributions and casualty losses. Additionally, it incentivizes the development of affordable housing in disaster-stricken areas and extends tax exclusions for wildfire-related compensation.

This resolution condemns antisemitism in all its forms, particularly its proliferation on artificial intelligence (AI) platforms. It urges technology companies to implement robust, transparent safeguards to prevent AI systems from generating or amplifying antisemitic content. The bill encourages the development of standards, research, and public awareness initiatives to combat this threat while ensuring all actions remain consistent with constitutional protections.

This resolution honors Senator Monique Limón for her historic service and achievements as the first Latina and first mother to serve as President pro Tempore of the California State Senate. It recognizes her background as a first-generation college graduate and dedicated educator. The bill commends her legislative leadership, particularly her work championing issues for working families. Finally, it celebrates her swearing-in ceremony for this landmark role.

The Roadway Safety Modernization Act of 2025 aims to significantly enhance road safety by integrating modern data technologies into federal highway and freight safety programs. This legislation encourages states to adopt predictive analytics and telematics for risk modeling and proactive safety planning. Furthermore, it directs the Department of Transportation to establish guidance on data security and the responsible use of these advanced safety tools.

The Peace Through Strength Against Russia Act of 2025 imposes comprehensive sanctions on Russia's financial, military, and energy sectors in response to its war against Ukraine. This legislation cuts off major Russian banks from the U.S. financial system and bans new American investment in Russia. Additionally, the bill makes the existing sanctions authority against Iran permanent by removing its expiration date.

The Protecting Students on Campus Act of 2025 aims to increase awareness of civil rights protections for students under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. The bill mandates a public awareness campaign and requires colleges receiving federal aid to prominently display links and materials related to filing discrimination complaints. Furthermore, it establishes regular congressional briefings and requires annual reporting and targeted audits on how institutions handle complaints of discrimination based on race, color, or national origin.

The Aviation Funding Solvency Act establishes a temporary mechanism to ensure the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) can continue essential operations if Congress fails to pass regular appropriations. This allows the FAA Administrator to draw upon the Aviation Insurance Revolving Fund to maintain operations at the previous year's funding rate. The temporary funding ceases once a new appropriation or continuing resolution is enacted. The bill also makes a technical amendment regarding non-premium war risk insurance.

This bill directs the President to withdraw U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities involving designated terrorist organizations in the Western Hemisphere. Such withdrawal must occur unless Congress has explicitly authorized the military action through a declaration of war or a specific use of force authorization. The directive is issued under the authority of the War Powers Resolution.

This bill, the Bipartisan IVF for Military Families Act, mandates that TRICARE provide coverage for fertility treatments, including IVF, for active duty service members and their dependents starting in late 2027. The legislation outlines specific coverage limits for egg retrievals and embryo transfers while prohibiting the use of DoD funds for certain procedures like preimplantation genetic screening. It also requires the establishment of a program to coordinate this specialized fertility care for military families.

The San Gabriel Mountains, Foothills, and Rivers Protection Act of 2025 designates new wilderness areas and protects segments of local rivers within the Angeles National Forest. This legislation formally adds over 28,000 acres to the National Wilderness Preservation System and designates specific sections of Little Rock Creek and Cooper Canyon Creek as part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The Act also mandates studies for potential future protection of segments of the San Gabriel River. Finally, it includes provisions ensuring tribal access for cultural purposes and allowing for the continued use of certain pre-existing water facilities.

The Essential Caregivers Act of 2025 protects the rights of residents in long-term care facilities to designate an essential caregiver who can provide support and companionship. This legislation ensures that these caregivers maintain in-person access to residents even during public health emergencies when general visitation is restricted. By establishing clear protocols and an appeals process, the bill aims to prevent the harmful effects of isolation and ensure residents continue to receive vital care and advocacy.