Legislative Activity

The Degrees Not Debt Act of 2025 aims to significantly increase the maximum Federal Pell Grant award, starting in the 2026–2027 school year. This legislation sets an initial maximum award of \$14,800, which will be indexed annually based on changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The bill seeks to boost financial aid availability for students pursuing higher education.

The Water Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Act extends the operational deadlines for key federal programs designed to strengthen water infrastructure. Specifically, this bill pushes the expiration dates for the Clean Water Infrastructure Resiliency and Sustainability Program and two Drinking Water System Resilience and Sustainability Programs from 2026 to 2031. This extension ensures continued funding and support for community projects aimed at improving water system toughness against severe weather and environmental challenges.

The Naomi Schwartz and Susan Rose Safe Parking Act of 2025 amends federal law to officially designate "safe parking" as an eligible activity under the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Program. This allows states to use ESG funds to operate secure overnight parking locations for individuals experiencing homelessness in vehicles. These designated sites must connect residents with re-housing services and supportive assistance to help them transition into stable housing.

The Greyhound Protection Act of 2025 seeks to end commercial greyhound racing and related cruel training practices nationwide by October 1, 2027. This legislation bans all forms of wagering on greyhound races and prohibits the use of live animals for training or coursing events. Violators face significant fines and potential imprisonment under the strengthened Animal Welfare Act. The bill reflects concerns over widespread animal injuries, drug use, and inhumane confinement within the declining industry.

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 Don Young American Grown Act mandates that official floral and greenery decorations in high-level federal buildings, including the Executive Office of the President, State, and Defense Departments, must be grown in the United States. This requirement applies to cut flowers and greens used for official displays, excluding personal decorations. The new rule will take effect one year after the Act is signed into law.

This resolution expresses strong support for designating July 2025 as "American Grown Flower and Foliage Month." It aims to recognize the vital contributions of domestic flower and foliage growers to the U.S. economy and communities. The bill encourages consumers to actively choose and display flowers and greenery grown in the United States to support American farmers.

This bill authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor to retired Colonel Philip J. Conran. The award recognizes his extraordinary heroism while serving as a Major in the Air Force during a secret mission in Laos in 1969. Colonel Conran displayed immense bravery by landing under heavy fire to rescue a downed crew and defending the site for hours despite being severely wounded. This legislation bypasses standard time limits to ensure he receives the nation's highest military decoration for his valor.

The National Infrastructure Investment Corporation Act of 2025 establishes a new government corporation tasked with financing major domestic infrastructure projects. This Corporation will offer loans and loan guarantees, primarily funded through borrowing from pension funds, to address significant national funding shortfalls. A Board of Directors will oversee operations, and the entity must adhere to strict reporting and audit requirements before approving any assistance.

The Fight for the American Dream Act amends eligibility requirements to allow individuals with DACA status and an employment authorization document to enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces. The bill also modernizes and streamlines the naturalization process for non-citizens serving in the military by updating relevant sections of the Immigration and Nationality Act. These changes simplify service requirements and update terminology for military naturalization benefits.

The Extreme Risk Protection Order Expansion Act of 2025 establishes a federal grant program to help states and tribes implement and train personnel on Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs), which allow courts to temporarily remove firearms from individuals deemed a danger to themselves or others. The bill also updates federal law to prohibit firearm possession by anyone subject to a qualifying ERPO that was issued after due process. Furthermore, it mandates that these ERPOs be recognized and enforced across state and tribal jurisdictions.

The Railroad Yardmaster Protection Act of 2025 expands existing federal regulations to establish mandatory duty hour limitations for railroad yardmaster employees. This legislation specifically defines the role of a yardmaster and applies current rules governing train employee work hours to them during train movements. The goal is to enhance safety by limiting the maximum on-duty time for these critical supervisory personnel.

The Increasing Behavioral Health Treatment Act removes the long-standing Medicaid exclusion for services provided in Institutions for Mental Diseases (IMDs). To qualify for this coverage, states must submit a comprehensive plan detailing how they will increase access to community-based outpatient care and improve crisis response services for these patients. This legislation aims to ensure better coordination of physical and behavioral health care while requiring states to demonstrate policies that support the least restrictive, most clinically appropriate level of treatment.

The American Dream for All Act establishes a pilot program managed by HUD to provide down payment assistance loans to first-time or first-generation homebuyers. Eligible organizations receive federal grants to fund revolving loan pools, offering assistance up to 20% of a home's purchase price. Borrowers must repay the loan upon selling the home, sharing in any appreciation, which recycles funds to assist future buyers. The program sets income limits and maximum loan amounts based on local housing costs.

The Filling Public Safety Vacancies Act allocates \$162 million in federal funding to assist local agencies in hiring or rehiring career law enforcement officers. This funding is designated as an emergency requirement, bypassing standard budget caps. Any agency utilizing these funds must ensure new hires undergo mandatory background checks and psychological evaluations, with the agency covering the costs of these requirements.

The Mariner Exam Modernization Act updates the process for reviewing and updating merchant mariner credentialing exams. It establishes a "Working group," including recent exam passers, to focus on the relevance and content of current exams. This legislation mandates a comprehensive review of industry standards and technology, leading to a modernization plan for the exams within a set timeframe.

The American Cargo for American Ships Act amends existing law to mandate that cargo procured, furnished, or financed by the Department of Transportation (DOT) must be shipped on U.S.-flagged commercial vessels. This requirement applies when U.S. ships are available at fair and reasonable rates. The goal is to ensure American commercial vessels carry 100% of eligible DOT-financed cargo across various geographic areas.

This Act establishes the Space Launch Noise Mitigation Study Act, directing the Under Secretary of Defense to conduct a comprehensive study on establishing a grant program to reduce noise impacts from commercial and national security space launches. The study must estimate program costs, define eligible communities, recommend specific noise mitigation technologies, and suggest coordination strategies with local residents. This research aims to address community disruptions caused by the growing frequency of space launch activities near populated areas.

This bill grants permanent resident status to Juana Maria Flores, allowing her to apply for an immigrant visa or adjust her status regardless of standard visa limitations. It effectively waives certain existing grounds for removal or inadmissibility against her, provided she files the necessary application within two years of the law's enactment. Upon approval, the total number of immigrant visas available to her country of birth will be reduced by one.

The Protect Patriot Parents Act creates a special immigration pathway for parents of U.S. citizens who have served in the Armed Forces. This bill adjusts status requirements and waives certain inadmissibility grounds for these military parents seeking to adjust their status or immigrate. It also establishes procedures for previously removed parents to apply for visas and potentially enter the U.S. temporarily to reunite with their citizen children.