Legislative Activity

The Paycheck Fairness Act aims to strengthen and enhance the enforcement of equal pay requirements by modifying the "bona fide factor" defense, protecting employees who discuss their wages, and enhancing penalties for equal pay violations. It requires training and directs research, education, and outreach to eliminate pay disparities between men and women. The Act also prohibits employers from relying on wage history when considering prospective employees and mandates the collection of compensation data by the EEOC. Finally, the Act establishes the National Award for Pay Equity in the Workplace and provides small business assistance.

This resolution designates March 24, 2025, as National Women of Color in Tech Day to recognize the vital contributions of women of color in technology. It aims to address underrepresentation and opportunity gaps in STEM fields by promoting diversity, inclusion, and support for STEM education, particularly for women of color. The resolution calls for increased investment in educational institutions and improved data collection to foster a more diverse and competitive tech workforce. It also encourages the President and Congress to collaborate on strategies to enhance diversity and inclusion in STEM education and the workforce.

The FIGHT China Act of 2025 aims to protect U.S. national security by imposing sanctions on foreign entities connected to China's military-industrial complex, prohibiting certain investments in sensitive technologies, and requiring notification of other investments. It authorizes the President to sanction foreign individuals and entities involved in supporting China's defense or surveillance sectors, and restricts U.S. investment in companies linked to China's military. The Act also requires increased scrutiny and potential listing of additional entities on the Non-SDN Chinese Military-Industrial Complex Companies List, and mandates U.S. persons to divest from securities of listed companies. Furthermore, the Act seeks to coordinate with allied countries to prevent the development and acquisition of prohibited technologies by countries of concern.

The "Military Spouse Hiring Act" amends the Internal Revenue Code to include employers who hire qualified military spouses as eligible for the work opportunity tax credit. A qualified military spouse is certified by a local agency as married to a member of the U.S. Armed Forces. This expansion of the work opportunity credit applies to amounts paid after the law's enactment for individuals starting work after that date.

The Major Richard Star Act allows veterans with combat-related disabilities to receive both veteran's disability compensation and military retired pay concurrently, without reduction. This act amends Title 10 of the United States Code to ensure that disability retirees with combat-related disabilities are not subject to reductions in retired pay due to receiving veteran's disability compensation. These changes will take effect the first day of the month following the enactment of the Act.

This bill aims to prioritize veterans and military families by amending titles 5 and 38 of the United States Code to provide protections for employees, benefits, and programs within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). It focuses on safeguarding the rights and job security of VA employees and civil servants, ensuring transparency in VA operations, and restoring services and programs that may have been reduced or eliminated. The bill also seeks to enhance employment opportunities for veterans, military spouses, and caregivers, while improving the security and integrity of VA data and systems. Additionally, it addresses financial oversight of VA contracts and mandates increased reporting requirements to improve transparency and accountability.

The "Indian Health Service Emergency Claims Parity Act" amends the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, revising notification protocols for emergency medical services obtained by Native Americans from external providers. It mandates that the Indian Health Service be informed of emergency treatment or admission within 15 days, with exceptions for elderly or disabled individuals. This change aims to streamline the process for covering emergency care costs, ensuring parity in healthcare access for Native American communities.

The "Safe Schools Improvement Act" aims to prevent bullying and harassment in public schools by requiring states to establish and enforce policies that prohibit bullying and harassment based on various characteristics, including race, sex, disability, and religion. It mandates the collection and reporting of data on bullying incidents and requires biennial evaluations of programs and policies to combat bullying. The Act ensures that schools provide annual notice of prohibited conduct and grievance procedures to students, parents, and educational professionals. This bill seeks to create a safer and more inclusive learning environment for all students.

The HELPER Act of 2025 establishes a new FHA mortgage insurance program to help first responders, including law enforcement, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, and teachers, become homeowners. It allows 100% financing (no down payment) for first-time homebuyers who qualify and eliminates monthly insurance premiums. The bill defines eligibility criteria, including housing counseling, employment requirements, and good standing as a first responder. It also authorizes appropriations for the program and requires reauthorization after 5 years.

The "Rights for the Transportation Security Administration Workforce Act" transitions TSA personnel to standard federal employment rules under Title 5 of the U.S. Code, ensuring they receive similar rights and protections as other federal employees, while maintaining current pay and benefits. It enhances collective bargaining rights for screening agents, requires reports on recruitment, implementation, and workplace safety, and addresses specific concerns within the Federal Air Marshal Service. The Act aims to improve job security, morale, and overall working conditions for TSA employees.

This bill amends the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act to authorize ongoing appropriations for the Interagency Council on Homelessness, ensuring the council has the necessary funds to carry out its responsibilities. It modifies the allocation of funds by removing the previous fixed amount and instead providing "such sums as may be necessary." The bill also repeals and redesignates sections within the Act to streamline and update the legislation.

The "Stop Comstock Act" amends several sections of title 18 of the United States Code and the Tariff Act of 1930 to address and restrict the distribution and importation of obscene materials. It removes references to "indecent" materials and those related to abortion or immoral use, focusing on the prohibition of "obscene" content. The Act revises language concerning commerce and importation to align with its objectives, updating references and definitions accordingly.

The "Tariff Transparency Act of 2025" directs the U.S. International Trade Commission to investigate and report on the economic impact of duties and the threat of duties on imports from Mexico and Canada on U.S. businesses and consumers. The report will assess the effects on consumer prices, various sectors, and the overall stability of trade relations. It requires a detailed analysis of how these tariffs and potential tariffs affect business investment, job creation, and economic stability, providing transparency on the consequences of trade policies.

The Customs Facilitation Act of 2025 aims to streamline cargo processing at U.S. borders by improving coordination among federal agencies and modernizing technology for trade. It establishes a Border Interagency Executive Council, creates a single window system for import and export cargo processing, and modernizes the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). The act also simplifies drawback procedures, streamlines export processes, and addresses clerical errors in export data submissions. Additionally, it enhances data collection practices, updates informational resources, sets response deadlines for trade-related requests, and improves the accessibility of contact information for CBP personnel.

The "Stop Shackling and Detaining Pregnant Women Act" seeks to protect the health and safety of pregnant, lactating, and postpartum individuals in immigration detention by limiting their detention and restricting the use of restraints. It mandates pregnancy testing upon intake, generally prohibits detention unless the individual poses an immediate and serious risk, and ensures access to comprehensive healthcare services. The Act also requires detailed reporting on the detention and treatment of pregnant individuals and mandates training for DHS employees.

The "PASS Act" amends the Defense Production Act of 1950, requiring increased scrutiny by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) of agricultural land transactions involving foreign entities. Specifically, CFIUS must review transactions reported by the Secretary of Agriculture and block land purchases by certain foreign persons near sensitive U.S. military sites or those that would give them control of a U.S. agricultural business. The President may waive the prohibition if it is deemed in the U.S. national interest.

The "Do No Harm Act" amends the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 to clarify that religious freedom cannot be used to justify discrimination, deny access to healthcare, or violate labor protections. It ensures the RFRA only applies to lawsuits involving the government, preventing its use in disputes between private parties. This bill aims to protect civil rights and ensure equal access to services, benefits, and opportunities.

This bill establishes the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies in the United States to investigate the historical and ongoing effects of these policies on Native American communities, including forming advisory committees and addressing the handling of Native American cultural items and remains. The commission will conduct a comprehensive review, gather testimony, and recommend actions for the federal government to acknowledge its role and promote public awareness. It also ensures the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act applies to cultural items from Indian Boarding Schools. The bill allocates \$90 million to fund the activities of the Commission and Subcommittee.

This resolution affirms the rule of law and the legitimacy of judicial review, emphasizing the Supreme Court's duty to interpret the law. It supports the established precedent that the executive branch must comply with Federal court rulings. The resolution expresses concern over statements suggesting the executive branch may disregard the authority of the Federal Judiciary.

The Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2025 amends the National Labor Relations Act and other labor laws to strengthen protections for employees engaging in labor disputes and collective bargaining. It redefines employer and employee status, addresses unfair labor practices, streamlines collective bargaining, and increases penalties for employers who violate labor laws. The Act also updates strike/lockout notification procedures and clarifies reporting requirements for employer-employee communication. Finally, it ensures the law's provisions are severable and authorizes necessary appropriations for implementation and enforcement.