Legislative Activity

The Equality Act amends existing civil rights laws to explicitly include protections against discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity in areas such as public accommodations, employment, housing, credit, and jury selection. It clarifies and expands the definition of sex to include sex stereotypes, pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics. The act ensures equal access to shared facilities and prohibits the use of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 to justify discrimination. Ultimately, the Equality Act seeks to provide consistent and comprehensive protections against discrimination for LGBTQ+ individuals and women across various sectors.

The Homeland Security Climate Change Coordination Act establishes a Climate Coordinating Council within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This council will coordinate departmental efforts to address and mitigate the effects of climate change on DHS programs, operations, missions, assets, and personnel. The Act requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to submit annual reports to Congress on the council's activities for ten years.

This bill recognizes Jewish American Heritage Month and the significant contributions of Jewish Americans to various fields. It addresses the alarming rise of antisemitism, especially since October 7, 2023, and urges elected officials, faith leaders, and civil society to actively counter antisemitism. The bill also calls for educating the public about Jewish-American achievements and ensuring the safety and dignity of Jewish Americans in all areas of life.

Recognizes the crucial role of linemen in maintaining the nation's energy infrastructure and public safety. It also supports designating April 18, 2025, as National Lineman Appreciation Day to honor their contributions and dangerous work.

The Safer Neighborhoods Gun Buyback Act of 2025 authorizes the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance to award grants to states, local governments, tribal governments, and licensed gun dealers for gun buyback programs using smart prepaid cards that cannot be used to purchase firearms or ammunition. The Act allocates funds for the buyback of firearms, requires the destruction of collected firearms and ammunition, and mandates database checks to determine if any collected firearms were used in a crime. It also establishes a criminal penalty for using smart prepaid cards to purchase firearms or ammunition. $360,000,000 is authorized for each of the fiscal years 2025 through 2027 to carry out this title.

The Ukraine Support Act aims to provide extensive support to Ukraine through diplomatic, financial, and strategic measures, while countering Russian aggression and disinformation. It authorizes financial support, expands war risk insurance, and establishes initiatives to aid Ukraine's reconstruction and integration with Europe. The act also extends lend-lease authority, authorizes direct loans for Ukraine and NATO allies, and supports Baltic countries' military capabilities. Finally, the legislation imposes sanctions and export controls on Russia and related entities, targeting key financial institutions, energy sectors, and individuals involved in actions against Ukraine.

The SERVICE Act requires federal agencies to submit a report to the Comptroller General and Congress before reducing their workforce by more than 5% in a fiscal year. This report must detail the anticipated financial and mission-related impacts of the workforce reduction. The Comptroller General then assesses the agency's report and publishes their findings on the Government Accountability Office's website.

The Department of Homeland Security Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Act codifies the role of the Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties within the Department of Homeland Security, ensuring they report directly to the Secretary. It also mandates that the Secretary provide adequate staff and resources to support the Officer's work.

The FEMA Loan Interest Payment Relief Act allows FEMA to provide financial aid to local governments or electric cooperatives to reimburse interest paid on loans used for disaster relief activities. The amount reimbursed will be the lesser of the actual interest paid or the interest calculated using the prime rate. This applies to interest incurred up to 9 years before the Act's enactment, using only funds appropriated after the enactment date. The Act also establishes procedures for states to be reimbursed for qualifying loan interest for projects awaiting obligation.

The "Pursuing Equity in Mental Health Act" aims to improve mental health outcomes for racial and ethnic minority groups by increasing funding for research, training, and outreach programs. It directs the National Institutes of Health to study mental health disparities, promotes culturally competent healthcare practices, and requires the development of a national outreach strategy to raise awareness and improve access to mental health services within these communities. The Act authorizes increased funding for various programs and research initiatives to address mental health disparities.

The "FDA Modernization Act 3.0" mandates the replacement of animal testing references with "nonclinical testing" references in specific sections of the Code of Federal Regulations, aligning with the FDA's efforts to modernize drug development and evaluation. This change aims to promote innovative, non-animal testing methods for assessing the safety and effectiveness of new drugs and biological products. The Act requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to implement these changes through an interim final rule within one year.

The "RESILIENCE Act of 2025" amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow utility companies to reduce their adjusted financial statement income by the amount of depreciation and repair/maintenance deductions taken on public utility property. This applies to property that the utility company owns and is treating as depreciation on their financial statements. This change is applicable for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

The Ensuring Agency Service Quality Act mandates that each Executive agency and military department meet certain employment levels. If an agency or department cannot meet these requirements, the head of the agency or department must submit a noncompliance notice to relevant committees in Congress, explaining the reasons for not meeting the requirements.

The Department of Homeland Security Vehicular Terrorism Prevention and Mitigation Act of 2025 requires the Department of Homeland Security to submit a report to Congress on current and emerging vehicular terrorism threats, including those involving autonomous vehicles, and outline strategies for prevention and response. This report will assess vulnerable locations, summarize actions taken by DHS and other agencies, evaluate stakeholder engagement, and provide recommendations for technology development and deployment. The goal is to enhance coordination between federal, state, local, and private sectors to mitigate vehicle-based threats while respecting individual rights and promoting public awareness.

The "Closing the Bump Stock Loophole Act of 2025" outlaws devices that accelerate a semi-automatic firearm's firing rate or simulate machine guns. It redefines "semi-automatic firearm" and requires current owners of affected devices to register them. There are exceptions for governmental entities, and lawful transfers of registered devices are permitted.

The American Family Act establishes a refundable child tax credit with monthly advance payments, providing up to $300 per month per child, and creates a $500 tax credit for other dependents. The amount of the credit is reduced based on the taxpayer's income, with initial reductions starting at $150,000 for joint returns. The IRS will make monthly advance payments and establish an online portal for taxpayers to manage their payments and provide necessary information. This act terminates the existing annual child tax credit after 2024 and aims to provide regular financial support to families.

The Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act of 2025 establishes federal minimum standards for collective bargaining rights for public employees and supervisory employees. It requires the Federal Labor Relations Authority to determine if state laws substantially provide these rights; if not, the Authority will administer collective bargaining procedures in those states. The act outlines specific rights and procedures, including the right to organize, bargain collectively, and engage in concerted activities, while also addressing enforcement and exceptions. This law aims to ensure that public service workers have the ability to negotiate for fair wages, hours, and working conditions.

The "Destruction of Hazardous Imports Act" amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, granting the Secretary of Health and Human Services the authority to destroy refused articles that pose a significant public health concern. It prohibits the unauthorized movement of articles marked for destruction into interstate commerce or export. The changes will take effect 180 days after enactment, with implementing regulations finalized within 90 days to align with international agreements.

The "MAIN Event Ticketing Act" aims to protect consumers and improve online ticket sales by strengthening the BOTS Act of 2016. It targets the use of automated software to bypass ticket purchasing limits and requires ticket sellers to implement security measures, report circumvention incidents to the FTC, and address the causes of such circumvention. The act also increases penalties for violations and encourages collaboration between law enforcement agencies.

The "No Tax Breaks for Union Busting (NTBUB) Act" aims to eliminate tax deductions for employer expenses used to influence employees' decisions regarding unionizing and collective bargaining. It defines "labor organization activity" broadly, encompassing elections, disputes, and collective actions. The bill mandates detailed reporting of such activities, with significant penalties for non-compliance, and directs the Treasury Secretary to issue implementing guidance. This would apply to expenses incurred more than 240 days after the bill's enactment.