Legislative Activity

The Venezuelan Adjustment Act allows eligible Venezuelan nationals who have been in the U.S. since December 31, 2021, to apply for lawful permanent resident status, providing a pathway to citizenship for those who meet specific requirements and pass background checks. Certain grounds for inadmissibility will not apply when determining an alien's admissibility. The Department of Homeland Security will oversee the application process, with decisions not subject to court review except for constitutional claims or questions of law. This adjustment of status does not reduce the number of immigrant visas available under existing immigration laws.

The "Expanding Child Care Access Act of 2025" introduces a tax credit, up to $5,000, for qualified child care startup expenses incurred by licensed family child care providers. This credit aims to support individuals starting or expanding licensed child care services within their primary residence, covering expenses such as licensing fees, supplies, insurance, and necessary equipment or renovations. The credit is available for a limited time and cannot be claimed for expenses already covered by other deductions or credits.

The SASS Act, or "Single Application for School Safety Act," streamlines the grant application process for school safety initiatives. It directs the Attorney General to establish a single application for grants authorized by the COPS Director and the BJA Director. The COPS and BJA Directors will also provide technical assistance to grant applicants.

The EAGLES Act of 2025 codifies and expands the National Threat Assessment Center within the Secret Service to focus on preventing targeted violence through research, training, and information sharing. It establishes a national program on targeted school violence prevention, mandating research, training courses, and coordination among various departments and agencies. The Act authorizes \$10 million annually from 2026 to 2030 for these activities, emphasizing early intervention and support for individuals exhibiting concerning behavior, while explicitly prohibiting the use of funds for firearms training. This act aims to standardize threat assessment and prevention practices at all levels, ensuring a proactive and comprehensive approach to school safety.

The Measures for Safer School Districts Act, or MSD Act, mandates that local educational agencies develop emergency response procedures, including parental notification protocols, for various threats and emergencies in schools. It also directs the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Director to form a committee to create recommendations for installing or modifying interior and exterior doors in federally funded elementary and secondary schools. The CISA Director must then submit a report to Congress detailing the committee's findings and issue a final rule requiring the installation or modification of school doors to reinforce them. An additional $100,000,000 is authorized for the Homeland Security Grant Program for ten fiscal years to carry out this section.

The Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino Act authorizes the creation of the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino on the National Mall. It ensures the museum's exhibits and programs accurately represent the diverse cultures, histories, events, and values of Hispanic and Latino communities, seeking guidance from diverse sources. The Act also mandates regular reports to Congress on the museum's efforts to meet these diversity requirements.

The "Alternatives to PAIN Act" amends Medicare Part D to improve access to non-opioid pain management drugs by waiving deductibles and ensuring they are placed on the lowest cost-sharing tier starting in 2026. The Act also prohibits the use of step therapy and prior authorization requirements for these drugs, further easing access for patients. These changes aim to provide more accessible alternatives for pain management, reducing reliance on opioids.

The "All Access Act of 2025" ensures Members of Congress can access any public building during regular hours by showing their official ID. Access outside of normal business hours requires a 12-hour advance notice to the building head. This act defines "Member of Congress" as a Representative or Senator.

The "PREEMIE Reauthorization Act of 2025" extends funding for research on preterm births and infant care through 2029. It directs the Department of Health and Human Services to establish an interagency working group to address premature birth issues and mandates a comprehensive study by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine on preterm births, including cost analysis, risk factor identification, and best practices for prevention and treatment. A report on the study's findings must be submitted to Congress and the Secretary of Health and Human Services within 24 months.

The "Protect US National Security Act" ensures that federal funds cannot be used to eliminate the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) as an independent entity. It asserts that only an act of Congress can eliminate USAID. The Secretary of State must certify compliance with this requirement to Congress within 30 days of the act's enactment and annually for 5 years.

The Housing Unhoused Disabled Veterans Act aims to increase housing accessibility for veterans by excluding VA disability benefits from income calculations for HUD-VASH and other specific housing programs. By disregarding these benefits when determining eligibility, the bill ensures that disabled veterans can more easily qualify for essential housing assistance.

The Alpha-gal Allergen Inclusion Act amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to include alpha-gal, a sugar found in non-catarrhine primate mammals and red algae, as a major food allergen. This will require food labels to clearly identify the presence of alpha-gal. The amendment will take effect 18 months after the enactment of this Act, with an exception for mammal-derived ingredients where alpha-gal is below a detectable limit as determined by the Secretary.

The Honoring Our Fallen TSA Officers Act amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to include Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees in the Public Safety Officers' Benefits program. This ensures that TSA officers who die or are injured in the line of duty while protecting the nation's transportation systems are eligible for death benefits. This law applies retroactively to injuries occurring on or after October 31, 2013.

The "Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow's Workforce Act" amends Section 529 savings accounts to include expenses related to postsecondary credentialing programs. This allows 529 funds to cover costs like tuition, fees, books, supplies, and testing fees for recognized programs and credentials, as defined by the bill. These changes would apply to distributions made after the bill is enacted.

The "No DeepSeek on Government Devices Act" prohibits the use of the DeepSeek application on government devices, with exceptions for law enforcement, national security, and security research. The Office of Management and Budget is tasked with creating guidelines for executive agencies to remove DeepSeek from their information technology. Any authorized use of DeepSeek under the exceptions requires documented risk mitigation actions.

The Marc Fischer Memorial Act mandates that the Bureau of Prisons implement a comprehensive strategy to achieve 100% digital scanning of all inmate mail to interdict fentanyl and other synthetic drugs. By transitioning to digital mail processing, the Act aims to protect staff and inmates from lethal exposure, improve institutional security, and alleviate the administrative burden on correctional personnel.

The CLEAR Act amends the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to include entities established under Section 3161, ensuring their records are accessible to the public. This change applies to all FOIA requests made after the Act's enactment, regardless of when the records were created.

The Protect Our Letter Carriers Act of 2025 aims to enhance the safety of postal workers by funding high-security infrastructure upgrades, including electronic mailbox keys. The bill also mandates the appointment of dedicated federal prosecutors for postal crimes in every judicial district and requires stricter sentencing guidelines for those who assault or rob postal employees.

The Scientific Integrity Act mandates that federal agencies that fund, conduct, or oversee scientific research establish and enforce scientific integrity policies. These policies aim to protect scientists from political interference, ensure the open communication of scientific findings, and establish clear processes for reporting and addressing scientific misconduct. The Act requires agencies to appoint Scientific Integrity Officers, provide regular training, and report on misconduct complaints, with oversight from the Office of Science and Technology Policy and Congress. It also protects the rights of federal employees and contractors to share their findings and prevents the suppression or distortion of scientific data.

The Project Turnkey Act establishes a $1 billion annual program to address homelessness and housing instability by providing flexible funding to states, local governments, and nonprofits. These funds support a wide range of activities, including the acquisition and conversion of properties into affordable housing, rental assistance, and essential supportive services. By streamlining requirements and expanding eligible uses, the program aims to rapidly increase housing capacity for vulnerable individuals and families.