Legislative Activity

The Private Student Loan Bankruptcy Fairness Act of 2025 amends bankruptcy laws to allow private student loans to be discharged in bankruptcy, aligning them with other types of debt. It removes the existing exception that prevents the discharge of private student loans, and modifies the remaining exception to include programs substantially funded by a government unit. The changes will apply to bankruptcy cases filed on or after the date of the Act's enactment.

The SALT Deductibility Act repeals the limitation on individual taxpayer's ability to deduct state and local taxes. This change removes the deduction cap that was put in place and will be effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

The "Department of Education Protection Act" prevents the Department of Education from using already allocated funds to reorganize in ways that would decentralize, reduce staff, or alter the Department's responsibilities, structure, authority, or functions as they existed on January 1, 2025. This act ensures that the Department of Education continues to focus on boosting student success and equal access through its established offices and institutes.

The Prevent Tariff Abuse Act amends the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to limit the President's power, preventing them from imposing import duties, tariff-rate quotas, or other quotas on goods entering the United States under the authority of that act.

This bill recognizes and celebrates the 112th anniversary of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, the largest African-American Greek letter sorority. It acknowledges the sorority's commitment to community support, academic excellence, and global impact through its various initiatives and programs. The bill also highlights the sorority's active role in promoting political awareness and involvement.

The "Proxy Voting for New Parents Resolution" allows Members of the House, Delegates, and the Resident Commissioner who have recently given birth or whose spouse has given birth to designate another Member to vote on their behalf in the House, in committee, and in the Committee of the Whole for a period of 12 weeks. This proxy voting authority can begin before the birth if a doctor advises that the pregnancy presents a serious medical condition or that she is unable to travel safely. The resolution outlines specific procedures for designating, changing, and revoking proxy designations, ensuring transparency and adherence to instructions. Members whose votes are cast by proxy will not be counted for quorum purposes.

The Amputation Reduction and Compassion Act of 2025 aims to reduce preventable amputations due to peripheral artery disease (PAD) through increased education, expanded Medicare and Medicaid coverage of PAD screening tests for at-risk individuals, and the development of quality measures focused on amputation prevention. This act establishes a PAD education program, waives cost-sharing for PAD screening tests for at-risk beneficiaries, and promotes amputation prevention programs. Ultimately, the goal is to improve patient outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and address disparities in amputation rates.

The Washington, D.C. Admission Act outlines the process for Washington, D.C., to become the State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth, while establishing a separate U.S. Capital. It addresses the transition of laws, property, and governance, ensuring continued federal operations and representation for D.C. residents. The Act also covers federal responsibilities, courts, elections, and benefit programs during the transition, establishing a commission to oversee the process and mandating presidential certification.

The "Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act" establishes a commission to examine the history of slavery and discrimination in the United States from 1619 to the present. The commission will study the lingering negative effects of these injustices on living African Americans and U.S. society, and recommend appropriate remedies, including how to educate the American public on its findings to promote racial healing and understanding. The commission will submit a written report of its findings and recommendations to Congress within 18 months of its first official meeting, and the act authorizes the appropriation of $20,000,000 to implement the provisions of this act.