Legislative Activity

The Saving Hazardous And Declining Environments (SHADE) Act establishes a new, federally funded grant program to support tree planting initiatives. Administered by HUD and the Forest Service, this program prioritizes projects in historically redlined or urban heat island areas. Applicants must submit detailed 5-year plans that include community involvement and strategies to prevent resident displacement. The program is authorized to receive $50 million annually from fiscal year 2026 through 2036.

The PRIDE Act of 2025 aims to update the Internal Revenue Code to ensure equal treatment and inclusive language for all married couples. It extends the deadline for certain legally married couples to file amended joint tax returns following past recognition changes. Furthermore, the bill systematically replaces gendered terms like "husband," "wife," and "his" with gender-neutral language such as "spouse" and "individual" across numerous tax provisions. These changes ensure consistent, equitable application of tax law regardless of gender identity.

The Equal Dignity for Married Taxpayers Act modernizes the Internal Revenue Code by replacing gendered language with gender-neutral terms for all legally married couples. This sweeping update ensures consistency across tax rules regarding filing status, deductions, and credits, regardless of the spouses' genders. The bill clarifies that married couples are often treated as a single entity for specific tax purposes. Ultimately, this legislation updates terminology to reflect equal dignity for all married taxpayers.

The Safe Storage Saves Lives Act expands federal requirements to ensure a compatible gun lock is provided with the sale of **every** firearm, not just handguns. It clarifies the definition of secure storage devices and mandates that sellers must have a compatible safety device available for every firearm offered for sale. Finally, the bill suggests that fines collected from violations should fund programs to distribute free or low-cost gun safety devices or public awareness campaigns.

This resolution formally recognizes the history, achievements, and ongoing struggles of the LGBTQIA+ community in the United States. It serves as a declaration by Congress affirming that LGBTQIA+ rights are human rights and encouraging the celebration of Pride Month. The bill highlights key historical milestones, legal victories, and acknowledges the persistent challenges and violence faced by the community. Ultimately, it commits the U.S. to continuing the pursuit of full equality for all citizens.

This resolution formally recognizes the constitutional right to peaceful protest while strongly condemning violence and illegal acts committed during demonstrations. It criticizes the federal government's deployment of military forces during recent events, arguing the actions were an overreach that bypassed proper legal and state authority. Ultimately, the bill asserts the importance of transparency in law enforcement and denounces rhetoric that escalates community tensions.

The Ensuring Women’s Right to Reproductive Freedom Act prohibits states from interfering with or retaliating against individuals who provide or receive abortion services that are legal in the state where the service occurs. This protection extends to interstate travel for legal abortion care and the movement of FDA-approved abortion-related drugs across state lines. Individuals harmed by violations can sue in federal court for damages and legal fees.

The Health Equity and Access under the Law for Immigrant Families Act of 2025 aims to significantly expand healthcare access for immigrants legally residing in the U.S. by ensuring eligibility for federal health programs like Medicaid and CHIP, removing state restrictions for permanent residents, and treating federally authorized presence as lawful presence for coverage purposes. The bill also provides states the option to extend Medicaid and CHIP coverage to individuals without lawful status. Furthermore, it removes citizenship barriers preventing certain non-citizens from accessing ACA marketplace subsidies and updates Medicare eligibility rules.

The Women’s Health Protection Act of 2025 establishes a federal statutory right to access abortion services, prohibiting medically unnecessary restrictions that impede care before fetal viability. This Act protects the right of patients to travel across state lines to receive reproductive healthcare and allows providers to offer services free from state interference that conflicts with established medical standards. It preempts conflicting state and local laws and provides robust enforcement mechanisms for individuals and the Attorney General to challenge violations.

This resolution directs the President, under the War Powers Resolution, to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities involving Iran. The order mandates withdrawal unless forces are necessary for imminent self-defense of the U.S. or its allies. Any continued defensive action must comply with existing War Powers reporting requirements.

The Insurrection Act of 2025 completely rewrites the rules governing when the President can deploy the U.S. Armed Forces domestically to suppress insurrection or quell severe domestic violence. This deployment is strictly limited to being a last resort, requiring specific triggers such as overwhelming local failure or the denial of constitutional rights. Before acting, the President must issue a proclamation and provide a detailed report to Congress, whose approval is required to extend military authority beyond seven days. The Act also establishes expedited congressional procedures for reviewing and approving the deployment and allows for judicial review of the President's legal basis for action.

This resolution directs the President, under the authority of the War Powers Resolution, to immediately remove U.S. Armed Forces from unauthorized hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran. It asserts that military action must cease unless Congress has formally declared war or passed a specific authorization for the use of force. The bill explicitly states that it does not authorize new military action nor does it impede necessary self-defense against an immediate attack.

The Opportunity To Address College Hunger Act requires colleges receiving federal funding to proactively notify students receiving Federal work-study assistance about their potential eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This notification must include official documentation proving work-study status to help students meet SNAP eligibility exceptions. The goal is to streamline the process for food-insecure students to access federal nutrition benefits.

The Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act of 2025 ensures that time spent receiving outpatient observation services in a hospital counts toward the required 3-day inpatient stay needed to qualify for Medicare coverage of skilled nursing facility (SNF) services. This change effectively removes a significant barrier to accessing post-hospital care for many Medicare beneficiaries. The Secretary of HHS is authorized to implement this rule immediately.

This resolution formally expresses Congressional support for designating June 2025 as "Black Music Month." It recognizes the profound and foundational cultural impact of Black artists across all American music genres, from spirituals to hip-hop. The bill encourages the nation to actively celebrate this rich heritage through educational programs and public acknowledgment. Ultimately, it honors the creators whose work reflects the American experience and promotes diversity through music.

The PHARA Act of 2025 mandates the immediate release of all existing National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant funding and prohibits the cancellation of active research agreements. Moving forward, all new NIH grant agreements must include specific termination clauses requiring a 90-day notice and good-faith negotiation before ending the funding. Furthermore, this Act explicitly prevents the NIH from terminating agreements solely because the research no longer aligns with current agency goals or priorities.

The No Anonymity in Immigration Enforcement Act of 2025 mandates that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conducting domestic enforcement operations must clearly display their name and agency affiliation, and cannot wear facial coverings. Exceptions to this identification rule are permitted only in cases of immediate danger or necessary safety gear, subject to supervisory review within 48 hours. The bill also establishes disciplinary procedures for non-compliance and requires annual reporting to Congress on enforcement and complaints.

The Domestic Workers Bill of Rights Act seeks to significantly expand labor protections for domestic employees by bringing them under standard federal laws, including eligibility for overtime pay and mandated paid sick leave. The bill establishes written employment agreements, sets clear privacy boundaries for workers in private homes, and creates a Standards Board to recommend ongoing improvements to wages and benefits. Furthermore, it establishes enforcement mechanisms and temporarily increases federal Medicaid funding for in-home care services to help offset compliance costs.

The FIGHT Act of 2025 significantly strengthens federal prohibitions against animal fighting ventures, specifically targeting the sponsorship, exhibition, and gambling associated with these events. This legislation clarifies the definition of a rooster for legal purposes and bans the interstate transport of roosters for fighting. Furthermore, it empowers private citizens to file lawsuits against violators, allowing for civil penalties and the potential seizure of property used to facilitate illegal animal fighting.

This resolution urges the establishment of a United States Commission on Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation to formally acknowledge the nation's history of systemic racial injustice. The proposed commission would memorialize this history and serve as a catalyst for eliminating persistent racial inequities. It is intended to complement, not replace, efforts focused on reparations.