Legislative Activity

The Protect America's Workforce Act nullifies a specific Executive Order issued in March 2025 concerning exclusions from federal labor-management relations programs. This legislation ensures that any existing collective bargaining agreements between federal agencies and employee unions remain fully in effect until their stated expiration dates. The Act also prohibits the use of federal funds to implement the overturned Executive Order.

The Keeping All Students Safe Act strictly prohibits dangerous restraint and seclusion practices in federally funded schools, establishing national safety standards and requiring immediate parental notification after any restraint incident. It mandates that states create detailed plans, publicly report incident data broken down by student demographics, and utilize federal grants to fund training and prevention strategies. The bill creates a private right of action for families harmed by violations and ensures oversight across various federal school systems.

This concurrent resolution commends state and local governments for championing reproductive rights as human rights following the overturning of *Roe v. Wade*. It declares that denying abortion care leads to severe health risks and highlights the criminalization of pregnancy outcomes across the U.S. The resolution urges states to repeal abortion restrictions and affirm that reproductive rights are fundamental human rights.

The Computer Science for All Act of 2025 establishes a grant program to dramatically expand computer science education across all grade levels in states, local districts, and Tribal schools. These grants aim to ensure universal access to rigorous computer science and STEAM learning, focusing specifically on closing equity gaps for underrepresented students. The Act mandates teacher training, curriculum development, and detailed reporting to track progress toward these national goals.

The Loan Equity for Advanced Professionals Act raises the federal student loan limits for graduate and professional students. Effective July 1, 2026, the annual borrowing limit for Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans will increase to \$50,000, and the aggregate limit will rise to \$200,000. This aims to provide greater financial support for advanced degree candidates.

The Clergy Act allows certain religious workers currently exempt from Social Security self-employment taxes to voluntarily revoke that exemption and begin paying into the system. This option for revocation must be exercised by a specific deadline in 2030 or 2031, with the change being permanent once elected. The legislation also mandates that the IRS develop a plan to inform eligible clergy about this new option.

The Reuniting Families Act is comprehensive legislation designed to significantly reform U.S. immigration by reducing massive visa backlogs and prioritizing family reunification across various categories. It achieves this by recapturing unused visas, reclassifying certain family members as "immediate relatives," and creating new pathways for permanent partners and refugees to join their loved ones. Ultimately, the bill aims to keep families together, speed up legal immigration processes, and address past discrimination in the visa system.

This Act officially names the memorial at the entrance to Arlington National Cemetery as the "World War II Women's Memorial." It also designates this memorial as a "commemorative work" under existing federal law. Furthermore, the bill allows a specific World War II home front women's commemorative work to be placed in designated areas within Washington, D.C., overriding standard location restrictions.

The Right to Read Act of 2025 amends federal education law to establish a comprehensive "right to read" for all students, ensuring access to evidence-based instruction, effective school libraries, and diverse reading materials. The bill defines key terms like "effective school library" and mandates that states and local agencies detail plans to support these resources and protect students' First Amendment rights regarding information access. Furthermore, it authorizes significant new funding to improve literacy programs, support school librarians, and mandates national data collection on school library resources.

This bill, the Save Oak Flat from Foreign Mining Act, withdraws approximately 2,422 acres of Forest Service land known as Oak Flat in Arizona from all forms of mineral entry and development. It specifically cancels the prior land exchange that would have transferred the land to Resolution Copper Mining, LLC. The Act prohibits the transfer of Oak Flat to the foreign-backed mining venture, citing national security and environmental concerns.

The Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act aims to overhaul immigration detention by establishing mandatory, high standards based on ABA guidelines and increasing transparency through rigorous, unannounced inspections. The bill prohibits the use of private, for-profit detention facilities within three years and ends the mandatory detention of most noncitizens, prioritizing release or community-based alternatives. Furthermore, it establishes new due process rights, including timely custody hearings, a presumption of release, and prohibitions on detaining children or using solitary confinement.

This Act establishes a competitive grant program to prepare girls and underrepresented minorities for careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. Qualified local educational agencies serving high-need student populations are eligible to apply for four-year grants of $250,000 annually. Funds must support comprehensive K-12 STEM education activities, including tutoring, mentoring, professional development, and career exposure. Grantees must submit annual evaluations detailing student progress and program effectiveness.

The College Athletics Reform Act establishes comprehensive federal standards for college athletics, primarily by securing Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights for college athletes and prohibiting restrictions on their ability to earn compensation or obtain professional representation. The bill also introduces new regulations for sports agents, mandates significant expansion of financial and participation data disclosure by institutions, and establishes a new Commission to study and recommend future governance structures for college sports. Finally, it amends broadcasting law to exempt certain large athletic association media agreements from antitrust scrutiny.

The Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act focuses primarily on improving pediatric drug development and ensuring patient access to necessary treatments. This legislation mandates new research requirements for molecularly targeted pediatric cancer drugs, strengthens FDA enforcement of pediatric study completion, and extends incentives for developing drugs for rare pediatric diseases. Additionally, the bill updates organ transplant network functions and establishes an Abraham Accords Office within the FDA to enhance international regulatory cooperation.

This bill, the Retirement Simplification and Clarity Act, amends tax code to allow participants aged 50 and older to roll over employer contributions from their 401(k) plan directly into an individual retirement annuity before retirement. It also updates the required written explanation provided to taxpayers regarding rollover rules to ensure it is concise and clearly outlines key tax implications and options. These provisions are set to take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

The CARE for Moms Act aims to combat the rising maternal mortality crisis in the U.S. through significant federal investments and policy changes. The bill establishes grant programs to support state quality collaboratives and expand the doula workforce. Crucially, it mandates 12 months of postpartum coverage under Medicaid and CHIP, alongside requiring oral health services for pregnant and new mothers. Finally, the Act increases federal excise taxes on tobacco products to fund these maternal health initiatives.

The Access to Genetic Counselor Services Act of 2025 aims to expand healthcare access by establishing Medicare coverage for genetic counseling services starting in 2027. This legislation defines qualified genetic counselors and sets specific payment rules for these covered services under Medicare. The bill ensures that Medicare beneficiaries can receive essential genetic counseling from licensed or certified professionals.

This resolution supports the goals of Transgender Day of Remembrance by recognizing the ongoing epidemic of violence targeting transgender people, particularly transgender women of color. It memorializes the lives lost this year and highlights the systemic barriers, including discrimination and lack of healthcare access, faced by the transgender community. The bill calls for urgent action from the government to protect these lives through inclusive legislation and policies that ensure dignity and respect for all individuals.

This bill extends and significantly enhances the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) for employers hiring from targeted groups, increasing the credit amount and adjusting it for inflation through 2031. It also removes the age limit for SNAP recipients claiming the credit and adds qualified military spouses as an eligible group. Furthermore, the legislation mandates an inter-agency initiative to promote the hiring of targeted workers in key industries like manufacturing and healthcare.

The Lowering Drug Costs for American Families Act aims to significantly reduce prescription drug expenses for consumers. It expands the federal drug price negotiation program to cover more drugs and extends negotiated prices to most private health insurance plans. Furthermore, the bill applies inflation rebates to the commercial market and establishes new annual out-of-pocket spending caps for prescription drugs under private insurance starting in 2027. It also sets specific, lower cost-sharing requirements for covered insulin products.