Legislative Activity

The "Honor Farmer Contracts Act" ensures the Department of Agriculture upholds existing contracts with farmers and related entities by releasing committed funding, paying outstanding debts, and preventing unwarranted contract cancellations. It also requires a 60-day notice to Congress before closing any Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, or Rural Development local offices.

This bill designates March 27, 2025, as "National Women in Agriculture Day" to recognize the vital role of women in agriculture. It highlights women's contributions as producers, educators, leaders, and mentors in the field. The bill encourages all citizens to acknowledge and celebrate the positive impact of women on U.S. agriculture.

The Rural Veterinary Workforce Act amends the Internal Revenue Code to include loan repayments or loan forgiveness programs aimed at increasing access to veterinary services, specifically those under the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977. This change applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

The Food Secure Strikers Act of 2025 amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to eliminate the restriction that prevents striking workers from being eligible for SNAP benefits. This bill ensures that striking workers are not automatically disqualified from receiving food assistance.

The "Protecting Kids from Fentanyl Act of 2025" allows states to use federal grants to purchase naloxone for schools and train staff on its administration. It also supports providing fentanyl awareness education to students. This aims to equip schools with resources to prevent and respond to opioid overdoses among students.

The Paycheck Fairness Act aims to strengthen and enhance enforcement of equal pay requirements by redefining "sex," modifying the "bona fide factor" defense for pay disparities, broadening the definition of "same establishment," strengthening non-retaliation protections, and enhancing penalties for employers who violate equal pay provisions. The Act also requires training programs, research, education, and outreach initiatives to eliminate pay disparities, and establishes a National Award for Pay Equity in the Workplace. Additionally, the Act directs the EEOC to collect compensation data, reinstates pay equity programs, prohibits the use of wage history in determining salary, and establishes a National Equal Pay Enforcement Task Force to improve compliance and enforcement of equal pay laws.

This bill validates the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) as a valid part of the U.S. Constitution. It asserts that the ERA has been ratified by the required number of states, regardless of any previously set time limits.

The Air America Act of 2025 authorizes the Director of the CIA to award payments to former employees of Air America and affiliated companies who supported the U.S. government between 1950 and 1976, or to their survivors. Eligible individuals or their survivors could receive up to $40,000 for five years of qualifying service, with additional amounts for longer service, with a cap on total awards at $60 million. The Act establishes application procedures, limitations on attorney fees, and prohibits judicial review of the Director's decisions, while also requiring regular reports to Congress on the status of the award payments. This act does not qualify anyone for federal benefits like retirement, disability, or death benefits.

The "Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act of 2025" establishes a pilot grant program to improve recycling accessibility in underserved communities by increasing transfer stations, expanding curbside recycling, and leveraging public-private partnerships. Grants ranging from $500,000 to $15,000,000 will be awarded to eligible entities, with priority given to projects in communities lacking access to materials recovery facilities. At least 70% of the funds must be used for projects benefiting underserved communities, and the federal share of project costs is capped at 90%. The program is authorized to receive $30,000,000 annually from 2025 through 2029.

The "Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act" eliminates the waiting periods for Social Security disability benefits and Medicare coverage for individuals with metastatic breast cancer. This bill amends the Social Security Act to expedite access to disability insurance benefits and Medicare coverage for those with metastatic breast cancer, ensuring quicker access to essential care and support.

The "Investing in All of America Act of 2025" amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, modifying how the Small Business Administration calculates leverage for small business investment companies (SBICs). It lowers the maximum leverage exclusion from $300 million to $200 million, expands eligibility to include small businesses in critical technology and manufacturing, and limits the exclusion amount for a company. The bill also requires annual adjustments to the dollar amounts based on the Consumer Price Index.

The Pink Tariffs Study Act mandates a study by the Treasury Secretary to assess if U.S. tariffs disproportionately affect consumers, particularly based on gender. The study will analyze the impact of tariffs on different consumer groups, considering gender, household type, and income. A report of the findings must be submitted to Congress within one year.

The "Access to Family Building Act" establishes a federal right for individuals to access assisted reproductive technology (ART) services and for healthcare providers to offer these services, free from undue restrictions. It allows the Attorney General and affected individuals to file lawsuits against those who limit ART access and permits states to enforce health and safety regulations that are the least restrictive means to ensure safety. The act overrides conflicting federal and state laws, ensuring its provisions are upheld, and requires the Department of Health and Human Services to issue regulations for implementation.

The REDI Act amends the Higher Education Act of 1965, allowing student loan deferment for borrowers in medical or dental internships or residency programs. During this deferment, principal payments are not required, and interest will not accrue on the loan.

The "Securing American Agriculture Act" mandates an annual report from the Secretary of Agriculture to Congress, assessing U.S. dependency on critical agricultural products and inputs that could be weaponized by China. This report will analyze domestic production capacity, identify supply chain vulnerabilities, and recommend ways to reduce reliance on China, encouraging domestic or near-shore production. The assessment covers key areas such as agricultural equipment, fuel, fertilizers, feed, veterinary products, crop protection chemicals, and seeds. The Secretary is required to protect the confidentiality of information provided for the assessment.

The American Innovation and R&D Competitiveness Act of 2025 modifies the tax treatment of research and experimental expenditures, allowing taxpayers to deduct these expenses in the year they are incurred rather than capitalizing them. This change applies to expenses related to the taxpayer's business and is effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2021. The act also includes provisions for electing to treat these expenditures as deferred expenses and updates related sections of the tax code.

Tyler's Law mandates a study by the Secretary of Health and Human Services on fentanyl testing practices in hospital emergency departments, including frequency, costs, benefits, risks, and patient experience. Following the study, the Secretary will issue guidance on routine fentanyl testing for overdose patients, ensuring clinicians are aware of substances included in drug tests, and the potential impact on future overdose risk and general health.

This bill supports the designation of April 5, 2025, as "Barth Syndrome Awareness Day" to raise awareness, encourage early diagnosis, and promote research for this rare and life-threatening genetic disorder. It recognizes the challenges in diagnosis and treatment, while also acknowledging the role of the Orphan Drug Act and the importance of patient perspectives. The bill aims to advance research, develop new treatments, and improve regulatory pathways for ultra-rare diseases like Barth syndrome.

The "Protect Our Probationary Employees Act" allows federal employees who were involuntarily separated from service between January 20, 2025, and January 20, 2029, to resume their probationary period if reappointed to a similar position in their former agency. The resumed probationary period will only last the duration of the original probationary period. This provision terminates on January 20, 2029.

The "Do No Harm Act" amends the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 to ensure religious freedom is not used to justify discrimination or harm. It clarifies that the Act does not override federal laws protecting against discrimination, ensuring equal opportunity, or safeguarding access to healthcare and other essential services. This amendment confirms that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act applies only when the government is a party in a judicial proceeding.