Legislative Activity

This resolution officially recognizes the week of September 30th as "National Orange Shirt Week" or "National Week of Remembrance." This week is dedicated to honoring the victims and survivors of federally funded Indian boarding schools. The measure acknowledges the devastating, ongoing trauma resulting from past U.S. government assimilation policies. It signals the need for further investigation into these historical injustices.

The ABLE Employment Flexibility Act modifies retirement plan rules to allow eligible individuals with disabilities to direct employer contributions into their ABLE accounts instead of traditional retirement plans. This change aims to help working individuals save money without jeopardizing their eligibility for means-tested federal benefits. The bill also clarifies that employer contributions made directly to an ABLE account are treated as reasonable business expenses.

This bill amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to authorize Indian Tribal Governments to directly request federal fire management assistance. It ensures Tribes can seek aid similar to how States do, while maintaining the option to receive assistance through a State request if their direct application is not approved. The President is required to update regulations to implement these direct eligibility provisions after consulting with Tribal Governments.

The Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) Act of 2025 aims to enhance tribal self-determination by allowing eligible Indian entities to directly manage the food distribution program through self-governance agreements. This legislation establishes specific rules for tribes purchasing U.S.-produced agricultural goods, ensuring nutritional parity or cultural relevance in food packages. Furthermore, the Act terminates existing FDPIR demonstration projects once their current performance periods conclude.

The Empowering Parents’ Healthcare Choices Act allows parents with separate health insurance plans to jointly choose which plan will serve as the primary coverage for their newborn child. This choice must be communicated to the insurers within 60 days of the child's birth. This new flexibility applies to coverage decisions for children born on or after January 1, 2026.

The Pride In Mental Health Act of 2025 establishes a new grant program to improve mental health and substance abuse outcomes for LGBTQ+ youth through culturally competent care and resource development. These grants strictly prohibit funding for conversion therapy practices. The bill also mandates federal data collection on LGBTQ+ youth mental health and requires a report on the needs of those in foster care.

This resolution formally commemorates and celebrates the extraordinary legacy of the late Honorable Raúl Grijalva for his decades of dedicated service in Congress. It specifically honors his unwavering advocacy for the people of Arizona and his significant contributions to environmental protection and Tribal rights across the nation. The bill recognizes his leadership in safeguarding sacred sites, advancing social justice initiatives, and securing resources for Indigenous communities.

The Defend American Manufacturing Act ensures the continued operation of the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) beyond 2024 by mandating the Secretary of Commerce to renew and award grants to MEP centers annually. This legislation also amends the NIST Act to convert a previously optional action for NIST into a mandatory requirement. Overall, the bill strengthens support for domestic manufacturing infrastructure.

The Expanding Access to Family Planning Act establishes a dedicated Title X Clinic Fund managed by HHS to ensure stable, increased national funding for family planning services. This legislation allocates \$512 million annually for ten years toward services and an additional \$50 million yearly for facility improvements. Furthermore, the bill mandates that any clinic receiving this funding must provide neutral, non-directive counseling on all pregnancy options—prenatal care, infant care/adoption, and termination—if the patient requests information.

The SERV Act aims to support veteran entrepreneurship by requiring reports on the Veterans Interagency Task Force's activities and a plan for outreach to veteran-focused business programs. Additionally, it directs the Comptroller General to analyze the access to credit for small businesses owned by veterans, service-disabled veterans, reservists, and their spouses, identifying obstacles and gaps in available resources. The Act stipulates that no additional funds will be allocated for its implementation.

The "Affordable Child Care Act" aims to ease the financial burden of childcare for families by doubling the child and dependent care tax credit, increasing the tax-free amount for dependent care assistance programs, and doubling the tax credit for employer-provided childcare. These changes are intended to make childcare more accessible and affordable for working families. The provisions of this act will be effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

This bill expresses support for designating the week of February 3, 2025, as "National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week," recognizing the vital role these institutions play in providing culturally relevant education and workforce preparation for American Indians, Alaska Natives, and other students. It acknowledges the unique connection Tribal colleges have with the federal government and individual tribes. The resolution encourages participation in activities that support Tribal colleges and universities.