Legislative Activity

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 strengthen support for veteran and reservist entrepreneurs by increasing transparency and oversight of federal small business programs. It requires the Small Business Administration to report on its outreach efforts and mandates a GAO study to identify and address obstacles these business owners face in accessing credit.

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 resolution designates the week of February 3, 2025, as "National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week" to honor the vital educational and cultural contributions of these institutions. It recognizes the 34 Tribal colleges and universities for their role in providing high-quality, culturally rooted postsecondary education to students across the United States. The bill encourages nationwide participation in programs that support and celebrate the mission of these unique academic communities.