Legislative Activity

The FAMILY Act establishes a national Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance program administered by a new office within the Social Security Administration. This program provides monthly benefits to eligible individuals who take time off for qualified caregiving reasons, including serious health conditions or victims of violence. The Act also sets forth detailed eligibility requirements, benefit calculation formulas, and job protection guarantees for employees utilizing the leave. Finally, it creates a funding mechanism to support existing state-level paid leave programs that meet federal standards.

The Tax Excessive CEO Pay Act of 2025 imposes a federal income tax penalty on corporations whose CEO-to-worker pay ratio exceeds 50-to-1, calculated using a five-year average. If the ratio is too high, the standard 21% corporate tax rate will increase according to a specified penalty table. This measure applies to tax years beginning after December 31, 2025, with exceptions for smaller companies below a $100 million revenue threshold.

This bill, the Congressional Tribute to Constance Baker Motley Act of 2025, posthumously awards the Congressional Gold Medal to the pioneering civil rights attorney and federal judge, Constance Baker Motley. The legislation recognizes her historic achievements, including her role in *Brown v. Board of Education* and her service as the first African-American woman appointed as a federal judge. The Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to strike the medal, and provisions are made for selling bronze duplicates to cover production costs.

The Pakistan Freedom and Accountability Act expresses strong U.S. support for democracy and human rights in Pakistan, citing concerns over military influence and recent election interference. This legislation directs the President to identify and impose sanctions on Pakistani officials responsible for undermining democratic processes or committing serious human rights abuses. The Act emphasizes the need for civilian control over the military and sets an expiration date for its provisions in September 2030.

The HCBS Worker Protection Act of 2025 removes a federal payment limitation for certain home and community-based services (HCBS) waivers under Medicaid. This change grants states greater flexibility in receiving federal matching funds for these essential community services.

This bill, the ESP, Paraprofessional, and Education Support Staff Family Leave Act, updates eligibility requirements for certain school employees under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). It adjusts how paraprofessionals and education support staff meet the required hours of service by using a percentage of expected monthly hours worked during the school year. Furthermore, the bill mandates clear guidelines for calculating FMLA leave entitlement for these employees to account for non-standard school schedules.

The Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act aims to integrate Puerto Rico into the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) structure, aligning it with other territories like Guam. The bill mandates a transition period where Puerto Rico must submit a plan of operation to the Secretary of Agriculture for approval to join SNAP. During this transition, existing block grant funding may continue for up to five years while the territory moves toward full participation under federal SNAP rules.

The Preventing HEAT Illness and Deaths Act of 2025 aims to combat the nation's leading weather-related killer by establishing a comprehensive federal strategy against extreme heat. The bill creates an Interagency Committee and a National Integrated Heat Health Information System (NIHHIS) within NOAA to coordinate research, data sharing, and preparedness efforts across government agencies. Furthermore, it authorizes significant financial assistance for community projects focused on heat resilience, prioritizing historically disadvantaged areas. The Act also mandates a national study to identify critical gaps in current heat response policies and infrastructure.

The Indoor Air Quality and Healthy Schools Act of 2025 establishes a comprehensive federal program, managed by the EPA Administrator, to assess, reduce, and prevent exposure to indoor air contaminants in all buildings, with a special focus on schools and childcare facilities. The Act mandates the creation of science-based guidelines for contaminants of concern and supports technical assistance, training, and voluntary "Healthy Building Certifications." It also directs the development of model building codes and a national assessment of air quality in educational settings to ensure healthier indoor environments nationwide.

The Restore Trust in Congress Act establishes strict new rules prohibiting Members of Congress and their immediate families from owning or trading specific financial assets, referred to as "covered investments," while in office. Covered individuals must divest existing prohibited holdings within a set timeframe or face significant financial penalties, including fines and forfeiture of profits. The legislation aims to eliminate conflicts of interest arising from personal financial trading while serving in federal office.

The INFORM Act of 2025 mandates that Homeland Security must notify the immediate family of any individual transferred between immigration detention facilities within 24 hours. This notification must include the reason for the transfer and contact information for the new location. The Act broadly defines "immediate family" to cover a wide range of relatives, including step- and foster-family members.

The Safeguarding the Use of the National Guard Act (SUN Act) enhances Congressional oversight of the President's domestic deployment of National Guard and reserve forces. It requires the President to submit a detailed report to Congress within 15 days outlining the legal justification, goals, costs, and impact of any domestic deployment. This reporting requirement is waived only when reserve forces are deployed specifically following a Presidential declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Act for a natural disaster.

The Safe Air on Airplanes Act mandates the phase-out of "bleed air systems" in new aircraft designs to improve cabin air quality. This legislation requires the FAA to ban these systems in future aircraft designs within six months. For existing aircraft designs still in production, the bill requires the installation of specialized filters within seven years, followed by a 30-year timeline for completely eliminating bleed air systems from newly manufactured planes.

This resolution terminates the President's August 11, 2025, declaration of a crime emergency in the District of Columbia. Congress asserts that the President lacks the legal authority under the D.C. Home Rule Act to take operational control of the Metropolitan Police Department. Furthermore, the bill notes that local violent crime rates have been declining significantly.

The Reproductive Freedom for Veterans Act mandates that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) must now provide abortion care, counseling, and related medication as part of the medical services offered to eligible veterans and certain other beneficiaries. This legislation formally amends existing VA health care provisions to include these reproductive health services.

The CLEAR ID Act aims to combat crimes committed by individuals impersonating immigration enforcement officers by establishing strict identification requirements for federal immigration enforcement actions. This bill mandates that officers clearly display identification, wear visible agency insignia, and refrain from facial coverings during operations funded by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). These rules are designed to protect the public and maintain trust in legitimate law enforcement.

The Saving the Forest Service's Workforce Act places an immediate moratorium on involuntary layoffs and reductions in force (RIFs) at the Forest Service. This freeze will remain in effect until Congress passes the full-year funding laws for fiscal year 2026. The only exceptions for separation during this period are for documented reasons such as misconduct or poor performance.

The Saving the Department of the Interior's Workforce Act places a moratorium on all involuntary workforce reductions across the Department of the Interior until Congress passes the full-year budget for Fiscal Year 2026. This freeze prevents widespread layoffs or separations during this period. The only exception allowing an employee to be let go is for documented cause, such as misconduct or poor performance.

The Protecting Health Care and Lowering Costs Act of 2025 repeals specific prior reconciliation health provisions. This bill significantly expands eligibility for the Premium Tax Credit by eliminating the 400% Federal Poverty Level income cap. It also updates the subsidy calculation formula to ensure a smoother, linear adjustment of assistance across various income levels.

The Wildfire Emergency Preparedness Act of 2025 aims to significantly enhance national readiness for wildfires and wildland-urban interface fires. It establishes a national training plan and grant program for structural firefighters, creates a new high-level Under Secretary for Fire Coordination within the Department of Agriculture, and boosts firefighter health and safety research. Furthermore, the Act authorizes supplemental funding for local departments to purchase protective gear and receive specialized training.