Legislative Activity

The Mentoring and Supporting Families Act prioritizes grant applications for job training programs that incorporate peer mentoring, career coaching, and financial stipends for participants. This legislation mandates that career coaching be a continuous part of case management plans for recipients of these grants. These changes are set to take effect starting October 1, 2025.

The Making Opportunities Reachable for Everyone (MORE) Act prioritizes applicants for Health Profession Opportunity Grants (HPOG) that demonstrate strong pre-existing partnerships with government, education/training, and healthcare/labor organizations. This change aims to ensure grant funding supports programs with established connections ready to place trainees into jobs. These new requirements will take effect starting October 1, 2025.

This resolution expresses strong support for designating September 14, 2025, as "National Food is Medicine Day." It recognizes that integrating medically tailored food and nutrition interventions into healthcare is a promising strategy for preventing and managing chronic diseases while potentially lowering overall healthcare costs. The bill urges the Department of Health and Human Services to fund research and integrate proven "food is medicine" programs into standard care delivery. Ultimately, it calls for collaboration across federal agencies and private partners to expand the effective use of food as a vital component of health treatment.

The Leveraging Educational Opportunity Networks Act establishes a new federal grant program managed by the Secretary of Labor to fund high-quality, cohort-based career training partnerships. These grants prioritize developing programs that offer living wages during training and comprehensive supportive services for participants from underserved populations. The goal is to rapidly equip low-wage and low-literacy workers with industry-recognized credentials needed to fill critical labor shortages in high-demand sectors. The Act authorizes up to $30 million annually for these initiatives through fiscal year 2029.

This bill amends the Social Security Act to limit the amount the Social Security Administration can withhold from a person's monthly benefit to recover an overpayment. Unless the individual agrees to a higher rate, the SSA can withhold no more than 10 percent of a monthly benefit payment to recoup accidental overpayments. This new limit applies to existing and future unrecovered overpayments under Title II benefits.

The Resources for Victims of Gun Violence Act of 2025 establishes an Advisory Council, led by HHS, to assess the needs of gun violence victims and service providers. This Council will survey stakeholders, review existing support programs, and identify best practices for medical, financial, and mental health assistance. Its primary function is to compile and widely distribute a comprehensive list of available federal, state, and nonprofit resources to ensure victims can easily access necessary aid.

The Tax Cut for Workers Act of 2025 significantly expands the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for workers without qualifying children by permanently lowering the minimum age, eliminating the maximum age, and substantially increasing the credit amount. It also allows taxpayers to elect to use higher prior-year earned income when calculating the current year's credit. Furthermore, the bill removes expiration dates for applying EITC rules in certain U.S. territories.

This bill expresses support for America's Black workers, acknowledging historical injustices and ongoing disparities in the workforce. It emphasizes the need to reduce inequalities by improving access to job training, education, and fair wages, while also advocating for safe working conditions and protection from discrimination. The bill supports legislation like the PRO Act and the Raise the Wage Act to improve labor conditions for Black workers. Ultimately, it aims to promote economic opportunity for Black workers, recognizing its importance for both individual and national prosperity.