Legislative Activity

The "Wetlands Conservation and Access Improvement Act of 2025" extends the availability of interest on obligations held in the Federal aid to wildlife restoration fund through 2033. This ensures continued funding for wildlife restoration and wetlands conservation projects.

This resolution recognizes the significant gender pay gap, where women earn less than men for comparable work, and highlights the economic impact this disparity has on women, families, and the nation. It also acknowledges the disproportionate effect on women of color. The resolution reaffirms the commitment to achieving equal pay and reducing the gender wage gap.

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.

This bill affirms the House of Representatives' belief that every person has the right to emergency health care, including abortion care. It argues that abortion restrictions endanger lives, force doctors to make impossible choices, and disproportionately harm people of color, low-income individuals, and LGBTQI individuals. The bill emphasizes that delays in emergency care due to abortion bans can lead to life-threatening situations and that everyone, including pregnant individuals, should have access to necessary medical care without discrimination.

The Major Richard Star Act allows eligible combat-disabled veterans to receive both their retirement pay and disability compensation. This eliminates the previous offset that reduced retirement pay for those receiving disability compensation. The changes apply to payments beginning the month after enactment.

The "Rights for the Transportation Security Administration Workforce Act" mandates the transition of TSA personnel management systems to align with Title 5 of the U.S. Code, ensuring TSA employees receive similar rights and protections as other federal employees, including collective bargaining rights. It protects current pay and benefits during the transition, requires consultation with employee representatives, and addresses concerns related to employee well-being, safety, and diversity. The Act also calls for reports and plans to improve recruitment, address workplace harassment, and update background check requirements.

The Chesapeake Bay Conservation Acceleration Act of 2025 aims to improve the health of the Chesapeake Bay watershed by supporting agricultural producers in implementing conservation activities, reauthorizing and expanding the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, and establishing a pilot program for conservation practices. The act also invests in workforce development for food and agricultural sciences, authorizes direct hiring for the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and transfers regulatory oversight of invasive catfish species to the Commissioner of Food and Drugs. This legislation seeks to accelerate conservation efforts, enhance water quality, and promote sustainable agricultural practices in the Chesapeake Bay region.

The HOME Investment Partnerships Reauthorization and Improvement Act of 2025 reauthorizes and reforms the HOME Investment Partnerships Program to provide affordable housing by allocating funding, modifying qualification thresholds, and streamlining processes for participating jurisdictions. It modifies affordable housing qualifications, eliminates deadlines for committing funds, reforms homeownership resale restrictions, requires on-site inspections of home properties, and establishes a home loan guarantee program. The bill also refines the processes for community housing development organizations to better serve low- and moderate-income individuals, and makes technical corrections to fix errors and modernize the language in the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act. These changes aim to increase the availability of affordable housing options, improve living conditions, and ensure efficient use of government funds.

The "Farewell to Foam Act of 2025" bans the sale, offer for sale, or distribution of expanded polystyrene (EPS) food service ware, loose fill, and coolers starting January 1, 2028. The ban applies to food service providers, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers, with escalating civil penalties for violations after an initial written warning. The EPA Administrator is authorized to enforce the ban and create necessary regulations, and may allow states to enforce the ban if they meet the Administrator's requirements. Certain entities with lower annual revenues will face limitations on how frequently they can be penalized.

The "Access to Pediatric Technologies Act of 2025" aims to improve access to medical devices for children by requiring the establishment of national relative value units for qualifying pediatric technologies under Medicare. This ensures that manufacturers can request these units to be established using existing payment methodologies, facilitating appropriate valuation and payment for these specialized devices. The Act does not mandate coverage of any specific technology but streamlines the process for establishing payment rates, thereby encouraging innovation and availability of pediatric medical devices.

The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2025 amends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to address vote dilution, denial, and abridgment claims, and to update which states and political subdivisions are subject to federal oversight based on a history of voting rights violations. It broadens the types of violations that allow a court to retain jurisdiction over a case, clarifies the Attorney General's authority to assign observers, and ensures transparency in voting-related changes. The Act also authorizes the Attorney General to demand documents and information to enforce voting rights and provides grants to small jurisdictions to assist with notification requirements.

The Fighter Force Preservation and Recapitalization Act of 2025 aims to modernize and maintain the Air Force's fighter aircraft fleet by increasing the minimum number of fighter aircraft, requiring detailed reports on the fleet's status, prioritizing the assignment of new aircraft to existing squadrons, and preserving the Air National Guard's fighter capabilities. The act mandates the Air Force to assign at least three out of every four new advanced fighter aircraft to existing Air Force fighter squadrons and maintain at least 25 Air National Guard fighter aircraft squadrons. Additionally, it requires the Secretary of the Air Force to develop and submit an annual modernization plan for the Air National Guard's fighter fleet to Congress. The Act defines specific categories of fighter aircraft to clarify modernization efforts.

The "Keeping Our Field Offices Open Act" prevents the Social Security Administration (SSA) from closing or consolidating field offices, hearing offices, and resident stations, ensuring continued access to services. It requires the SSA Commissioner to justify any planned closures to Congress with detailed analysis and cost-benefit assessments, considering the impact on vulnerable populations. The bill mandates public notice, hearings, and a final report to Congress before any changes, allowing appeals and maintaining the number of offices at or above the January 20, 2025 level, excluding temporary emergency closures.

This bill, the Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2025, seeks to amend the National Labor Relations Act and other labor laws to strengthen protections for workers' rights to organize and collectively bargain. It aims to modernize labor regulations by clarifying definitions, addressing unfair labor practices, enhancing enforcement, and increasing transparency in labor-management relations. The bill introduces measures such as electronic voting in union elections, strengthens whistleblower protections, and mandates studies on collective bargaining practices. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure fair treatment of workers and promote equitable labor practices.

The "Protecting Americans' Social Security Data Act" aims to safeguard Social Security data by restricting access for political appointees and special government employees, and by creating avenues for civil lawsuits for unauthorized data access or disclosure. It mandates investigations by the Inspector General of the Social Security Administration into data breaches and requires regular reports to Congress. The Act also directs the Comptroller of the United States to study the effects of changes to the Social Security Act made by this Act and subsequent Acts.

The MERIT Act requires federal agencies to reinstate probationary employees who were terminated as part of a mass termination event between January 20, 2025, and the Act's enactment date, providing them with back pay and benefits. The Act also mandates reports on government employee terminations and the reinstatement process. It defines key terms such as "affected probationary employee" and "mass termination" to clarify the scope and applicability of the Act. This act ensures that affected employees are treated as involuntarily separated without cause and outlines the process for determining back pay and providing notice to eligible employees.

This resolution designates February as Black History Month, celebrating the heritage and achievements of Black Americans. It recognizes the foundational role of Black labor in the United States, from slavery to modern times, and acknowledges the economic disparities that persist. The resolution also honors key figures and movements that have advanced Black Americans' rights and economic opportunities. It encourages the continued observance of Black History Month to promote awareness of Black Americans' contributions.

The MEME Act prohibits elected and other high-ranking federal officials, as well as their families, from promoting financial assets, including securities, commodities, and digital assets, for personal gain. It allows the Attorney General, private parties, and others to sue violators. Violators may face civil penalties up to $250,000, be required to return profits to the Treasury, and may face criminal penalties including fines and imprisonment. The Act aims to prevent public officials from using their positions for personal financial benefit, addressing bribery, insider trading, and corrupt foreign influence.

The "Access to Reproductive Care for Servicemembers Act" ensures that members of the Armed Forces and their dependents can access leave and reimbursement for travel expenses related to abortion services and assisted reproductive technology, such as in vitro fertilization, when these services are not available nearby. It protects the privacy of service members seeking such care and prohibits any adverse actions against them for utilizing these provisions. The bill aims to address barriers to reproductive healthcare created by state abortion restrictions and logistical challenges faced by military personnel.