Legislative Activity

This resolution commemorates the 15th anniversary of the tragic January 8, 2011, Tucson shooting, honoring the six lives lost and the thirteen injured. It specifically commends the courage and ongoing advocacy of gun violence survivor and former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. The resolution also recognizes the resilience of the community and reaffirms a commitment to ending political violence.

This bill officially designates the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Lafayette, Louisiana, as the "Rodney C. Hamilton Sr. VA Clinic." This naming change will be reflected across all federal records and documents.

The Protecting Private Job Creators Act creates an exception to SEC Rule 15c2-11 specifically for fixed-income securities. This change exempts certain debt instruments, such as bonds and debentures, from the rule's quotation requirements. This aims to ease regulatory burdens on private job creators dealing with these types of securities.

The Environmental Justice Screening Tool Act of 2025 mandates the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to create a public online mapping tool within one year to identify communities disproportionately burdened by environmental, climate, health, economic, and social factors. This tool will use specific thresholds across various categories to flag census tracts needing attention. Federal agencies must then adopt this tool to prioritize funding and resources for the identified communities.

The Fair Competition for Small Business Act of 2025 empowers state attorneys general to file lawsuits on behalf of their residents against companies violating federal antitrust laws. This legislation strengthens consumer protections by allowing states to seek damages for anti-competitive practices under the Sherman Act.

The ESTUARIES Act amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to officially add the Mississippi Sound to the National Estuary Program and extends the program's funding authorization through fiscal year 2031. However, the bill places specific restrictions on the EPA Administrator regarding the use of funds to implement this addition during fiscal years 2025 and 2026. This ensures that the expansion of the program is contingent upon specific funding levels in the near term.

This Act addresses the significant unemployment disparities faced by young African Americans by strengthening pathways into registered apprenticeship programs. It establishes a Diversity and Inclusion Administrator within the Department of Labor to promote greater participation from underrepresented groups. Furthermore, the bill authorizes a competitive grant program to help entities create or expand apprenticeships, requiring applicants to submit plans specifically aimed at increasing African American enrollment.

The EFFECTIVE Food Procurement Act directs the USDA to reform its food purchasing practices to support a more just, healthy, and sustainable food system. This is achieved by mandating the purchase of foods that prioritize equity, resilient supply chains, worker well-being, and climate mitigation. The bill also establishes reporting requirements, a set-aside for specific producers, and pilot programs to help smaller and targeted producers participate in USDA contracts.

This bill amends the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 to enact significant reforms for housing counseling and financial literacy programs. It changes how grants are distributed, establishes new performance standards for counselors, and outlines consequences for non-compliance, including potential termination of assistance. Furthermore, it expands foreclosure mitigation counseling opportunities for borrowers with specific federally backed mortgage loans.

The Protect America's Workforce Act nullifies a specific Executive Order issued in March 2025 concerning exclusions from federal labor-management relations programs. This legislation ensures that any existing collective bargaining agreements between federal agencies and employee unions remain fully in effect until their stated expiration dates. The Act also prohibits the use of federal funds to implement the overturned Executive Order.

The Professional Degree Access Restoration Act amends the Higher Education Act to eliminate specific annual and aggregate loan limits for Federal Direct PLUS Loans made to graduate and professional students. This action removes previous restrictions on the maximum amount graduate students can borrow through these federal loan programs.

This bill establishes the National Flood Insurance Program Automatic Extension Act of 2025 to prevent lapses in flood insurance coverage. It institutes an automatic renewal mechanism that extends the program's operating authorities until the end of the fiscal year following its scheduled expiration, unless Congress acts otherwise. This ensures FEMA can continue to issue contracts, pay claims, and operate the program seamlessly. The extension maintains all existing terms, rates, and financial limits in effect prior to the termination date.

The Loan Equity for Advanced Professionals Act raises the federal student loan limits for graduate and professional students. Effective July 1, 2026, the annual borrowing limit for Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans will increase to \$50,000, and the aggregate limit will rise to \$200,000. This aims to provide greater financial support for advanced degree candidates.

This Act officially names the memorial at the entrance to Arlington National Cemetery as the "World War II Women's Memorial." It also designates this memorial as a "commemorative work" under existing federal law. Furthermore, the bill allows a specific World War II home front women's commemorative work to be placed in designated areas within Washington, D.C., overriding standard location restrictions.

The Next Generation 911 Act establishes a new federal grant program to support states and Tribes in deploying modern, multimedia-capable Next Generation 911 (NG911) systems nationwide. This legislation tasks the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) with coordinating implementation, providing technical assistance, and overseeing the distribution of funds. Grantees must submit detailed implementation plans focusing on interoperability, reliability, and cybersecurity to receive funding. The Act also mandates the creation of a dedicated Cybersecurity Center and an advisory board composed of public safety professionals.

The Military in Law Enforcement Accountability Act establishes new requirements and strict time limits for the Department of Defense when providing support to civilian law enforcement agencies, requiring prior Congressional notification and justification. It also prohibits Department of Defense personnel from simultaneously serving in civilian law enforcement roles, with limited exceptions for reservists. Furthermore, the bill broadens the circumstances under which military and federal law enforcement can assist civil authorities and creates a private right of action for violations of the Act.

The Emergency Alert Grant Fairness Act ensures public broadcasting entities have an annual opportunity to apply for FEMA's Next Generation Warning System grants. This legislation mandates that the application period for these critical warning system grants remains open for at least 30 days each year.

The Veteran Education Empowerment Act establishes a grant program to help colleges and universities create and operate dedicated Student Veteran Centers. These centers will serve as centralized hubs to coordinate academic support, transition services, and community building for student veterans. The bill authorizes funding for these grants, which can be used for establishing and operating the centers, with specific reporting requirements to track effectiveness.

The Expanding WKSI Eligibility Act creates a new, alternative pathway for companies to qualify as a "well-known seasoned issuer" (WKSI) by lowering the public market value threshold to \$400 million, while removing the existing worldwide market value requirement. Additionally, the bill mandates that the SEC annually report on the number of WKSI-related applications that are withdrawn. This aims to streamline the process for certain issuers to benefit from WKSI status.

The Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act focuses primarily on improving pediatric drug development and ensuring patient access to necessary treatments. This legislation mandates new research requirements for molecularly targeted pediatric cancer drugs, strengthens FDA enforcement of pediatric study completion, and extends incentives for developing drugs for rare pediatric diseases. Additionally, the bill updates organ transplant network functions and establishes an Abraham Accords Office within the FDA to enhance international regulatory cooperation.