Legislative Activity

The "Safe Access to Cash Act of 2025" broadens the definition of an ATM to include all network-connected machines that allow customers to access their accounts. It clarifies that ATMs and cash being transported to or from them are under the protection of financial institutions for robbery-related legal purposes, regardless of location or ownership.

Ethan's Law establishes federal requirements for the secure storage of firearms to prevent unauthorized access by minors and prohibited persons, making improper storage a civil violation with escalating penalties if injury or death results. The bill also creates a federal grant program to incentivize states and Tribes to adopt matching safe storage laws. Furthermore, Congress declares that failing to comply with these storage requirements constitutes negligence and may be considered the direct cause of resulting firearm injuries.

Expresses support for strengthening public schools through community partnerships, mental health resources, and equitable funding. Aims to advance equity and excellence in public education, ensuring high-quality education for every child through evidence-based practices. Designates the week of February 24-28, 2025, as Public Schools Week.

The "DOC Access Act of 2025" aims to enhance health care coverage under vision and dental plans by ensuring fair payment practices, protecting doctors' choices in labs and suppliers, and respecting state laws. It allows optometrists and dentists to charge their standard rate for non-covered services if the plan's payment is unreasonable, while ensuring they can only charge the contracted rate for dental cleanings. The bill also gives doctors more control over agreement extensions with limited benefit plans and allows them to opt out of certain provisions. Ultimately, this act seeks to balance federal guidelines with state oversight in regulating health insurance issuers and dental or vision benefit plans.

The ENABLE Act permanently extends provisions that allow for increased contributions to ABLE accounts, which are savings accounts for individuals with disabilities. It also allows penalty-free rollovers from 529 education savings accounts to ABLE accounts, providing greater flexibility in financial planning for families and individuals with disabilities. Additionally, the act includes contributions made to an ABLE account when calculating retirement savings contributions.

The Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act of 2025 expands public safety officer benefits to include deaths and disabilities caused by exposure-related cancers, presuming that certain cancers diagnosed within 15 years of service are line-of-duty injuries if the officer served for at least 5 years. It defines "exposure-related cancer" and allows for updates to the list based on medical evidence, while also permitting individuals to petition for additions. The Act also clarifies "line of duty action" and applies retroactively to claims dating back to January 1, 2020, with a three-year window for filing claims based on these amendments.

The "Housing Unhoused Disabled Veterans Act" aims to ensure more veterans can access housing assistance by excluding certain disability benefits from income calculations for specific housing programs. This exclusion applies to the supported housing program under section 8(o)(19) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 and when determining eligibility to rent residential housing on Department of Veteran Affairs property constructed after the enactment of this act. This exclusion does not apply to the definition of adjusted income. By excluding these benefits, the bill seeks to make housing more affordable and accessible for disabled veterans.

The "Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow's Workforce Act" amends Section 529 savings accounts to include expenses related to postsecondary credentialing programs. This allows 529 funds to cover costs like tuition, fees, books, supplies, and testing fees for recognized programs and credentials, as defined by the bill. These changes would apply to distributions made after the bill is enacted.

The Taxpayer Data Protection Act limits access to the Treasury Department's payment systems to Treasury employees or contractors with satisfactory performance reviews and security clearances. It sets specific criteria for individuals accessing the system, including conflict of interest restrictions, training, and ethics agreements. The Act also mandates the Treasury Department's Inspector General to investigate and report to Congress on any unauthorized system use.

The CLEAR Act amends the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to include entities established under Section 3161, ensuring their records are accessible to the public. This change applies to all FOIA requests made after the Act's enactment, regardless of when the records were created.

The SECURE Firearm Storage Act mandates that federally licensed firearms importers, manufacturers, and dealers must secure all firearms in their inventory with hardened steel rods or locked in a safe when the business is closed. It also requires secure storage for paper records of firearm transactions and allows the Attorney General to set additional security requirements. Noncompliance can result in civil penalties, license suspension, or revocation, and all firearms license applications must include a plan for compliance with these new storage requirements.

The Scientific Integrity Act mandates that federal agencies that fund, conduct, or oversee scientific research establish and enforce scientific integrity policies. These policies aim to protect scientists from political interference, ensure the open communication of scientific findings, and establish clear processes for reporting and addressing scientific misconduct. The Act requires agencies to appoint Scientific Integrity Officers, provide regular training, and report on misconduct complaints, with oversight from the Office of Science and Technology Policy and Congress. It also protects the rights of federal employees and contractors to share their findings and prevents the suppression or distortion of scientific data.

The "Protect Our Letter Carriers Act of 2025" aims to protect postal workers by allocating funds for high-security collection boxes and electronic mailbox keys. It also mandates the appointment of dedicated attorneys to prosecute crimes against postal employees and directs the Sentencing Commission to increase penalties for assaulting or robbing them.

The Right to Contraception Act establishes a federal right for individuals to access and use contraception without government interference. It prohibits federal and state governments from enacting laws that restrict access to contraceptives or the provision of related services. The Act provides clear enforcement mechanisms, allowing individuals and the Attorney General to sue to strike down any rule that violates these protections.

The "No Tax Breaks for Outsourcing Act" amends the Internal Revenue Code to discourage multinational corporations from avoiding U.S. taxes by shifting profits overseas. It includes provisions such as current year inclusion of net CFC tested income on a country-by-country basis, limitations on foreign tax credits, restrictions on interest deductions for domestic corporations in international financial reporting groups, and changes to the tax treatment of inverted corporations and foreign corporations managed in the U.S. This act aims to eliminate tax advantages for companies that move operations or profits outside the United States.

The "Caring for All Families Act" expands the definition of family members under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to include domestic partners, in-laws, adult children, grandparents, grandchildren, siblings, and other individuals with close family-like relationships, allowing employees to take leave to care for them. It also allows employees to take additional leave for parental involvement in children's or grandchildren's education and extracurricular activities, and to meet family wellness needs, with certain limitations on the amount of leave that can be taken for these purposes. These provisions apply to both private-sector and federal employees.

The Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act of 2025 ensures that monetary penalties from False Claims Act cases are deposited into the Crime Victims Fund through fiscal year 2029. This excludes payments to whistleblowers and reimbursements to the government. This will increase the amount of money available to help victims of crimes.

The "Rosa Parks Commemorative Coin Act" directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint gold, silver, and half-dollar coins in 2029 to honor Rosa Parks and her legacy as a Civil Rights Movement leader. Coin designs must symbolize her contribution to civil rights and include her name and likeness. Surcharges from the coin sales will benefit the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development, supporting youth programs, civil rights education, and advocacy. The Act ensures no net cost to the government and mandates the recovery of all costs before surcharge distribution.

The Fred Korematsu Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2025 authorizes the posthumous presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to Fred Korematsu, recognizing his advocacy for civil rights and justice. This act directs the Secretary of the Treasury to create the medal, which will be displayed at the Smithsonian Institution and other locations. The legislation also allows for the creation and sale of bronze duplicates of the gold medal to cover production costs, with proceeds deposited into the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund. This act commemorates Korematsu's legacy and dedication to equality.

This bill recognizes the cultural and historical significance of Lunar New Year. It acknowledges the importance of Lunar New Year for Asian Americans and others in the U.S., and expresses respect for those who celebrate it worldwide. The bill wishes all celebrants a happy and prosperous new year.