Legislative Activity

The Minority Entrepreneurship Grant Program Act of 2025 establishes a new grant program administered by the SBA to fund Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). These grants, starting at a minimum of $250,000 per institution, are intended to create or expand programs that provide technical assistance and startup capital to minority student entrepreneurs. The Act also creates a specialized, exempt Advisory Board to recommend best practices for supporting minority business development through these educational institutions.

The Forage Fish Conservation Act of 2025 aims to strengthen the management of small, schooling fish that form the base of the marine food web. This bill mandates the official definition of "forage fish" and requires fishery councils to prioritize their conservation in management plans. Furthermore, it establishes new rules for setting catch limits based on the dietary needs of dependent predators and enhances monitoring for certain Atlantic fisheries. Ultimately, the Act seeks to ensure the sustainability of the entire ocean ecosystem by protecting these critical prey species.

The Supporting Healthy Mothers and Infants Act of 2025 updates the WIC program by replacing outdated terminology with "substance use disorder." This legislation mandates the development of specialized, evidence-based nutrition education materials for WIC participants affected by substance use disorder. Furthermore, it requires the Secretary of Agriculture to actively reach out to and support these families through training and resource sharing. The Act authorizes $1 million for fiscal year 2026 to implement these new support activities.

The BARK Act of 2025 aims to encourage the donation of pet food and supplies during emergencies and for charitable purposes. It provides liability protection to donors and distributing organizations against lawsuits related to the condition of donated items, provided there is no gross negligence or intentional harm. This protection applies to items that appear fit for use, even if they don't meet all commercial sales standards, provided proper disclosure and reconditioning procedures are followed.

The Heat Management Assistance Grant Act of 2025 establishes a new federal mechanism for providing immediate assistance to state and local governments facing extreme heat events. This bill amends the Stafford Act to allow the President to grant aid, such as supplies and personnel, for heat mitigation and management. To qualify for aid, local governments must submit assessments detailing potential fatalities, economic losses, and long-term infrastructure impacts. FEMA, in consultation with NOAA and the CDC, must define the specific criteria for an "extreme heat event" within 90 days of the Act's passage.

The WOSB Accountability Act mandates that federal agencies only count formally certified Women-Owned Small Businesses (WOSBs) toward their contracting goals, excluding those that are only self-certified. This change ensures greater accuracy in tracking government support for legitimate WOSBs. The Small Business Administration (SBA) is required to establish new rules for this process and provide regular progress reports to Congress.

The Global Alzheimer’s Initiative Now Act establishes the U.S. policy to lead international efforts against the rapidly growing global crisis of Alzheimer's and dementia. This bill specifically authorizes U.S. participation and financial contribution to the Davos Alzheimer's Collaborative (DAC) to speed up research, prevention, and care worldwide. U.S. funding is contingent upon matching contributions from other sources, ensuring shared financial responsibility for global health initiatives. The President must also regularly report to Congress on U.S. involvement and the overall progress of DAC.

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 resolution officially designates the Friday before Memorial Day as **National Poppy Day** to honor U.S. veterans. It recognizes the poppy as a long-standing symbol of remembrance for those who died in service, inspired by World War I. The bill encourages all citizens to wear a red poppy on this day to show appreciation for our fallen service members.

The VA Loan Informed Disclosure Act of 2025 (VALID Act) aims to increase awareness of VA loan options among homebuyers. It requires lenders to include comparative information about potential VA loan terms on standard FHA disclosure forms. Furthermore, the Act mandates that the Uniform Residential Loan Application include a prominent question regarding the applicant's military service.

The FBI Animal Cruelty Taskforce Act of 2025 establishes a dedicated Animal Cruelty Crimes Taskforce within the FBI to investigate and enforce federal laws against severe animal cruelty, such as dogfighting and crush videos. This Taskforce is also responsible for developing training materials for local law enforcement. Furthermore, it must coordinate with other federal agencies and submit annual reports to Congress detailing enforcement statistics, including charges filed and convictions secured.

The Strengthening US-Caribbean Partnership Act grants the President the authority to extend diplomatic privileges and immunities to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). This action would align the treatment of CARICOM with that afforded to other recognized public international organizations. The bill aims to formally enhance the diplomatic relationship between the United States and the Caribbean region.

The TREAT Youth Act, or Treatment, Recovery, Education, Awareness, and Training for Youth Act, aims to bolster resources dedicated to youth prevention and recovery efforts. This legislation specifically updates and increases the authorized funding levels for these programs through fiscal year 2030.

The Fair and Equal Housing Act of 2025 significantly updates existing fair housing laws to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. This legislation broadens protections to cover discrimination based on association or perceived association with protected groups. Furthermore, it strengthens anti-intimidation measures related to these newly defined protected characteristics in housing matters.

The TERRA Act establishes a framework allowing federally recognized Indian Tribes to consolidate funding from multiple eligible federal programs into a single, flexible plan for environmental resiliency and community needs. This grants Tribes significant self-determination by streamlining bureaucratic requirements, simplifying reporting, and providing strong authority to waive federal regulations that impede their plans. The legislation mandates federal agencies to coordinate their reviews and accelerate the transfer of funds to participating Tribes. Ultimately, the Act aims to increase efficiency and local control over federal resources while protecting sensitive Traditional Ecological Knowledge.

The Interactive Federal Review Act aims to modernize and accelerate environmental reviews for major federally funded highway projects under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). It mandates the Department of Transportation to encourage the use of interactive digital platforms and 3D models, or "digital twins," in the review and public engagement process. Furthermore, the bill prioritizes funding applications that commit to using these advanced digital tools to improve efficiency and transparency.

The VET PFAS Act expands healthcare and disability benefits for veterans and their families exposed to toxic PFAS chemicals, like PFOA, at contaminated military installations. It establishes a presumption of service connection for specific related illnesses, making it easier for veterans to receive disability compensation. Furthermore, the bill grants eligible family members access to VA medical care, contingent upon future appropriations. The VA is also required to report annually on the implementation and utilization of these new provisions for three years.

The 911 Community Crisis Responders Act of 2025 establishes a federal grant program to fund unarmed mobile crisis response teams across the nation. These teams will respond to nonviolent emergencies involving mental health, homelessness, or substance use, diverting calls away from law enforcement. Grantees must use funds for training, system upgrades, and reporting on program impact, including demographic data on those served. The goal is to ensure trained professionals provide appropriate, de-escalated care for individuals in crisis.

The Improving Mental Health Access for Students Act mandates that colleges and universities must prominently display essential mental health and suicide prevention contact information on student ID cards or official websites. This includes the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, the Crisis Text Line, and the campus mental health center. These requirements take effect one year after the Act is signed into law.

This resolution officially supports the designation of "ALS Awareness Month" to bring critical attention to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. It affirms the commitment to accelerating research for treatments and cures while supporting patients and caregivers facing this devastating, progressive disease. The bill recognizes the urgent need to reduce the physical, emotional, and financial burdens associated with ALS.