Legislative Activity

The Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act of 2025 establishes federal minimum standards for collective bargaining rights for public employees and supervisory employees. It requires the Federal Labor Relations Authority to determine if state laws substantially provide these rights; if not, the Authority will administer collective bargaining procedures in those states. The act outlines specific rights and procedures, including the right to organize, bargain collectively, and engage in concerted activities, while also addressing enforcement and exceptions. This law aims to ensure that public service workers have the ability to negotiate for fair wages, hours, and working conditions.

The Pell Grant Flexibility Act amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to ease Pell Grant calculations for students with disabilities. It ensures that eligible students with disabilities taking at least 5 credits, which is considered a reduced but appropriate course load by their institution, receive Pell Grants as if they were full-time students. This adjustment aims to provide more equitable access to financial aid for students with disabilities pursuing higher education.

The TAKE IT DOWN Act aims to combat the spread of nonconsensual intimate visual depictions, including deepfakes, online. It establishes criminal penalties for intentionally sharing such images without consent, with increased penalties for depictions involving minors. The Act also requires online platforms to create a process for users to report and request the removal of nonconsensual intimate visual depictions within 48 hours, enforced by the Federal Trade Commission. It defines key terms related to consent, digital forgeries, and covered platforms, while also ensuring that the rest of the law remains valid if any part is deemed unenforceable.

The Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2025 aims to increase affordable housing options by updating state housing credit formulas, refining tenant eligibility rules, and improving credit eligibility and determination. This includes adjusting income verification processes, modifying student occupancy rules, and protecting domestic abuse victims. The bill also focuses on Native American and rural assistance by addressing housing needs in Indian areas and streamlining income eligibility for rural projects. Additionally, it revises rules for exempt facility bonds and renames the "low-income housing tax credit" to the "affordable housing tax credit" while encouraging data sharing and discouraging discriminatory land use policies.

The "Invest to Protect Act of 2025" establishes a grant program within the Department of Justice to provide resources to local law enforcement agencies with fewer than 175 officers. These grants can be used for de-escalation training, mental health support for officers, officer recruitment and retention, and other community safety programs. The Act prioritizes a streamlined grant application process and emphasizes accountability and transparency in the use of funds, with \$50 million authorized annually from 2027 through 2031.

The "Protecting American Families and Servicemembers from Anthrax Act" requires the Secretaries of Health and Human Services and Defense to develop a 10-year strategy for maintaining anthrax countermeasures and protecting civilians, service members, and military dependents. It also mandates a report to Congress on weaponized anthrax threats, including multi-drug resistant strains, and requires annual updates to this report. The goal is to ensure the availability of necessary countermeasures and enhance defense against anthrax threats.

The "Vietnam Veterans Liver Fluke Cancer Study Act" mandates a study on the prevalence of cholangiocarcinoma in Vietnam War veterans, comparing cancer rates and demographics to the general U.S. population. The study, conducted by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the CDC, will inform Congress on potential actions needed to address any identified issues. Additionally, the bill extends the limitation of certain pension payments to December 31, 2031.

The Florida Coastal Protection Act prohibits the Department of Interior from issuing leases for oil and gas exploration, development, or production in specific areas off Florida's coast, including the Eastern Gulf of Mexico, a portion of the South Atlantic Planning Area, and the Straits of Florida Planning Area. This act aims to protect Florida's coastal environment and economy by preventing offshore drilling in these sensitive regions. The prohibition does not affect existing leases.

The Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Restoration Act aims to rectify past errors by establishing a program to identify and properly mark the graves of deceased Jewish members of the Armed Forces buried in military cemeteries outside the U.S. with markers that do not reflect their religion. The American Battle Monuments Commission will manage the program, contracting with a nonprofit organization to identify the servicemembers and contact their families. The program is authorized to receive $500,000 per year for 10 fiscal years.

The Retirement Savings for Americans Act of 2025 establishes the American Worker Retirement Plan, a retirement fund within the U.S. Treasury, to help workers save for retirement through automatic enrollment, diverse investment options, and government matching contributions. It creates the American Worker Retirement Investment Board to oversee the fund's management and sets guidelines for investment policies and fiduciary responsibilities. Additionally, the act introduces a Government Match Tax Credit to incentivize contributions to the fund, particularly for lower to moderate-income individuals, by matching a percentage of their contributions.

The "Tax Fairness for Workers Act" permits employees to deduct union dues and other employee business expenses above-the-line, bypassing previous deduction limitations. This change is achieved by amending sections of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, specifically 62(a)(1) and 67(g). These amendments will be effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

The Russia-North Korea Cooperation Sanctions Act imposes sanctions on foreign individuals and financial institutions that facilitate arms transfers or provide support to Russia from North Korea for use in Russia's war in Ukraine. It broadens the scope of the North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act of 2016 to include material support for Russia's war as a sanctionable activity. The Act also requires the President to regularly report to Congress on North Korea's assistance to Russia and the U.S. strategy to counter such support.

The "Women in Agriculture Act" establishes a Women Farmers and Ranchers Liaison within the Department of Agriculture to advocate for and assist women in agriculture. The act also amends existing legislation to include ergonomic equipment for women in agriculture research and prioritizes childcare services in agricultural and rural communities for loans and grants. Finally, the act requires the Liaison to submit a public report on the grants, loans, loan guarantees, and cost-share programs made by the Secretary to woman-owned agriculture operations.

The "Removing Nitrate and Arsenic in Drinking Water Act" establishes a grant program to help communities reduce nitrate and arsenic contamination in their drinking water. Grants will be prioritized for disadvantaged communities and projects that address contamination in facilities serving vulnerable populations. The program will provide funding for treatment technology installation, with a focus on assisting low-income homeowners and renters in disadvantaged communities. It also requires a review to ensure the grant program improves equity outcomes for economically disadvantaged and underserved populations.

Sammy's Law aims to protect children on large social media platforms by requiring these platforms to provide secure access to registered third-party safety software, enabling parents and guardians to monitor and manage their child's online activity. It establishes guidelines for data privacy, security, and usage, ensuring that the software is used solely to protect children from harm. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is responsible for overseeing compliance, issuing guidance, and enforcing the law, creating a national standard while preventing states from enacting conflicting legislation. This law empowers parents with tools to safeguard their children from online threats like cyberbullying, human trafficking, and exposure to harmful content.

The Keep STEM Talent Act of 2025 aims to retain foreign graduates with advanced STEM degrees in the United States by adjusting visa requirements and granting lawful permanent resident status to eligible individuals. It mandates stricter vetting procedures for foreign students pursuing master's or higher degrees in STEM fields, while also providing a pathway to permanent residency for those who meet specific education and employment criteria. The Act requires annual reports to Congress on the implementation and effectiveness of these changes. This legislation seeks to bolster the U.S. STEM workforce by making it easier for talented foreign graduates to remain and contribute to the country's economy.

This bill expresses support for "Financial Literacy Month" and recognizes the critical importance of financial literacy and education for all Americans. It highlights the concerning statistics around financial insecurity and lack of financial knowledge in the US. The bill encourages participation in Financial Literacy Month to promote financial education through various programs and activities.

The PEACE Act aims to enhance understanding of the Abraham Accords and other normalization agreements with Israel within the U.S. Department of State. It mandates training for diplomats and personnel, establishes fellowships and exchanges, creates an advisory board, and requires a comprehensive strategy and reporting to Congress. This act seeks to promote Middle East peace and stability through education and strategic diplomatic engagement.

The "Improving Reporting to Prevent Hate Act of 2025" aims to improve hate crime reporting by requiring the Attorney General to evaluate the credibility of hate crime reporting from jurisdictions with over 100,000 residents applying for grants. Jurisdictions that fail to report hate crime data or report zero incidents to the FBI may lose grant eligibility unless the Attorney General certifies they have significantly educated the community and raised awareness about hate crimes. The Attorney General will publish an annual report on certified jurisdictions.

The Baby Changing on Board Act mandates that all new Amtrak passenger trains must include at least one baby changing table in a restroom per car, including an ADA-compliant restroom. These restrooms must have clear signs indicating the presence of the baby changing table. This ensures that passengers have access to diaper-changing facilities while traveling on Amtrak.