Legislative Activity

The American Families United Act grants the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security discretionary authority to provide relief to certain undocumented immigrants who are the spouse or child of a U.S. citizen, if deportation or denial of relief would cause hardship to the citizen family member. This includes the ability to terminate removal proceedings, waive grounds for inadmissibility or deportability, or grant permission to reapply for admission. The Act does not apply to aliens inadmissible or deportable on criminal or security grounds. It also allows for motions to reopen or reconsider denied petitions or removal orders based on the new discretionary authority, with certain time limitations.

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.

Recognizes Nowruz as a culturally and historically significant celebration observed worldwide. It acknowledges the contributions of Iranian Americans to the U.S. and supports human rights and freedom for the people of Iran. The resolution also defends the rights of Iranians to assemble and express themselves freely, and wishes a happy new year to those celebrating Nowruz.

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 "Saving NSFs Workforce Act" prevents the National Science Foundation (NSF) from conducting layoffs or involuntary employee separations until full funding is secured for fiscal year 2026. Exceptions are made for employee misconduct, delinquency, or inefficiency. This moratorium aims to stabilize the NSF workforce during a period of funding uncertainty.

The "Saving NIST's Workforce Act" prevents the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) from conducting layoffs or involuntary separations of employees. This moratorium is in effect until full-year funding is secured for fiscal year 2026. Exceptions are made only in cases of employee misconduct, delinquency, or inefficiency.

The "Saving NOAA's Workforce Act" prevents the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) from initiating any workforce reductions or involuntary employee separations. This moratorium is in effect until the full-year appropriations for NOAA are enacted for fiscal year 2026. Exceptions are made only in cases of employee misconduct, delinquency, or inefficiency.

The "Saving NASAs Workforce Act" prevents NASA from conducting layoffs or involuntarily separating employees until the full budget for fiscal year 2026 is approved. This moratorium protects most NASA employees, with exceptions only for cases of misconduct or poor performance. The bill aims to stabilize NASA's workforce during a period of budget uncertainty. This is in addition to any other existing regulations regarding adverse personnel actions.

The Saving DOE's Workforce Act prohibits the Department of Energy from conducting workforce reductions or involuntary employee separations until full-year appropriations for fiscal year 2026 are enacted. This moratorium excludes actions due to misconduct, delinquency, or inefficiency and applies to employees in the competitive service, excepted service, and Senior Executive Service. The new law does not override any other authorities regarding adverse personnel actions.

This bill, known as the "Correcting Guam's History in the PACT Act," amends Title 38 of the U.S. Code to expand eligibility for a presumption of service connection for diseases associated with herbicide exposure. The expansion includes veterans who served in Guam between August 15, 1958, and July 31, 1980, or in American Samoa. This change makes it easier for these veterans to receive benefits for diseases linked to herbicide exposure during their service.

The Preventing Illegal Weapons Trafficking Act of 2025 aims to combat the illegal trafficking of machinegun conversion devices. It mandates a coordinated strategy among the Attorney General, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Secretary of the Treasury to prevent the import and distribution of these devices, enhance law enforcement collaboration, and provide training to identify them. The Act also allows for the forfeiture of proceeds from illegal machine gun trafficking and requires the Attorney General to report data on machinegun conversion devices in the annual firearms trafficking report.

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 "Protect Our Probationary Employees Act" allows federal employees who were involuntarily separated from service between January 20, 2025, and January 20, 2029, to resume their probationary period if reappointed to a similar position in their former agency. The resumed probationary period will only last the duration of the original probationary period. This provision terminates on January 20, 2029.

The "Do No Harm Act" amends the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 to ensure religious freedom is not used to justify discrimination or harm. It clarifies that the Act does not override federal laws protecting against discrimination, ensuring equal opportunity, or safeguarding access to healthcare and other essential services. This amendment confirms that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act applies only when the government is a party in a judicial proceeding.

The Congressional Trade Authority Act of 2025 amends Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, redefining national security and shifting the investigation of import threats to the Secretary of Defense. It mandates congressional approval for presidential actions adjusting imports based on national security concerns, requiring a joint resolution of approval within 60 days. The Act also establishes a process for businesses to request exclusions from import restrictions and includes a sunset provision for presidential actions, requiring reevaluation and potential renewal after three years. Finally, the Act requires rates of duty to revert to their pre-modification rate 75 days after the enactment of this Act.

The "Border Workforce Improvement Act" mandates the Secretary of Homeland Security to evaluate staffing requirements at the southern border, focusing on Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This assessment aims to identify staffing shortages, workload factors, and critical gaps in resources and technology. Following the assessment, a report must be submitted to Congress detailing the findings and planned actions to address the identified issues.

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 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 "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.