Legislative Activity

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 MERIT Act requires federal agencies to reinstate probationary employees who were terminated as part of a mass termination event between January 20, 2025, and the Act's enactment date, providing them with back pay and benefits. The Act also mandates reports on government employee terminations and the reinstatement process. It defines key terms such as "affected probationary employee" and "mass termination" to clarify the scope and applicability of the Act. This act ensures that affected employees are treated as involuntarily separated without cause and outlines the process for determining back pay and providing notice to eligible employees.

This resolution designates February as Black History Month, celebrating the heritage and achievements of Black Americans. It recognizes the foundational role of Black labor in the United States, from slavery to modern times, and acknowledges the economic disparities that persist. The resolution also honors key figures and movements that have advanced Black Americans' rights and economic opportunities. It encourages the continued observance of Black History Month to promote awareness of Black Americans' contributions.

The Safe Schools Improvement Act aims to reduce bullying and harassment in schools by requiring states to establish policies prohibiting such conduct based on various characteristics, including race, sex, religion, and disability. It mandates annual notifications, data collection on incidents, biennial evaluations of programs, and regular reports to Congress to ensure accountability and effectiveness. This act does not infringe on existing nondiscrimination laws or freedom of speech but seeks to create a safer, more inclusive learning environment for all students.

The PAST Act of 2025 amends the Horse Protection Act to strengthen enforcement against horse soring, a cruel practice used to create an exaggerated gait. It bans action devices and weighted shoes, increases penalties for violations, and mandates the licensing and oversight of qualified inspectors, prioritizing veterinarians, to ensure fair competition and protect horses. The Act also requires the USDA to publish violation information and sets clear disqualification periods for horses found to be sore, aiming to eliminate soring in specific horse breeds.

The "Keep Americans Safe Act" aims to regulate large capacity ammunition feeding devices by making it illegal to import, sell, manufacture, transfer, or possess magazines holding more than 15 rounds, with exceptions for law enforcement, government entities, and devices lawfully possessed before the law's enactment. It also permits the use of Byrne grants for buy-back programs of these devices and mandates that newly manufactured devices be marked with identifying information. Violators of this Act will face penalties under existing provisions of Title 18 of the U.S. Code.

The Humane Cosmetics Act of 2025 bans cosmetic animal testing in the U.S. and restricts the use of animal testing data for cosmetic safety, with certain exceptions. It authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to impose civil penalties for non-compliance and preempts states from enacting conflicting regulations. The Act defines key terms related to cosmetic animal testing and cosmetics.

The "GUARD VA Benefits Act" reinstates penalties for individuals who charge veterans unauthorized fees for assistance with their VA benefits claims. This bill amends title 38 of the United States Code to ensure that those who exploit veterans by charging unlawful fees face appropriate fines. The aim is to protect veterans from financial exploitation related to their benefits claims.

This bill reaffirms the Twenty-Second Amendment, which limits a president to two terms in office. It emphasizes that this limit applies in aggregate, preventing any individual who has served two terms as President from running again. The bill is a direct response to instances where President Trump suggested serving more than two terms. It explicitly prohibits President Trump from running for president again.

The RAISE Act of 2025 introduces a refundable tax credit for eligible teachers, offering $1,000 plus additional amounts for teachers in qualifying schools with high student poverty levels. It also increases the tax deduction for educators' expenses to $500 and expands eligibility to include early childhood educators. Additionally, the Act amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to provide mandatory funding to support local educational agencies that maintain or increase teacher salaries, with a portion reserved for teacher salary incentive grants. These grants can be used for various programs aimed at strengthening the teaching profession and improving educator skills.

The Protect Veteran Jobs Act allows wrongly fired or dismissed veterans in civil service jobs between January 20, 2025, and the Act's enactment date to be reinstated to their previous position or a similar one. It mandates executive branch agencies to report to Congress every three months on all veteran employees who were fired or dismissed and the reasons for their termination, effective until January 20, 2029. The Act relies on existing U.S. Code definitions for key terms like "veteran" and "civil service."

The HEIRS Act of 2025 aims to help families resolve issues related to Heirs Property. The Act authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to establish grant programs for states, local governments, territories, or Tribal governments that have adopted the Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act or a similar law. It also provides grants to eligible entities for housing counseling, legal aid, and financial help to clear titles and keep homes in the hands of heirs property owners. Finally, it amends the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 to include specific counseling and referral requirements related to heirs property.

The American Dream and Promise Act of 2025 provides a pathway to permanent residency for eligible individuals who entered the United States as children and those with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or Deferred Enforced Departure (DED). Title I, the Dream Act of 2025, establishes conditional permanent residency for eligible individuals who entered the U.S. as children. Title II, the American Promise Act of 2025, allows the Secretary of Homeland Security or the Attorney General to grant permanent resident status to eligible individuals from TPS or DED countries. Title III outlines general provisions, such as background checks, application processes, and fee exemptions, applicable to all seeking to adjust their status under this Act.

Ethan's Law aims to reduce gun violence by promoting responsible firearm storage. It establishes new requirements for securing firearms in homes to prevent access by minors and individuals prohibited from possessing them, with penalties for improper storage. The law also creates a grant program to support states and Indian Tribes in implementing similar safe storage laws and expresses that failure to safely store firearms constitutes negligence. Finally, the law states that if any part of the law is found to be invalid, the remaining parts will still be considered valid and remain in effect.

The Federal Retirement Fairness Act amends title 5 of the United States Code, allowing civilian service in a temporary position after December 31, 1988, to be creditable under the Federal Employees Retirement System. This change applies to current employees and Members of the United States Postal Service, and requires the Office of Personnel Management to notify eligible individuals and issue implementing regulations.

This bill reaffirms the strong economic and security partnership between the United States and Canada, highlighting their significant trade relationship that supports millions of American jobs. It emphasizes the importance of strengthening this alliance through collaboration in areas like defense, border security, energy, and supply chains. The bill also supports joint efforts to address shared threats, promote democracy, and enhance economic competitiveness.

The "Ending DOGE Conflicts Act" mandates that special government employees with financial ties to companies contracting with the federal government must adhere to strict financial disclosure requirements. It requires the Director of the Office of Government Ethics to certify these employees' financial reports and prohibits them from performing official duties until compliance is confirmed.

The "PREEMIE Reauthorization Act of 2025" extends funding for research on preterm births and infant care through 2029. It directs the Department of Health and Human Services to establish an interagency working group to address premature birth issues and mandates a comprehensive study by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine on preterm births, including cost analysis, risk factor identification, and best practices for prevention and treatment. A report on the study's findings must be submitted to Congress and the Secretary of Health and Human Services within 24 months.

The "Protect US National Security Act" ensures that federal funds cannot be used to eliminate the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) as an independent entity. It asserts that only an act of Congress can eliminate USAID. The Secretary of State must certify compliance with this requirement to Congress within 30 days of the act's enactment and annually for 5 years.

The Honoring Our Fallen TSA Officers Act amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to include Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees in the Public Safety Officers' Benefits program. This ensures that TSA officers who die or are injured in the line of duty while protecting the nation's transportation systems are eligible for death benefits. This law applies retroactively to injuries occurring on or after October 31, 2013.