Legislative Activity

The WARN Act aims to improve community safety during weather emergencies by directing the Comptroller General to study the effectiveness of local, state, territory, and federal emergency alert systems. The study will assess alert dissemination methods, evaluate the clarity and actionability of alert content, and explore improvements to public alerting systems. A report on the study's findings will be submitted to Congress within 18 months, with the goal of enhancing emergency response plans and public safety.

The "Love Lives On Act of 2025" amends titles 10 and 38 of the United States Code to improve benefits and services for surviving spouses. This act modifies Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) rules, allowing surviving spouses who remarry to still receive benefits. Additionally, it ensures continued Survivor Benefit Plan annuity payments for certain remarried surviving spouses and expands TRICARE eligibility to include remarried widow/widowers whose subsequent marriage ended.

This bill codifies Executive Order 11246, ensuring its provisions against employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin are legally binding. By codifying the executive order, the bill ensures consistent enforcement and protection against discrimination in employment.

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.

This bill expresses disapproval of any pardons granted to individuals convicted of assaulting Capitol Police officers. It serves as a symbolic condemnation of violence against law enforcement and underscores the importance of holding accountable those who perpetrate such acts.

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 Rosa Parks Day Act officially establishes Rosa Parks Day as a legal public holiday in the United States. This amendment updates federal law to include Rosa Parks Day alongside existing holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. Consequently, federal employees and operations will observe this new national holiday.

This bill authorizes the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the Freedom Riders, collectively, in recognition of their contributions to the Civil Rights movement. The medal will be displayed at the Smithsonian Institution and other appropriate locations, with bronze duplicates available for sale to the public. Funds from the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund will cover the costs.

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 "Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act" reauthorizes and expands programs aimed at supporting the mental health of healthcare providers. It requires annual reports on education and awareness initiatives, broadens eligibility for entities receiving funds, and extends funding for mental health support programs through 2030. The Act prioritizes reducing administrative burdens on healthcare workers to improve access to mental health services.

The "SAFE Act" amends the Controlled Substances Act to classify fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs, increases penalties for offenses involving fentanyl-related substances, and allows for the review of sentences for past convictions involving substances that have been removed or rescheduled. It streamlines the research registration process for Schedule I substances and requires a report on the impact of these changes. The bill aims to combat the fentanyl crisis by providing law enforcement with tools to prosecute offenders and prevent the distribution of these dangerous substances while ensuring continued research and potential rescheduling based on scientific evaluation.

The "Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act of 2025" extends increased Medicare payment support for physicians and practitioners through 2025. It increases payment rates by 6.62% for services provided from April 1, 2025, to January 1, 2026. The bill also updates a section of the Social Security Act to include the years 2021 through 2025 for conforming changes.

The "Household Goods Shipping Consumer Protection Act" increases consumer protection in the household goods shipping industry by allowing the Secretary to enforce penalties for violations, enabling states to use grant money for enforcement and retain penalties, and setting requirements for registration. This includes defining "principal place of business," requiring disclosure of relationships within the transportation industry, and allowing the Secretary to withhold or revoke registration for non-compliance.

This bill expresses the House of Representatives' view that Congress should act to maintain the United States Postal Service (USPS) as an independent entity within the Federal Government. It emphasizes the USPS's role as a self-sustaining service vital to the economy and national connectivity. The resolution discourages privatization, citing concerns about increased costs, reduced services, and damage to critical infrastructure.

The "Federal Firefighters Families First Act" aims to improve pay equality for Federal firefighters, enhance recruitment and retention, and ensure comprehensive calculation of retirement benefits. It updates the computation of pay and annuity calculations to include additional compensation for overtime hours in regular tours of duty. The Act also directs the Office of Personnel Management to establish a maximum regular workweek for Federal firefighters, not exceeding an average of 60 hours per week. These changes will impact annuity payments for individuals who separate from service 60 days after the law's enactment.

The SNAP Benefits Fairness Act of 2025 amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to remove the cap on the maximum deduction for shelter expenses when determining SNAP benefits, allowing for a more accurate reflection of recipients' actual costs. This change will take effect on January 1 of the year following the bill's enactment.

The "Charitable Act" modifies the tax deduction for charitable contributions for individuals who do not itemize deductions. For the 2026 and 2027 tax years, the deduction will be capped at one-third of the standard deduction amount for the individual. The Act also eliminates and redesignates certain penalty clauses in the Internal Revenue Code related to these deductions, updating references accordingly.

The "Universal Right To Vote by Mail Act of 2025" seeks to establish a uniform standard for mail-in voting across the United States by removing additional requirements for voting by mail in federal elections. It requires election officials to contact voters to resolve signature discrepancies or missing signatures on mail-in ballots, ensuring these ballots are counted if the issues are corrected promptly. This act aims to increase voter participation and convenience while maintaining the option for in-person voting. States must comply with these requirements for federal elections starting in 2026.

The COVER Now Act allows local governments in states that haven't expanded Medicaid to create their own programs to provide medical assistance to those who would be eligible under Medicaid expansion. The federal government would match a percentage of the costs. States are prohibited from interfering with these local programs. The Department of Health and Human Services will oversee the demonstration project and report to Congress on its impact.

The Young Americans Financial Literacy Act addresses the widespread need for improved financial education among young people aged 8 to 24. This bill authorizes funding for competitive grants to establish Centers of Excellence focused on developing and implementing research-backed financial literacy programs. These centers will create educational materials, train educators, and specifically target issues like student debt management for young adults. The goal is to improve financial well-being and stability through targeted, measurable educational interventions.