Legislative Activity

This resolution urges the people of the United States to observe October 2025 as Italian and Italian American Heritage Month. It seeks to honor the profound and diverse contributions made by Italian Americans throughout U.S. history and culture. The measure encourages appropriate ceremonies and activities to celebrate this rich heritage.

The Every Child Deserves a Head Start Act of 2025 aims to solidify the foundational support for the Head Start program, recognizing its vital role in early childhood development. This bill permanently establishes the structure and staffing levels of the Office of Head Start, including its 12 regional offices, as they existed before January 20, 2025. The legislation strictly limits the Secretary of Health and Human Services from altering this established structure or reducing staff without specific Congressional notification procedures. Ultimately, the Act ensures the consistent delivery of essential educational and support services to eligible children and families nationwide.

The Making Access To Cleanup Happen (MATCH) Act of 2025 streamlines the Emergency Watershed Protection Program by allowing local sponsors to begin critical cleanup work before final federal agreements are signed. This allows state-level processes to authorize early spending on emergency measures following a natural disaster. Any eligible costs incurred early will count toward the sponsor's required contribution, provided a final agreement is eventually reached. However, sponsors assume the financial risk if the Secretary ultimately declines to enter into an agreement.

The Head Start Shutdown Protection Act of 2025 ensures that states, local governments, or school districts are reimbursed for any of their own funds used to keep Head Start and Early Head Start programs operational during a lapse in federal appropriations. This legislation protects these vital early childhood education services from disruption caused by government shutdowns. By guaranteeing reimbursement, the Act encourages local entities to maintain program continuity without bearing the financial burden.

This resolution expresses the strong support of the House of Representatives for designating the second Monday in October 2025 as "Indigenous Peoples' Day." It aims to formally recognize and honor the history, culture, and enduring contributions of Indigenous Peoples in the United States. The measure encourages public observance and supports the eventual establishment of this day as an official Federal holiday.

The WIC Benefits Protection Act mandates that all states must operate the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). This legislation also guarantees permanent, mandatory funding for WIC starting in fiscal year 2026, ensuring the program has the necessary resources annually. Furthermore, it clarifies eligibility language within the program's governing statute.

This bill ensures that states are reimbursed by the Federal Government for any state funds they use to maintain essential operations of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) during a lapse in federal appropriations. It provides a mechanism for the Federal Government to pay back states that cover WIC costs during a government shutdown. This protects state budgets while keeping vital nutrition assistance running.

The Federal Worker Childcare Protection Act of 2025 aims to reimburse federal employees for childcare expenses incurred during periods of government shutdown or lapse in funding. Eligible employees who were furloughed or unpaid due to a funding lapse can receive reimbursement by submitting proof of payment to the GSA. This provision is contingent upon Congress appropriating the necessary funds.

The Stop the Trump Electricity Price Hikes Act immediately reinstates financial assistance awards previously canceled by the Department of Energy (DOE). This action specifically reverses cancellations based on the May 15, 2025 Secretarial Memorandum. The bill ensures these awards continue as if they had never been terminated.

The Child Care for Every Community Act establishes a national framework to guarantee universal access to high-quality, regulated child care and early learning programs for every young child. It mandates federal standards for quality, ensures child care staff receive pay comparable to K-12 employees, and requires local coordination with school systems. Furthermore, the bill protects existing state funding levels and caps family fees based on income.

The Wildfire Recovery Act ensures the federal government covers at least 75% of eligible fire management assistance costs for newly appropriated funds. It also mandates new rulemaking to establish clear standards for increasing federal disaster cost-sharing based on measurable financial impact. Finally, the bill updates FEMA policy to allow state, local, and Tribal governments to seek reimbursement for pre-staging their own equipment before a disaster is officially declared.

This bill prohibits federal agencies from removing civil service employees during any lapse in discretionary appropriations, commonly known as a government shutdown. If an employee is terminated in violation of this rule during a shutdown, they will have the option to be reinstated with full back pay once funding resumes. This measure aims to protect federal workers from job loss caused by budget impasses.

This bill officially establishes the FireGuard Program as a mandatory "program of record" within the National Guard. It requires the Secretary of Defense to provide annual briefings to Congress for five years detailing the program's impact, including response times and technology integration. The program is authorized to operate through December 31, 2031.

The Baltic Security Assessment Act of 2025 affirms the critical importance of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania to U.S. national security amidst Russian aggression. This bill mandates that the Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense deliver a comprehensive report to Congress detailing emerging military, cyber, and political threats to the Baltic states. The report must also recommend specific actions to enhance U.S. and NATO defense cooperation and bolster Baltic resilience.

The Mental Health Services for Students Act of 2025 establishes a new federal program to provide comprehensive, trauma-informed mental health services and supports in schools through grants and contracts. These funds will support partnerships to implement awareness campaigns, staff training on trauma and suicide risk, and direct student and family treatment. The Secretary must ensure equitable distribution of funding, which is capped at \$2 million per award, with Congress authorized to appropriate \$300 million annually for the initial years.

The Monterey Bay National Heritage Area Study Act mandates the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study assessing the suitability and feasibility of designating the Monterey Bay region as a National Heritage Area. This assessment will cover Monterey, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, and San Luis Obispo counties, along with adjacent areas sharing similar heritage. The study requires close collaboration with state, local, Tribal, and non-profit partners.

This bill directs the President to immediately remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and certain designated criminal groups. Congress asserts that these military actions lack the necessary constitutional authorization or a declaration of war. The resolution mandates withdrawal unless Congress subsequently passes specific authorization or the U.S. is subject to an armed attack.

This bill authorizes the presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to all Peace Corps Volunteers who served between August 28, 1961, and December 31, 2026, to recognize their distinguished service and promotion of world peace. The medal will be awarded to the Director of the Peace Corps for display at the agency's headquarters. The Secretary of the Treasury is also authorized to strike and sell bronze duplicates of the medal to cover production costs.

This resolution strongly condemns attempts to use federal regulatory power or litigation to suppress lawful speech critical of a political party or the President. It reaffirms the fundamental importance of the First Amendment and warns that such actions resemble tactics used by authoritarian regimes. The bill urges government agencies to protect free expression and ensure accountability, not political censorship.

This joint resolution directs the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities initiated after February 20, 2025, against designated terrorist groups or drug trafficking organizations without prior Congressional authorization. It asserts Congress's constitutional power to declare war and finds recent military strikes against vessels lacked proper justification. The bill allows for continued use of forces for self-defense or authorized counternarcotics support, but explicitly states drug trafficking alone does not constitute an armed attack.