Legislative Activity

The Freedom of Association in Higher Education Act of 2025 aims to protect students' rights to join single-sex social organizations at colleges receiving federal funding. This bill prevents institutions from taking adverse action against students or groups solely because of sex-based membership policies. It ensures these organizations are treated fairly compared to other campus groups regarding participation and privileges. Ultimately, the Act safeguards a student's freedom to choose their associations, including single-sex clubs.

The PLAN for School Safety Act of 2025 establishes a new federal grant program to create regional School Safety Development Centers. These centers will provide personalized, research-backed consultation and technical assistance to schools on developing and implementing comprehensive safety and mental health plans. The program prioritizes support for rural, Tribal, and low-resource communities, while explicitly prohibiting the use of funds for firearm training.

This Act mandates the Secretary of Labor to establish an interim and then a final standard requiring comprehensive workplace violence prevention plans for employers in the healthcare and social service sectors. These plans must be developed with employee input and detail risk assessments, hazard controls, reporting procedures, and annual training. Furthermore, the bill amends the Social Security Act to require Medicare-funded hospitals and skilled nursing facilities not covered by OSHA to comply with these new federal workplace violence prevention standards. The legislation also establishes clear definitions for workplace violence and includes strong anti-retaliation protections for employees who exercise their rights under the Act.

This resolution formally recognizes and celebrates the International Transgender Day of Visibility. Congress acknowledges the achievements of transgender individuals while highlighting the ongoing discrimination and violence they face. The resolution encourages appropriate ceremonies and activities to observe the day and celebrate the community's leadership and fight for equality.

The ABC Act mandates a comprehensive review of Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, and Social Security programs to significantly simplify application processes, forms, and communications for family caregivers. This effort requires federal agencies to streamline requirements, improve customer service, and enhance accessibility across their systems. The goal is to reduce the administrative burden on caregivers while ensuring clear and timely access to essential benefits. Agencies must report their findings and planned actions to Congress within two years of enactment.

The Hunger-Free Future Act of 2025 mandates that any adjustment to the Thrifty Food Plan used for calculating SNAP benefits must not result in an increase in food insecurity. This ensures that updates to the cost of the food plan do not negatively impact households' ability to afford adequate nutrition.

This Act establishes a comprehensive security partnership between the United States, Israel, Greece, and the Republic of Cyprus focused on counterterrorism and maritime security in the Eastern Mediterranean. It mandates the creation of new joint training programs, formalizes interparliamentary and executive cooperation groups, and removes previous limitations on defense articles for Cyprus. The legislation also authorizes significant funding for security centers and training initiatives in Cyprus and Greece through fiscal year 2029.

The Abortion Care Awareness Act of 2025 mandates the creation of a national public health campaign by the Secretary of HHS to educate the public on accessing abortion and related health services legally and safely. This campaign must provide medically accurate information on care options, including telehealth and medication abortion, while also teaching people how to recognize disinformation and protect their health data. The effort must be culturally competent and accessible to underserved communities, explicitly prohibiting the promotion of misinformation or abstinence-only programs.

The Bus Parity and Clarity Act ensures fair and equal access for over-the-road buses, including scheduled and charter services, on federally regulated toll facilities and in HOV lanes. This legislation mandates that these buses receive the same rates and conditions as standard public transportation vehicles, especially in value pricing programs. Furthermore, the Federal Highway Administration must maintain a public database detailing these access terms.

The Hot Foods Act of 2025 removes the general federal ban on using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to purchase hot, ready-to-eat foods. This legislation clarifies that hot foods are now eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits, while also setting a new rule that limits SNAP-participating retailers to deriving no more than 50% of their gross sales from these ready-to-eat hot items. The act updates existing statutes to reflect this expanded purchasing power for recipients.

This bill directs the Secretary of Transportation to develop and implement a comprehensive 10-year Campus Modernization Plan for the United States Merchant Marine Academy. The plan must address critical infrastructure needs, including new training facilities, updated housing, and essential utility overhauls, to support modern maritime education and national security requirements. Congress authorizes up to \$1.02 billion from the Maritime Security Trust Fund between fiscal years 2026 and 2035 to execute this modernization effort.

This resolution is an inquiry demanding the President provide detailed documents regarding the access granted to staff and advisers of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to the systems and data of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (BCFP). Congress seeks comprehensive information on personnel backgrounds, specific system permissions, data movement, and the approval processes used for this access. The request also mandates documentation on conflict of interest reviews and current BCFP staffing levels.

The Support UNFPA Funding Act authorizes specific funding levels for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. This legislation affirms that supporting UNFPA is in the U.S. strategic interest because it advances global health, reduces preventable maternal deaths, and combats gender-based violence. The bill emphasizes that UNFPA's work on voluntary family planning promotes stability and economic growth worldwide.

The No Hungry Kids in Schools Act establishes a new statewide community eligibility option for schools starting July 1, 2025. This option allows states to ensure all schools receive full federal reimbursement for 100% of meals served by covering any funding gaps with non-federal money. By opting in, states can eliminate the minimum participation threshold and calculate eligibility based on the entire statewide student population.

The Stop Antisemitism on College Campuses Act prohibits colleges and universities receiving federal funding from allowing, supporting, or paying for any event on campus that promotes antisemitism. This legislation mandates the adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism for enforcement. The goal is to ensure federally funded institutions do not host or endorse antisemitic activities.

The CREATE AI Act of 2025 establishes the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR) to democratize access to the high-powered computing and data necessary for advanced AI research. This resource will be managed by a non-governmental Operating Entity overseen by a new Steering Subcommittee. The goal is to broaden participation in AI development beyond large tech companies to maintain U.S. leadership and ensure AI benefits all Americans. Access will be prioritized for U.S.-affiliated researchers, educators, and students, with specific provisions for ethics, security, and privacy reviews.

The Food Secure Strikers Act of 2025 aims to clarify and simplify eligibility rules for striking workers seeking Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. This legislation removes outdated restrictions and clarifies the precise conditions under which participation in a labor strike affects a worker's SNAP eligibility. The goal is to streamline the existing law regarding striker access to food assistance.

The VA Home Loan Awareness Act of 2025 mandates the addition of a disclaimer on standard mortgage applications, informing applicants who indicate military service that they may qualify for a VA Home Loan. This ensures veterans and service members are immediately directed to explore their VA loan eligibility when applying for a mortgage. The bill also requires the GAO to study the effectiveness of this new disclaimer requirement among lenders.

The Protecting Kids from Fentanyl Act of 2025 allows states to use Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant funds to purchase life-saving opioid antagonists, such as naloxone, for schools. These funds can also cover essential training for school staff on administering the antagonists and providing fentanyl awareness education to students. This legislation aims to enhance school safety by equipping them to respond to opioid emergencies.

The Raise the Age Act of 2025 generally prohibits Federal Firearms Licensees from selling certain semiautomatic centerfire rifles or shotguns capable of holding magazines over five rounds to anyone under 21, with exceptions for qualified military or government personnel. The bill also maintains the existing minimum age of 18 for general firearm purchases, excluding the newly restricted categories. Finally, it mandates that the FBI Director report on the operational procedures of its public access line within 90 days of enactment.