Legislative Activity

This bill expresses gratitude for first responders and acknowledges the sacrifices of Gold Shield Families (families of fallen first responders). It recognizes the hardships these families face and supports the work of nonprofits that provide them with resources. The bill encourages local communities to support these organizations, acknowledging the vital role they play in aiding Gold Shield Families during their time of need.

The "Biodiesel Tax Credit Extension Act of 2025" extends key biofuel tax incentives through 2026, promoting the production and use of biodiesel, renewable diesel, and second-generation biofuels. This extension aims to support the biofuel industry by continuing tax credits for biodiesel and renewable diesel mixtures, as well as alcohol fuel. The act also ensures that no double benefits are claimed for fuel receiving credit under other sections of the law. These amendments are effective for fuel sold or used after December 31, 2024, and for qualified second-generation biofuel production occurring after the same date.

The Equality Act amends existing civil rights laws to explicitly include protections against discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity in areas such as public accommodations, employment, housing, credit, and jury selection. It clarifies and expands the definition of sex to include sex stereotypes, pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics. The act ensures equal access to shared facilities and prohibits the use of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 to justify discrimination. Ultimately, the Equality Act seeks to provide consistent and comprehensive protections against discrimination for LGBTQ+ individuals and women across various sectors.

The "Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act" authorizes the presentation of three Congressional Gold Medals to honor the 1980 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team for their historic "Miracle on Ice" victory. These medals will be given to the Lake Placid Olympic Center, the United States Hockey Hall of Fame, and the US Olympic and Paralympic Museum for public display. The Act also allows for the creation and sale of bronze duplicates to fund the medal production.

The Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to limit consumer reporting agencies from sharing credit report information when a person requests a credit report for a residential mortgage loan. Consumer reporting agencies can only furnish this information if the entity has a firm offer of credit or insurance, has the consumer's authorization, or has an existing relationship with the consumer as a mortgage lender, servicer, or financial institution. This act aims to protect consumers' privacy during the home buying process by limiting the amount of entities that get access to their credit information. The changes will take effect 180 days after the Act is enacted.

The New England Coastal Protection Act of 2025 prohibits the Department of Interior from issuing leases for oil and gas exploration, development, or production in any area of the outer Continental Shelf off the coasts of Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, or Connecticut. This amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act.

The "Invest to Protect Act of 2025" establishes a grant program within the Department of Justice to provide resources to local law enforcement agencies with fewer than 175 officers. These grants can be used for de-escalation training, mental health support for officers, officer recruitment and retention, and other community safety programs. The Act prioritizes a streamlined grant application process and emphasizes accountability and transparency in the use of funds, with \$50 million authorized annually from 2027 through 2031.

The "Save Our Sequoias Act" aims to protect giant sequoia groves from wildfires, insects, and drought by streamlining environmental review processes for emergency response projects, establishing a collaborative coalition, and creating a reforestation strategy. This act directs the Secretary to create agreements, assessments, and strike teams to address threats to giant sequoias on both public and National Forest System lands. It also establishes grant programs and amends existing laws to support these efforts, including stewardship contracting and good neighbor agreements. Finally, the act authorizes appropriations for these protection and restoration activities.

The "No Tax Breaks for Union Busting (NTBUB) Act" aims to eliminate tax deductions for employer expenses used to influence employees' decisions regarding unionizing and collective bargaining. It defines "labor organization activity" broadly, encompassing elections, disputes, and collective actions. The bill mandates detailed reporting of such activities, with significant penalties for non-compliance, and directs the Treasury Secretary to issue implementing guidance. This would apply to expenses incurred more than 240 days after the bill's enactment.

The "Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act" directs the Secretary of Labor to establish an occupational safety and health standard requiring healthcare and social service employers to develop and implement comprehensive workplace violence prevention plans. This standard aims to protect workers from workplace violence through risk assessment, hazard prevention, incident reporting, employee training, and recordkeeping. The bill also extends these requirements to certain facilities receiving Medicare funds, ensuring broader coverage and compliance.

The "ABC Act" aims to simplify and streamline the processes, procedures, forms, and communications within Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, and Social Security programs for family caregivers. It mandates a comprehensive review of these programs to reduce administrative burdens, improve communication, enhance website accessibility, and ensure employee understanding of caregiver support. The Act requires regular reports to Congress and encourages states to adopt similar simplification measures.

The Guidance Clarity Act mandates that federal agencies include a "guidance clarity statement" on all guidance documents, clarifying that these documents do not have the force of law and are only intended to provide clarity on existing legal requirements or agency policies. This statement must be prominently displayed on the first page of the guidance. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is directed to issue guidance to implement this Act within 90 days of enactment.

This bill recognizes and celebrates the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps on November 10, 2025. It acknowledges the Marine Corps' distinguished history, readiness, and role as a premier fighting force. The bill also encourages Americans to celebrate the anniversary through various activities and community engagement.

The "Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act" enables individuals with valid concealed carry permits or the legal right to carry concealed firearms in their home state to do so across state lines, provided they are not federally prohibited from possessing firearms and carry a valid photo ID. This law respects private and state/local government restrictions on firearms, protects individuals from unwarranted arrest, and allows legal action for violations of these rights. It also permits concealed carry in National Parks and other federal lands open to the public and clarifies that handguns include magazines and ammunition.

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.

The GARD Act updates the rules for federal employees, presidential and vice presidential candidates, and congressional member candidates regarding the acceptance and reporting of gifts from foreign entities. It broadens the scope of who must report gifts, prohibits gifts from countries of concern, and changes reporting deadlines and content. The Act also mandates public accessibility of gift listings and imposes late fees for non-compliance.

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.

The Foreign Investment Guardrails to Help Thwart (FIGHT) China Act aims to protect U.S. national security by imposing sanctions and investment restrictions related to China. It authorizes the President to sanction foreign entities involved in activities against U.S. interests and prohibits certain investments in sensitive technologies linked to countries of concern, particularly China. The act also requires notification of investments in covered national security technologies and mandates reports to Congress on enforcement and international cooperation. Additionally, it addresses securities-related concerns by requiring scrutiny of entities on specific lists to determine their eligibility for inclusion on the Non-SDN Chinese Military-Industrial Complex Companies List, and prohibits U.S. persons from holding securities of entities on that list.

The Air America Act of 2025 authorizes the Director of the CIA to award payments to former employees of Air America and affiliated companies who supported the U.S. government between 1950 and 1976, or to their survivors. Eligible individuals or their survivors could receive up to $40,000 for five years of qualifying service, with additional amounts for longer service, with a cap on total awards at $60 million. The Act establishes application procedures, limitations on attorney fees, and prohibits judicial review of the Director's decisions, while also requiring regular reports to Congress on the status of the award payments. This act does not qualify anyone for federal benefits like retirement, disability, or death benefits.

The "Protect Postal Performance Act" modifies the procedures for the United States Postal Service (USPS) regarding the closure or consolidation of post offices and processing and distribution centers. It mandates public hearings and transparency requirements for proposed closures, limits closures based on proximity to other post offices or population served, and restricts the USPS from closing or downgrading processing centers if it impacts mail delivery. The bill also requires Postal Regulatory Commission review of proposed changes to mail processing facilities and transportation optimization efforts.