Legislative Activity

The Michelle Alyssa Go Act revises the definition of an "institution for mental diseases" under Medicaid to allow federal funding for smaller facilities. Specifically, it excludes mental health facilities with 36 beds or fewer from the IMD exclusion if they meet specific, evidence-based quality standards set by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. This change aims to increase access to care by making smaller, qualified treatment centers eligible for Medicaid reimbursement.

This resolution formally condemns the tragic mass shooting in New York City on July 28, 2025, which highlighted the danger of inconsistent state gun laws. It calls for immediate and comprehensive federal action to establish national gun safety standards. The bill emphasizes that stronger federal laws are necessary to prevent firearms from easily crossing state lines and undermining local safety efforts. Ultimately, Congress is urging the passage of nationwide measures like universal background checks to combat the epidemic of gun violence.

The No Secret Police Act of 2025 mandates that federal officers engaged in border security or immigration enforcement must clearly display identification, wear visible badges or uniforms, and refrain from wearing face coverings during detentions or arrests. This ensures accountability by requiring clear identification from Department of Homeland Security (DHS) personnel. The bill also requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to report on current tactical gear policies and research methods to improve officer visibility.

The ATF Data and Anti-Trafficking Accountability (DATA) Act mandates the annual public release of detailed firearm trace data collected by the ATF. This comprehensive report will include information on source dealers, time-to-crime statistics, and firearms recovered in high-crime areas. The goal is to increase transparency regarding gun tracing and provide crucial data for analyzing firearm trafficking patterns.

The Preventing Pretrial Gun Purchases Act makes it illegal for individuals released on bail or under specific court orders to purchase or possess a firearm if that order explicitly prohibits it. This legislation updates federal gun laws, including the Gun Control Act and the Brady Act, to incorporate these pretrial release restrictions into existing prohibitions for firearm dealers and background checks. Furthermore, the bill establishes a grant program to incentivize states and Tribal nations to report these specific court orders restricting firearm possession to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).

The No Gratuities for Governing Act of 2025 updates federal law regarding illegal gifts involving government agents who manage federal funds. It establishes new criminal penalties for giving or accepting gifts valued at \$1,000 or more in connection with official transactions worth \$5,000 or more. The Act also increases the maximum prison sentence for existing offenses under this statute from 10 to 15 years.

The Enhancing Stakeholder Support and Outreach for Preparedness Grants Act requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to significantly improve its outreach, education, and technical assistance for the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) and State Homeland Security Grant Programs. This includes mandatory annual stakeholder feedback surveys and public summaries detailing how that input influences future grant announcements. The bill also mandates reviews by the Comptroller General and FEMA to assess the effectiveness of these new engagement requirements.

This resolution commemorates the centennial of the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research, recognizing its vital role in preserving the history, culture, and language of East European Jewry. Congress acknowledges YIVO's unique archive, which survived the Holocaust and now houses one of the world's most significant collections of Jewish and Holocaust materials. The bill celebrates YIVO's ongoing contributions as a leading U.S. center for research and cultural preservation.

The Strengthening Medicaid for Serious Mental Illness Act aims to increase federal funding for states that expand intensive, community-based services for adults with serious mental illness. This encourages states to provide robust support services, such as Assertive Community Treatment, to prevent unnecessary institutionalization. The bill also establishes increased federal matching rates based on the number of defined service categories a state offers. Finally, it ensures continuity of care for young adults aging out of certain Medicaid benefits.

The Helping Emergency Responders Overcome Student Debt Act (HEROES Act) expands federal student loan forgiveness eligibility to include volunteer firefighters and volunteer EMTs. This legislation allows time spent volunteering with recognized public safety organizations to count toward the service requirements for loan forgiveness. The Secretary of Education is tasked with establishing clear regulations defining the minimum required volunteer hours and the process for verifying service time.

The PROSPER Act of 2025 establishes a new grant program administered by the Attorney General to fund evidence-based violence prevention strategies for youth. These grants will support community organizations and educational institutions in implementing programs focused on trauma healing, skill-building, and connecting high-risk young people with essential resources. The initiative is specifically funded by $25 million set aside from existing juvenile justice allocations between fiscal years 2026 and 2030.

The Homeland Security Climate Change Coordination Act establishes a new Climate Coordinating Council within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This council, composed of senior leaders from across the department, is tasked with coordinating efforts to address how climate change impacts DHS operations, assets, and programs. Its primary goal is to develop risk-based strategies to mitigate these impacts and ensure compliance with relevant executive orders. The Secretary must report annually to Congress on the council's activities for ten years.

This Act authorizes the creation and sale of special commemorative gold and silver coins to mark the 25th anniversary of the September 11th attacks. The coins will feature designs honoring the victims and first responders, with the phrase "Never Forget" required on at least one design. All surcharges collected from the sale of these coins will be donated to support the ongoing operations and maintenance of the National September 11 Memorial and Museum. The Treasury must ensure the entire coin program results in no net cost to the Federal Government.

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 African Burial Ground International Memorial Museum and Educational Center Act establishes a museum at the African Burial Ground National Monument in New York City. The museum will serve as a memorial, examine African cultural traditions, explore the history of slavery, and provide space for exhibits and research. The Act authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire property for the museum, plan its construction, and operate it in consultation with an Advisory Council. It also outlines the composition and duties of the Advisory Council and authorizes appropriations for the museum's establishment and operation.

This bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study on the feasibility of establishing the African Burial Ground International Memorial Museum and Educational Center at the African Burial Ground National Monument in New York City. The study will assess the museum's potential to serve as a memorial, examine African cultural traditions, explore the institution of slavery, and promote collaboration among institutions. It will also evaluate the availability of suitable collections, the potential for understanding the international slave trade, and the level of public and local support for the museum. The Secretary must submit a report to Congress detailing the study's findings, including costs and recommendations, within three years of funding availability.