Legislative Activity

The DHS Use of Force Oversight Act establishes a comprehensive, department-wide policy for the use of force by all DHS law enforcement personnel. This policy mandates de-escalation as the preferred approach, prohibits chokeholds, and requires extensive training. Furthermore, the bill mandates regular public reporting of use-of-force data and requires timely briefings to Congress following serious incidents.

This resolution initiates impeachment proceedings against Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Lynn Arnold Noem for high crimes and misdemeanors. The articles of impeachment charge her with willfully refusing to comply with Congressional oversight laws and violating the Impoundment Control Act by improperly withholding funds. Further articles allege she directed widespread misconduct by ICE agents that violated federal law and constitutional rights, and misused taxpayer funds for personal gain through improper contracting.

The Pay Paraprofessionals and Support Staff Act establishes minimum federal salary and wage floors for school support staff, requiring states to implement higher state-level standards. It authorizes significant federal funding through grants to help states and local districts meet these new pay requirements within four years. States must prioritize funding distribution to districts serving high numbers of low-income students to ensure compliance with the mandated pay increases.

This resolution commemorates the 15th anniversary of the January 8, 2011, Tucson shooting, honoring the six victims who lost their lives and the thirteen injured. It recognizes the courage of survivors, including former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, and acknowledges her national advocacy against gun violence. The bill reaffirms a commitment to civility, condemning political violence while celebrating the resilience of the Tucson community.

The Kennedy Center Protection Act voids the Board of Trustees' 2025 vote to rename the performing arts center. This legislation mandates the immediate removal of any signage reflecting the altered name and restores the official title to the "John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts." Furthermore, it explicitly prohibits the Board from ever taking action to rename the center in the future.

The Federal Property Integrity Act prohibits naming any federal building, land, or asset after a President currently serving in office. This new rule establishes a clear standard for naming federal property, ensuring such designations are not made while a President is actively serving.

The S.T.O.P. Illicit Vapes Act establishes a high-level, multi-agency federal task force to combat the illegal importation, distribution, and sale of unauthorized e-cigarettes. Co-chaired by the Attorney General and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, this group will coordinate enforcement strategies and share information. The task force is required to meet regularly and submit detailed semi-annual reports to Congress outlining enforcement actions and recommendations for new legal authorities.

This resolution honors Senator Monique Limón for her historic service and achievements as the first Latina and first mother to serve as President pro Tempore of the California State Senate. It recognizes her background as a first-generation college graduate and dedicated educator. The bill commends her legislative leadership, particularly her work championing issues for working families. Finally, it celebrates her swearing-in ceremony for this landmark role.

The Restoring Trust in Public Safety Act establishes a grant program to fund the complete destruction of firearms by state, local, and Tribal governments. Eligible entities can apply for competitive grants to cover costs associated with destruction equipment, services, and training. Grantees must certify that all firearms and components are fully destroyed and maintain detailed records of the process.

The Americas Regional Monitoring of Arms Sales (ARMAS) Act of 2025 seeks to combat illegal firearms trafficking to Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. It transfers regulatory control of certain munitions exports from the Department of Commerce back to the Department of State. The bill also mandates comprehensive reporting, strategy development, and increased tracking of U.S. firearm exports to designated "covered countries."

The Protect America's Workforce Act nullifies a specific Executive Order issued in March 2025 concerning exclusions from federal labor-management relations programs. This legislation ensures that any existing collective bargaining agreements between federal agencies and employee unions remain fully in effect until their stated expiration dates. The Act also prohibits the use of federal funds to implement the overturned Executive Order.

The Reuniting Families Act is comprehensive legislation designed to significantly reform U.S. immigration by reducing massive visa backlogs and prioritizing family reunification across various categories. It achieves this by recapturing unused visas, reclassifying certain family members as "immediate relatives," and creating new pathways for permanent partners and refugees to join their loved ones. Ultimately, the bill aims to keep families together, speed up legal immigration processes, and address past discrimination in the visa system.

This concurrent resolution commends state and local governments for championing reproductive rights as human rights following the overturning of *Roe v. Wade*. It declares that denying abortion care leads to severe health risks and highlights the criminalization of pregnancy outcomes across the U.S. The resolution urges states to repeal abortion restrictions and affirm that reproductive rights are fundamental human rights.

The Loan Equity for Advanced Professionals Act raises the federal student loan limits for graduate and professional students. Effective July 1, 2026, the annual borrowing limit for Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans will increase to \$50,000, and the aggregate limit will rise to \$200,000. This aims to provide greater financial support for advanced degree candidates.

This act amends the Natural Gas Act to require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to apply new environmental and environmental justice standards when approving natural gas pipeline projects. FERC must now quantify greenhouse gas emissions and specifically evaluate impacts on environmental justice communities before determining if a project serves the "public convenience and necessity." The bill mandates that FERC weigh significant environmental effects against project benefits and require mitigation for adverse impacts.

This Act establishes a competitive grant program to prepare girls and underrepresented minorities for careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. Qualified local educational agencies serving high-need student populations are eligible to apply for four-year grants of $250,000 annually. Funds must support comprehensive K-12 STEM education activities, including tutoring, mentoring, professional development, and career exposure. Grantees must submit annual evaluations detailing student progress and program effectiveness.

The Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act aims to overhaul immigration detention by establishing mandatory, high standards based on ABA guidelines and increasing transparency through rigorous, unannounced inspections. The bill prohibits the use of private, for-profit detention facilities within three years and ends the mandatory detention of most noncitizens, prioritizing release or community-based alternatives. Furthermore, it establishes new due process rights, including timely custody hearings, a presumption of release, and prohibitions on detaining children or using solitary confinement.

This Act, the "Ban AI Denials in Medicare Act," prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services from implementing the WISeR Model or any substantially similar model that uses prior authorization under traditional Medicare. Furthermore, it amends the authority of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation to prevent the testing of any new model that requires prior authorization for services covered under Medicare Part A or Part B.

This bill, the Lung Cancer Medicare Access to Precise Testing Act, mandates that Medicare begin covering lung cancer biomarker testing for diagnosed individuals starting January 1, 2027. The legislation ensures Medicare will pay 100 percent of the reasonable charges for these tests, which analyze tissue or bodily fluids to identify specific biomarkers.

The Benay Taub Lung Cancer Research Act establishes a Lung Cancer Task Force within the National Institutes of Health. This task force is charged with examining disparities in lung cancer research, funding, and patient access compared to other diseases. The Act mandates that the Task Force submit a report to Congress with findings and recommendations, including proposals for increasing federal research funding.