Legislative Activity

This bill expresses support for Wildfire Preparedness Week, a national event focused on educating the public on fire safety and preparedness. It highlights the significant impact of wildfires in the United States, including the acres burned and the need for preventative measures. The bill supports resources and educational programs that teach communities to prevent wildfires through early warning systems, reducing human-caused ignitions, and safe evacuation practices for people and animals. It also commits to providing financial support to communities affected by catastrophic firestorms.

This resolution expresses support for designating May 5, 2025, as the "National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls" to raise awareness of the crisis, remember victims, and support their families. It acknowledges the disproportionately high rates of violence experienced by Indigenous women and girls and the need for continued action and updated research on this issue. The resolution also recognizes past and present efforts to address the crisis, including Operation Lady Justice, the Savannas Act, the Not Invisible Act, and the establishment of dedicated units and commissions.

This bill supports the designation of May 4, 2025, as the National Day of Reason to recognize the importance of reason in addressing societal challenges, defending democratic principles, and advancing human rights. It highlights the role of reason and critical thinking in countering disinformation, promoting civil liberties, and upholding the separation of church and state. The bill also recognizes the importance of the scientific method and free inquiry in improving human welfare.

The "Fair Allocation and Improvement of Regional Fleets Act" or "FAIR Fleets Act" aims to modernize the Postal Service fleet and ensure fair vehicle distribution, especially in underserved areas. It requires regular assessments of vehicle distribution, a strategic plan for improvement, and the adoption of fuel-efficient vehicles. The Postal Service must submit annual reports to Congress detailing fleet distribution and steps taken to improve service in underserved areas, which include rural areas, regions with aging vehicles, and areas with significant mail delays or high poverty rates. These changes will take effect 180 days after the enactment of this Act.

The REHIRE Act provides hiring preference to certain Federal employees involuntarily removed from their positions between January 1, 2025, and January 1, 2027. These employees will be considered preference eligibles for competitive service appointments and receive 5 additional points to their earned rating. This preference does not apply to individuals removed from political positions, those separated due to misconduct or poor performance, or those whose most recent performance review was unacceptable, and expires 5 years after enactment.

The "Women and Underrepresented Minorities in STEM Booster Act of 2025" establishes a grant program within the National Science Foundation (NSF) to increase the participation of women, underrepresented minorities (including LGBTQ+ individuals and those with disabilities) in STEM fields. These grants will fund various activities such as workshops, mentoring, internships, and outreach programs. The bill allocates \$15 million annually from 2026 to 2030 to support this initiative.

The PREP Act reduces the maximum probationary period for initial federal government appointments to 6 months for those with prior civil service experience and 12 months for all other appointees. This change applies to positions under 5 U.S.C. 3321, initial appointments in the excepted service, and the Senior Executive Service. The act also amends 5 U.S.C. 9510 regarding the Internal Revenue Service, adjusting provisions related to probationary periods.

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 Ocean Regional Opportunity and Innovation Act of 2025 aims to foster growth in the "Blue Economy" by designating at least seven Ocean Innovation Clusters across the country. These clusters will be partnerships led by not-for-profit organizations, focusing on cross-sector collaboration and sustainable development in ocean-related industries. The Act directs federal agencies to support these clusters through partnership managers, technical knowledge exchange, and measurement of their economic impact. Furthermore, it authorizes grants to support the operation and administration of these Ocean Innovation Clusters, promoting innovation, workforce development, and economic opportunity in coastal communities.

The YOUNG Act of 2025 establishes a grant program, managed by the Secretary of Commerce, to fund youth biodiversity monitoring projects that educate students about advanced technologies. Grants will be awarded to nonprofits, schools, higher education institutions, and state, local, or tribal governments, with priority given to projects focused on underserved communities. The grant program is authorized to receive appropriations of $1,000,000 per year for fiscal years 2026 through 2032. Within two years, the Secretary must report to Congress on the grant program.

This resolution expresses support for honoring Earth Day and its role in promoting environmental awareness and action. It recognizes the historical impact of Earth Day on environmental protection and highlights ongoing challenges like climate change. The resolution urges continued action, referencing recent legislation and emphasizing the need to address environmental injustices and promote environmental literacy. It also encourages the President to issue a proclamation recognizing Earth Day and urges Americans to observe it through various environmental activities.

The "Mortgage Relief for Disaster Survivors Act" allows homeowners with federally backed mortgages who have property damage from a declared disaster to request a forbearance on their mortgage for up to 180 days, with a possible extension of another 180 days. During this forbearance period, no fees, penalties, or interest will accrue. Borrowers must submit a written request and documentation of damage to their loan servicer to qualify. This act aims to provide financial relief to disaster survivors by temporarily suspending mortgage payments.

The "Oligarch Act of 2025" introduces a wealth tax on individuals and trusts with substantial assets, setting tiered tax rates based on the value of net taxable assets. It establishes valuation rules, special considerations for trusts and non-resident aliens, and mandates annual audits for a significant percentage of taxpayers subject to the tax. The act also includes provisions for information reporting, payment extensions under specific circumstances, and penalties for wealth tax valuation understatements. This tax is not deductible from income taxes and takes effect for calendar years following the bill's enactment.

The Clean Ocean and Safe Tourism Anti-Drilling Act of 2025 prohibits the Department of Interior from issuing leases for oil, natural gas, or mineral exploration in the North Atlantic, Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic, and Straits of Florida planning areas of the Outer Continental Shelf. This bill aims to protect coastal economies and marine environments by preventing offshore drilling in these specified regions.

The Great Lakes and National Weather Service Funding Protection Act ensures that funds allocated to the National Weather Service and Great Lakes restoration efforts within NOAA cannot be deferred, transferred, or reprogrammed without explicit authorization from a new law. This act requires the NOAA Administrator to certify compliance with these protections annually to specific congressional committees, ensuring transparency and adherence to the funding allocations.

The Buffalo Tract Protection Act withdraws approximately 4,288 acres of federal land in Placitas, New Mexico from mining, mineral leasing, mineral materials, and geothermal leasing laws, subject to valid existing rights. It allows the Secretary of the Interior to convey the surface estate of this land, but requires the mineral estate to be reserved by the United States.

The Climate Change Financial Risk Act of 2025 mandates the Federal Reserve to develop climate change risk scenarios and assess the financial stability of large financial institutions under these scenarios. It establishes a technical group of climate scientists and economists to advise on these scenarios and requires these institutions to develop climate risk resolution plans. The Act also directs the Federal Reserve to survey smaller financial institutions to evaluate their preparedness for climate-related financial risks and report the findings publicly. Ultimately, this bill aims to ensure the financial system can withstand potential economic shocks caused by climate change.

This bill supports the designation of April 10 as "Dolores Huerta Day" to recognize her lifelong commitment to activism, including co-founding the United Farm Workers Union and advocating for civil rights. It celebrates her achievements in improving Latino voting access, ensuring safer working conditions, and promoting feminism and women's equality. The bill also acknowledges her numerous awards and ongoing work through the Dolores Huerta Foundation.

This resolution expresses support for library staff and the essential services libraries provide, recognizing their role in connecting communities with information, resources, and social services. It emphasizes the need for adequate funding to support libraries and protect the rights of library workers. The resolution also reaffirms the public's right to access information and the importance of libraries as vital infrastructure for the future.