Legislative Activity

The Puppy Protection Act of 2025 significantly increases humane treatment standards for dog dealers under the Animal Welfare Act. This legislation mandates specific minimum space requirements, daily exercise access, and mandatory socialization for housed dogs. Furthermore, it establishes strict limits on female dog breeding frequency and age, alongside enhanced veterinary care protocols.

The Saving NIST’s Workforce Act places an immediate moratorium on layoffs and reductions in force (RIF) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). This freeze will remain in effect until Congress passes the full-year budget for Fiscal Year 2026. During this period, NIST is prohibited from involuntarily separating most career employees except for documented misconduct or poor performance.

The Saving DOE’s Workforce Act institutes a moratorium, freezing all non-cause-based layoffs at the Department of Energy (DOE) until Congress enacts the full-year budget for Fiscal Year 2026. This measure protects most career federal employees at the DOE from staff reductions during this period. Exceptions for removal are strictly limited to documented misconduct or poor performance.

The Air America Act of 2025 recognizes the sacrifices of former Air America employees who served the U.S. Government between 1950 and 1976. This Act authorizes a one-time monetary award, up to $40,000 plus potential additional amounts, for qualifying service members or their survivors. The CIA Director is responsible for administering these payments, which are capped at a total of $60 million, and establishing the application procedures. Decisions made by the Director regarding these awards are final and not subject to judicial review.

The Saving Natural Ecosystems and Marine Organisms Act of 2025, or Saving NEMO Act, establishes strict federal prohibitions against the taking, importing, or exporting of designated "covered coral reef species." This designation primarily applies to marine reef species listed under CITES Appendix II, with exceptions made for scientifically approved breeding programs or specific research permits. Violators face significant civil penalties, up to six months in jail for knowing violations, and up to two years for those in the import/export business.

The Saving NSF’s Workforce Act imposes a temporary moratorium on layoffs and reductions in force at the National Science Foundation (NSF). This freeze will remain in effect until Congress enacts the full-year funding bill for Fiscal Year 2026. The bill allows the NSF to proceed with involuntary separations only for specific reasons, such as misconduct or poor performance.

The Saving NOAA’s Workforce Act establishes a moratorium on job reductions and layoffs at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This freeze prevents NOAA from initiating or carrying out involuntary reductions in force until Congress passes the full-year funding bill for fiscal year 2026. Career employees are protected from layoffs during this period unless termination is due to specific causes such as misconduct or poor performance.

The Saving NASA’s Workforce Act establishes a temporary moratorium on layoffs at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). This freeze prevents the agency from conducting any reduction in force until Congress passes the full Fiscal Year 2026 budget. However, the bill allows NASA to terminate employees for specific reasons such as misconduct or poor performance.

The TRACE Act mandates updates to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NMUPS) to specifically track cases involving federal land. This includes adding data fields to record when a missing person's last known location or the discovery of unidentified remains occurred on federal property. Furthermore, the Attorney General must submit an annual report detailing these cases, categorized by the managing federal agency.

The Medicare Dental, Vision, and Hearing Benefit Act of 2025 significantly expands Medicare coverage to include comprehensive dental, vision, and hearing services starting in 2026. This legislation outlines specific payment schedules, frequency limits, and coverage percentages for routine exams, procedures, eyeglasses, contact lenses, and hearing aids. Furthermore, the bill mandates the inclusion of an oral health professional on the United States Preventive Services Task Force.

This bill condemns the House Republican Conference for a xenophobic social media post questioning Congressman Adriano Espaillat's immigration status and patriotism. It specifically condemns the House Republican leadership team for allowing the false statement that questioned Congressman Espaillat's citizenship.

The Stop Comstock Act aims to modernize and streamline federal statutes concerning obscene materials. It revises several sections of federal law, including those related to crimes, transportation, and importation, by removing outdated or redundant language like "indecent" or "immoral." This legislative cleanup focuses the legal definitions to center specifically on "obscene materials."

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.

The Farewell to Foam Act of 2025 bans the sale and distribution of expanded polystyrene (Styrofoam) food service ware, loose fill packaging, and coolers starting January 1, 2028. The bill clearly defines these targeted foam products and the roles of manufacturers, distributors, and retailers involved in their supply chain. Enforcement begins with a written warning for first-time violations, followed by escalating fines for repeat offenses. The Administrator of the EPA is granted the authority to issue necessary regulations to implement the Act.

The HERO Act establishes a national system to track suicides among public safety officers to better understand prevention needs. It also creates grant programs to fund peer-support and wellness programs for fire, EMS, and healthcare workers. Finally, the bill mandates the development of educational resources to improve mental health treatment for first responders dealing with trauma and PTSD.

This Act mandates that the Department of Defense (DoD) immediately seek to update its stormwater discharge permits to require quarterly testing for PFAS chemicals at all facilities. Furthermore, the DoD must implement necessary cleanup measures to reduce these discharges. At least one percent of annual PFAS cleanup funding must be dedicated specifically to this required stormwater testing.

The "Do No Harm Act" amends the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 to ensure religious freedom is not used to justify discrimination or harm. It clarifies that the Act does not override federal laws protecting against discrimination, ensuring equal opportunity, or safeguarding access to healthcare and other essential services. This amendment confirms that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act applies only when the government is a party in a judicial proceeding.

The Protecting Americans’ Social Security Data Act restricts political appointees and special government employees from accessing sensitive Social Security beneficiary data systems. It establishes a right for individuals to sue the government or responsible parties for unauthorized access or disclosure of their private Social Security information, including specified minimum damages. Furthermore, the bill mandates the Inspector General to investigate such violations and report findings to Congress within 30 days. Finally, it requires the GAO to conduct a comprehensive study on the impact of these new privacy and enforcement measures.

The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2025 amends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to address vote dilution, denial, and abridgment claims, and to update which states and political subdivisions are subject to federal oversight based on a history of voting rights violations. It broadens the types of violations that allow a court to retain jurisdiction over a case, clarifies the Attorney General's authority to assign observers, and ensures transparency in voting-related changes. The Act also authorizes the Attorney General to demand documents and information to enforce voting rights and provides grants to small jurisdictions to assist with notification requirements.

The Disaster Mitigation and Tax Parity Act of 2025 allows individuals to exclude from their gross income any payments or benefits they receive from state-based catastrophe loss mitigation programs designed to help homeowners protect their properties from disasters such as windstorms, earthquakes, or wildfires. These payments will not affect the property's basis, and the exclusion is applicable retroactively for taxable years starting after December 31, 2020, allowing individuals to claim the exclusion retroactively.