Legislative Activity

The Protecting our Students in Schools Act of 2025 establishes a nationwide prohibition on corporal punishment in all federally funded educational programs. It creates strong enforcement mechanisms, allowing parents to sue and authorizing the Attorney General to intervene in cases of abuse. Furthermore, the Act establishes a grant program to incentivize states to adopt positive behavior support systems to reduce harsh disciplinary actions and improve school climate.

The Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act of 2025 declares that practices attempting to change an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity for payment constitute an unfair and deceptive business practice. Citing professional consensus on the ineffectiveness and harm of such "conversion therapy," the bill prohibits its provision and advertising. Enforcement authority is granted to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and the law allows both the U.S. Attorney General and State Attorneys General to file civil actions against violators.

The VA Employee Fairness Act of 2025 modifies the collective bargaining rules for employees of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) by streamlining existing statutes. This act removes outdated subsections related to bargaining and renumbers the remaining relevant section. Importantly, these changes do not affect the Secretary of Veterans Affairs' existing authority regarding incentive pay or expedited hiring processes.

The Stop Child Hunger Act of 2025 expands the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) for Children program to cover periods when schools are closed or operating remotely. This ensures children receive benefits covering breakfast, lunch, and a snack for every day during these closures, starting in 2025. The bill also updates federal cost-sharing for state administrative expenses and establishes new grants to help states upgrade their data systems for the expanded program.

The PFAS Alternatives Act aims to protect firefighters by funding research and development for next-generation turnout gear that eliminates harmful PFAS chemicals. The bill establishes grants through NIOSH to create safer, PFAS-free protective equipment and separate funding for training programs on the proper care of this new gear. Ultimately, this legislation seeks to reduce occupational illness and injury among fire and EMS personnel.

The Reduction in Force Review Act subjects federal agency decisions regarding workforce reductions (RIFs) to formal Congressional review, treating them as legislative "rules." Agencies must now submit detailed justification packages explaining the reasons for the cuts, the operational impact, and alternatives considered. This ensures greater transparency and scrutiny over significant staff reductions affecting federal employees.

The **Shipbuilding and Harbor Infrastructure for Prosperity and Security for America Act of 2025** is a comprehensive bill designed to revitalize the U.S. maritime industry and secure critical supply chains. It establishes new centralized oversight for maritime policy, creates a dedicated Maritime Security Trust Fund financed by new vessel taxes, and mandates significant federal investment in domestic shipbuilding and workforce development. The legislation also imposes stricter cargo preference rules and tax incentives to ensure U.S.-flagged vessels dominate international commerce and defense sealift operations.

The Public Service Worker Protection Act expands the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) to explicitly cover all public employees, including those working for federal, state, and local governments. This change brings public sector workers under the general protections afforded by OSHA. While the expansion takes effect generally within 90 days, states without an existing OSHA plan are given a three-year transition period before federal oversight applies to their employees.

The Women and Underrepresented Minorities in STEM Booster Act of 2025 establishes a new grant program managed by the National Science Foundation. This program is designed to increase the participation and retention of women, underrepresented minorities, and people with disabilities in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. Funds will support activities such as mentoring, internships, and outreach aimed at addressing documented gaps in STEM education and the workforce. Congress has authorized $15 million annually for this initiative from 2026 through 2030.

The Assault Weapons Ban of 2025 comprehensively defines and bans the manufacture, sale, and transfer of specific semiautomatic assault weapons and large capacity ammunition feeding devices. The bill grandfathers existing weapons but imposes new requirements for their secure storage and mandates dealer involvement for future private transfers. It also allows federal grant money to be used by states for buy-back programs targeting these banned items.

The Better CARE for Animals Act of 2025 significantly strengthens enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act by clarifying definitions and expanding the scope of investigations. It grants the Attorney General explicit authority to file civil actions seeking penalties up to $10,000 per day, and mandates that collected fines help cover temporary animal care costs. The bill also requires the Secretary of Agriculture and the Attorney General to establish a formal agreement for coordinated enforcement.

This bill reauthorizes the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection program, ensuring its continued operation to gather historical documents related to unsolved civil rights investigations. It strengthens the Civil Rights Cold Case Review Board's authority to obtain and expedite the public release of federal, state, and local records, removing previous opt-out exceptions for state and local entities. Furthermore, the legislation extends the tenure of the Review Board from seven to eleven years to complete its review process.

This bill officially designates the memorial and museum currently under construction in Jacksonville, Florida, as the **National POW/MIA Memorial and Museum**. The legislation recognizes the museum's crucial role in honoring and educating the public about service members who were prisoners of war or remain missing in action. To maintain this designation, the museum must submit a comprehensive operational report to Congress within 90 days of enactment. Failure to open satisfactorily within five years or submit the required report will result in the loss of this official federal title.

The Equality Act comprehensively expands federal civil rights protections against discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity across key areas of American life. It amends existing laws to prohibit discrimination in public accommodations, housing, credit, employment, and federal funding. The purpose of the bill is to provide consistent, explicit, and comprehensive remedies for individuals facing bias in these essential sectors.

The Medicare for All Act establishes a universal, nationwide health insurance program providing comprehensive coverage for all U.S. residents with no out-of-pocket costs. It fundamentally restructures healthcare financing by implementing global budgets for institutions and a new fee schedule for individuals, while phasing out existing federal programs like Medicare and Medicaid. The legislation also sets strict quality standards for providers and creates a dedicated Trust Fund to manage the system's finances.

The Agent Orange Relief Act of 2025 aims to address the ongoing health crises stemming from the U.S. use of herbicides during the Vietnam War. This legislation expands benefits for children of male veterans born with certain birth defects and mandates new research into intergenerational health effects. Furthermore, the Act requires the Department of Health and Human Services to fund health studies and establish treatment centers for affected Vietnamese Americans. Agencies are given 18 months to fully implement these provisions, followed by mandatory quarterly progress reports to Congress.

The Access to Breast Cancer Diagnosis Act of 2025 ensures that group health plans and insurers must cover diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations with no out-of-pocket costs for patients. This means no deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance will apply to these necessary exams. These provisions take effect for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.

The Victims of Agent Orange Act of 2025 aims to address the ongoing health and environmental damage caused by the use of herbicides, including Agent Orange, during the Vietnam War. This legislation establishes comprehensive assistance programs through USAID for affected individuals and environmental cleanup in Vietnam. Furthermore, it mandates health assessments and the creation of dedicated health centers by HHS to support Vietnamese Americans impacted by the toxic exposure.

The West Bank Violence Prevention Act of 2025 declares extreme settler violence and displacement in the West Bank a threat to U.S. national security interests. This Act mandates the President to impose sanctions, including asset freezes and visa bans, on foreign individuals responsible for undermining peace and stability in the region. The Treasury Department must report to Congress on the implementation of these sanctions every 90 days.

This resolution is an official request demanding that the President and the Secretary of Health and Human Services immediately provide Congress with all unredacted documents related to the potential elimination, downsizing, or significant restructuring of the Administration for Community Living (ACL). Congress specifically seeks information regarding any actions that would impact the ACL's ability to carry out key federal laws, such as the Older Americans Act. The required documents must be transmitted within 14 days of the resolution's passage.