Legislative Activity

This resolution formally commemorates the ninth anniversary of the tragic Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida, on June 12, 2016. It honors the lives lost, recognizes the bravery of first responders, and reaffirms community unity in the face of hate. Furthermore, the resolution calls for continued efforts to reduce gun violence and support those affected by this act of terrorism.

The Medical Research for Our Troops Act increases the budget for the Defense Health Agency's research, development, testing, and evaluation (RDT&E). This legislation specifically restores and increases funding for these critical defense health programs. The restored funds must be used to support all previously directed medical research programs and initiatives as outlined in prior appropriations acts.

This bill, the Charles B. Rangel Congressional Gold Medal Act, posthumously awards the Congressional Gold Medal to the late Representative Charles B. Rangel. It recognizes his distinguished military service and decades of legislative achievement in Congress, particularly concerning tax reform, veterans' affairs, and international trade. The Secretary of the Treasury is directed to strike the medal, which will ultimately be presented to his children. The Act also authorizes the sale of bronze duplicates to cover production costs.

The VA Loan Informed Disclosure Act of 2025 (VALID Act) aims to increase awareness of VA loan options among homebuyers. It requires lenders to include comparative information about potential VA loan terms on standard FHA disclosure forms. Furthermore, the Act mandates that the Uniform Residential Loan Application include a prominent question regarding the applicant's military service.

This resolution expresses strong support for designating May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month to combat a growing national crisis. It highlights alarming statistics regarding rising mental illness rates, significant barriers to accessing care, and disproportionate impacts on youth and marginalized communities. Ultimately, the bill declares mental health a national priority and encourages increased public awareness and support for mental health services.

The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2025 aims to streamline and modernize the prior authorization process within Medicare Advantage plans. This bill mandates the adoption of electronic prior authorization systems and significantly increases transparency regarding approval rates and decision times starting in 2027. Furthermore, it establishes new enrollee protections and grants the Secretary authority to enforce faster decision timeframes for medical services.

The AGRITOURISM Act establishes a new Office of Agritourism within the Department of Agriculture, led by a dedicated Director. This office is tasked with promoting and supporting farm-based tourism activities across the nation. The goal is to boost rural economies by helping agricultural businesses diversify through educational, recreational, and direct-sale opportunities.

The Protecting Our Constitution and Communities Act aims to reassert Congress's exclusive constitutional authority over federal spending by clarifying that the President cannot unilaterally withhold appropriated funds. It strengthens the Comptroller General's oversight role and establishes new legal avenues for private citizens and governments to sue for damages if funds are improperly impounded. Furthermore, the bill tightens the definition of budgetary "contingencies" and ensures that judicial review of these spending disputes remains robust.

The Born in the USA Act of 2025 declares that Executive Order 14160, which attempted to restrict birthright citizenship, is unconstitutional and contrary to the 14th Amendment. This Act prohibits the use of any federal funds to implement or enforce that Executive Order. It affirms the established constitutional right to birthright citizenship for nearly everyone born on U.S. soil.

The Local Communities Bird Habitat Stewardship Act of 2025 establishes the voluntary Urban Bird Treaty Program to protect and improve bird habitats in city areas. This program directs the Secretary of the Interior to partner with local entities to restore habitats, reduce urban dangers to birds, and engage communities in conservation efforts. It also creates a competitive grant system, administered through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, to fund these local stewardship projects.

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.

This resolution commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Fall of Saigon and recognizes the profound contributions of Vietnamese Americans to the United States. It honors those who fled the communist regime after April 30, 1975, and reaffirms American commitment to democracy and human rights. The bill encourages all citizens to observe this anniversary and remember the sacrifices made in the pursuit of freedom.

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.

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.

The Medical Manufacturing, Economic Development, and Sustainability Act of 2025 (MMEDS Act) aims to revitalize domestic medical production by offering significant tax incentives for manufacturing in designated economically distressed zones. The bill establishes a 40% tax credit on wages and expenses for medical manufacturers operating in these areas, with higher rates for facilities repatriating production or focusing on population health products. Furthermore, it expands government authority to prioritize the research, development, and stockpiling of medical countermeasures specifically designed to protect vulnerable populations during public health emergencies.

This resolution supports the designation of April 10th as "Dolores Huerta Day" to honor her legacy as a trailblazing labor and civil rights leader. It recognizes her foundational work co-founding the United Farm Workers and her lifelong fight for economic justice, workers' rights, and equality. The bill formally celebrates her accomplishments without creating new laws or programs.

This bill provides enhanced employment protections and reinstatement options for certain Federal career employees who were serving under a probationary period following a promotion. It grants these employees standard due process rights against unfair removal while on probation. Furthermore, it allows employees removed between January 20, 2025, and the date of enactment to elect reinstatement to their former or an equivalent position with back pay. These protections generally exclude those promoted into or removed from political positions.

This Act officially establishes the **Department of Homeland Security Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Act**. It clarifies the appointment process for the DHS Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties and mandates that the Secretary of Homeland Security provide the Officer with necessary permanent staff and resources. The changes ensure the Officer has the support required to fulfill their duties within the department.

The American Family Act fundamentally overhauls the Child Tax Credit by replacing the annual lump sum with a system of advance, refundable monthly payments delivered directly to families. These monthly allowances vary based on the child's age, with higher amounts provided for younger children. The bill also establishes a separate, smaller credit for other dependents and outlines procedures for annual renewal and reconciliation of advance payments when filing taxes.

The Bolstering Security Against Ghost Guns Act directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to develop a comprehensive strategy to counter threats posed by unserialized, privately made firearms, commonly known as "ghost guns." This legislation mandates specific actions across DHS components, including threat assessments on cross-border smuggling and research on preventing targeted violence involving these weapons. Furthermore, the bill requires regular reporting from the TSA on airport firearm violations and mandates intelligence sharing regarding terrorist threats linked to ghost guns.