Legislative Activity

The Menstrual Equity For All Act of 2025 aims to eliminate period poverty by ensuring access to free menstrual products across various sectors of society. This comprehensive bill mandates the availability of these essential supplies in K-12 schools, colleges, correctional facilities, federal buildings, and workplaces with over 100 employees. Furthermore, it expands coverage under Medicaid, allocates specific funding through social service block grants and TANF programs, and prohibits states from taxing menstrual products.

The Public Safety and Mental Health Reporting Act mandates the Attorney General to annually collect detailed, anonymized data on all law enforcement interactions with individuals experiencing mental illness. This data will be used exclusively for research and statistical analysis, with annual summaries reported to Congress and made publicly available. The goal is to better understand these encounters to improve public safety and mental health responses.

The Equity and Inclusion Enforcement Act of 2025 restores the right to sue for disparate impact violations under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It also mandates that all federally funded educational institutions designate an employee to coordinate Title VI compliance and publicly share their contact information. Finally, the Act establishes a new Special Assistant for Equity and Inclusion within the Department of Education to oversee and promote compliance efforts.

The Reducing Waste in National Parks Act mandates the National Park Service (NPS) to establish a program to significantly reduce or eliminate the sale and distribution of disposable plastic products, including single-use water bottles, across all park units. Regional directors must implement these changes while considering operational costs, visitor safety regarding water access, and vendor contracts. The law also requires proactive visitor education and biennial reviews to assess the program's effectiveness and public impact.

The End For-Profit Prisons Act of 2025 phases out the federal government's use of private companies for operating core federal prisons and community confinement facilities over an eight-year period. The bill mandates increased reporting on the federal prison population and requires research into effective recidivism reduction programs. Additionally, it establishes new duties for the Attorney General and the Bureau of Prisons to ensure comprehensive support and financial transparency for individuals upon their release from federal custody.

The Andrew Kearse Accountability for Denial of Medical Care Act of 2025 mandates that federal officials immediately provide or secure medical attention for individuals in federal custody displaying medical distress. Negligently failing to do so, resulting in unnecessary pain, injury, or death, is established as a federal crime punishable by fines or imprisonment. The bill also empowers State Attorneys General to sue federal officials over violations and requires mandatory training and confidential complaint mechanisms for agency staff.

The Ending Qualified Immunity Act aims to restore accountability for government officials who violate constitutional rights. This bill eliminates the legal doctrine of qualified immunity, which currently shields officials from liability unless their actions violated a "clearly established" right. By removing this defense, the Act makes it easier for individuals to sue state and local officials for misconduct.

The MARSHALS Act fundamentally restructures the United States Marshals Service (USMS), moving its organization entirely into the judicial branch. This bill establishes that the Director and all U.S. Marshals will be appointed by the Chief Justice, subject to oversight from a new Board. The legislation also clarifies the USMS's authority to protect federal judicial personnel and outlines specific conditions under which the Service can assist the Department of Justice.

The College for All Act of 2025 establishes a Federal-State partnership to eliminate tuition and required fees at public and Tribal colleges for eligible students, while significantly increasing Federal Pell Grant maximum awards and expanding eligibility to include many "Dreamer students." The bill also creates new grant programs to cover tuition at private non-profit HBCUs and MSIs, and funds initiatives to improve student success and support for low-income and first-generation students. Finally, it increases overall appropriations for HBCUs, Tribal Colleges, and other Minority-Serving Institutions.

The Put School Counselors Where They’re Needed Act establishes a demonstration project to award competitive grants to low-graduation-rate secondary schools. These grants fund the hiring of additional school counselors specifically tasked with supporting students at risk of not graduating. The goal is to supplement existing staff and provide intensive, individualized support to boost four-year graduation rates.

The Striking and Locked Out Workers Healthcare Protection Act ensures that employers cannot terminate or alter group health plan coverage for employees during a lawful strike or an employer-initiated lockout. This legislation aims to prevent employers from using health benefits as leverage during labor disputes. The bill also establishes significant civil penalties, including fines up to \$150,000 per violation, for employers who interfere with this coverage, and allows for individual liability for directors and officers involved in such violations.

This bill imposes significant restrictions on the transfer of specific defense articles and services to Israel. Transfers of listed military equipment, such as certain bombs and ammunition, are prohibited unless Congress first passes a law detailing their specific authorized use. Furthermore, Israel must provide satisfactory written assurances that the items will only be used for those stated purposes and in compliance with international law.

The Second Chance Reauthorization Act of 2025 extends and improves key federal grant programs designed to support successful reentry for formerly incarcerated individuals. This legislation shifts the authorization window for several demonstration projects to run from 2026 through 2030. It also specifically broadens the scope of reentry demonstration projects to explicitly fund substance use disorder treatment, including peer recovery services and reentry housing. Overall, the bill ensures continued federal support for vital reentry, education, and substance abuse collaboration initiatives through the end of the decade.

The Fit to Serve Act prohibits the U.S. Armed Forces from discriminating against service members based on their gender identity. This means military branches cannot set different standards, involuntarily discharge personnel, or deny medically necessary healthcare due to a service member's gender identity. The bill ensures equal opportunity for joining, serving, and receiving care regardless of one's internal sense of self.

This bill, the Henrietta Lacks Congressional Gold Medal Act, posthumously awards a Congressional Gold Medal to Henrietta Lacks to recognize her foundational contributions to science and medicine through her immortal HeLa cells. The legislation directs the Secretary of the Treasury to strike the medal, which will ultimately be housed at the Smithsonian Institution. Furthermore, the Act authorizes the creation and sale of bronze duplicates to cover production costs.

This resolution expresses support for designating May 2025 as National Physical Fitness and Sports Month to address the serious public health crisis of obesity in the United States. It highlights the high rates of obesity among adults and children, emphasizing the associated health risks. The bill ultimately encourages increased physical activity and healthy eating habits nationwide.

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.

This resolution formally asserts the United States' moral and legal obligation to provide comprehensive reparations to descendants of enslaved Africans for the enduring harm caused by chattel slavery and subsequent systemic discrimination. It details centuries of state-sanctioned injustice, including economic exclusion, violence, and wealth theft. Ultimately, the bill calls for the Federal Government to take concrete actions, including financial compensation, systemic legal reform, and a formal apology, to achieve holistic repair and reconciliation.

This resolution expresses the sense of the House that President Trump must comply with the Foreign Emoluments Clause regarding a reported gift of a jumbo jet from Qatar. It calls on the President to immediately submit all plans for accepting this significant gift to Congress. The bill emphasizes that the Constitution requires Congressional consent before the President can accept valuable items from foreign governments.

The Aaron Salter, Jr., Responsible Body Armor Possession Act prohibits civilians from purchasing, owning, or possessing "enhanced body armor," defined as gear meeting or exceeding NIJ RF1 protection standards. This ban includes exceptions for federal, state, and local government agencies, as well as covered law enforcement officers. Knowingly violating this new federal prohibition carries penalties including fines and up to five years in prison.