Legislative Activity

This bill honors the life and legacy of Henry Louis "Hank" Aaron, recognizing his achievements as a baseball player, his impact as a civil rights figure, and his embodiment of the American spirit. It acknowledges his overcoming of adversity and his status as one of the greatest athletes in U.S. history.

The "VA Funding and Workforce Protection Act" aims to protect the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) funding by limiting the transfer or deferral of funds without explicit congressional approval. It also safeguards VA personnel by exempting the VA from hiring freezes, requiring reinstatement of certain removed veterans, and placing restrictions on the removal of probationary employees. Additionally, the Act mandates regular reporting to Congress on personnel actions and compliance with the Act's provisions.

This bill expresses support for designating April 7, 2025, as "World Health Day" and recognizes the importance of prioritizing public health. It acknowledges critical healthcare issues such as cost, access, and disparities, particularly affecting marginalized communities. The bill emphasizes the need for accessible, high-quality healthcare for all ages and the importance of interagency coordination to ensure well-being. It supports the WHO's focus on maternal and newborn health under the theme "Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures."

This resolution expresses the House of Representatives' view that paraprofessionals and education support staff are critical to schools and deserve fair compensation, benefits, and working conditions that allow them to thrive professionally and personally. It advocates for livable wages, affordable healthcare, paid leave, professional development, safe working environments, and a voice in school policies for these essential employees. The resolution also encourages employers to engage in good faith negotiations and refrain from actions that undermine workers' rights during labor disputes. This resolution does not override any existing collective bargaining agreements that provide more favorable terms for paraprofessionals and education support staff.

The "No Tax Breaks for Union Busting (NTBUB) Act" aims to eliminate tax deductions for employer expenses used to influence employees' decisions regarding unionizing and collective bargaining. It defines "labor organization activity" broadly, encompassing elections, disputes, and collective actions. The bill mandates detailed reporting of such activities, with significant penalties for non-compliance, and directs the Treasury Secretary to issue implementing guidance. This would apply to expenses incurred more than 240 days after the bill's enactment.

The "Community First Act" aims to reduce local jail populations and incarceration times by authorizing the Attorney General to award grants to eligible partnerships. These grants will support data analysis, strategic planning, and the implementation of various programs, including reducing cash bail, increasing pretrial services, and expanding diversion programs. Grantees must consult with local entities, analyze jail data, and meet specific incarceration reduction targets, with priority given to areas with high incarceration rates and plans to prevent jail bed increases. The Act authorizes \$20 million annually for planning grants and \$100 million annually for implementation grants from 2026 through 2030.

The "Tax Fairness for Workers Act" permits employees to deduct union dues and other employee business expenses above-the-line, bypassing previous deduction limitations. This change is achieved by amending sections of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, specifically 62(a)(1) and 67(g). These amendments will be effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

The DART Act of 2025 aims to reduce crime and recidivism by expanding the use of diversion and rehabilitation programs at the state and local levels through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program. This act broadens the scope of the grant program to include pre-arrest diversion, specialty courts, and post-release rehabilitation programs. It also establishes a National Diversion and Rehabilitation Clearinghouse to share evidence-based practices and provide technical assistance to state and local governments, and non-profits. The act prioritizes programs that address the root causes of crime, promote trauma-informed practices, and incorporate mental health services, peer support, and restorative justice.

This bill expresses support for "Financial Literacy Month" and recognizes the critical importance of financial literacy and education for all Americans. It highlights the concerning statistics around financial insecurity and lack of financial knowledge in the US. The bill encourages participation in Financial Literacy Month to promote financial education through various programs and activities.

The Secure Background Checks Act of 2025 amends title 18 of the US Code to make it illegal for people who don't meet certain age or residency requirements to own a gun. Age requirements are described in subsection (b)(1), and residency requirements mandate that a person must reside in the state where the licensed gun dealer is located, unless an exception applies. The bill also updates a reference in section 924(a)(2) of title 18 related to penalties.

The Federal Firearm Licensee Act aims to strengthen regulations and oversight of licensed firearm dealers to reduce illegal firearm trafficking and enhance public safety. It mandates enhanced security measures, regular inventory checks, and electronic record-keeping for dealers, while also increasing inspection frequency and penalties for violations. The act also broadens background check requirements for both dealers and their employees and seeks to modernize the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives' (ATF) operations through increased staffing and data accessibility. Finally, the act repeals limitations on sharing firearm trace data and centralizing records, and it requires reports to Congress on the act's implementation and dealer inspections.

The "End Gun Violence Act of 2025" prohibits the sale or transfer of firearms and ammunition to individuals convicted of a violent misdemeanor in the last 5 years, defining a violent misdemeanor as one involving the use or threat of physical force or a deadly weapon, or the intent or act of causing physical injury. The bill updates existing legislation to reflect this prohibition and clarifies that it does not impact convictions occurring before the law's enactment or alter existing federal, state, tribal, or local laws regarding firearms.

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to eliminate the federal income tax on unemployment compensation. The change will take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024, meaning that unemployment benefits received after this date will not be subject to federal income tax.

The STOP Violence Act of 2025 aims to bolster protection against mass violence by allocating an additional $20,000,000 in grants to states, local governments, and nonprofits. These funds will support public assembly facilities in preparing for and protecting against incidents like active shooter events and targeted violence. The act defines key terms such as "mass violence," "active shooter," "targeted violence," and "public assembly facility" to ensure clear understanding and effective implementation of the grants.

The "Safe Workplaces Act" directs the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to study and report on reducing workplace violence. It requires the Secretary of Labor, through OSHA, to issue non-mandatory guidance on activities and work practices to reduce workplace violence, considering factors like engineering controls and environmental risks. The guidance will address unique characteristics and potential threats in various workplaces, such as retail stores, hospitals, and schools. The act defines key terms related to workplace violence, including "dangerous weapon," "engineering controls," and "environmental risk factors."

The TRICARE Equality Act aims to improve healthcare access for TRICARE beneficiaries in Puerto Rico by making TRICARE Prime available, expanding travel benefits, and promoting health information sharing. It requires the Secretary of Defense to report on the progress of these improvements.

The "Defending American Diplomacy Act" requires congressional approval for any Department of State reorganization and mandates the Secretary of State to submit detailed plans assessing the impact of such changes. It ensures transparency and accountability by requiring a thorough analysis of potential risks, effects on foreign policy, and workforce implications. The Act also restricts federal funds for the Department of Government Efficiency and official travel by politically appointed officials if reorganizations are implemented without proper authorization.

The IDEA Full Funding Act aims to increase federal funding for special education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) from fiscal year 2026 through 2035 and subsequent years. It authorizes and appropriates specific funding levels for IDEA, excluding section 619, with increasing amounts each year. The funding is determined by both a set dollar amount and a percentage based on the number of children with disabilities and average per-pupil expenditure, whichever is greater. The bill also mandates that the increased funding adhere to "cut-as-you-go" rules, ensuring fiscal responsibility.

The "Delete DOGE Act" aims to defund the Digital Open Government Enterprise (DOGE) and related entities by restricting the use of federal funds for implementing certain executive orders or supporting new projects initiated by DOGE after January 20, 2025. It prevents federal funds from being used by or given to DOGE-related entities or individuals and limits the use of funds for the United States Digital Service (USDS) to improving existing digital services as they existed on January 19, 2025. The bill defines key terms such as "covered entity," "covered executive order," and "covered individual" to clarify the scope of these restrictions.

This bill prohibits the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) from using federal funds to remove employees if the removals affect at least 3% of the total HHS workforce or 3% of a sub-agency/division's workforce within a 60-day period.