Legislative Activity

The Humane Cosmetics Act of 2025 bans cosmetic animal testing in the U.S. and restricts the use of animal testing data for cosmetic safety, with certain exceptions. It authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to impose civil penalties for non-compliance and preempts states from enacting conflicting regulations. The Act defines key terms related to cosmetic animal testing and cosmetics.

The RESTORE Act establishes the National Freedom Settlements Preservation Program to formally recognize, research, and preserve communities founded by formerly enslaved African Americans after the Civil War. This program, managed by the Secretary of the Interior, will create a federal effort to honor these settlements' legacy of self-determination through documentation, historic designation, and grant funding. The law authorizes appropriations to support cultural heritage, research, and capacity building for these historically neglected communities.

This bill reaffirms the United States' commitment to respecting Mexico's sovereignty and international law, while also discouraging unauthorized military interventions. It asserts that using military force against cartels or other entities in Mexico without Mexico's consent or Congressional approval could be considered an act of war and an infringement upon constitutional powers. The bill emphasizes continued U.S.-Mexico collaboration to combat crime, violence, and drug trafficking through existing partnerships.

The Biliteracy Education Seal and Teaching (BEST) Act aims to establish a grant program that supports states in creating, improving, and running Seal of Biliteracy programs. These programs recognize students proficient in both English and another language, including Native American languages and American Sign Language. The Act allocates funds for administrative costs, public outreach, professional development, and testing subsidies, ensuring equal access for English learners and students with disabilities. Ultimately, the BEST Act seeks to promote and acknowledge the value of biliteracy among students nationwide.

The "Justice Thurgood Marshall National Historic Site Establishment Act of 2025" establishes Justice Thurgood Marshall's elementary school, Public School 103 in Baltimore, Maryland, as the Justice Thurgood Marshall National Historic Site, affiliated with the National Park System. The Beloved Community Services Corporation will continue to own and manage the site, while the Secretary of the Interior may provide technical and financial assistance. This act aims to preserve and interpret Justice Marshall's historic contributions without authorizing the federal acquisition of the property or assuming financial responsibility for its operation. Necessary funds are authorized to be appropriated for the implementation of this Act.

This bill expresses support for America's Black workers, acknowledging historical injustices and ongoing disparities in the workforce. It emphasizes the need to reduce inequalities by improving access to job training, education, and fair wages, while also advocating for safe working conditions and protection from discrimination. The bill supports legislation like the PRO Act and the Raise the Wage Act to improve labor conditions for Black workers. Ultimately, it aims to promote economic opportunity for Black workers, recognizing its importance for both individual and national prosperity.

This bill recognizes the seriousness of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a hormonal disorder affecting millions of women, and supports the designation of September as "PCOS Awareness Month" to promote education, research, and improved care for those affected. It aims to address the underdiagnosis of PCOS and its links to other serious health conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease, while advocating for increased awareness and support for women and girls with PCOS.

The SAFE Act of 2025 amends existing legislation to explicitly prohibit the slaughter of horses for human consumption, reinforcing protections for these animals. This bill seeks to prevent the inhumane treatment of American equines by closing loopholes that allow their slaughter and export for human consumption.

The PAST Act of 2025 significantly strengthens the Horse Protection Act to combat the painful practice of soring in specific horse breeds. This bill increases penalties for violations, establishes stricter licensing and oversight for inspectors, and explicitly bans the use of "action devices" designed to cause unnatural gaits. The legislation aims to enhance enforcement, ensure fairer competition, and hold violators accountable through increased fines and disqualifications.

The "Tribal Climate Health Assurance Act of 2025" establishes the Climate Ready Tribes Initiative, led by the CDC Director in coordination with the National Indian Health Board, to help tribal communities prepare for and address the public health impacts of climate change. This initiative will use climate science to inform tribal governments, develop decision-support tools, and provide resources to lessen climate-related health risks. The act authorizes $110 million in appropriations for fiscal year 2026 and each year after to support these efforts.

This bill redesignates the Robert E. Lee Memorial as the "Arlington House National Historic Site." It changes all references to the site in law and documentation to reflect the new name. The bill also repeals the previous resolutions that designated the site as a memorial to Robert E. Lee.

The Pell Grant Sustainability Act aims to increase the buying power of Pell Grants for lower-income students. It indexes the maximum Pell Grant award to inflation, starting with a \$1,060 increase for the 2024-2025 award year, and adjusts it annually based on the Consumer Price Index. This adjustment is added to the maximum Pell Grant specified in the latest appropriation act, ensuring Pell Grants keep pace with rising education costs. The bill also extends provisions of the Higher Education Act related to Pell Grants indefinitely.

The "Keep Americans Safe Act" aims to regulate large capacity ammunition feeding devices by making it illegal to import, sell, manufacture, transfer, or possess magazines holding more than 15 rounds, with exceptions for law enforcement, government entities, and devices lawfully possessed before the law's enactment. It also permits the use of Byrne grants for buy-back programs of these devices and mandates that newly manufactured devices be marked with identifying information. Violators of this Act will face penalties under existing provisions of Title 18 of the U.S. Code.

This bill reaffirms the Twenty-Second Amendment, which limits a president to two terms in office. It emphasizes that this limit applies in aggregate, preventing any individual who has served two terms as President from running again. The bill is a direct response to instances where President Trump suggested serving more than two terms. It explicitly prohibits President Trump from running for president again.

The Health Equity and Rare Disease Act of 2025, or HEARD Act of 2025, aims to improve health equity in the research, diagnosis, and treatment of rare diseases, particularly within minority populations. It directs the NIH and CDC to expand research, data collection, and awareness campaigns, while also promoting diversity in clinical trials and healthcare professions. The act also establishes grant programs for physician training and support for Tribal epidemiology centers, and requires reports to Congress on federal efforts and Medicare barriers. Finally, the act aims to address disparities in access to care and improve outcomes for individuals with rare diseases.

This bill aims to honor, preserve, and invest in Freedmen's Settlements and Black towns established by formerly enslaved African Americans. It recognizes the historical significance of these communities, the challenges they have faced, and the need for continued support through research, investment, and coordinated efforts among government entities and nonprofits. The bill seeks to protect these settlements from development, gentrification, and environmental hazards while promoting economic justice, infrastructure improvements, and fair living standards. Ultimately, it reaffirms the commitment to racial justice and equity for these historically disadvantaged communities.

The American Dream and Promise Act of 2025 provides a pathway to permanent residency for eligible individuals who entered the United States as children and those with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or Deferred Enforced Departure (DED). Title I, the Dream Act of 2025, establishes conditional permanent residency for eligible individuals who entered the U.S. as children. Title II, the American Promise Act of 2025, allows the Secretary of Homeland Security or the Attorney General to grant permanent resident status to eligible individuals from TPS or DED countries. Title III outlines general provisions, such as background checks, application processes, and fee exemptions, applicable to all seeking to adjust their status under this Act.

The TREATS Act amends the Controlled Substances Act to allow telehealth evaluations for prescribing certain controlled substances used in substance use disorder treatment. This removes the prior requirement for an in-person evaluation, enabling remote medical assessments via real-time audio-visual or audio-only communication, in accordance with federal and state laws. The goal of this bill is to increase access to treatment for substance use disorders.

The RAISE Act of 2025 introduces a refundable tax credit for eligible teachers, offering $1,000 plus additional amounts for teachers in qualifying schools with high student poverty levels. It also increases the tax deduction for educators' expenses to $500 and expands eligibility to include early childhood educators. Additionally, the Act amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to provide mandatory funding to support local educational agencies that maintain or increase teacher salaries, with a portion reserved for teacher salary incentive grants. These grants can be used for various programs aimed at strengthening the teaching profession and improving educator skills.

The Compassion for Vulnerable and Struggling Workers Act allows civil service employees involuntarily terminated between January 20, 2025, and January 1, 2026, to enroll in a health benefits plan if they meet certain conditions. These conditions include being removed without cause, having a fully successful performance review, being pregnant at the time of removal, or being diagnosed with cancer in the 5 years before removal. Federal funds saved by the United States DOGE Service will cover the government and individual contributions for these health benefits.