Legislative Activity

The MERIT Act requires federal agencies to reinstate probationary employees who were terminated as part of a mass termination event between January 20, 2025, and the Act's enactment date, providing them with back pay and benefits. The Act also mandates reports on government employee terminations and the reinstatement process. It defines key terms such as "affected probationary employee" and "mass termination" to clarify the scope and applicability of the Act. This act ensures that affected employees are treated as involuntarily separated without cause and outlines the process for determining back pay and providing notice to eligible employees.

The Roberto Clemente Commemorative Coin Act directs the Department of Treasury to mint and issue gold, silver, and half-dollar coins in 2027 to commemorate the life and legacy of Roberto Clemente. The coins' designs will represent Clemente's life, including his baseball achievements and humanitarian work. Surcharges from the coin sales will benefit the Roberto Clemente Foundation, supporting their educational programs, youth sports initiatives, disaster relief efforts, and historic preservation projects. The Act ensures that the coin program will not incur any net cost to the United States government.

The Veterans Readiness and Employment Transparency Act of 2025 aims to improve outreach by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for training and rehabilitation programs for veterans with service-connected disabilities by establishing a dedicated phone number and contact information on regional office websites. It also mandates monthly Q&A sessions between VA employees and school certifying officials, as well as in-person briefings at educational institutions. The Act requires the Secretary to submit an annual report on vocational rehabilitation program extensions and approve or reject extension requests within 30 days.

This resolution designates August as "Slavery Remembrance Month" to remember the evils of slavery, its continuing impact, and the freedom fighters who fought to end it. It condemns slavery and its legacies, such as convict leasing, Black codes, and discrimination. The resolution encourages acknowledgement of the importance of remembering slavery and requests the President to issue a proclamation for the observance of this month.

This resolution designates February as Black History Month, celebrating the heritage and achievements of Black Americans. It recognizes the foundational role of Black labor in the United States, from slavery to modern times, and acknowledges the economic disparities that persist. The resolution also honors key figures and movements that have advanced Black Americans' rights and economic opportunities. It encourages the continued observance of Black History Month to promote awareness of Black Americans' contributions.

This bill expresses the House of Representatives' support for strengthening U.S.-Africa partnerships in critical minerals development to reduce reliance on foreign entities of concern. It recommends diversifying critical mineral sources, improving coordination among U.S. agencies to support business investments in Africa, and enhancing partnerships with African countries through incentives and investment programs. The bill also urges the Secretary of State to develop a 5-year strategy to support U.S. investors, provide financing and technical assistance, and enhance economic cooperation with African mineral producers.

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 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.

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.

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.

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 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 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 "Access to Reproductive Care for Servicemembers Act" ensures that members of the Armed Forces and their dependents can access leave and reimbursement for travel expenses related to abortion services and assisted reproductive technology, such as in vitro fertilization, when these services are not available nearby. It protects the privacy of service members seeking such care and prohibits any adverse actions against them for utilizing these provisions. The bill aims to address barriers to reproductive healthcare created by state abortion restrictions and logistical challenges faced by military personnel.

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 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 CROWN Act of 2025 prohibits discrimination based on hair texture and hairstyle if that style is commonly associated with a particular race or national origin. This protection extends to federally funded programs, housing, public accommodations, and employment. The act aims to ensure equal opportunity and prevent discrimination based on hair, addressing historical biases and stereotypes. It clarifies that existing civil rights laws should be interpreted to include protection against hair-based discrimination.

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.