Legislative Activity

This resolution recognizes the 50th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Cabo Verde and celebrates the deep, historical ties between the U.S. and Cabo Verde. It honors the significant contributions of Cabo Verdean-Americans to both nations and acknowledges Cabo Verde's commitment to democracy and good governance. The document also commends Cabo Verde's role in international affairs, including its support for Ukraine.

The Restoring Essential Healthcare Act repeals an outdated ban that prevented Medicaid from making payments to certain healthcare providers. This legislation ensures that these previously prohibited entities will now be reimbursed for medical services rendered between the enactment of the original ban and the passage of this Act. In short, it restores payment eligibility and retroactively covers past services.

The Medical Debt Relief Act of 2025 aims to shield consumers from the negative impact of medical bills on their financial standing. This legislation prohibits the reporting of any adverse information related to medical debt on consumer credit reports under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Furthermore, it bans lenders from using a consumer's medical debt history when making decisions about granting credit.

The EATS Act of 2025 significantly updates eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by removing previous restrictions that often disqualified students. This legislation explicitly includes bona fide students enrolled at least half-time in recognized educational programs as eligible participants for food assistance. These changes take effect on January 2, 2026.

The Eviction Right to Counsel Act of 2025 establishes the Eviction Right to Counsel Fund with $100 million annually to support tenants facing eviction. This fund provides grants to state, local, and tribal governments that enact legislation guaranteeing full legal representation for low-income tenants in eviction proceedings. Priority for funding goes to entities that implement strong tenant protections and commit to using the money primarily for hiring and training legal counsel.

The End Solitary Confinement Act aims to drastically limit the use of solitary confinement in federal facilities by mandating a minimum of 14 hours of daily social interaction for all incarcerated individuals. The bill establishes strict emergency exceptions for isolation, prohibits its use against vulnerable populations, and creates an independent community monitoring body to ensure compliance. Furthermore, it incentivizes states to adopt similar standards by tying federal funding to adherence to these new minimum treatment requirements.

The First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Act of 2025 establishes a new, refundable tax credit for eligible first-time homebuyers, equal to 10% of the purchase price, up to a maximum of $15,000. This credit is subject to income and home price phase-outs based on local median figures. Homebuyers may elect to transfer this credit directly to their mortgage lender at closing in exchange for immediate cash. The bill also includes recapture provisions requiring repayment if the home is sold within four years.

This bill mandates the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish a comprehensive system for tracking and reporting all instances where U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents are detained or removed during immigration enforcement actions. The system requires quarterly reports to Congress detailing these incidents, including those involving individuals transferred from other law enforcement agencies. Furthermore, the bill requires DHS to create a formal process allowing detained or removed individuals to submit proof of their citizenship or permanent resident status.

The Healthy Drinking Water Affordability Act establishes the Healthy H2O Program to provide grants for improving drinking water quality in rural areas. These grants help eligible households and small facilities address contamination from issues like lead or PFAS by covering the costs of certified water treatment systems, installation, and testing. The program prioritizes private well owners and requires annual reporting on contamination trends and program effectiveness.

This resolution reaffirms the fundamental principles of the U.S. Constitution, emphasizing the separation of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. It stresses Congress's exclusive authority over federal spending and condemns any efforts by public officials to undermine the rule of law or the independence of the other branches. Ultimately, the bill serves as a strong statement against the consolidation of power and for upholding constitutional checks and balances.

This bill officially renames the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Bloomington, Illinois. The facility will now be known as the "Andrew Jackson Smith Medal of Honor Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic." This action honors Civil War hero Corporal Andrew Jackson Smith for his exceptional bravery at the Battle of Honey Hill.

The Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2025 establishes a structured process for distributing up to 2,000 additional, federally funded residency positions annually between fiscal years 2026 and 2032. This distribution prioritizes hospitals serving in underserved areas, those already training above their limit, and those committed to primary care and general surgery training. The bill also mandates a study and report by the Comptroller General on effective strategies to increase diversity within the health professional workforce.

The Stop Shackling and Detaining Pregnant Women Act aims to significantly reform the detention of pregnant and postpartum noncitizens by establishing a presumption against their detention. This bill strictly limits the use of physical restraints on pregnant detainees and mandates comprehensive reproductive healthcare access. Furthermore, it requires detailed quarterly and annual reporting on the treatment and outcomes of pregnant individuals in custody.

The Burma Genocide Accountability and Protection Act (Burma GAP Act) establishes a comprehensive U.S. policy to address the ongoing atrocities against the Rohingya people in Myanmar. The bill mandates the appointment of a Special Representative for Burma, increases humanitarian and protection support for refugees, and prioritizes accountability for genocide and crimes against humanity. Furthermore, it commits the U.S. to isolating the military junta until civilian rule is restored.

This proposed constitutional amendment would eliminate immunity from criminal prosecution for federal officials, including the President, based on their official duties. It also explicitly prohibits the President from issuing a self-pardon for any federal crimes. If ratified, these changes would take effect immediately.

The Living Donor Protection Act of 2025 prohibits life, disability, and long-term care insurance companies from denying coverage or increasing premiums solely because an individual is a living organ donor. This legislation ensures that living donors are not financially penalized for their altruistic act. Additionally, the bill requires the Secretary of HHS to update educational materials to accurately reflect the insurance protections afforded to living donors.

The African Diaspora Investment and Development Act (AIDA) aims to strengthen U.S. relationships with African and Caribbean nations by empowering diaspora communities. The bill focuses on lowering the high costs of sending remittances, encouraging formal diaspora investment through new financial tools, and providing tax incentives for sending money home for essential needs. Ultimately, AIDA seeks to treat the millions of diaspora members as strategic economic partners to foster development across Africa and the Caribbean.

This bill amends the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to explicitly clarify that time taken off for an employee's own organ donation surgery qualifies as a serious health condition. This ensures both private and federal sector workers receive FMLA protection for recovery from organ donation. The legislation also specifies how federal employees must substitute existing paid leave when taking FMLA time for this purpose.

The Student Loan Contract Act of 2025 renames the Master Promissory Note for certain federal student loans to a "student loan contract." This new contract can only be used for additional loans taken out within the same award year as the initial signing. The bill also updates disclosure requirements to ensure students receive a copy of this new contract.

The Equity in Government Act mandates that federal agencies integrate specific equity goals into their strategic and performance plans, ensuring at least 20% of goals focus on improving service delivery to underserved communities. The bill establishes new leadership structures, including an Agency Equity Advisory Team, and enhances the role of the Chief Data Officer Council to prioritize equitable data collection and use. Furthermore, it creates an Equitable Data Working Group to guide the government toward fairer methods and outcomes in federal operations.