Legislative Activity

This resolution expresses strong support for designating May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month to combat a growing national crisis. It highlights alarming statistics regarding rising mental illness rates, significant barriers to accessing care, and disproportionate impacts on youth and marginalized communities. Ultimately, the bill declares mental health a national priority and encourages increased public awareness and support for mental health services.

The Barriers to Suicide Act of 2025 establishes a new grant program through the Department of Transportation to fund the installation of suicide deterrents like nets and barriers at high-risk locations such as bridges and rail stations. The bill also amends existing law to explicitly allow National Highway System funds to be used for these safety barriers on bridges. Finally, it mandates a study on the effectiveness of suicide prevention measures for structures other than bridges.

The Global Fairness in Drug Pricing Act aims to significantly lower prescription drug costs for Americans. It directs the HHS to establish "most-favored-nation" price targets based on international rates and enhances safe importation options. Additionally, the bill mandates enforcement actions against anticompetitive drug manufacturer behavior and requires a study on global pricing discrimination.

The Federal Cyber Workforce Training Act of 2025 mandates the creation of a Federal Cyber Workforce Development Institute to centralize and standardize cybersecurity training for federal employees. Led by the National Cyber Director, this Institute will develop modular, hands-on training aligned with the NICE framework for current and incoming cyber staff, including HR personnel. The resulting plan must detail curriculum, delivery methods, and necessary resources, though the Act itself does not authorize new appropriations.

The SNAP Administrator Retention Act of 2025 aims to improve staffing and retention for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by setting new minimum pay standards for state administrators based on comparable federal salaries. If states adopt these standards and have their pay structure approved, the federal government will cover 100% of their administrative personnel costs. This increased federal funding must supplement, not replace, existing state spending on SNAP administration.

The Stronger Communities through Better Transit Act establishes a new federal grant program to provide operating support for high-quality public transit services. This funding is specifically targeted to improve mobility and environmental outcomes, with a requirement that the majority of funds benefit underserved communities or areas of persistent poverty. The Act also increases the federal share for rural transit operating assistance up to 80%.

This resolution commemorates the 75th anniversary of the National Science Foundation (NSF), recognizing its vital role in advancing U.S. science, engineering, and education since 1950. Congress acknowledges the NSF's foundational support for groundbreaking innovations, including the internet and advancements in medical technology. The bill reaffirms Congress's commitment to ensuring the NSF continues to lead in scientific discovery for decades to come.

This bill mandates the Secretary of State to immediately provide Congress with all documents and a detailed report concerning the proposed transfer of an aircraft from Qatar to an entity controlled by former President Trump. Furthermore, it prohibits the use of any federal funding for aircraft transfers involving foreign governments to the U.S. Government, the President, or the Trump Presidential Library. The Act aims to ensure transparency and halt federal financial support for these specific property transfers.

The Care for Military Kids Act of 2025 standardizes how states determine Medicaid residency for active duty military families who relocate for service, beginning in 2028. This ensures that relocated service members and their dependents maintain their place on Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiting lists in their new state. The bill mandates that the new state must cover necessary Medicaid care for these families while they await service eligibility decisions. This legislation aims to eliminate gaps in essential long-term care coverage during military-directed moves.

The **Shipbuilding and Harbor Infrastructure for Prosperity and Security for America Act of 2025** is a comprehensive bill designed to revitalize the U.S. maritime industry and secure critical supply chains. It establishes new centralized oversight for maritime policy, creates a dedicated Maritime Security Trust Fund financed by new vessel taxes, and mandates significant federal investment in domestic shipbuilding and workforce development. The legislation also imposes stricter cargo preference rules and tax incentives to ensure U.S.-flagged vessels dominate international commerce and defense sealift operations.

The Better CARE for Animals Act of 2025 significantly strengthens enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act by clarifying definitions and expanding the scope of investigations. It grants the Attorney General explicit authority to file civil actions seeking penalties up to $10,000 per day, and mandates that collected fines help cover temporary animal care costs. The bill also requires the Secretary of Agriculture and the Attorney General to establish a formal agreement for coordinated enforcement.

The Ukrainian Adjustment Act of 2025 establishes a pathway for eligible Ukrainian nationals, paroled into the U.S. after February 20, 2014, to apply for lawful permanent resident status (a Green Card). This process requires rigorous security vetting and allows the Secretary of Homeland Security broad waiver authority for most inadmissibility grounds, excluding certain post-2014 criminal activity. Approved applicants will have their status adjusted retroactively to their date of parole, and the application process will be fee-free.

The Equality Act comprehensively expands federal civil rights protections against discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity across key areas of American life. It amends existing laws to prohibit discrimination in public accommodations, housing, credit, employment, and federal funding. The purpose of the bill is to provide consistent, explicit, and comprehensive remedies for individuals facing bias in these essential sectors.

The West Bank Violence Prevention Act of 2025 declares extreme settler violence and displacement in the West Bank a threat to U.S. national security interests. This Act mandates the President to impose sanctions, including asset freezes and visa bans, on foreign individuals responsible for undermining peace and stability in the region. The Treasury Department must report to Congress on the implementation of these sanctions every 90 days.

This resolution expresses strong support for honoring Earth Day and recognizes its historical importance in launching the modern environmental movement. It highlights ongoing challenges like climate change while celebrating recent landmark investments in clean energy and infrastructure. Ultimately, the bill urges the President to issue a proclamation recognizing Earth Day and encourages all Americans to take sustained action to protect the environment for future generations.

The Protect National Service Act affirms the significant societal return on investment provided by national service programs like AmeriCorps. This bill prohibits the use of federal funds to eliminate the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) or alter its status as a Government corporation. It ensures that any future reorganization must maintain the Trust's solvency and continue federal commitment to civic engagement. The CEO must annually certify compliance with these protections to Congress for five years.

The Farmer First Fuel Incentives Act modifies the clean fuel production tax credit by requiring that qualifying fuels be made from U.S.-grown feedstocks starting in 2025. It also extends the availability of this credit until 2034 and adjusts how emissions rates are calculated by excluding indirect land use changes. Finally, the bill revises a specific emissions factor used in determining the credit amount for fuel produced after 2024.

The American Family Act fundamentally overhauls the Child Tax Credit by replacing the annual lump sum with a system of advance, refundable monthly payments delivered directly to families. These monthly allowances vary based on the child's age, with higher amounts provided for younger children. The bill also establishes a separate, smaller credit for other dependents and outlines procedures for annual renewal and reconciliation of advance payments when filing taxes.

The Raise the Wage Act of 2025 establishes a phased increase of the federal minimum wage, culminating in a \$17.00 per hour rate five years after enactment, followed by automatic annual adjustments tied to median wage growth. This bill also phases out the lower minimum wage for tipped employees and workers under 20, ensuring they eventually earn the standard federal minimum wage. Furthermore, it sets a schedule to eliminate subminimum wages for individuals with disabilities and prohibits the issuance of new special certificates allowing for lower pay.

The Great Lakes Mapping Act of 2025 mandates a high-resolution survey and mapping of the Great Lakes lakebeds, to be completed by December 31, 2030. Led by NOAA, this effort requires collaboration with state and regional partners to collect and catalog detailed bathymetric data. The resulting high-resolution map and associated data must be made publicly available as it is completed and fully released within 180 days of project completion.