Legislative Activity

This bill authorizes the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the 761st Tank Battalion, also known as the "Black Panthers," in recognition of their courageous service and crucial contributions during World War II. The medal will be given to the National Museum of African American History and Culture for display, honoring the 761st as the first Black soldiers to serve in an American armored unit and their significant role in the Allied victory in Europe. The bill also allows for the creation and sale of bronze duplicates of the medal to support the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.

The Postal Employee Appeal Rights Amendment Act of 2025 updates which non-unionized Postal Service employees can appeal certain employment decisions to the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB). Specifically, it grants this appeal right to supervisory, professional, technical, clerical, administrative, or managerial employees under the Executive and Administrative Schedule who are not covered by a collective bargaining unit. This legislation clarifies the scope of appeal rights for certain non-bargaining unit personnel within the Postal Service.

Ethan's Law establishes federal requirements for the secure storage of firearms to prevent unauthorized access by minors and prohibited persons, making improper storage a civil violation with escalating penalties if injury or death results. The bill also creates a federal grant program to incentivize states and Tribes to adopt matching safe storage laws. Furthermore, Congress declares that failing to comply with these storage requirements constitutes negligence and may be considered the direct cause of resulting firearm injuries.

This resolution designates February 24–28, 2025, as "Public Schools Week" to celebrate the vital role public education plays in preparing students for the future. It reaffirms the commitment to providing every child with a high-quality, inclusive, and well-funded learning environment. Additionally, the bill calls on lawmakers to prioritize equitable resources and support services to ensure student success.

The Leveling the Playing Field 2.0 Act aims to strengthen U.S. trade laws by addressing unfair subsidies, currency undervaluation, duty evasion, and circumvention of trade remedies. It refines the process for handling successive trade investigations, ensuring that the International Trade Commission considers prior findings and assesses cumulative effects on domestic industries. The act also empowers authorities to counteract cost distortions in foreign countries and prevent importers from avoiding duties. Additionally, it includes provisions related to trade with Canada and Mexico and sets effective dates for new regulations.

The Federal Retirement Fairness Act amends title 5 of the United States Code, allowing civilian service in a temporary position after December 31, 1988, to be creditable under the Federal Employees Retirement System. This change applies to current employees and Members of the United States Postal Service, and requires the Office of Personnel Management to notify eligible individuals and issue implementing regulations.

The Gun Trafficker Detection Act requires non-licensed firearm owners to report lost or stolen firearms to the Attorney General and local law enforcement within 48 hours, and it mandates the Attorney General to establish a web-based portal for such reporting. States must allocate a portion of their grant funding to manage data on lost or stolen firearms. The act also establishes penalties for failing to report or for falsely reporting the loss or theft of a firearm, and it updates the national criminal background check system accordingly.

The "IDs for an Inclusive Democracy Act" mandates the Social Security Administration to issue free federal identification cards to U.S. residents who apply within 3 years, functioning similarly to a state-issued ID or driver's license. A task force will be established to determine the requirements for producing and providing the identification. The United States Postal Service, in consultation with the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration, will develop a process, modeled after the passport application process, allowing individuals to apply for the ID through the Postal Service. The Act also authorizes the appropriation of necessary funds to implement the Act.

This resolution supports the designation of February 16, 2025, as "International Black Aviation Professionals Day" to honor the historic and ongoing contributions of Black Americans in aviation and space exploration. It celebrates the pioneers who broke racial and gender barriers in flight, military service, engineering, and leadership. Furthermore, the bill encourages public education and continued efforts to increase diversity and opportunity within the aviation workforce.

The 9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act of 2025 amends the Public Health Service Act to improve the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program by expanding the types of healthcare providers who can conduct mental health evaluations, modifying provider credentialing, clarifying enrollment calculations, and extending the time frame for adding health conditions for WTC responders. The act adjusts the funding formula for fiscal years 2026 through 2090 and requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to report to Congress on the program's budget, including projected needs through 2090 and recommendations for changes to the funding formula. It also stipulates that remaining funds in the Supplemental Fund, Special Fund, and Pentagon-Shanksville Fund will revert to the Treasury.

The "President Jimmy Carter Congressional Gold Medal Act" authorizes the posthumous presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to former President Jimmy Carter in recognition of his dedicated service to the Nation. This medal, created by the Secretary of the Treasury, will be given to the Carter Center in Atlanta, Georgia, following the award ceremony. The Act also permits the creation and sale of bronze duplicates of the gold medal to the public and authorizes the United States Mint to use its Public Enterprise Fund to cover the costs of producing the medals.

The Tipped Income Protection and Support (TIPS) Act eliminates the subminimum wage for tipped employees, requiring employers to pay the standard minimum wage before tips. It ensures that all tips go to the employees, allowing for traditional tip pooling. The bill also introduces a tax deduction for qualified cash tips for employees earning up to $112,500 annually, effective for taxable years after 2025.

The "First Rhode Island Regiment Congressional Gold Medal Act" authorizes the creation of a Congressional Gold Medal to honor the First Rhode Island Regiment, a historically significant integrated unit that fought valiantly during the Revolutionary War. The medal will be presented to the Rhode Island State Library for public display and research. The Act also allows for the creation and sale of bronze duplicates of the medal to support the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.

The Local Radio Freedom Act expresses Congressional opposition to imposing new performance fees, taxes, or royalties on local radio stations and businesses for playing music. It argues that the current system of free airplay provides essential promotional value to artists and that new fees would threaten the financial viability of local broadcasters and the vital community services they provide.

The Black History Matters Act directs the Director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture to study Black history education in public schools. The study will identify which states require Black history education, assess the quality of education, instructional materials, and analyze how schools assess students' knowledge. A report will then be submitted to Congress detailing the findings of the study.

The "Office of Gun Violence Prevention Act of 2025" establishes an Office of Gun Violence Prevention within the Department of Justice, led by a Director appointed by the Attorney General, to coordinate gun violence prevention efforts, evaluate related laws and programs, and recommend evidence-based policies to Congress and the President. The Director will also convene an advisory council comprising various officials and at least 12 additional individuals representing gun violence survivors, community violence intervention service providers, and other relevant groups. The Office will also assist communities affected by gun violence with crisis response activities, such as providing access to mental health services and suicide prevention resources. Finally, the act authorizes the appropriation of necessary funds to carry out the provisions of the bill.

This bill amends the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to expand scholarship opportunities at 1890 institutions to both bachelor's and graduate students. It provides mandatory funding of $15 million per fiscal year, starting in 2025, through the Commodity Credit Corporation, and makes discretionary funding available from fiscal year 2020 onward. The scholarships will be available each academic year that funding is available.

The "Alternatives to PAIN Act" amends Medicare Part D to improve access to non-opioid pain management drugs by waiving deductibles and ensuring they are placed on the lowest cost-sharing tier starting in 2026. The Act also prohibits the use of step therapy and prior authorization requirements for these drugs, further easing access for patients. These changes aim to provide more accessible alternatives for pain management, reducing reliance on opioids.

The "All Access Act of 2025" ensures Members of Congress can access any public building during regular hours by showing their official ID. Access outside of normal business hours requires a 12-hour advance notice to the building head. This act defines "Member of Congress" as a Representative or Senator.

This proposed constitutional amendment establishes that constitutional rights belong exclusively to natural persons, not artificial entities like corporations. It further empowers governments to regulate campaign contributions and expenditures to ensure fair political participation, explicitly stating that spending money to influence elections is not protected as free speech. Finally, the amendment includes a specific provision to ensure these changes do not restrict the freedom of the press.