Legislative Activity

The Refuge From Cruel Trapping Act prohibits the possession or use of body-gripping traps, such as steel-jaw traps and snares, on lands within the National Wildlife Refuge System. This ban includes exceptions for federal agencies managing specific species, tribal subsistence use, and lands in Alaska. Violators face civil fines up to $500 per trap or use, potential jail time, and forfeiture of illegal traps and wildlife.

This bill posthumously awards a Congressional Gold Medal to Marshall "Major" Taylor, recognizing the pioneering Black cyclist for his historic achievements and his fight against racial prejudice. The medal will be struck by the Secretary of the Treasury and presented to Taylor's great-granddaughter. The Act also authorizes the sale of bronze duplicates to cover production costs.

The Autism Family Caregivers Act of 2025 establishes a new pilot program to award grants for evidence-based skills training to family caregivers of children with autism or developmental disabilities. This training aims to improve child well-being and community engagement by focusing on communication, daily living skills, and caregiver self-care. The Secretary of Health and Human Services will oversee the program, which requires grantees to establish diverse advisory committees and report annually on program effectiveness. Funding is authorized through fiscal year 2030 to support at least 25 entities across multiple states.

This resolution expresses support for designating June 21, 2025, as National ASK (Asking Saves Kids) Day. The bill aims to promote children's health by encouraging parents to ask about secure gun storage before their children visit other homes. By backing the ASK Campaign, Congress seeks to reduce accidental shootings by advocating for safely stored firearms.

The MONARCH Act of 2025 addresses the critical decline of the western monarch butterfly population, which has dropped by over 99% in recent decades due to habitat loss and climate change. This bill establishes the Western Monarch Butterfly Rescue Fund to provide grants for habitat restoration projects led by local and Tribal entities. Furthermore, it mandates the implementation of the existing Western Monarch Butterfly Conservation Plan through a partnership with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Finally, the Secretary of the Interior must submit an annual report to Congress detailing the status of the butterflies and the effectiveness of funded conservation efforts.

This resolution commemorates the 90th birthday of the Dalai Lama by designating July 6, 2025, as a "Day of Compassion." It strongly reaffirms U.S. support for the human rights, religious freedom, and cultural preservation of the Tibetan people. Furthermore, the resolution asserts that the selection of the next Dalai Lama is solely the right of the Tibetan Buddhist community, rejecting any interference by the People's Republic of China.

This bill directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and the Director of the Census Bureau to conduct a comprehensive study on how federal agencies currently identify and record various forms of housing loss in the United States. The resulting report must define different types of housing loss, identify current data collection methods, and recommend improvements for federal tracking. The goal is to enhance the government's ability to accurately count and understand involuntary displacement since 2022.

The Preserving Great Americans’ Legacies Act of 2025 prohibits the Secretary of the Navy from changing the names of naval vessels currently honoring eight specific individuals. This legislation ensures that ships named after figures like Cesar Chavez, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Harriet Tubman retain their designations. The act immediately prevents any renaming of these protected vessels.

The FIGHT Act of 2025 significantly strengthens federal prohibitions against animal fighting ventures, specifically targeting the sponsorship, exhibition, and gambling associated with these events. This legislation clarifies the definition of a rooster for legal purposes and bans the interstate transport of roosters for fighting. Furthermore, it empowers private citizens to file lawsuits against violators, allowing for civil penalties and the potential seizure of property used to facilitate illegal animal fighting.

This resolution formally commemorates the ninth anniversary of the tragic Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida, on June 12, 2016. It honors the lives lost, recognizes the bravery of first responders, and reaffirms community unity in the face of hate. Furthermore, the resolution calls for continued efforts to reduce gun violence and support those affected by this act of terrorism.

The Opportunity To Address College Hunger Act requires colleges receiving federal funding to proactively notify students receiving Federal work-study assistance about their potential eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This notification must include official documentation proving work-study status to help students meet SNAP eligibility exceptions. The goal is to streamline the process for food-insecure students to access federal nutrition benefits.

This bill grants a Federal charter to the Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals, officially recognizing it as a nonprofit veterans service organization. The organization is tasked with promoting sustainable homeownership, financial literacy, and economic opportunity for veterans and service members. It must adhere to strict operational rules, including prohibitions on political activity and the distribution of profits to members. The charter remains contingent upon the organization maintaining its tax-exempt status and compliance with California corporate law.

The PHARA Act of 2025 mandates the immediate release of all existing National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant funding and prohibits the cancellation of active research agreements. Moving forward, all new NIH grant agreements must include specific termination clauses requiring a 90-day notice and good-faith negotiation before ending the funding. Furthermore, this Act explicitly prevents the NIH from terminating agreements solely because the research no longer aligns with current agency goals or priorities.

The Domestic Workers Bill of Rights Act seeks to significantly expand labor protections for domestic employees by bringing them under standard federal laws, including eligibility for overtime pay and mandated paid sick leave. The bill establishes written employment agreements, sets clear privacy boundaries for workers in private homes, and creates a Standards Board to recommend ongoing improvements to wages and benefits. Furthermore, it establishes enforcement mechanisms and temporarily increases federal Medicaid funding for in-home care services to help offset compliance costs.

The Advanced AI Security Readiness Act mandates the creation of an "AI Security Playbook" to defend cutting-edge artificial intelligence from theft by sophisticated actors. Developed by the NSA Director through the AI Security Center, this playbook will detail vulnerabilities, identify critical components of advanced AI, and outline strategies for defense and response. The goal is to establish robust security measures for technologies deemed high-risk to national security.

The My Body, My Data Act of 2025 establishes strict federal protections for personal reproductive and sexual health information held by regulated entities. This law limits data collection and sharing to only what is strictly necessary for providing requested services. It grants individuals the rights to access, correct, and delete this sensitive data, and requires clear public privacy policies detailing data handling practices. Finally, the Act prohibits retaliation against individuals who exercise these new privacy rights and grants enforcement authority to the FTC while allowing individuals to sue violators.

The Roadless Area Conservation Act of 2025 aims to provide lasting protection for inventoried roadless areas within the National Forest System. This legislation codifies existing federal regulations, known as the "Roadless Rule," which generally prohibits the construction of new roads or the cutting of timber in these sensitive zones. The purpose is to safeguard critical ecological benefits, clean water sources, and wildlife habitats while maintaining the Forest Service's multiple-use management mission.

The CLASS Act of 2025 aims to protect students' rights in legal disputes with institutions of higher education. It prohibits mandatory arbitration clauses in student enrollment agreements and forbids colleges receiving federal aid from requiring students to waive their right to sue the institution. These provisions will take effect one year after the Act is officially enacted.

The Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2025 aims to strengthen existing federal background check systems to prevent prohibited persons from acquiring firearms. This bill primarily mandates that most private firearm transfers must be facilitated through a licensed dealer who will conduct a background check. The legislation includes specific exceptions for family gifts, law enforcement, and temporary transfers under emergency circumstances.

The LIHEAP Staffing Support Act establishes minimum staffing requirements for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to ensure effective program administration. It mandates a baseline of at least 20 dedicated employees, with limits on contractor usage during normal operations. Furthermore, the bill requires an emergency staffing boost to at least 30 employees within 45 days of declaring an energy crisis.