Legislative Activity

This resolution formally recognizes the significant religious and historical importance of the festival of Diwali to Indian-American communities across the nation. Congress acknowledges Diwali as the festival of lights, celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains for its symbolism of knowledge, peace, and the triumph of good over evil. By passing this, the House expresses respect for the Indian diaspora and appreciates the strong partnership between the United States and India.

This bill officially renames the United States Postal Service facility located at 1300 East Northwest Highway in Palatine, Illinois. The facility will henceforth be known as the "Bernie Bluestein Post Office Building." This designation requires all official records and documents to use the new name.

The **988 LGBTQ+ Youth Access Act of 2025** addresses the high rates of suicide risk among LGBTQ youth by strengthening specialized support through the national crisis hotline. This bill mandates that dedicated resources and services, such as a specific dialing option, must be maintained for LGBTQ individuals contacting 988. Furthermore, it requires that at least 9 percent of appropriated funds for the hotline be specifically reserved to ensure these specialized services for LGBTQ youth remain fully operational.

The Bringing Benefits Back Act of 2025 aims to repeal specific, outdated reconciliation provisions enacted under a previous budget resolution. This action effectively restores the original statutes that were previously amended by those provisions. In essence, the bill serves to undo specific legislative changes made years ago through that particular budget process.

The No Advanced Chips for the CCP Act of 2025 establishes a stringent, two-step approval process for exporting advanced AI semiconductors to China, requiring both executive branch approval and specific Congressional resolution. This process mandates a thorough national security review by multiple federal agencies before any transfer can be considered. The Act defines "advanced AI semiconductor" based on specific performance thresholds and includes a three-year sunset provision.

The Ending Trading and Holdings in Congressional Stocks (ETHICS) Act mandates that Members of Congress and their immediate families divest from or place specific stock holdings into qualified blind trusts to prevent conflicts of interest. The bill also establishes new civil penalties for failing to comply with existing stock trading disclosure laws (the STOCK Act). Furthermore, it requires that congressional financial disclosure forms be made publicly available online in a searchable, machine-readable format.

This House resolution expresses the strong sense of Congress opposing any pardon, commutation, or clemency for Ghislaine Maxwell. It affirms her conviction for sex trafficking and emphasizes that her continued imprisonment is necessary for justice for the survivors. The resolution serves as a formal condemnation of her heinous crimes and stands firmly with the victims.

The College Transparency Act establishes a secure, new national system for tracking student data from postsecondary institutions to improve transparency regarding enrollment, completion, costs, and post-college outcomes. This system will collect detailed, student-level data, securely matched with other federal records, to create public, aggregate reports for comparison. The law mandates strict privacy and security standards while aiming to reduce overall reporting burdens for colleges.

The Choosing Our Own Lives Over Fast Firearms Act, or COOL OFF Act, establishes a mandatory 3-business-day waiting period before an individual can receive a handgun, whether through a private sale or from a licensed dealer. This waiting period is waived for specific exceptions, such as transfers involving law enforcement, temporary family loans, or emergency situations to prevent serious harm. The law includes penalties for violations and will take effect 90 days after enactment.

This bill mandates that the United States Postal Service (USPS) designate a single, unique ZIP Code specifically for Pingree Grove, Illinois. The USPS is required to complete this designation within 270 days of the Act becoming law.

The **BURDEN Act** requires Members of Congress to personally certify compliance with Medicaid and SNAP work requirements each month to maintain their Federal Employees Health Benefits. This legislation mandates that elected officials must prove they meet these community engagement and work standards to keep their own health coverage.

The COUNTER Act of 2025 addresses concerns over the People's Republic of China's (PRC) efforts to establish overseas military and strategic bases globally. This legislation mandates the Executive Branch to urgently develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to counter these PRC basing ambitions. Key requirements include an intelligence assessment of risks and the creation of an interagency task force to coordinate mitigation efforts against China's expansion. The law emphasizes proactive engagement with partner nations and regular reviews of the U.S. counter-strategy.

The Fair Pharmacies for Federal Employees Act of 2025 prohibits the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) from contracting with health insurance carriers or Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) that also own or control pharmacies. This measure aims to prevent conflicts of interest by separating the entities that manage federal employee health plans from those that dispense prescription drugs. The bill ensures that insurance carriers cannot contract with PBMs they own, and vice versa. Ultimately, this legislation seeks to promote fair competition in prescription drug benefits for federal workers.

The Connecting Students with Mental Health Services Act establishes a new grant program to enhance mental and behavioral health support for K-12 students through telehealth services. These grants prioritize funding for schools in high-poverty, rural, or underserved areas to acquire necessary equipment and staff for remote care delivery. The program aims to expand access to mental health services while ensuring strict compliance with student privacy laws.

This resolution expresses strong support for significantly increasing federal investment in career and technical education programs, particularly those authorized under the Carl D. Perkins Act. It urges Congress to authorize approximately double the current funding level over the next decade to meet the growing demand for skilled American workers in the evolving economy. The goal is to better equip workers with the necessary training to secure higher-paying and more stable careers.

The Six Assurances to Taiwan Act codifies the historical U.S. commitments known as the Six Assurances, reinforcing the foundation of U.S. policy toward Taiwan. It explicitly states that the U.S. has not agreed to set a date for ending arms sales or to consult with Beijing on those sales. Furthermore, the Act establishes a mandatory Congressional review process before the President can pause arms sales or take actions that significantly alter the U.S. position on Taiwan's sovereignty. This legislation aims to ensure stability in the Taiwan Strait by upholding these long-standing policy guidelines.

The STOP Bullying Act aims to combat widespread bullying in K-12 schools by providing federal grants to states to establish dedicated Anti-Bullying Task Forces. These task forces, composed of diverse stakeholders including students, parents, and educators, must study current anti-bullying policies and report actionable recommendations to reduce harassment. The bill emphasizes the need for safe learning environments for all students, regardless of background or identity.

The Taiwan Allies Fund Act establishes a dedicated fund to support countries that maintain relationships with Taiwan despite pressure from the People's Republic of China (PRC). This fund authorizes up to $40 million annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2028 to help eligible nations counter PRC coercion. Aid will focus on strengthening democratic partnerships, supporting Taiwan's international participation, and offering alternatives to PRC economic influence. The Secretary of State will manage the fund, coordinating with Taiwan, and must report annually to Congress on the fund's activities and Taiwan's matching contributions.

The "End Tobacco Loopholes Act" increases excise taxes on tobacco and nicotine products to create tax equity across all such products, including roll-your-own tobacco, pipe tobacco, smokeless tobacco, cigars, and nicotine used in vaping. It adjusts these tax rates for inflation starting in 2026 and imposes floor stocks taxes on existing inventories, while also providing a credit to offset these taxes. The Act sets specific effective dates for the tax changes, with a transition rule for businesses manufacturing or importing taxable nicotine.

This bill designates January as "Tamil Language and Heritage Month" to celebrate the history, language, and culture of Tamil people in the United States. It recognizes the contributions of Tamil Americans to the country's diversity and acknowledges the significance of Pongal, the Tamil harvest festival. The bill encourages all Americans to learn more about Tamil American heritage.