Legislative Activity

The Promoting Permanency Through Kinship Families Act aims to prioritize placing children in the care of relatives and close family friends (kinship care) as a primary path to permanency. This legislation mandates that states actively seek and support kinship placements by removing barriers like age limits for caregivers and ensuring access to necessary resources. Furthermore, the bill strengthens support programs and makes participation in the Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program mandatory for all states.

This resolution expresses strong support for designating September 2025 as "National Kinship Care Month" to recognize the millions of relatives and close family friends raising children. It highlights the critical role kinship caregivers play in supporting vulnerable children outside the formal foster care system. The bill urges increased recognition and support for these families to ensure they have access to necessary resources.

The Equitable Arts Education Enhancement Act establishes a new grant program to boost arts education at Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs). These funds are intended to increase access to the arts for minority students through financial aid, mentorship, and career development. The bill aims to address the lack of diversity in arts leadership by supporting institutions well-positioned to train diverse arts professionals. Ultimately, this legislation seeks to preserve and promote the work of artists of color while strengthening arts programs nationwide.

The Limiting ICE’s Nationwide Encroachment Act (LINE Act) prohibits federal health agencies, like CMS and HHS, from sharing the personally identifiable Medicaid enrollment data of individuals with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This measure is designed to protect the private health information of Medicaid recipients from being used for immigration enforcement purposes.

The American Decade of Sports Act establishes a "Mega-Decade Sports Diplomacy Strategy" to leverage major international sporting events hosted in the U.S. between 2024 and 2034 to enhance America's global standing. This requires the State Department to create comprehensive 5-year plans detailing diplomatic goals, partnerships, and visa facilitation efforts. Furthermore, the Act mandates the creation of a dedicated Office of Sports Diplomacy to coordinate and execute these strategy objectives across government and private sectors. The Secretary of State must provide annual progress reports to Congress on the implementation of these goals until the end of 2034.

The Enduring Welcome Act of 2025 establishes a permanent Office of the Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts within the State Department to streamline and support the resettlement of Afghan allies. This Act mandates the creation of a secure, centralized database to track all applicants, beneficiaries, and relocation progress, ensuring accountability to Congress. The Coordinator will manage interagency efforts, resolve family reunification roadblocks, and provide integration support for covered persons. This entire framework is set to automatically expire five years after enactment unless otherwise specified.

This resolution commemorates the continuation of the semicentennial of hip hop by officially designating specific dates to honor its cultural impact. It recognizes August 11, 2025, as "Hip Hop Celebration Day," August 2025 as "Hip Hop Recognition Month," and November 2025 as "Hip Hop History Month." The bill celebrates hip hop's origins in the Bronx and its evolution into a globally influential, multi-billion dollar American art form.

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 Incorporating National Support for Unprecedented Risks and Emergencies Act (INSURE Act) establishes a federal catastrophic property loss reinsurance program managed by the Treasury Secretary to provide backup coverage for primary insurers. This program phases in coverage for perils like wind, wildfire, and flood, requiring participating insurers to offer "all-perils" policies and engage in loss prevention partnerships. The Act also mandates studies on creating a relocation fund for uninsurable properties and assessing the feasibility of including earthquake coverage in standard policies. Finally, it launches a pilot program for multi-year property insurance policies with restrictions on mid-term premium increases related to reassessed disaster risk.

The Export Controls Enforcement Act addresses the critical shortage of overseas personnel responsible for verifying that controlled U.S. exports are used as intended. This bill establishes a new, five-year Export Control Officer Program to significantly increase the number of officers stationed abroad. These officers will conduct essential end-use checks, advise foreign partners, and help prevent the diversion of sensitive American technology.

The YALI Act of 2025 formally establishes and expands the Young African Leaders Initiative to invest in emerging African leaders across sub-Saharan Africa. This legislation mandates the creation of professional development, training, and networking opportunities focused on business, civic engagement, and public administration. The bill specifically supports the Mandela Washington Fellowship and requires the establishment of regional leadership centers and online networks to foster ongoing engagement and U.S.-Africa ties.

The Fairness, Inclusion, Rehabilitation, and Expungement for Incarcerated Firefighters Act (FIRE Act) ensures incarcerated firefighters receive workplace safety protections under OSHA and fair wage standards under the FLSA. The bill also establishes grant programs to help states implement these safety measures and support reentry services for former incarcerated firefighters. Finally, it creates a process for eligible individuals to petition the court to expunge certain past criminal convictions.

This resolution officially recognizes May as National Foster Care Month to raise awareness about the challenges facing children in the foster care system. It highlights the urgent need for improved policy and support to ensure every child achieves a safe, permanent, and loving family. The bill encourages greater investment in prevention services, family reunification, and support for youth aging out of care.

The Family Notification of Death, Injury, or Illness in Custody Act of 2025 establishes mandatory, standardized procedures for law enforcement and correctional facilities to promptly and compassionately notify next-of-kin when an individual in custody dies, is seriously injured, or becomes seriously ill. This Act requires detention agencies to collect emergency contact information upon intake and mandates specific timeframes—such as notification within 12 hours of death—for communicating critical medical and death details. Furthermore, it ensures that next-of-kin receive autopsy results and have input regarding the disposition of remains.

The Defending American Diplomacy Act prohibits the Secretary of State from implementing any reorganization of the State Department without specific statutory authorization from Congress and the submission of a detailed plan. This plan must thoroughly analyze the impact on foreign policy goals, operations, and personnel. If the Secretary proceeds without authorization, specific funding restrictions against the Department of Government Efficiency and official travel for high-level appointees will take effect.

This bill aims to honor, preserve, and invest in Freedmen's Settlements and Black towns established by formerly enslaved African Americans. It recognizes the historical significance of these communities, the challenges they have faced, and the need for continued support through research, investment, and coordinated efforts among government entities and nonprofits. The bill seeks to protect these settlements from development, gentrification, and environmental hazards while promoting economic justice, infrastructure improvements, and fair living standards. Ultimately, it reaffirms the commitment to racial justice and equity for these historically disadvantaged communities.

The RESTORE Act establishes the National Freedom Settlements Preservation Program to formally recognize, research, and preserve communities founded by formerly enslaved African Americans after the Civil War. This program, managed by the Secretary of the Interior, will create a federal effort to honor these settlements' legacy of self-determination through documentation, historic designation, and grant funding. The law authorizes appropriations to support cultural heritage, research, and capacity building for these historically neglected communities.

The African Diaspora Council Act establishes an Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement within the Department of State. The council, appointed by the Secretary of State, will advise the President on strengthening connections between the U.S. government and the African diaspora in the United States. The council will consist of no more than 12 members who represent the diversity of the African diaspora from African American and African immigrant communities. The council will meet quarterly, briefing the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee after each meeting.

This bill recognizes and celebrates Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., on its 105th anniversary, honoring its legacy of scholarship, service, sisterhood, and finer womanhood since its founding in 1920. The bill highlights the sorority's growth, global impact, and the notable achievements of its members. It affirms the sorority's commitment to community service and action-oriented initiatives.