Legislative Activity

The Women in Criminal Justice Reform Act aims to create a more equitable and trauma-informed justice system for women and families. It establishes new standards for policing, prioritizes family reunification during pretrial detention and foster care, and creates gender-responsive alternatives to incarceration. The bill also reforms sentencing and prison policies to address the specific needs and histories of incarcerated women, focusing on trauma, health care, and successful reentry.

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 Pregnant Women in Custody Act aims to establish comprehensive standards for the care, health services, and housing of pregnant individuals in federal custody, including those held by the Bureau of Prisons, CBP, ICE, and ORR. The bill mandates extensive data collection on the health needs of incarcerated pregnant women and strictly prohibits the use of restraints and restrictive housing during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum recovery, with very limited exceptions. Furthermore, it requires federal agencies to provide essential services like family unity programs, specialized medical care, and comprehensive education for pregnant and postpartum individuals.

The One Stop Shop Community Reentry Program Act of 2026 establishes federal grant programs to fund community reentry centers and statewide assistance hotlines. These initiatives aim to provide comprehensive, trauma-informed services to individuals post-conviction or incarceration to reduce recidivism. The Act prioritizes hiring formerly incarcerated individuals and mandates rigorous evaluation and reporting on program outcomes.

The Second Look Act of 2026 establishes a process for individuals serving long federal prison sentences to petition a court for a sentence reduction after serving at least 10 years. Courts must consider factors like rehabilitation and community safety when deciding on a modification. The bill also creates a rebuttable presumption for release for defendants aged 50 and older and mandates annual reporting by the U.S. Sentencing Commission.

This bill officially designates the week of April 24th through April 30th as "National Reentry Week." It recognizes the challenges of mass incarceration and the high rates of recidivism facing formerly incarcerated individuals. The legislation encourages increased support and investment in programs that promote successful reentry, including access to housing, education, job training, and mental health services. Ultimately, the goal is to foster safer communities by supporting the stability and success of those returning to society.

The Directly Impacted Child Rehab and Safety Act amends federal juvenile justice laws to raise the minimum age for prosecution as an adult and limits murder convictions for those under 18 to intentional killings. The bill also mandates comprehensive federal data collection on incarcerated youth and authorizes grants to improve collaboration between state child welfare and juvenile justice systems. These measures aim to prioritize rehabilitation and better address the needs of children in the justice system.

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 Rejecting the Erasure of Afghan Women and Girls Act mandates that the Secretary of State submit a formal report detailing the Taliban’s restrictions on women and girls since August 2021. This report must assess whether these actions constitute crimes against humanity, torture, or gross human rights violations.

This bill officially renames the United States Postal Service facility located at 819 West Washington Boulevard in Los Angeles, California. The building will henceforth be known as the "Jerry T. Hodges, Jr. Post Office Building."

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 BIS License Fee Prohibition Act prohibits the Federal Government from collecting any fees for licenses or authorizations required under the Export Control Reform Act of 2018. This legislation mandates that any such fees previously collected must be returned to the license holders within 30 days of enactment. The Act affirms that imposing export fees violates constitutional prohibitions against export taxes.

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 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.