Legislative Activity

This resolution formally recognizes the significant and persistent wage disparity faced by Black women in the United States. It highlights that despite existing equal pay laws, Black women earn substantially less than their male counterparts, leading to massive lifetime earnings losses. Congress uses this measure to emphasize the urgent need to address both racial and gender discrimination to achieve true pay equity.

This resolution expresses support for designating July 10th as Journeyman Lineworkers Recognition Day. It honors the essential and dangerous work performed by these skilled professionals, especially their heroic efforts in restoring power after major disasters. The day serves to recognize their service and remember those who have lost their lives performing this vital work.

The Contact Lens Prescription Verification Modernization Act updates existing law to ensure consumers can easily obtain and use their contact lens prescriptions. This bill specifically requires online sellers to provide a HIPAA-compliant method for electronically receiving prescriptions and mandates encryption for any protected health information sent via email. Additionally, it updates seller record-keeping requirements to include customer email addresses.

The Multiple Firearm Sales Reporting Modernization Act of 2025 expands the mandatory reporting requirements for Federal Firearm Licensees (FFLs). This bill mandates that FFLs must now report the sale of any two or more firearms, regardless of type, in a single transaction or over a short period. This change significantly broadens the scope of transactions tracked by the ATF.

The Expanding Access to Mental Health Services in Schools Act of 2025 establishes a new federal grant program to increase the number of mental health professionals in high-need school districts. This funding is specifically designed to help eligible agencies recruit, hire, and retain school counselors, psychologists, and social workers. Grantees must demonstrate a plan to improve student-to-provider ratios and report annually on staffing improvements and provider retention.

This bill, the Prohibition of Medicaid Funding for Conversion Therapy Act, prohibits Medicaid plans from using federal funds to pay for conversion therapy services. Conversion therapy is defined as any paid practice aimed at changing an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity. This legislation ensures that taxpayer dollars do not support efforts to alter a person's core identity.

The GLOBE Act of 2025 establishes a comprehensive U.S. strategy to champion and protect the human rights of LGBTQI people globally through diplomacy, targeted sanctions, and foreign assistance reforms. The bill mandates enhanced reporting on violence and discrimination while creating new interagency roles and funds to support international advocacy and development efforts. Furthermore, it reforms immigration law to better protect LGBTQI asylum seekers and ensures inclusive implementation of U.S. global health programs like PEPFAR.

The Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2025 aims to combat the growing obesity epidemic, particularly among older adults, by expanding access to intensive behavioral therapy under Medicare. This bill mandates that Medicare Part D plans begin covering FDA-approved medications for obesity and weight management in individuals with related health conditions. Finally, it requires the Secretary of HHS to report regularly to Congress on the implementation and coordination of these new obesity treatment strategies.

The AMMO Act modernizes federal oversight of ammunition by requiring federal licenses for all ammunition dealers and mandating background checks through NICS for transfers by licensed sellers to non-licensees. The bill also prohibits straw purchases of ammunition and establishes new federal limits on bulk ammunition sales, requiring recordkeeping and reporting for these transactions. These provisions will take effect 120 days after the date of enactment.

The Ruthie and Connie LGBTQI Elder Americans Act of 2025 aims to improve services and support for older adults who identify as LGBTQI. This bill establishes a new Office of LGBTQI Inclusion within the Administration on Aging and mandates the creation of a National Resource Center on LGBTQI Aging. Furthermore, it updates definitions, ensures eligibility for federal grants, and requires specific data collection on discrimination faced by this population in aging services.

This resolution expresses the House's support for the rights and freedoms of LGBTQI+ individuals across the United States. It recognizes key Supreme Court decisions that advanced equality and highlights the ongoing need for comprehensive legal protections against discrimination. Finally, the bill proposes designating June 26th as "LGBTQI+ Equality Day" to commemorate these legal victories.

This resolution formally recognizes the history, achievements, and ongoing struggles of the LGBTQIA+ community in the United States. It serves as a declaration by Congress affirming that LGBTQIA+ rights are human rights and encouraging the celebration of Pride Month. The bill highlights key historical milestones, legal victories, and acknowledges the persistent challenges and violence faced by the community. Ultimately, it commits the U.S. to continuing the pursuit of full equality for all citizens.

The Equal Dignity for Married Taxpayers Act modernizes the Internal Revenue Code by replacing gendered language with gender-neutral terms for all legally married couples. This sweeping update ensures consistency across tax rules regarding filing status, deductions, and credits, regardless of the spouses' genders. The bill clarifies that married couples are often treated as a single entity for specific tax purposes. Ultimately, this legislation updates terminology to reflect equal dignity for all married taxpayers.

The Safe Storage Saves Lives Act expands federal requirements to ensure a compatible gun lock is provided with the sale of **every** firearm, not just handguns. It clarifies the definition of secure storage devices and mandates that sellers must have a compatible safety device available for every firearm offered for sale. Finally, the bill suggests that fines collected from violations should fund programs to distribute free or low-cost gun safety devices or public awareness campaigns.

The CONNECT for Health Act of 2025 significantly expands and permanently secures access to Medicare telehealth services by eliminating outdated geographic restrictions and allowing more practitioners to offer remote care. The bill also strengthens program integrity by dedicating funds for telehealth oversight while clarifying rules around providing necessary technology to patients. Finally, it mandates the creation of tailored educational resources and public reporting to improve quality measurement and transparency in remote care delivery.

The LGBTQ+ Panic Defense Prohibition Act of 2025 bans the use of "panic defenses" in federal court, which attempt to excuse or lessen a defendant's culpability for a crime based on the victim's sexual orientation or gender identity. This legislation recognizes that these outdated defenses rely on prejudice and undermine justice for LGBTQ+ individuals. The Act also requires the Attorney General to report annually on violent federal crimes motivated by bias against LGBTQ+ people.

The Break the Cycle of Violence Act establishes federal frameworks within HHS and the Department of Labor to address community violence through prevention and economic opportunity. Title I creates grants for community-based violence intervention programs focused on evidence-based, trauma-responsive care, while Title II funds job training for opportunity youth in high-violence areas. Overall, the bill aims to reduce violence by investing in local services and creating pathways to employment rather than relying solely on incarceration.

The Ensuring Women’s Right to Reproductive Freedom Act prohibits states from interfering with or retaliating against individuals who provide or receive abortion services that are legal in the state where the service occurs. This protection extends to interstate travel for legal abortion care and the movement of FDA-approved abortion-related drugs across state lines. Individuals harmed by violations can sue in federal court for damages and legal fees.

The Women’s Health Protection Act of 2025 establishes a federal statutory right to access abortion services, prohibiting medically unnecessary restrictions that impede care before fetal viability. This Act protects the right of patients to travel across state lines to receive reproductive healthcare and allows providers to offer services free from state interference that conflicts with established medical standards. It preempts conflicting state and local laws and provides robust enforcement mechanisms for individuals and the Attorney General to challenge violations.

The Agricultural Risk Review Act of 2025 ensures the Secretary of Agriculture has a seat on the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) for reviews involving agricultural land, biotechnology, or the food industry. This legislation mandates that specific committees review certain agricultural land transactions involving foreign entities from designated adversarial nations. These new provisions aim to enhance national security by scrutinizing foreign investment in critical U.S. agricultural assets.