Legislative Activity

The Farmers’ Market Expansion Act of 2025 updates the Seniors Farmers' Market Nutrition Program to enhance purchasing options for seniors. This legislation specifically amends the eligible foods list to include tree nuts alongside herbs. The goal is to provide greater nutritional variety for program participants utilizing their benefits at farmers' markets.

This resolution formally recognizes the rich heritage, culture, and significant contributions of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women across the United States. It celebrates their historic achievements in areas such as military service, science, the arts, and civil rights leadership. The bill also emphasizes the importance of continued investment to overcome barriers these women face in accessing justice, healthcare, and economic opportunities.

The Families Care Act updates the National Family Caregiver Support Program to officially include peer support services for caregivers. This legislation specifically mandates that states consider the unique needs of families impacted by substance use disorders when distributing aid. Additionally, it modernizes reporting requirements to ensure information is shared regularly and actively disseminated.

This resolution supports the goals of Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism Awareness Month. It aims to raise public awareness about DVT and PE, which are serious, often preventable blood clot conditions that cause significant illness and death. By establishing this awareness month, the resolution seeks to educate the public on these critical health risks.

The Paycheck Fairness Act aims to strengthen protections against sex-based wage discrimination and close the gender pay gap. It enhances enforcement by tightening employer defenses for pay disparities, expanding anti-retaliation protections, and increasing penalties for violations. The bill also mandates new data collection by the EEOC and establishes grant programs to support negotiation skills training.

The Putting Veterans First Act of 2025 is a comprehensive bill designed to support military-affiliated federal employees by reversing past unfair employment actions and establishing new procedural safeguards against future disciplinary actions. It also imposes significant limitations, increased transparency, and accountability measures across the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regarding personnel actions, office closures, and contracting. Furthermore, the Act strengthens protections, mental health support, and employment assistance for civil servants while mandating extensive public reporting on VA operations and staffing.

The Improving Access to Addiction Medicine Providers Act updates the Minority Fellowship Program to specifically support training in addiction medicine. This amendment expands the program's focus areas to explicitly include the diagnosis of health issues and the field of addiction medicine alongside psychiatry. The goal is to increase the number of qualified professionals dedicated to addiction treatment.

The Dairy Nutrition Incentive Program Act of 2025 establishes a new program to encourage households receiving SNAP benefits to purchase more naturally nutrient-rich dairy products through point-of-sale incentives. The Secretary of Agriculture will award grants to eligible entities to run these projects, prioritizing those that maximize direct incentives for participants. The law mandates rigorous, independent evaluation of all projects to scientifically measure the impact on dairy purchases, with required reporting to Congress.

The Major Richard Star Act allows veterans with combat-related disabilities to receive both veteran's disability compensation and military retired pay concurrently, without reduction. This act amends Title 10 of the United States Code to ensure that disability retirees with combat-related disabilities are not subject to reductions in retired pay due to receiving veteran's disability compensation. These changes will take effect the first day of the month following the enactment of the Act.

The ROUTERS Act mandates a study by the Secretary of Commerce to assess the national security risks and cybersecurity vulnerabilities associated with consumer routers and modems supplied by companies linked to "covered countries." This report must detail the findings regarding equipment from these flagged nations and be submitted to relevant Congressional committees within one year of enactment.

The "PLAN for Broadband Act" directs the Assistant Secretary of Commerce to develop a National Strategy to Synchronize Federal Broadband Programs, aiming to improve coordination, reduce barriers, and ensure efficient use of funds for high-speed internet access across the U.S. This strategy requires covered agencies to coordinate and streamline the approval process for broadband infrastructure projects on federal properties. The Act also mandates an implementation plan, regular briefings to Congress, and a Government Accountability Office study to assess and improve the strategy's effectiveness. Finally, the Act requires agencies to track application processing times and sets a minimum project cost for NEPA review.

The SAFE Orbit Act establishes the framework for the Department of Commerce to manage civil space situational awareness and space traffic coordination. This involves gathering and publicly sharing unclassified data on objects in orbit while providing basic services for free. The bill also elevates the existing Office of Space Commerce into a new, directly reporting Bureau led by a Senate-confirmed Assistant Secretary. Finally, it grants liability protection to government entities and contractors involved in providing or receiving this space traffic information.

The Rights for the Transportation Security Administration Workforce Act moves TSA personnel from their special management system into the standard federal employee system under Title 5 of the U.S. Code by a set deadline. This transition aims to grant TSA employees the same workplace protections and benefits as other federal workers while ensuring current pay and service time are protected. The bill also mandates several reviews by the Comptroller General and requires consultation with employee representatives regarding the implementation process. Finally, it preserves existing anti-strike laws and addresses specific concerns for Federal Air Marshals.

The Alleviating Spaceport Traffic by Rewarding Operators Act of 2025 establishes a pilot program to improve transportation infrastructure at space launch and reentry sites. This program allows the Secretary of Transportation to award grants to operators based on their previous year's launch and reentry activity. These funds must be used for on-site transportation improvements, with opportunities for supplemental grants based on matching funds from other entities. The pilot program is authorized to run until October 1, 2030, with an annual funding cap of $20 million.

The HELPER Act of 2025 establishes a new FHA mortgage insurance program to help first responders, educators, and law enforcement officers purchase homes. This program offers qualifying first-time homebuyers the potential for a zero down payment mortgage. A key feature is the elimination of monthly mortgage insurance premiums, though an upfront premium will still be charged.

The Safe Schools Improvement Act aims to combat bullying and harassment in schools by requiring states that accept federal funding to establish clear anti-bullying policies, define prohibited conduct based on protected characteristics, and implement systems for reporting and tracking incidents. This legislation mandates that local districts inform all stakeholders about prohibited conduct and establish formal complaint processes. Furthermore, the bill requires regular state and federal evaluations to assess the effectiveness of these measures in reducing harmful behavior while respecting existing non-discrimination laws and free speech rights.

The HOME Investment Partnerships Reauthorization and Improvement Act of 2025 reauthorizes the HOME program for five years with increased funding and reforms to administrative rules and eligibility. The bill strengthens accountability through stricter property inspections and penalties while offering greater flexibility for local jurisdictions and homeowners facing hardship. It also establishes a new federal loan guarantee program to finance affordable housing construction and preservation.

The NASA Transition Authorization Act of 2025 authorizes the agency's funding for fiscal year 2025 and solidifies the strategic direction for human spaceflight, emphasizing the "Moon to Mars" program and the transition to commercial Low-Earth Orbit destinations. The bill directs significant investment into science missions, technology development, and aeronautics research, while also restructuring STEM education programs. Finally, it establishes new policy guidelines regarding commercial partnerships, cost oversight, and international collaboration.

The Downpayment Toward Equity Act of 2025 establishes a \$100 billion federal grant program to provide downpayment and closing cost assistance to first-generation and first-time homebuyers who meet specific income limits. Funds will be distributed to states and eligible entities to help qualified buyers purchase primary residences using eligible mortgage loans. Recipients must complete mandatory housing counseling, and assistance generally must be repaid proportionally if the home is vacated within five years.

The Tariff Transparency Act of 2025 directs the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) to investigate and report on the economic effects of proposed or announced tariffs on trade with Mexico and Canada. This comprehensive report must detail the impact of potential duties on consumer prices, the fallout from retaliatory measures, and the costs associated with ongoing trade uncertainty. The USITC is required to submit its findings to Congress within one year of the Act's enactment.