Legislative Activity

This resolution designates January 2025 as "National Mentoring Month" to recognize the positive impact of mentoring on youth development. It highlights mentoring's role in improving academic achievement, fostering leadership skills, and supporting at-risk youth. The resolution encourages expanding mentoring opportunities to address the significant need for mentors among young people nationwide. It also acknowledges the invaluable contributions of mentoring program staff and volunteers.

The Fair Access to Banking Act aims to ensure equal access to financial services by preventing banks and credit unions from denying services to individuals or entities engaged in lawful activities based on subjective or politically motivated reasons. It sets requirements for banks with over $10 billion in assets, prohibiting them from denying services based on reputational risk and requiring them to justify denials with documented, risk-based standards. The act also allows individuals to sue financial institutions that violate these requirements, with the potential for treble damages and attorney fees awarded to successful plaintiffs. Furthermore, it restricts access to Federal Reserve lending programs and the Automated Clearing House Network for institutions that fail to comply with the Act.

**Title I:** This bill seeks to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs within the federal government by revoking prior directives, terminating DEI offices, and restricting DEI-related training and activities. **Title II:** This bill restricts federal training programs from including topics related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and protects employees from mandatory training on these subjects. **Title III:** This bill modifies federal contracting practices by prohibiting the use of federal funds for DEI-related activities and ensuring non-discrimination in federal programs. **Title IV:** This bill restricts the use of federal grant and cooperative agreement funds for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) initiatives, while exempting certain offices and institutions. **Title V:** This bill aims to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices within federal advisory committees by outlining specific prohibitions, enforcement mechanisms, and responsibilities for agency administrators and heads to ensure compliance. **Title VI:** This bill addresses accreditation standards for higher education institutions and restricts the use of federal funds by the Secretary of Education related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. **Title VII:** This bill eliminates certain diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and related requirements across various federal agencies and acts. **Title VIII:** This bill focuses on the enforcement and legal standing of the Act, ensuring individuals have the right to seek justice if they believe the law has been violated, and clarifies that the law remains effective even if parts of it are deemed unconstitutional.

The Hearing Protection Act seeks to remove silencers from special regulation under federal tax law, treating them similarly to standard firearms components. This bill preempts state and local governments from imposing special taxes or registration requirements on silencers involved in interstate commerce. Furthermore, it mandates the destruction of existing federal records identifying silencer owners and establishes new serial number marking requirements for manufacturers.

The "Education Freedom Scholarships and Opportunity Act" establishes federal tax credits for individuals and corporations who donate to state-approved scholarship-granting organizations and workforce training programs. A web portal managed by the Secretary of Education will list eligible organizations, facilitate contributions, and provide information on tax benefits. The Act sets a national cap of $10 billion annually for qualifying contributions, divided equally between scholarship and workforce training organizations, and allocates funds to states based on prior contributions and demographics. This encourages investment in educational opportunities while ensuring no federal overreach into private, religious, or home education.

The "Holocaust Education and Antisemitism Lessons Act" directs the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum to study Holocaust education efforts in schools across the country. The study will determine the status of Holocaust education implementation, teaching methods, instructional materials used, and assessment methods used to evaluate students' knowledge, and the director will submit a report to Congress on the study's findings. This act aims to improve understanding of the Holocaust, educate on preventing genocide and hate, and study the history of antisemitism.

This resolution designates the week beginning February 3, 2025, as "National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week," recognizing the vital role of TCUs in providing culturally relevant education to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and other students. TCUs serve over 230 federally recognized Indian Tribes by offering high-quality postsecondary education and workforce preparation. The resolution encourages the public to participate in activities and programs that support these institutions.

The "Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act" expands Medicare coverage to include innovative multi-cancer early detection screening tests starting in 2028. These tests, which use genomic sequencing to detect multiple cancer types, will be covered for eligible beneficiaries with age and frequency limitations. The payment amount for these tests will initially align with that of multi-target stool screening DNA tests. This new coverage aims to improve early cancer detection without affecting existing Medicare-covered cancer screenings.

The "Homeowner Energy Freedom Act" repeals sections 50122, 50123, and 50131 of Public Law 117-169. It also rescinds any remaining funds allocated to these sections. Additionally, the bill removes a reference to a specific rebate program from another section of the same law.

This resolution designates January 26 through February 1, 2025, as "National School Choice Week," recognizing the importance of diverse educational options (public, charter, magnet, private, online, and homeschooling). It emphasizes the role of parents in choosing the best educational environment for their children and encourages awareness of the benefits of school choice. The resolution supports celebrating educational choice and acknowledges the contributions of students, parents, teachers, and school leaders.

The Laken Riley Act mandates the detention of illegal aliens who commit theft, burglary, larceny, or shoplifting. It empowers state attorneys general to sue the Department of Homeland Security or the Secretary of State if they believe the state or its residents are harmed by violations of immigration enforcement or visa granting. The bill aims to ensure that these aliens are detained throughout their removal proceedings and to provide states with legal recourse against perceived failures in federal immigration enforcement.

The "A PLUS Act" allows states to submit a declaration of intent to the Secretary of Education to consolidate certain federal education funds, excluding those under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, to improve academic achievement. States must ensure transparency and accountability in the use of these funds, focusing on enhancing educational opportunities for disadvantaged students. The Act limits administrative expenses and requires equitable participation of private schools in funded activities. This aims to provide states and local communities more flexibility in deciding how to improve academic achievement and implement education changes.

The Stop Illegal Reentry Act amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to increase the criminal penalties for previously removed aliens who reenter or attempt to reenter the United States. The bill increases the prison time for those with previous convictions and sets mandatory minimum sentences for those with aggravated felonies in their past. It also updates references to reflect current agency responsibilities and correct cross-references within the existing law.

This resolution commemorates the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz and International Holocaust Remembrance Day, urging Americans to remember the victims of the Holocaust and fight against antisemitism. It recognizes the historical significance of Auschwitz, where 1.1 million innocent civilians were murdered, and emphasizes the importance of Holocaust education to combat intolerance. The resolution also acknowledges the recent rise in antisemitic incidents and encourages the pursuit of tolerance, peace, and justice.

The "Dignity for Aborted Children Act" requires abortion providers to offer patients the option to take possession of fetal remains for interment or cremation, or to release the remains to the provider for proper disposal. Abortion providers must obtain consent, maintain records, and submit annual reports on abortion procedures and fetal tissue disposal. Non-compliance can result in fines and imprisonment, but patients are exempt from prosecution. The act does not override state laws regarding the interment or cremation of human remains.

This concurrent resolution recognizes the significant historical and ongoing contributions of tax-exempt fraternal benefit societies to communities across the United States. It acknowledges their extensive volunteer network and substantial charitable giving, which helps to meet various needs and support financial security. The resolution affirms that their tax-exempt status continues to benefit the country and that their work should be encouraged.

The "Guidance Out Of Darkness Act" or the "GOOD Act" mandates federal agencies to publish both new and existing guidance documents online in a central, easily accessible location. This aims to increase transparency by ensuring the public has access to agency policies and interpretations. The Act requires agencies to categorize these documents and maintain a record of rescinded guidance, while also exempting information protected by the Freedom of Information Act.

The "Access to Pediatric Technologies Act of 2025" aims to improve children's access to innovative medical devices by directing the Secretary to set national payment values for qualifying pediatric technologies under the physician fee schedule, starting in 2026. Manufacturers can request these payment values, providing necessary data to support the technology's pediatric qualification. This act is intended to facilitate access to these technologies without mandating coverage or altering existing requirements.

The "Families’ Rights and Responsibilities Act" affirms that parents have a fundamental right to direct the upbringing, education, and healthcare of their children. It restricts government interference in these rights, requiring a compelling governmental interest and the least restrictive means when such interference occurs, while also ensuring parents can seek legal remedies if their rights are violated. The Act also ensures attorney's fees can be awarded in cases under this act, similar to other civil rights cases. This law applies to all federal laws, both past and future, unless explicitly excluded.

The POLICE Act of 2025 amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to make any alien who assaults a law enforcement officer deportable. It requires the Department of Homeland Security to publish an annual report detailing the number of aliens deported for assaulting a law enforcement officer.