Legislative Activity

This resolution formally expresses Congressional support for designating June 2025 as "Black Music Month." It recognizes the profound and foundational cultural impact of Black artists across all American music genres, from spirituals to hip-hop. The bill encourages the nation to actively celebrate this rich heritage through educational programs and public acknowledgment. Ultimately, it honors the creators whose work reflects the American experience and promotes diversity through music.

The FIGHT Act of 2025 significantly strengthens federal prohibitions against animal fighting ventures, specifically targeting the sponsorship, exhibition, and gambling associated with these events. This legislation clarifies the definition of a rooster for legal purposes and bans the interstate transport of roosters for fighting. Furthermore, it empowers private citizens to file lawsuits against violators, allowing for civil penalties and the potential seizure of property used to facilitate illegal animal fighting.

The School Violence Prevention Act establishes a new, comprehensive grant program to fund evidence-based violence prevention initiatives in high-risk communities. These grants will support partnerships between schools and community organizations to implement trauma-informed programs focused on youth development, social skills, and connecting students with mental health resources. The bill mandates rigorous evaluation of these programs to measure their impact on student success and overall community safety.

The Small Business Liberation Act exempts qualifying small businesses from special duties or fees imposed by the President following a national emergency declaration. This provision ensures that small businesses are not burdened by extra import costs triggered during times of national crisis.

The PHARA Act of 2025 mandates the immediate release of all existing National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant funding and prohibits the cancellation of active research agreements. Moving forward, all new NIH grant agreements must include specific termination clauses requiring a 90-day notice and good-faith negotiation before ending the funding. Furthermore, this Act explicitly prevents the NIH from terminating agreements solely because the research no longer aligns with current agency goals or priorities.

This resolution formally commemorates the ninth anniversary of the tragic Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida, on June 12, 2016. It honors the lives lost, recognizes the bravery of first responders, and reaffirms community unity in the face of hate. Furthermore, the resolution calls for continued efforts to reduce gun violence and support those affected by this act of terrorism.

The Domestic Workers Bill of Rights Act seeks to significantly expand labor protections for domestic employees by bringing them under standard federal laws, including eligibility for overtime pay and mandated paid sick leave. The bill establishes written employment agreements, sets clear privacy boundaries for workers in private homes, and creates a Standards Board to recommend ongoing improvements to wages and benefits. Furthermore, it establishes enforcement mechanisms and temporarily increases federal Medicaid funding for in-home care services to help offset compliance costs.

This resolution declares the severe lack of affordable housing a national crisis requiring urgent, coordinated action. It calls upon federal, state, and local governments, alongside private and nonprofit partners, to prioritize the production of new affordable units and the preservation of existing ones. The bill emphasizes the need for smart policies that encourage building, protect tenants, and ensure housing stability for all Americans.

The Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2025 aims to strengthen existing federal background check systems to prevent prohibited persons from acquiring firearms. This bill primarily mandates that most private firearm transfers must be facilitated through a licensed dealer who will conduct a background check. The legislation includes specific exceptions for family gifts, law enforcement, and temporary transfers under emergency circumstances.

The Telemental Health Care Access Act of 2025 updates Medicare rules to ensure comprehensive coverage for mental and behavioral health services delivered via telehealth. This legislation clarifies and expands the scope of telehealth coverage under Medicare for these essential services. Furthermore, it removes previous restrictions, making the expanded coverage effective retroactively to the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021.

The Elder Pride Protection Act of 2025 establishes the ELDER Task Force within the Department of Justice to combat abuse targeting older LGBTQI+ individuals. This group is charged with studying the causes of this abuse, developing national best practices, and creating training materials for law enforcement. The Task Force must report its findings and progress to Congress within one year of the Act's enactment.

The Defense Shipyard Workforce Housing Act of 2025 mandates a Department of Defense study to assess the feasibility, costs, and benefits of providing housing for civilian workers at four key naval shipyards. This comprehensive review will examine options for building or leasing housing and its potential impact on recruitment and retention. The findings, including recommendations, must be reported to Congress within 18 months of enactment.

The AADAPT Act reauthorizes the Project ECHO Grant Program and establishes new, dedicated grants to support technology-enabled collaborative training for healthcare professionals in underserved areas. These new grants specifically focus on improving the early diagnosis and quality of care for patients with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The bill outlines funding levels and reporting requirements to track the impact of these specialized training models on provider retention and patient outcomes.

The Coordinated Federal Response to Extreme Heat Act of 2025 establishes a unified federal approach to mitigating the health and safety risks posed by extreme heat. It creates an Interagency Committee within NOAA to coordinate efforts across numerous federal departments and mandates the development of a National Integrated Heat Health Information System (NIHHIS). This new system will provide open access to data, forecasts, and science-backed tools to improve national preparedness and response to dangerous heat events. The Act authorizes $5 million annually through fiscal year 2029 to support these initiatives.

The Family Vaccine Protection Act formally establishes the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) into law, requiring all its vaccine recommendations to be based on the preponderance of the best available, peer-reviewed scientific evidence. This legislation mandates strict procedures for the CDC Director to adopt or reject ACIP advice, including notifying Congress if a recommendation is rejected. Furthermore, the Act requires that any changes to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program's injury table must also be supported by strong scientific evidence.

The Excess Urban Heat Mitigation Act of 2025 establishes a new grant program to combat dangerous urban heat islands, which disproportionately affect low-income and minority communities. This program will fund eligible entities for projects like tree planting, installing cool pavements, and establishing cooling centers. At least 75% of the annual funding must target designated low-income census tracts, ensuring resources are directed to the most vulnerable areas. The Act authorizes $30 million annually through fiscal year 2033 to support these essential mitigation efforts.

The Loved Ones Interment Act allows the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide a single headstone or marker for a cremated veteran buried alongside another eligible individual. This marker can include information for both people, provided the cost does not exceed the standard limit for one marker. This change streamlines the process for honoring veterans interred together.

The Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act of 2025 repeals key provisions of the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act. This legislation allows federal gun trace information to be discoverable and admissible as evidence in civil lawsuits and administrative hearings. The bill aims to provide victims of gun violence with greater access to relevant data in legal proceedings.

The No Place for LGBTQ+ Hate Act immediately repeals specific Executive Orders that reportedly targeted or limited the rights of LGBTQI individuals across federal areas like employment and healthcare. This legislation also prohibits the use of any federal funds to enforce or carry out these canceled orders. The bill includes a savings provision to ensure it does not infringe upon the President's existing constitutional authority.

The Extreme Heat Economic Study Act of 2025 mandates a comprehensive study, led by NOAA, to quantify the full financial costs of extreme heat events in the United States. This study must analyze impacts across health, property damage, labor productivity, and critical infrastructure like energy and agriculture. The final report will recommend a national system for tracking and publicly reporting these economic losses within four years of enactment.