Legislative Activity

The Sarah Debbink Langenkamp Active Transportation Safety Act updates the Highway Safety Improvement Program to prioritize and increase federal funding for projects that protect cyclists and pedestrians. This legislation explicitly expands eligible safety projects to include connecting existing bike/pedestrian paths and implementing risk-reduction strategies for vulnerable road users. Furthermore, it allows states greater flexibility in financing these safety upgrades, including the potential for 100% federal funding for certain projects.

The American Housing and Economic Mobility Act of 2025 is a comprehensive bill designed to aggressively tackle the national housing crisis through multiple avenues. It seeks to make housing more affordable by injecting massive funding into federal programs and incentivizing local regulatory reform to boost construction. Furthermore, the Act aims to reverse historical inequities by establishing new assistance for first-generation homebuyers and overhauling community reinvestment rules for banks. Finally, it strengthens anti-discrimination protections and enacts significant reforms to the federal estate and gift tax structure.

The Medicare Dental, Hearing, and Vision Expansion Act of 2025 significantly broadens Medicare coverage by adding comprehensive benefits for dental, hearing aids, and routine vision care starting in 2027. This legislation establishes new fee schedules, payment rules, and utilization limits for these services under Medicare Part B. Furthermore, the bill includes a five-year phase-in plan (2026–2030) to gradually incorporate the cost of the new dental coverage into the standard Part B premium calculation for enrollees aged 65 and older.

This concurrent resolution expresses support for recognizing March 10, 2025, as "Abortion Provider Appreciation Day" to honor abortion providers and staff for their essential care, courage, and dedication, particularly in light of increasing restrictions on abortion access. It affirms Congress's commitment to ensuring the safety of abortion providers and patients' right to access care without fear of violence or criminalization. The resolution condemns actions that limit abortion access and expresses a vision for a future where everyone has full access to necessary care without penalty or stigma.

The Stop Shackling and Detaining Pregnant Women Act aims to significantly restrict the detention of pregnant and postpartum noncitizens in immigration custody. It mandates immediate testing for pregnancy upon intake and establishes a strong presumption against detention unless extraordinary, case-by-case public safety risks are proven. Furthermore, the bill strictly limits the use of physical restraints on pregnant detainees and requires comprehensive medical care, including reproductive health services, alongside detailed public reporting on detention statistics and restraint incidents.

The Farewell to Foam Act of 2025 bans the sale and distribution of expanded polystyrene (Styrofoam) food service ware, coolers, and loose-fill packaging starting January 1, 2028. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator is tasked with defining terms and enforcing the ban, issuing written warnings for initial violations followed by escalating fines for repeat offenses. The law also grants the Administrator the authority to establish necessary regulations and allows states to take over enforcement duties under specific conditions.

This resolution establishes the first Monday in March as COVID-19 Victims Memorial Day to remember the lives lost during the pandemic. It acknowledges the pandemic's devastating impact, particularly on vulnerable communities, and honors the sacrifices of frontline workers. The resolution aims to ensure that the memory of those who died and the challenges faced are never forgotten.

The Do No Harm Act amends the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) to ensure that federal anti-discrimination, labor, and equal access laws take precedence over religious freedom claims in specific circumstances. This legislation clarifies that RFRA protections cannot be used to override requirements in federal contracts or agreements involving government funding. Furthermore, the Act explicitly limits the application of RFRA to challenges against government actions, precluding its use in private litigation between non-governmental parties.

This resolution acknowledges the significant contributions of women-owned businesses in the United States, which have experienced substantial growth and play a vital role in the nation's economy. It recognizes the increasing number of women-owned businesses, their employment figures, and their revenue generation. The resolution commends the entrepreneurial spirit of women business owners and celebrates their achievements.

The Guaranteeing Overtime for Truckers Act aims to ensure overtime pay for truck drivers by repealing a specific exemption within the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. This legislative change removes an existing loophole that previously excluded certain trucking roles from standard overtime requirements. Ultimately, the bill seeks to guarantee that truckers receive overtime compensation for hours worked beyond the standard workweek.

The Extreme Risk Protection Order Expansion Act of 2025 establishes a federal grant program to help states and tribes implement laws allowing for Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs), which temporarily remove firearms from individuals deemed a danger to themselves or others. The bill mandates specific due process protections for individuals subject to these orders and ensures that any issued ERPO is recognized and enforced across all states and tribes. Furthermore, it updates federal law to prohibit firearm possession by anyone subject to a qualifying court order and requires that these orders be entered into the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).

The Broadcast Freedom and Independence Act of 2025 reinforces the independence of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from political pressure. This bill explicitly prohibits the FCC from taking punitive action against broadcasters based solely on the viewpoints or opinions they air. It ensures that broadcast licenses and business transaction approvals cannot be conditioned on changing content or political speech. However, this protection does not shield broadcasters from enforcement actions related to fraud, obscenity, or incitement to lawless action.

The Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2025 significantly strengthens the National Labor Relations Act to bolster worker organizing rights and impose stricter penalties on employers who violate labor laws. It redefines joint employment, makes it harder to classify workers as independent contractors, and bans class action waivers. The bill also establishes mandatory arbitration for first contracts and allows employees to sue employers directly for serious unfair labor practices.

The HELP Copays Act mandates that financial assistance provided by third parties, such as non-profits or drug manufacturers, must count toward a patient's deductible, copayment, and out-of-pocket maximums. This change ensures that patient cost-sharing requirements are met even when external aid is used to cover prescription drug costs. The new rules generally apply to plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.

This bill establishes the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies to investigate the history and impact of these federal policies on Native American communities over a six-year period. The Commission is empowered to gather testimony, review federal records, and work with specialized subcommittees to address the resulting social, cultural, and physical harm. Furthermore, the legislation strengthens NAGPRA to ensure the return and respectful reburial of associated cultural items.

This bill aims to reform mining practices on federal lands by setting royalties on mineral extraction, introducing stricter permitting and environmental regulations, and establishing a fund for reclaiming abandoned mines. It requires mining operators to pay annual fees and royalties, obtain permits for mineral activities, and provide financial assurances for land reclamation. The bill also prioritizes the protection of sensitive lands and mandates tribal consultation before mineral activities begin. These changes are intended to balance resource extraction with environmental protection and ensure fair compensation for the use of public lands.

The Defending American Jobs and Affordable Energy Act of 2025 immediately repeals four specific Executive Orders issued on January 20, 2025, concerning energy policy and international agreements. This action prevents federal funds from being used to enforce those canceled directives. The bill also includes a savings provision to ensure it does not limit any existing authority of the President.

The End Tobacco Loopholes Act dramatically increases federal excise taxes across nearly all tobacco products to establish standardized, higher rates, including doubling the tax on cigarettes. This legislation introduces a new excise tax specifically targeting nicotine used in vaping products, treating it similarly to cigarette taxation. Furthermore, the bill mandates annual automatic tax adjustments based on the cost of living starting in 2026. Finally, it imposes a floor stocks tax on existing inventory when the new rates take effect.

The Public Health Funding Restoration Act aims to restore funding to the Prevention and Public Health Fund, which supports various public health programs. By amending the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the bill allocates $2,000,000,000 annually, starting in fiscal year 2026, to bolster initiatives focused on disease prevention, mental health, and immunization efforts. This restoration seeks to enhance public health outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and improve the nation's ability to prevent and respond to future health crises.

The Social Security Expansion Act aims to increase Social Security benefits across the board, including increased cost-of-living adjustments, expanded eligibility for students, and a higher minimum benefit for low-income earners. To fund these expansions, the bill raises payroll taxes on earnings above $250,000 and increases taxes on investment gains. It also establishes a new "Social Security Trust Fund" to manage the program's finances.