Legislative Activity

The Jumpstart on College Act aims to increase the number of students, particularly those from low-income and underrepresented backgrounds, who complete a recognized postsecondary degree or certificate on time. The bill authorizes $250 million annually for competitive grants to eligible entities (colleges partnering with school districts) and to states to expand early college high school and dual enrollment programs. Recipients must focus on rigorous academic support, professional development, and ensuring students earn college credit tuition-free. Finally, the Act mandates annual reporting on key student outcomes, including credential attainment and college enrollment rates.

The FASTER Act repeals outdated requirements regarding the crediting and deposit of aviation security fees. This legislation streamlines the process by ensuring collected fees are deposited into a dedicated Treasury account. These funds are then made directly available to exclusively cover aviation security activities and services.

The Small Business RELIEF Act exempts qualifying small businesses from import duties imposed under Executive Order 14257 due to a national emergency declaration. This legislation also mandates refunds for any such duties already paid by these small businesses. The goal is to provide immediate financial relief to small businesses impacted by these specific emergency tariffs.

The No Foreign Fundraising at United States Embassies Act prohibits the use of U.S. diplomatic posts, including embassies and consulates, for any fundraising activities benefiting a foreign political party or candidate. This legislation aims to ensure strict U.S. neutrality during foreign elections by banning the hosting of such political events on federal property. The Secretary of State is required to update regulations within 90 days to explicitly enforce this prohibition.

This resolution recognizes the 50th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Cabo Verde and celebrates the deep, historical relationship between the U.S. and Cabo Verde. It specifically commends the significant contributions of Cabo Verdean-Americans to both nations. The bill affirms U.S. support for Cabo Verde's democracy, good governance, and its important role in global security.

The Preventing HEAT Illness and Deaths Act of 2025 aims to combat the nation's leading weather-related killer by establishing a coordinated federal strategy to address extreme heat. The bill creates an Interagency Committee and a National Integrated Heat Health Information System (NIHHIS) within NOAA to improve data sharing, research, and response planning. Furthermore, it authorizes a new Community Heat Resilience Program to provide financial assistance for local projects focused on reducing heat-related health risks, prioritizing vulnerable communities.

The Protecting Small Business Competitions Act of 2025 establishes the "Rule of Two" within the Small Business Act. This rule mandates that federal contracts exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold must be reserved for small businesses if the contracting officer reasonably expects at least two responsible small business offers. This ensures greater competition among small businesses for significant government procurements, provided a fair market price can still be achieved.

This resolution honors Dr. Paul Farmer by calling for the U.S. Federal Government to adopt a 21st-century global health solidarity strategy. It demands a significant increase in global health funding, coupled with systemic changes to stop economic harms that drain resources from developing nations. The strategy emphasizes supporting local health systems through "accompaniment" and ensuring medical innovations are treated as global public goods. Finally, it asserts the duty to issue reparations for historical and ongoing economic and social injustices.

The Warehouse Worker Protection Act establishes new federal standards to safeguard warehouse employees from excessive performance quotas and unsafe working conditions. It creates a dedicated office within the Department of Labor to enforce transparency requirements regarding quotas and mandates new OSHA standards to prevent musculoskeletal injuries. Furthermore, the bill strengthens labor protections by clarifying when performance targets unlawfully interfere with workers' rights to organize.

The All Aboard Act of 2025 aims to significantly modernize and expand the nation's passenger and freight rail systems through massive federal investment. It establishes major grant programs focused on electrifying infrastructure, developing zero-emission locomotives, and improving high-performance rail service. Furthermore, the Act mandates strong labor protections and creates new training centers to ensure a skilled workforce is ready for the industry's technological transition.

The Gun Violence Prevention Research Act of 2025 authorizes $50 million annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2031 to be appropriated to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This funding is specifically designated for conducting or supporting research on firearms safety and gun violence prevention. This appropriation is in addition to any existing funds allocated for this purpose.

The End Solitary Confinement Act aims to drastically limit the use of solitary confinement in federal facilities, mandating a minimum of 14 hours of daily social interaction and structured programming for all incarcerated individuals. The bill establishes strict exceptions for emergency confinement, protects vulnerable populations from restrictive housing, and creates an independent Community Monitoring Body to oversee compliance. Furthermore, it incentivizes states to adopt similar standards by tying federal funding to adherence to these new humane confinement rules.

The Freedom to Move Act establishes grants to support state and local efforts to make public transportation entirely fare-free. These funds are also intended to help improve transit systems, focusing on safety, accessibility, and reliability, particularly in underserved communities. Applicants must detail plans for service redesign, community involvement, and eliminating criminal penalties for fare evasion. The bill authorizes $5 billion annually for these grants from Fiscal Years 2026 through 2030.

This Act prohibits discrimination against individuals based on disability or age in federal jury service. It amends federal law to ensure qualified individuals are not excluded from juries solely due to a disability if reasonable accommodations can be made. The bill removes outdated standards that allowed exclusion based on general infirmity.

The Community Mental Wellness and Resilience Act of 2025 establishes federal grant programs to fund community-based networks focused on mental health prevention using a public health approach. These grants will support organizations in planning and implementing programs that strengthen local protective factors and address risk factors for mental health challenges. A minimum of twenty percent of the funding is specifically set aside for programs operating in rural areas. The goal is to build comprehensive, culturally appropriate resilience strategies across diverse community sectors.

The Pay Paraprofessionals and Support Staff Act establishes a new federal funding stream to mandate that states set and meet minimum living wage standards for all school paraprofessionals and support staff. This legislation sets baseline minimum salaries and hourly wages, which increase with experience and are adjusted for inflation after 2030. States must apply for funding and create a four-year plan to ensure all local districts comply with these new pay requirements, using federal funds to supplement, not supplant, existing local education budgets.

The Investing in Children Before Missiles (ICBM) Act pauses the costly and delayed Sentinel missile program due to significant cost overruns. This legislation redirects unspent funds earmarked for Sentinel and related warhead modifications directly to the Department of Education to support low-income students. Furthermore, the bill mandates an independent study on extending the life of the existing Minuteman III missiles until at least 2050, while also analyzing strategic alternatives.

The Ensuring Safe and Toxic-Free Foods Act of 2025 overhauls the process for determining if substances used in food are "Generally Recognized As Safe" (GRAS), requiring manufacturers to provide extensive new safety data for current and future ingredients. This legislation mandates that the FDA review existing GRAS determinations and establishes a periodic safety reassessment program for all approved food chemicals based on modern scientific standards. Ultimately, the bill aims to strengthen public health protections by ensuring that all substances in the food supply meet rigorous, transparent safety criteria.

The Climate Change Health Protection and Promotion Act of 2025 establishes the Office of Climate Change and Health Equity within HHS to coordinate federal efforts against climate-related health threats. This Act mandates the creation of a National Strategic Action Plan to prepare public health and healthcare systems, especially for vulnerable communities. It also establishes a permanent scientific advisory board and requires expert reports to guide strategy and assess preparedness.

The Preparing And Retaining All (PARA) Educators Act establishes a new federal grant program to help states recruit and retain paraprofessionals in public schools. Funds are distributed to states based on Title I allocations and must be used for state administration or competitive subgrants to local entities. Subgrants must support activities like mentoring, professional development, credentialing assistance, or wage increases, with priority given to entities serving high-poverty areas. States must report annually on wage changes and program effectiveness.