Legislative Activity

The RAISE Act of 2025 introduces a refundable tax credit for eligible teachers, offering $1,000 plus additional amounts for teachers in qualifying schools with high student poverty levels. It also increases the tax deduction for educators' expenses to $500 and expands eligibility to include early childhood educators. Additionally, the Act amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to provide mandatory funding to support local educational agencies that maintain or increase teacher salaries, with a portion reserved for teacher salary incentive grants. These grants can be used for various programs aimed at strengthening the teaching profession and improving educator skills.

Ethan's Law establishes federal requirements for the secure storage of firearms to prevent unauthorized access by minors and prohibited persons, making improper storage a civil violation with escalating penalties if injury or death results. The bill also creates a federal grant program to incentivize states and Tribes to adopt matching safe storage laws. Furthermore, Congress declares that failing to comply with these storage requirements constitutes negligence and may be considered the direct cause of resulting firearm injuries.

The Federal Retirement Fairness Act amends title 5 of the United States Code, allowing civilian service in a temporary position after December 31, 1988, to be creditable under the Federal Employees Retirement System. This change applies to current employees and Members of the United States Postal Service, and requires the Office of Personnel Management to notify eligible individuals and issue implementing regulations.

The "New Era of Preventing End-Stage Kidney Disease Act" aims to improve the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of rare kidney diseases through research, education, and increased public awareness. It establishes Centers of Excellence for Rare Kidney Disease Research, directs studies on testing and treatment approaches, and promotes provider education in nephrology. The Act prioritizes addressing disparities in affected populations and seeks to delay or eliminate the need for dialysis and transplant. It authorizes appropriations for these activities from 2026 through 2030.

This resolution reaffirms the United States' unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity as the war enters its third year. It condemns Russia’s ongoing war crimes and human rights abuses, including the forced deportation of Ukrainian children, while demanding the immediate withdrawal of Russian forces. Furthermore, the bill insists that any path to peace must be determined by Ukraine and its allies, ensuring accountability for those responsible for atrocities.

This resolution designates February 24–28, 2025, as "Public Schools Week" to celebrate the vital role public education plays in preparing students for the future. It reaffirms the commitment to providing every child with a high-quality, inclusive, and well-funded learning environment. Additionally, the bill calls on lawmakers to prioritize equitable resources and support services to ensure student success.

This resolution supports the goals and ideals of International Mother Language Day, emphasizing the critical need to preserve linguistic and cultural diversity worldwide. It highlights the urgency of protecting endangered languages—including those native to the United States—and encourages nationwide participation in activities that promote multilingual education and heritage.

The "Accelerating Kids Access to Care Act of 2025" streamlines the enrollment process for out-of-state healthcare providers in Medicaid and CHIP, ensuring children under 21 have access to care from eligible providers across state lines. By reducing administrative burdens and unnecessary screening requirements, the Act aims to improve healthcare access for children while maintaining necessary safeguards against fraud and abuse. Participating providers will be enrolled for a 5-year period, and the changes will take effect three years after the Act's enactment.

The MODERN WIC Act of 2025 aims to modernize the WIC program by expanding options for remote certification appointments, including telephone and video calls, and allowing for remote delivery of food benefits. It requires state agencies to offer various formats for certification appointments, ensuring accessibility for individuals with disabilities. The Act also mandates a report to Congress on the use of remote technologies in WIC, focusing on their impact and best practices.

This bill repeals the 1991 Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution and the 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution, formally ending the legal basis for military actions in Iraq under these authorizations.

The 9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act of 2025 amends the Public Health Service Act to improve the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program by expanding the types of healthcare providers who can conduct mental health evaluations, modifying provider credentialing, clarifying enrollment calculations, and extending the time frame for adding health conditions for WTC responders. The act adjusts the funding formula for fiscal years 2026 through 2090 and requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to report to Congress on the program's budget, including projected needs through 2090 and recommendations for changes to the funding formula. It also stipulates that remaining funds in the Supplemental Fund, Special Fund, and Pentagon-Shanksville Fund will revert to the Treasury.

This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to include Irish nationals in the E-3 visa program if reciprocity is determined by the Secretary of State. Employers hiring Irish nationals under this program must participate in E-Verify. The number of E-3 visas available to Irish nationals annually is capped at the difference between 10,500 and the number of visas issued to Australian nationals in the previous fiscal year.

The Venezuelan Adjustment Act allows eligible Venezuelan nationals who have been in the U.S. since December 31, 2021, to apply for lawful permanent resident status, providing a pathway to citizenship for those who meet specific requirements and pass background checks. Certain grounds for inadmissibility will not apply when determining an alien's admissibility. The Department of Homeland Security will oversee the application process, with decisions not subject to court review except for constitutional claims or questions of law. This adjustment of status does not reduce the number of immigrant visas available under existing immigration laws.

The "Ending DOGE Conflicts Act" mandates that special government employees with financial ties to companies contracting with the federal government must adhere to strict financial disclosure requirements. It requires the Director of the Office of Government Ethics to certify these employees' financial reports and prohibits them from performing official duties until compliance is confirmed.

The Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino Act authorizes the creation of the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino on the National Mall. It ensures the museum's exhibits and programs accurately represent the diverse cultures, histories, events, and values of Hispanic and Latino communities, seeking guidance from diverse sources. The Act also mandates regular reports to Congress on the museum's efforts to meet these diversity requirements.

The Black History Matters Act directs the Director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture to study Black history education in public schools. The study will identify which states require Black history education, assess the quality of education, instructional materials, and analyze how schools assess students' knowledge. A report will then be submitted to Congress detailing the findings of the study.

The Global Demining Protection Act mandates the Secretary of State to promptly resume all Department of State programs related to demining, clearing unexploded ordnance, and destroying small arms. This resumption is in accordance with the activities authorized by Executive Order 14169, section 3(e). The aim of the act is to restart global demining efforts.

This bill amends the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to expand scholarship opportunities at 1890 institutions to both bachelor's and graduate students. It provides mandatory funding of $15 million per fiscal year, starting in 2025, through the Commodity Credit Corporation, and makes discretionary funding available from fiscal year 2020 onward. The scholarships will be available each academic year that funding is available.

The "Alternatives to PAIN Act" amends Medicare Part D to improve access to non-opioid pain management drugs by waiving deductibles and ensuring they are placed on the lowest cost-sharing tier starting in 2026. The Act also prohibits the use of step therapy and prior authorization requirements for these drugs, further easing access for patients. These changes aim to provide more accessible alternatives for pain management, reducing reliance on opioids.

The "Protect US National Security Act" ensures that federal funds cannot be used to eliminate the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) as an independent entity. It asserts that only an act of Congress can eliminate USAID. The Secretary of State must certify compliance with this requirement to Congress within 30 days of the act's enactment and annually for 5 years.