Legislative Activity

This bill designates April 20-26, 2025 as DES Awareness Week to recognize the history and harm caused by diethylstilbestrol (DES), a toxic estrogen prescribed to millions of pregnant women in the U.S. until 1971. The bill expresses support for DES Awareness Week, recognizes the harm caused by DES, supports restoring funding for the DES Follow-Up Study, and urges the FDA to formally apologize to affected families. DES exposure in utero has been linked to various health complications in children and increased fertility and pregnancy complications in women. The FDA banned DES use during pregnancy in 1971 but has not apologized for the harm caused by its prolonged use.

This bill urges the U.S. to prioritize a world free of nuclear weapons and lead a global effort to prevent nuclear war. It calls for negotiations with other nuclear-armed countries to halt the buildup of nuclear arsenals, reduce/eliminate them, and pursue verifiable arms control agreements. The bill also advocates for policies such as renouncing the first use of nuclear weapons, ending the "hair-trigger" alert posture, and maintaining the global moratorium on nuclear explosive testing. Additionally, it emphasizes the need to protect communities and workers affected by nuclear weapons through remediation, health monitoring, and economic transition planning.

This bill streamlines the House's consideration of H.R. 185, expediting the legislative process by waiving certain procedural rules and points of order. It also amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to protect Medicaid and SNAP by preventing reconciliation bills that would reduce enrollment, eligibility, or benefits for these programs until January 20, 2029. Additionally, the Clerk of the House is directed to notify the Senate of the bill's passage within a week.

The "Deerfield River Wild and Scenic River Study Act of 2025" directs the Secretary of the Interior to study the Deerfield River and its major tributaries in Massachusetts and Vermont for potential designation under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. The study will assess the river's eligibility for inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. A report on the study's findings must be submitted to Congress within three years of funding availability.

The Breaking the Gridlock Act addresses a range of issues, from creating a time capsule commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States to protecting Americans' sensitive personal data from foreign adversaries. The bill also focuses on veterans' affairs, including correcting improperly withheld taxes and improving support programs. Additionally, it addresses fire suppression cost share agreements, Udall Foundation funding, and strategies to combat Boko Haram. Finally, the act allocates specific funds from the U.S. Treasury for various federal programs and departments for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026.

This resolution streamlines House procedures for debating and voting on a bill concerning responsible policies (H.R. 185). It bypasses certain procedural hurdles, such as challenges to the bill's content, and includes an amendment from the Rules Committee's ranking minority member. Debate time is limited, and the Clerk is instructed to notify the Senate of the bill's passage.

Here are the high-level summaries for each bill, designed to be concise and informative for website descriptions: * **Responsible Legislating Act:** This bill extends key agricultural reporting requirements, ensuring continued market transparency for livestock sales and supporting agricultural marketing services. * **[Bill Regarding Veteran Apprenticeship Programs]:** This legislation enhances career opportunities for veterans by improving their access to and awareness of registered apprenticeship programs through better education and online resources. * **[Bill Regarding Federal Employee Protections]:** This bill supports federal employees in high-risk roles who become ill or injured on duty by encouraging agencies to retain them and modifying retirement rules to avoid penalties. * **[Bill Regarding Retirement Savings]:** This legislation aims to improve and expand retirement savings options for Americans by making changes to employer-sponsored retirement plans and individual retirement accounts (IRAs). * **[Boots to Business Program Act]:** This bill establishes the "Boots to Business Program" to provide entrepreneurship training and resources to veterans, transitioning service members, and their families, helping them start and manage small businesses. * **[Bill Regarding Human Trafficking Penalties]:** This legislation increases penalties for human trafficking, coercion, and enticement offenses, particularly in or near school zones and institutions of higher education, to create safer environments for students. * **[Bill Regarding National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture]:** This legislation establishes a commission to explore the possibility of creating a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture in the Washington, D.C., area. * **[Bill Regarding Semiconductor Supply Chain]:** This legislation strengthens the U.S. semiconductor supply chain by increasing foreign direct investment in domestic manufacturing through the Department of Commerce’s SelectUSA program. * **[Bill Regarding Homeland Security Equipment Purchases]:** This bill revises the approval process for certain equipment purchases made with grants under the Homeland Security Act to ensure a clear and consistent review process. * **[Bill Regarding NASA Leasing Authority]:** This legislation extends NASA's authority to lease underused properties to private entities, state and local governments, academic institutions, and other federal agencies for an additional year. * **[Bill Regarding House Committee Hearings]:** Mandates that each standing committee in the House of Representatives must hold a hearing to review how this Act is being put into action. * **[Bill Regarding Whistleblower Protection]:** Addresses the protection of whistleblowers by setting strict guidelines on the disclosure of their identities, aiming to encourage the reporting of misconduct within the House of Representatives without fear of reprisal. * **[Bill Regarding Foreign Ownership of Marine Terminals]:** Mandates a comprehensive study to evaluate the effects of foreign ownership of marine terminals at major U.S. ports on the nation's economic security. * **[Bill Regarding Budgetary Effects]:** References how the financial impact of the bill will be officially measured and recorded, ensuring it aligns with existing budget rules. * **[Bill Regarding Federal Credit Union Act]:** Amends the Federal Credit Union Act to modify how often the board of directors of Federal credit unions are required to meet, ensuring appropriate oversight based on the credit union's age and financial stability. * **[Bill Regarding Treasury Funds Allocation]:** This legislation allocates specific funds from the Treasury for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, to various government programs and departments.