Legislative Activity

The Stop Comstock Act aims to modernize and streamline federal laws concerning obscene materials. This legislation removes outdated and overly broad language, such as "indecent" and "immoral," from various sections of the U.S. Code and the Tariff Act. The bill focuses on technical clean-up to clarify existing statutes regarding the distribution and importation of materials.

The Tariff Transparency Act of 2025 directs the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) to investigate and report on the economic effects of proposed or announced tariffs on trade with Mexico and Canada. This comprehensive report must detail the impact of potential duties on consumer prices, the fallout from retaliatory measures, and the costs associated with ongoing trade uncertainty. The USITC is required to submit its findings to Congress within one year of the Act's enactment.

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 Keep Americans Safe Act generally bans the sale, transfer, and possession of ammunition feeding devices capable of holding more than 10 rounds, with exceptions for current and retired law enforcement, government use, and existing lawful possession. The bill mandates serial numbers and manufacturing dates on newly produced devices. Furthermore, it permits states to use federal Byrne grant funds for buy-back programs targeting these large-capacity magazines.

The "Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Reauthorization Act of 2025" reauthorizes key programs dedicated to the Long Island Sound's health. It extends the Long Island Sound Grants program and the Long Island Sound Stewardship Act of 2006 through 2029, ensuring continued support for restoration and conservation efforts. The bill also corrects a technical error in the Federal Water Pollution Control Act related to the Long Island Sound.

The 9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act of 2025 expands access to mental health evaluations, refines the criteria for healthcare provider credentialing, and clarifies enrollment calculations for the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program. It also adjusts the funding formula for fiscal years 2026-2090, ensuring adequate resources for the program by considering enrollment numbers and increasing funding by 7% annually, with a possible 25% increase in 2026. Finally, the Act mandates a report to Congress on the program's long-term budget needs and potential funding adjustments.

Ethan's Law aims to reduce gun violence by promoting responsible firearm storage. It establishes a federal requirement for gun owners to securely store firearms, especially in homes with minors or individuals prohibited from owning firearms, with penalties for improper storage. The law also creates a grant program to assist states and Indian Tribes in implementing similar safe storage laws. Additionally, it expresses the sense of Congress that failing to securely store a firearm constitutes negligence and can establish legal causation for harm resulting from its discharge.

This resolution marks the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, reaffirming support for Ukraine's sovereignty and its people's resistance. It rejects Russia's territorial claims, encourages continued support for Ukraine's defense and democratic efforts, and emphasizes Ukraine's role in determining its future. The resolution also commends efforts to support Ukraine's defense, human rights, and Euro-Atlantic integration.

The CHAMPVA Children's Care Protection Act of 2025 amends the eligibility requirements for the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA). This bill increases the maximum age for children eligible for medical care under CHAMPVA to the child's 26th birthday, regardless of marital status. It does not limit eligibility for children who are incapable of self-support because of a mental or physical disability.

The "Age 21 Act" aims to regulate firearm sales and possession by individuals under 21 years of age. It defines specific types of firearms, including "semiautomatic assault weapons," and prohibits licensed dealers from selling these firearms or large capacity ammunition feeding devices to individuals under 21. The act also restricts the possession of handguns, semiautomatic assault weapons, and related ammunition by those under 21, with certain exceptions for activities like employment, military service, or self-defense.

The "First Rhode Island Regiment Congressional Gold Medal Act" authorizes the creation of a Congressional Gold Medal to collectively honor the First Rhode Island Regiment for their heroic service during the Revolutionary War. This regiment, one of the first racially integrated units in American history, was composed of African American, Indigenous, and mixed-race soldiers. The gold medal will be presented to the Rhode Island State Library for public display and research, with the hope that it will also be exhibited at other locations associated with the Regiment. The Act also allows for the creation and sale of bronze duplicates of the medal to support the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.

The SECURE Firearm Storage Act aims to reduce gun theft from federally licensed firearms businesses by requiring them to secure firearms with hardened steel rods or locked safes/vaults when the premises are closed. It also mandates secure storage for paper records of firearm inventory and transactions and allows the Attorney General to set additional security requirements. Non-compliant licensees will face civil penalties, license suspension, or revocation.

The Plum Island Preservation Study Act mandates a study by the Secretary of the Interior to evaluate Plum Island's potential for designation as a National Park, National Wildlife Refuge, or other resource protection status. This includes assessing the island's national significance, consulting with stakeholders, and estimating associated costs. A report detailing the study's findings and recommendations must be submitted to Congress within three years of funding availability.

The "Love Lives On Act of 2025" modifies eligibility rules for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) payments for surviving spouses who remarry. It allows remarried surviving spouses to receive certain educational benefits and DIC, and it continues annuity payments to surviving spouses who remarry, particularly those whose spouses died on active duty. Additionally, the Act expands the definition of "dependent" under the TRICARE program to include remarried widows or widowers whose subsequent marriage has ended.

The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025 mandates that new passenger vehicles sold in the U.S. must include standard equipment capable of receiving AM broadcast signals within a few years of the law's enactment. This requirement aims to ensure drivers retain access to crucial emergency alerts, overriding conflicting state or local laws. The bill also directs the GAO to study the reliability of AM radio versus other emergency alert technologies in vehicles.

This comprehensive bill addresses online safety for minors through two main actions: Title I establishes federal restrictions on social media platforms, banning accounts for children under 13 and prohibiting personalized content recommendations for all users under 18. Title II updates existing law to require schools receiving federal subsidies to block student access to social media platforms while using school resources. Overall, the legislation aims to fundamentally change how minors interact with social media both at home and in educational settings.

The "No Tax Breaks for Outsourcing Act" aims to discourage companies from shifting profits and operations overseas to avoid U.S. taxes. It achieves this by amending the tax code to calculate foreign income on a country-by-country basis, limiting interest deductions for domestic corporations in international financial reporting groups, modifying rules related to inverted corporations, and treating certain foreign corporations managed and controlled in the U.S. as domestic corporations for tax purposes. The bill also repeals the reduced tax rate on net CFC tested income and foreign-derived intangible income, increases the deemed paid credit for taxes related to tested income, and eliminates the carryback of foreign tax credits. These changes are intended to level the playing field and ensure that multinational corporations pay their fair share of taxes on income earned abroad.

The "Right to Contraception Act" establishes a statutory right for individuals to access and for health care providers to offer contraception, free from governmental restrictions or bans. It overrides any conflicting federal or state laws, ensuring access to contraception and related services, and allows legal recourse for violations of these rights. The Act aims to protect individual autonomy in making decisions about contraception and reproductive health.

The Plum Island Preservation Act permanently protects Plum Island, New York, for ecological conservation, historical and cultural heritage, and continued access. It directs the Administrator of General Services to conduct visioning sessions with federal, state, and tribal stakeholders to develop an ecological management plan. The Administrator must also submit annual reports to Congress detailing the progress and outcomes of these visioning sessions.

This resolution designates January 2025 as "National Mentoring Month" to recognize the positive impact of mentoring on youth development. It highlights mentoring's role in improving academic achievement, fostering leadership skills, and supporting at-risk youth. The resolution encourages expanding mentoring opportunities to address the significant need for mentors among young people nationwide. It also acknowledges the invaluable contributions of mentoring program staff and volunteers.