Legislative Activity

The Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act of 2025 immediately bans the manufacture, processing, use, and distribution of commercial asbestos and products containing it under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). This comprehensive ban includes specific definitions for commercial asbestos and outlines limited exceptions for existing installed materials and disposal. The bill provides a temporary exemption for chlor-alkali plants until 2030 and allows for narrowly defined, time-limited national security exemptions granted by the President.

The RECHARGE Act mandates the installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at rest areas along the Interstate Highway System. This legislation ensures access to necessary charging infrastructure to alleviate range anxiety for EV drivers. It clarifies that this allowance is strictly for EV charging and does not open rest areas to general commercial activity.

The Farmworker Smoke and Excessive Heat Protection Act of 2025 establishes immediate federal safety standards requiring employers to provide protective gear, like respirators and cooling resources, to farmworkers during dangerous wildfire smoke and extreme heat events. This act mandates training in understandable languages and requires mandatory rest breaks when conditions become hazardous. Furthermore, it directs the Secretary of Labor to develop a permanent, comprehensive occupational safety standard that meets or exceeds existing state protections for farmworkers.

The Epstein Files Transparency Act mandates the Attorney General to release all unclassified Department of Justice records related to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell within 30 days of enactment. This sweeping requirement covers investigations, travel logs, and communications, with limited exceptions primarily focused on protecting victim privacy and active cases. Any redactions must be publicly justified, and the Attorney General must report the details of the release and any withheld information to Congress.

The Transnational Repression Policy Act establishes a comprehensive U.S. strategy to combat foreign governments that harass or target individuals outside their borders, including within the United States. The bill mandates the creation of an interagency plan, requires specialized training for government personnel, and directs the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice to develop resources and outreach programs to protect targeted communities. Ultimately, this Act aims to shield people from foreign government overreach, hold repressors accountable, and enhance cooperation with allies.

The Medical Debt Relief Act of 2025 significantly amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to prohibit credit reporting agencies from reporting negative information related to medical debt. Furthermore, the bill mandates that creditors are forbidden from using a consumer's past medical debt information when making credit decisions. This legislation aims to remove the burden of medical bills from consumer credit reports and lending evaluations.

The Preventing the Forced Return of Uyghurs Act of 2025 denies U.S. entry and immigration benefits to foreign officials responsible for forcing Uyghurs or other targeted individuals back to the People's Republic of China. The Secretary of State must refer these officials to the Treasury Department for potential sanctions. The Act requires regular, public reporting to Congress regarding denials and any granted waivers.

The Research for Healthy Soils Act aims to address environmental concerns related to agriculture. This bill specifically allocates funding for research into microplastics found in biosolids applied to farmland. Additionally, it extends the authorization for several high-priority agricultural research and extension initiatives through 2031.

The Fighting Fibers Act of 2025 mandates that all new washing machines sold in the U.S. starting in 2030 must include a microfiber filtration system with a mesh size no larger than 100 micrometers. The bill also directs the EPA Administrator to conduct a comprehensive national study on the sources, health impacts, and environmental justice implications of microfiber pollution. This legislation establishes civil penalties for manufacturers who fail to comply with the new filtration and labeling requirements.

The Debt Ceiling Reform Act establishes a new, structured process for the Treasury Secretary to request a temporary suspension of the debt limit to meet existing government obligations. If Congress does not pass a specifically formatted disapproval resolution within 45 days, the suspension automatically takes effect for up to two years. The bill also imposes expedited voting procedures in both chambers to ensure a swift decision on any disapproval measure. Finally, it mandates that the CBO include detailed debt projections as a percentage of GDP in its budget reports.

The Columbia River Clean-Up Act of 2025 updates the funding authorization for the Columbia River Basin Restoration Program. This legislation shifts the program's funding window forward, extending the authorization period from 2026 through 2030. It removes the previously scheduled authorization years of 2020 and 2021.

This Act restricts the deployment and actions of federal law enforcement and military personnel during domestic crowd control and protest situations. It mandates that all deployed personnel clearly display identifying information and prohibits the use of unmarked vehicles during civilian arrests at such events. Furthermore, the bill requires federal agencies to publicly report on the deployment of personnel for crowd control within 24 hours.

The Microplastics Safety Act mandates the FDA to conduct a comprehensive study on the human health impacts of microplastic exposure through food and water. This research must specifically investigate effects on children's health, the endocrine system, cancer risk, and reproductive health. Following the study, the Secretary of Health and Human Services must report findings and recommend necessary legislative or regulatory actions to Congress within one year.

This concurrent resolution formally recognizes a health and safety emergency disproportionately affecting children due to the previous administration's directives promoting fossil fuels and suppressing climate science. Congress asserts these policies increased greenhouse gas emissions, endangering children's fundamental constitutional rights to life and security. The resolution demands the reversal of policies that hindered clean energy and calls for federal actions to align with limiting CO2 to below 350 ppm this century to protect future generations.

This resolution commemorates the 14th Dalai Lama's 90th birthday by designating July 6, 2025, as a "Day of Compassion." It strongly reaffirms U.S. support for the human rights and distinct cultural and religious identity of the Tibetan people. Furthermore, the resolution rejects any interference by the People's Republic of China in the selection of the next Dalai Lama. It underscores the U.S. commitment to a negotiated solution leading to meaningful autonomy for Tibet.

This resolution officially designates July 2025 as "Plastic Pollution Action Month" to raise national awareness about the growing crisis of plastic pollution. It acknowledges the severe environmental and health risks posed by plastic waste, including its impact on wildlife and human bodies. The measure encourages individuals and communities across the United States to actively participate in efforts to reduce, reuse, and clean up plastic pollution during this designated month.

The SAWMILL Act establishes a new Timber Production Expansion Guaranteed Loan Program through the Department of Agriculture. This program aims to support the expansion or opening of rural sawmills and wood-processing plants. Loan guarantees are offered to facilities located near high-priority federal lands designated for ecological restoration and vegetation removal. The total value of these loan guarantees is capped at $220 million.

The Wildfire Resilient Communities Act allocates \$30 billion for federal hazardous fuels reduction projects and adds \$3 billion to community wildfire defense grants. It also reauthorizes and updates the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program to enhance landscape resilience and collaboration. Finally, the bill establishes the County Stewardship Fund to return a portion of forest product revenue directly to counties for governmental use.

Canyon's Law prohibits the use of M44 cyanide predator control devices on all public lands due to their extreme toxicity and documented risk to humans and non-target wildlife. The bill mandates the immediate removal of any existing M44 devices within 30 days of enactment. This action is deemed necessary because these devices frequently injure people and kill protected species, despite their low success rate against target animals.

The End Junk Fees for Renters Act aims to protect tenants in federally backed housing by prohibiting landlords from charging application fees and limiting late fees to 3% of the monthly rent, only after 15 days past due. This legislation mandates that owners must disclose total monthly costs, past rent increases, and known maintenance issues before a lease is signed. Furthermore, federal agencies are tasked with formally defining "junk fees" in the rental context.