Legislative Activity

The "Help Our Kelp Act of 2025" establishes a grant program within the Department of Commerce to conserve, restore, and manage kelp forest ecosystems. Grants will be awarded to various entities, including fishing industry members, educational institutions, and Indian Tribes, for projects addressing kelp forest decline and promoting long-term resilience. The federal government can fund up to 85% of project costs, with specific funding set aside for Indian Tribes. The act authorizes \$5,000,000 annually from 2026 through 2030 for this program.

The Smoke and Heat Ready Communities Act of 2025 authorizes the EPA to provide grants and technical assistance to help local communities prepare for and mitigate the health risks of wildfire smoke and extreme heat. The bill also establishes research centers and funding initiatives to improve air quality monitoring, public communication, and community-based resilience strategies.

The Southern Mongolian Human Rights Policy Act aims to protect the distinct culture, language, and human rights of the Southern Mongolian people against systematic erasure by the Chinese government. The bill mandates increased diplomatic monitoring, authorizes targeted sanctions against officials responsible for human rights abuses, and establishes initiatives to support Mongolian-language media and cultural preservation. Through these measures, the Act seeks to hold the People’s Republic of China accountable and support the autonomy and traditional livelihoods of the Southern Mongolian population.