Legislative Activity

This bill recognizes May as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, celebrating the significant contributions of these communities to the history and diversity of the United States. It acknowledges key milestones and the ongoing importance of these groups in various sectors, while also addressing historical discrimination and recent legislative efforts to combat hate crimes.

The RESTORE Act provides back pay to Department of Veterans Affairs employees who were involuntarily removed and subsequently reinstated or reappointed between January 20, 2025, and the enactment date of this Act. This back pay will be provided in accordance with existing federal law (5 U.S.C. 5596). The Act excludes individuals removed from political positions from receiving back pay.

This bill recognizes the impact of menstrual stigma on women, girls, and people who menstruate, and supports the designation of May as "National Menstrual Health Awareness Month." It emphasizes that menstrual health is a crucial aspect of overall health and human dignity, affecting access to education, work, and freedom from discrimination. The bill aims to normalize menstruation, improve education and care, and increase access to resources, thereby promoting gender equity and equality. It also seeks to address disparities in women's health research and promote better understanding and management of menstrual health conditions.

The Locality-based Social Security Benefits Act of 2025 adjusts Social Security payments to reflect the cost of living in different geographic areas. It directs the Social Security Administration to increase monthly benefits based on locality pay adjustments determined by the President for federal employees in each area. This adjustment aims to provide equitable benefits that account for varying living expenses across different localities.

The "Hot Foods Act of 2025" amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, allowing SNAP benefits to be used for hot and ready-to-eat foods. It broadens the scope of eligible food items under SNAP and modifies retailer eligibility requirements, permitting more stores to accept SNAP if hot food sales do not exceed 50% of their gross sales. This change also updates the language regarding where SNAP-eligible food can be consumed to include "home or immediate consumption".

The Fair Access to Co-ops for Veterans Act of 2025 permanently extends the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loan guarantee program for residential cooperative housing units. It directs the VA Secretary to establish regulations that align with industry standards and promote the program to veterans, lenders, and realtors. Additionally, it sets loan fee rates and clarifies that cooperative housing shares are considered residential property for loan guarantee purposes.

This bill recognizes the importance of International Mother Language Day in promoting linguistic diversity and multilingualism, while also calling attention to the high number of languages, including Native American languages, that are endangered or extinct. It emphasizes the need to preserve existing languages as crucial to maintaining the United States' cultural heritage. The bill encourages the people of the United States to observe International Mother Language Day through various activities and programs.

This resolution commemorates the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz and International Holocaust Remembrance Day, acknowledging the atrocities of the Holocaust and the rise in antisemitism. It calls on the people of the United States to remember the victims of the Holocaust and to recommit to combating all forms of antisemitism, tolerance, peace, and justice, and to work to end all genocide and persecution. The resolution also honors the legacy of Holocaust survivors.

This bill recognizes the cultural and historical significance of Lunar New Year. It acknowledges the importance of Lunar New Year for Asian Americans and others in the U.S., and expresses respect for those who celebrate it worldwide. The bill wishes all celebrants a happy and prosperous new year.

This bill affirms the United States' role in improving global access to quality, inclusive public education, particularly for girls and marginalized groups. It recognizes education as a crucial factor for economic growth, poverty reduction, and stability. The bill encourages the U.S. government to prioritize education in humanitarian efforts and fulfill international education commitments through budget allocations. It also urges the use of diplomatic and development resources to promote quality education worldwide, focusing on inclusive education for disadvantaged children and adolescents.

This proposed constitutional amendment would lower the national voting age to 16. It repeals the 26th Amendment and prohibits the federal government or any state from denying citizens aged 16 and older the right to vote based on age. The amendment grants Congress the authority to enforce this change through appropriate legislation.