Legislative Activity

This bill expresses support for designating April 2025 as "Second Chance Month" to raise awareness about the barriers faced by individuals with criminal records. It recognizes the importance of redemption and removing obstacles to employment, education, and housing for those seeking to reintegrate into society. The bill encourages public support for these individuals, promoting their successful return as productive members of their communities.

The Food Secure Strikers Act of 2025 amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to eliminate the restriction that prevents striking workers from being eligible for SNAP benefits. This bill ensures that striking workers are not automatically disqualified from receiving food assistance.

This bill expresses support for designating March 2025 as "Music in Our Schools Month," recognizing the cultural and historical importance of music in the U.S. and its positive impact on education. It emphasizes music's role in promoting student engagement, improving academic outcomes, and developing valuable workforce skills, particularly for at-risk students. The bill also acknowledges unequal access to quality music education and advocates for increased support for music programs in public schools.

The "Protecting Students with Disabilities Act" ensures the Office of Special Education Programs remains within the Department of Education, as required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. It prevents the use of funds to eliminate, consolidate, or restructure offices managing programs under this act. Additionally, it stops the reassignment or alteration of personnel responsibilities and prohibits contracting outside the Department of Education for program administration or enforcement.

The Paycheck Fairness Act aims to strengthen and enhance enforcement of equal pay requirements by redefining "sex," modifying the "bona fide factor" defense for pay disparities, broadening the definition of "same establishment," strengthening non-retaliation protections, and enhancing penalties for employers who violate equal pay provisions. The Act also requires training programs, research, education, and outreach initiatives to eliminate pay disparities, and establishes a National Award for Pay Equity in the Workplace. Additionally, the Act directs the EEOC to collect compensation data, reinstates pay equity programs, prohibits the use of wage history in determining salary, and establishes a National Equal Pay Enforcement Task Force to improve compliance and enforcement of equal pay laws.

The "Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve Establishment Act" redesignates the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park as the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and establishes the Ocmulgee Mounds National Preserve in Georgia. It allows the Secretary of the Interior to acquire land for both the Park and Preserve from willing sellers, but prohibits the use of eminent domain. The Act also establishes an Advisory Council to advise on the management of the Park and Preserve, and prioritizes hiring members of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. Finally, the Act puts approximately 126 acres of land owned by the Tribe into trust for the Tribe's benefit.

Recognizes Nowruz as a culturally and historically significant celebration observed worldwide. It acknowledges the contributions of Iranian Americans to the U.S. and supports human rights and freedom for the people of Iran. The resolution also defends the rights of Iranians to assemble and express themselves freely, and wishes a happy new year to those celebrating Nowruz.

The Air America Act of 2025 authorizes the Director of the CIA to award payments to former employees of Air America and affiliated companies who supported the U.S. government between 1950 and 1976, or to their survivors. Eligible individuals or their survivors could receive up to $40,000 for five years of qualifying service, with additional amounts for longer service, with a cap on total awards at $60 million. The Act establishes application procedures, limitations on attorney fees, and prohibits judicial review of the Director's decisions, while also requiring regular reports to Congress on the status of the award payments. This act does not qualify anyone for federal benefits like retirement, disability, or death benefits.

The "Count the Crimes to Cut Act of 2025" mandates the Attorney General and heads of various federal agencies to compile and submit reports to Congress detailing all federal criminal statutory and regulatory offenses, including elements, penalties, prosecution numbers, and mens rea requirements. These agencies must also create publicly accessible online indexes of these offenses. This aims to increase transparency and understanding of federal criminal laws. The act does not authorize new funding.

This bill recognizes and celebrates the 100th anniversary of Delta Air Lines, acknowledging its historical significance as the first U.S. airline to reach this milestone. It highlights Delta's growth, global connectivity, commitment to community, and industry leadership.

The "Rights for the Transportation Security Administration Workforce Act" mandates the transition of TSA personnel management systems to align with Title 5 of the U.S. Code, ensuring TSA employees receive similar rights and protections as other federal employees, including collective bargaining rights. It protects current pay and benefits during the transition, requires consultation with employee representatives, and addresses concerns related to employee well-being, safety, and diversity. The Act also calls for reports and plans to improve recruitment, address workplace harassment, and update background check requirements.

The Military Spouse Hiring Act amends the Internal Revenue Code to include qualified military spouses as eligible for the Work Opportunity Credit, incentivizing employers to hire them. A qualified military spouse is defined as someone certified by a local agency as married to a member of the U.S. Armed Forces. This change applies to amounts paid and individuals starting work after the Act's enactment.

This resolution recognizes and honors teachers who have achieved or maintained National Board Certification as of March 2025, acknowledging their positive impact on student learning and potential lifetime earnings. It encourages the growth of new National Board Certified Teachers by urging educators, administrators, school districts, and States to provide candidates with incentives and support.

The American Teacher Act aims to address teacher shortages and improve teacher compensation by establishing grants for states to increase teacher salaries, with the goal of ensuring a minimum annual salary of $60,000 for full-time teachers at qualifying schools, adjusted for inflation. The Act also allows for a national campaign to raise awareness of the value of the teaching profession and clarifies that the Act does not alter existing employee rights or agreements. Finally, the Act defines key terms and authorizes necessary appropriations for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to implement the grants and awareness campaign.

This bill, the Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2025, seeks to amend the National Labor Relations Act and other labor laws to strengthen protections for workers' rights to organize and collectively bargain. It aims to modernize labor regulations by clarifying definitions, addressing unfair labor practices, enhancing enforcement, and increasing transparency in labor-management relations. The bill introduces measures such as electronic voting in union elections, strengthens whistleblower protections, and mandates studies on collective bargaining practices. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure fair treatment of workers and promote equitable labor practices.

The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2025 amends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to address vote dilution, denial, and abridgment claims, and to update which states and political subdivisions are subject to federal oversight based on a history of voting rights violations. It broadens the types of violations that allow a court to retain jurisdiction over a case, clarifies the Attorney General's authority to assign observers, and ensures transparency in voting-related changes. The Act also authorizes the Attorney General to demand documents and information to enforce voting rights and provides grants to small jurisdictions to assist with notification requirements.

The Aviation Workforce Development Act amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow expenses for aviation maintenance and commercial pilot courses to be considered qualified higher education expenses for qualified tuition programs. This change applies to distributions made after the enactment of this law, aiming to support workforce development in the aviation sector.

The Safe Schools Improvement Act aims to reduce bullying and harassment in schools by requiring states to establish policies prohibiting such conduct based on various characteristics, including race, sex, religion, and disability. It mandates annual notifications, data collection on incidents, biennial evaluations of programs, and regular reports to Congress to ensure accountability and effectiveness. This act does not infringe on existing nondiscrimination laws or freedom of speech but seeks to create a safer, more inclusive learning environment for all students.

The Humane Cosmetics Act of 2025 bans cosmetic animal testing in the U.S. and restricts the use of animal testing data for cosmetic safety, with certain exceptions. It authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to impose civil penalties for non-compliance and preempts states from enacting conflicting regulations. The Act defines key terms related to cosmetic animal testing and cosmetics.

The PAST Act of 2025 amends the Horse Protection Act to strengthen enforcement against horse soring, a cruel practice used to create an exaggerated gait. It bans action devices and weighted shoes, increases penalties for violations, and mandates the licensing and oversight of qualified inspectors, prioritizing veterinarians, to ensure fair competition and protect horses. The Act also requires the USDA to publish violation information and sets clear disqualification periods for horses found to be sore, aiming to eliminate soring in specific horse breeds.