Legislative Activity

The Ensuring Women’s Right to Reproductive Freedom Act prohibits states from interfering with or retaliating against individuals who provide or receive abortion services that are legal in the state where the service occurs. This protection extends to interstate travel for legal abortion care and the movement of FDA-approved abortion-related drugs across state lines. Individuals harmed by violations can sue in federal court for damages and legal fees.

The Break the Cycle of Violence Act establishes federal frameworks within HHS and the Department of Labor to address community violence through prevention and economic opportunity. Title I creates grants for community-based violence intervention programs focused on evidence-based, trauma-responsive care, while Title II funds job training for opportunity youth in high-violence areas. Overall, the bill aims to reduce violence by investing in local services and creating pathways to employment rather than relying solely on incarceration.

The Women’s Health Protection Act of 2025 establishes a federal statutory right to access abortion services, prohibiting medically unnecessary restrictions that impede care before fetal viability. This Act protects the right of patients to travel across state lines to receive reproductive healthcare and allows providers to offer services free from state interference that conflicts with established medical standards. It preempts conflicting state and local laws and provides robust enforcement mechanisms for individuals and the Attorney General to challenge violations.

This resolution expresses support for designating June 21, 2025, as National ASK (Asking Saves Kids) Day. The bill aims to promote children's health by encouraging parents to ask about secure gun storage before their children visit other homes. By backing the ASK Campaign, Congress seeks to reduce accidental shootings by advocating for safely stored firearms.

This resolution formally expresses Congressional support for designating June 2025 as "Black Music Month." It recognizes the profound and foundational cultural impact of Black artists across all American music genres, from spirituals to hip-hop. The bill encourages the nation to actively celebrate this rich heritage through educational programs and public acknowledgment. Ultimately, it honors the creators whose work reflects the American experience and promotes diversity through music.

The Understanding Student Parent Outcomes Act of 2025 aims to improve support for students who are also parents by requiring the federal government to establish a clear definition for "parenting student" and mandate the collection of detailed, disaggregated data on their enrollment, costs, and outcomes. The bill further directs the Secretary of Education to conduct a comprehensive study analyzing the impact of campus childcare and support services on student parent success. Ultimately, this legislation seeks to provide the necessary data and research to better inform policies that help student parents achieve higher education degrees.

The Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2025 aims to strengthen existing federal background check systems to prevent prohibited persons from acquiring firearms. This bill primarily mandates that most private firearm transfers must be facilitated through a licensed dealer who will conduct a background check. The legislation includes specific exceptions for family gifts, law enforcement, and temporary transfers under emergency circumstances.

The Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2025 reforms federal firearm background check procedures, establishing a formal petition process for buyers when the system delays a decision beyond 10 business days. This bill removes the previous 10-day time limit on background checks under the Brady Act while mandating extensive reporting from the GAO and FBI on the effectiveness and outcomes of these delayed transfers. Furthermore, the Attorney General must report on the law's impact on domestic violence victims within 150 days of enactment.

The Reimagining Inclusive Arts Education Act establishes a new competitive grant program to fund activities that enhance and ensure inclusive arts education for children with disabilities. These grants will support organizations in developing new teaching methods, providing professional training, and adapting materials to increase access. Priority will be given to entities serving schools already receiving Title I funding, with an authorization of $15 million across five fiscal years.

The EMS Counts Act addresses the critical undercounting of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This bill mandates that the Secretary of Labor update occupational classifications to explicitly recognize dual-role firefighter-EMTs and firefighter-paramedics. By accurately counting all EMS practitioners, this legislation aims to improve federal planning for emergency response and disaster preparedness.

The Pride In Mental Health Act of 2025 establishes a new grant program to improve mental health and substance abuse outcomes for LGBTQ+ youth through culturally competent care and resource development. These grants strictly prohibit funding for conversion therapy practices. The bill also mandates federal data collection on LGBTQ+ youth mental health and requires a report on the needs of those in foster care.

The BARK Act of 2025 aims to encourage the donation of pet food and supplies during emergencies and for charitable purposes. It provides liability protection to donors and distributing organizations against lawsuits related to the condition of donated items, provided there is no gross negligence or intentional harm. This protection applies to items that appear fit for use, even if they don't meet all commercial sales standards, provided proper disclosure and reconditioning procedures are followed.

The Supporting Healthy Mothers and Infants Act of 2025 updates the WIC program by replacing outdated terminology with "substance use disorder." This legislation mandates the development of specialized, evidence-based nutrition education materials for WIC participants affected by substance use disorder. Furthermore, it requires the Secretary of Agriculture to actively reach out to and support these families through training and resource sharing. The Act authorizes $1 million for fiscal year 2026 to implement these new support activities.

This resolution expresses strong support for designating June 6, 2025, as "National Gun Violence Awareness Day" and June 2025 as "National Gun Violence Awareness Month." It highlights the devastating scale of gun violence in the U.S., recognizing the thousands of annual deaths and injuries across all demographics. The bill encourages Americans to wear orange on the designated day to honor victims and promote increased awareness and community action regarding gun safety.

The Strength in Diversity Act of 2025 establishes a competitive grant program to help states and districts address racial isolation and concentrated poverty in public schools. Funds will support the creation and implementation of plans designed to increase racial and economic diversity within covered schools. The law emphasizes performance measurement focused on both student outcomes and diversity metrics, while explicitly prohibiting federal control over local educational decisions.

The Reducing Waste in National Parks Act mandates the National Park Service (NPS) to establish a program to significantly reduce or eliminate the sale and distribution of disposable plastic products, including single-use water bottles, across all park units. Regional directors must implement these changes while considering operational costs, visitor safety regarding water access, and vendor contracts. The law also requires proactive visitor education and biennial reviews to assess the program's effectiveness and public impact.

The MARSHALS Act fundamentally restructures the United States Marshals Service (USMS), moving its organization entirely into the judicial branch. This bill establishes that the Director and all U.S. Marshals will be appointed by the Chief Justice, subject to oversight from a new Board. The legislation also clarifies the USMS's authority to protect federal judicial personnel and outlines specific conditions under which the Service can assist the Department of Justice.

The Fit to Serve Act prohibits the U.S. Armed Forces from discriminating against service members based on their gender identity. This means military branches cannot set different standards, involuntarily discharge personnel, or deny medically necessary healthcare due to a service member's gender identity. The bill ensures equal opportunity for joining, serving, and receiving care regardless of one's internal sense of self.

The Second Chance Reauthorization Act of 2025 extends and improves key federal grant programs designed to support successful reentry for formerly incarcerated individuals. This legislation shifts the authorization window for several demonstration projects to run from 2026 through 2030. It also specifically broadens the scope of reentry demonstration projects to explicitly fund substance use disorder treatment, including peer recovery services and reentry housing. Overall, the bill ensures continued federal support for vital reentry, education, and substance abuse collaboration initiatives through the end of the decade.

The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2025 aims to streamline and modernize the prior authorization process within Medicare Advantage plans. This bill mandates the adoption of electronic prior authorization systems and significantly increases transparency regarding approval rates and decision times starting in 2027. Furthermore, it establishes new enrollee protections and grants the Secretary authority to enforce faster decision timeframes for medical services.