Legislative Activity

This bill expresses the House of Representatives' disapproval of the President's decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement, recognizing climate change as a threat and highlighting the increasing costs of extreme weather events. It commends entities supporting the Agreement, urges the President to reconsider, and encourages Congress to prioritize U.S. leadership on climate change.

The Performing Artist Tax Parity Act of 2025 updates tax code deductions for performing artists by allowing them to deduct essential business expenses—including agent and manager commissions—directly from their taxable income. The bill introduces an income-based phaseout for the deduction, increases the "nominal employer" threshold, and implements annual inflation adjustments to ensure the policy remains current. These changes aim to provide greater financial relief for working artists by simplifying how they account for professional costs.

The Health Care Providers Safety Act of 2025 authorizes federal grants to help health care facilities enhance the safety of their personnel, patients, and infrastructure. These funds support critical security upgrades, including physical site improvements, advanced surveillance systems, and strengthened cybersecurity measures.

The Increased TSP Access Act of 2025 aims to expand and accelerate the delivery of conservation technical assistance to farmers and ranchers by diversifying the certification process for third-party providers. The bill authorizes non-federal entities and state agencies to certify providers, streamlines credentialing for qualified professionals, and mandates fair payment rates. These reforms are designed to increase capacity, improve transparency, and ensure more efficient implementation of conservation practices nationwide.

The BEACH Act of 2025 strengthens coastal water safety by expanding monitoring requirements to include upstream waters and public beach access points. The bill provides $30 million in annual funding through 2029 to support these efforts and allows states to use grants to identify specific sources of contamination. Additionally, it mandates that the EPA incorporate the latest testing technologies into its guidance for state and local water quality programs.

The Young Americans Financial Literacy Act addresses the widespread need for improved financial education among young people aged 8 to 24. This bill authorizes funding for competitive grants to establish Centers of Excellence focused on developing and implementing research-backed financial literacy programs. These centers will create educational materials, train educators, and specifically target issues like student debt management for young adults. The goal is to improve financial well-being and stability through targeted, measurable educational interventions.

The Equal COLA Act amends the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) to ensure that retirees receive the full annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). This legislation eliminates current discrepancies in calculation methods, providing federal annuitants with a COLA that matches the full percentage change in the price index.

The INCREASE Housing Affordability Act establishes a new tax credit to incentivize the conversion of underutilized office buildings into residential or mixed-use rental properties. To further support this effort, the bill creates an advisory board to provide technical assistance and guidance to state and local agencies on navigating the regulatory and logistical challenges of these conversions. By offering financial incentives and expert support, the legislation aims to accelerate housing supply and expand affordability across the country.

The Saving the Civil Service Act protects the merit-based federal workforce by restricting the ability of agencies to reclassify competitive service positions into the excepted service. The bill establishes strict oversight, limits the number of positions that can be transferred, and mandates employee consent for such reclassifications. These measures ensure that federal staffing remains professional and protected from arbitrary political interference.

The Veterans Member Business Loan Act amends the Federal Credit Union Act to include loans made to veterans within the definition of "member business loans." This change aims to expand access to capital for veteran-owned businesses by facilitating easier lending through credit unions.

The Ensuring Military Readiness Not Discrimination Act mandates that military service eligibility and personnel policies be based solely on an individual's ability to meet occupational standards. It prohibits discrimination within the Armed Forces based on race, color, national origin, religion, or sex, explicitly including gender identity, sexual orientation, and sex characteristics. This legislation ensures equal treatment and opportunity for all service members.

The Rosie the Riveter Commemorative Coin Act directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue a series of commemorative coins in 2028 to honor the diverse women who served on the Home Front during World War II. Proceeds from the sale of these coins will support the Rosie the Riveter Trust in its efforts to maintain the Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park and fund educational programs. This initiative ensures the legacy of these essential workers is preserved and recognized through a national numismatic program.

The CHILD Act of 2025 aims to lower childcare costs by doubling the maximum pre-tax contribution limits for dependent care flexible spending accounts to $10,000 for most filers. Additionally, the bill mandates annual inflation adjustments to these limits to ensure they keep pace with rising costs. These changes take effect starting with the 2025 tax year.

The LNG Public Interest Determination Act of 2025 mandates that the Secretary of Energy approve natural gas exports only after a rigorous public interest review. This process requires comprehensive climate, economic, and environmental justice assessments to ensure that exports do not negatively impact U.S. consumer prices, global climate goals, or vulnerable communities. Additionally, the bill eliminates previous regulatory exemptions, ensuring all export authorizations undergo full environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act.

The Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilitation Act of 2025 establishes a dedicated grant program and emergency fund to support the rescue and rehabilitation of stranded sea turtles. By amending the Marine Mammal Protection Act, this legislation provides critical resources and standardized support for organizations dedicated to sea turtle conservation. The act ensures that both marine mammals and sea turtles have the necessary financial backing to respond effectively to stranding events.

Goldie’s Act strengthens the Animal Welfare Act by mandating more rigorous USDA inspections and requiring the prompt confiscation of animals suffering from neglect. The bill increases financial penalties for violators, ensures the immediate sharing of violation records with local law enforcement, and establishes stricter oversight to prevent future animal abuse.

The Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Reauthorization Act of 2025 extends critical federal funding for the restoration and stewardship of the Long Island Sound through fiscal year 2029. This legislation ensures the continuation of vital grant programs aimed at protecting and improving the health of the Sound’s ecosystem.

The Preserving Safe Communities by Ending Swatting Act of 2025 strengthens federal law to combat "swatting" by increasing criminal penalties for those who knowingly report false information to trigger emergency responses. The bill also establishes civil liability, requiring perpetrators to reimburse public safety agencies and organizations for the costs incurred during these emergency deployments.

The "Proxy Voting for New Parents Resolution" allows Members of the House, Delegates, and the Resident Commissioner who have recently given birth or whose spouse has given birth to designate another Member to vote on their behalf in the House, in committee, and in the Committee of the Whole for a period of 12 weeks. This proxy voting authority can begin before the birth if a doctor advises that the pregnancy presents a serious medical condition or that she is unable to travel safely. The resolution outlines specific procedures for designating, changing, and revoking proxy designations, ensuring transparency and adherence to instructions. Members whose votes are cast by proxy will not be counted for quorum purposes.

The Health Care Affordability Act of 2025 expands access to health insurance by removing the 400% federal poverty level income cap for premium tax credits. It also introduces a new sliding-scale contribution formula to ensure that insurance costs remain affordable for households across all income levels. These changes are set to take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.