Legislative Activity

This bill redesignates the Great Falls Scenic Overlook Trail Bridge and Overlook Park within the Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park in honor of Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. The facilities will be renamed the Bill Pascrell, Jr. Scenic Overlook Trail Bridge and the Bill Pascrell, Jr. Overlook Park, respectively. Any reference to the former names in any law, map, regulation, document, or record of the United States shall be considered a reference to the new names.

The "Improving Helicopter Safety Act of 2025" restricts civil helicopter flights within a 20-mile radius of the Statue of Liberty National Monument, with exceptions for public health and safety, infrastructure maintenance, and news organizations. The FAA administrator is directed to update regulations within 90 days to meet the requirements of this act. This goes into effect 60 days after enactment.

This bill designates May 5-9, 2025, as "Teacher Appreciation Week," recognizing the contributions of public school teachers and their support for various educational initiatives. It acknowledges teachers' dedication to improving education through innovative methods and emphasizes the importance of their involvement in shaping education policies. The bill encourages leaders to engage with teachers, ensuring their insights are included in classroom policies.

The HAVEN Act aims to expand housing access and affordability by adjusting rental payment calculations, extending funding for key housing programs, and adding "lawful source of income" as a protected category under the Fair Housing Act. It establishes a housing navigation grant program to assist families in finding suitable housing and mandates the use of small area fair market rents for the Housing Choice Voucher Program. The act also expands the Housing Choice Voucher Program by allocating additional vouchers and ensuring eligible families are entitled to assistance. Finally, it directs HUD to factor in approval speed for families and landlords under the Section 8 Management Assessment Program.

The Reduction in Force Review Act requires federal agencies to provide detailed justifications to Congress for any planned workforce reductions. These justifications must include the reasons for the reduction, its impact on employees and operations (including veterans), considered alternatives, and summaries of consultations with employees. The bill also broadens the definition of "rule" to include significant agency actions like workforce restructuring or office closures that affect employees.

The "Women and Underrepresented Minorities in STEM Booster Act of 2025" establishes a grant program within the National Science Foundation (NSF) to increase the participation of women, underrepresented minorities (including LGBTQ+ individuals and those with disabilities) in STEM fields. These grants will fund various activities such as workshops, mentoring, internships, and outreach programs. The bill allocates \$15 million annually from 2026 to 2030 to support this initiative.

The Equality Act amends existing civil rights laws to explicitly include protections against discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity in areas such as public accommodations, employment, housing, credit, and jury selection. It clarifies and expands the definition of sex to include sex stereotypes, pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics. The act ensures equal access to shared facilities and prohibits the use of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 to justify discrimination. Ultimately, the Equality Act seeks to provide consistent and comprehensive protections against discrimination for LGBTQ+ individuals and women across various sectors.

The "Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act" directs the Consumer Product Safety Commission to adopt specific safety standards for lithium-ion batteries used in light electric vehicles, e-bikes, and personal e-mobility devices. It establishes a process for incorporating revisions to these standards and mandates a report to Congress on hazards related to lithium-ion batteries in micromobility products. These standards will be treated as consumer product safety rules.

This bill expresses support for designating April as National Arab American Heritage Month (NAAHM). It recognizes the significant contributions of Arab Americans to the culture, economy, and identity of the United States. The bill encourages public celebration of Arab American heritage through appropriate programs and activities.

This bill recognizes April 2025 as "Community College Month" to celebrate the significant role of community colleges in providing accessible higher education, workforce training, and economic support across the United States. It acknowledges the extensive contributions of over 1,000 community colleges, which serve millions of students and contribute significantly to the national GDP. The resolution highlights the importance of these institutions in fostering economic prosperity and community vitality.

The All-Americans Tax Relief Act of 2025 aims to provide tax relief to individuals and families through various provisions. Key changes include expanding the earned income tax credit and child tax credit, allowing deductions for medical, daycare, commuting, and tutoring expenses, and permitting the exclusion of interest payments on credit card debt and rent payments. The act also increases the capital gains rate and modifies rules regarding the exclusion of discharged debt from income. These provisions are set to take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2026.

The Housing for All Act of 2025 aims to combat homelessness and address the housing shortage through increased funding for affordable housing programs, rental assistance, and supportive services. The bill authorizes billions in funding for programs like the Housing Trust Fund, Section 202 (elderly), Section 811 (disabled), and HOME Investment Partnerships Program. It also invests in community-driven solutions like safe parking programs, eviction protection, and mobile crisis intervention teams. Additionally, the act establishes a commission to address racial equity in housing and mandates studies on eviction data to inform future policy.

This bill supports the designation of April 11-17, 2025, as "Black Maternal Health Week" to raise awareness about the maternal health crisis affecting Black women and birthing people in the U.S. It recognizes the unacceptable disparities in maternal mortality rates, where Black women are significantly more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than White women. The bill urges Congress to address systemic racism and promote equitable access to resources, healthcare, and comprehensive maternal health programs for the Black community, while also supporting policies like the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act. It aims to amplify Black voices, invest in community-led solutions, and increase funding for Black-led organizations and perinatal professionals.

The "Pursuing Equity in Mental Health Act" aims to improve mental health outcomes for racial and ethnic minority groups by increasing funding for research, training, and outreach programs. It directs the National Institutes of Health to study mental health disparities, promotes culturally competent healthcare practices, and requires the development of a national outreach strategy to raise awareness and improve access to mental health services within these communities. The Act authorizes increased funding for various programs and research initiatives to address mental health disparities.

The "Reconciliation in Place Names Act" establishes a committee to review and propose renaming geographic features and federal land units with offensive names, such as those containing racial slurs or honoring individuals with discriminatory views. This committee will solicit proposals from various groups, including Indian Tribes and the public, and recommend name changes to the Board on Geographic Names and Congress. The Board is generally required to approve the committee's proposals, and the Act aims to create a more equitable and just naming system that reflects the cultural diversity of the United States.

The Clean Ocean and Safe Tourism Anti-Drilling Act of 2025 prohibits the Department of Interior from issuing leases for oil, natural gas, or mineral exploration in the North Atlantic, Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic, and Straits of Florida planning areas of the Outer Continental Shelf. This bill aims to protect coastal economies and marine environments by preventing offshore drilling in these specified regions.

This bill extends the National Flood Insurance Program's (NFIP) financing authority and program expiration date to December 31, 2026. It ensures the continuation of the NFIP, allowing it to continue providing flood insurance coverage to communities.

The SERVICE Act requires federal agencies to submit a report to the Comptroller General and Congress before reducing their workforce by more than 5% in a fiscal year. This report must detail the anticipated financial and mission-related impacts of the workforce reduction. The Comptroller General then assesses the agency's report and publishes their findings on the Government Accountability Office's website.

The Ensuring Agency Service Quality Act mandates that each Executive agency and military department meet certain employment levels. If an agency or department cannot meet these requirements, the head of the agency or department must submit a noncompliance notice to relevant committees in Congress, explaining the reasons for not meeting the requirements.

The Department of Homeland Security Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Act codifies the role of the Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties within the Department of Homeland Security, ensuring they report directly to the Secretary. It also mandates that the Secretary provide adequate staff and resources to support the Officer's work.