Legislative Activity

This bill amends the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to expand scholarship opportunities at 1890 institutions to both bachelor's and graduate students. It provides mandatory funding of $15 million per fiscal year, starting in 2025, through the Commodity Credit Corporation, and makes discretionary funding available from fiscal year 2020 onward. The scholarships will be available each academic year that funding is available.

The "National Plan for Epilepsy Act" aims to address the significant impact of epilepsy by establishing a comprehensive national plan for its prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure. This act mandates the creation of an Advisory Council on Epilepsy Research, Care, and Services, composed of federal and non-federal experts, to evaluate and improve federally funded epilepsy efforts. The council will provide recommendations to enhance coordination, diagnosis, treatment, research, and public awareness, and reduce the financial burden of epilepsy on families. Ultimately, the act seeks to improve the lives of individuals with epilepsy and their caregivers through coordinated research, improved access to care, and enhanced public awareness.

The "PREEMIE Reauthorization Act of 2025" extends funding for research on preterm births and infant care through 2029. It directs the Department of Health and Human Services to establish an interagency working group to address premature birth issues and mandates a comprehensive study by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine on preterm births, including cost analysis, risk factor identification, and best practices for prevention and treatment. A report on the study's findings must be submitted to Congress and the Secretary of Health and Human Services within 24 months.

The "Protect US National Security Act" ensures that federal funds cannot be used to eliminate the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) as an independent entity. It asserts that only an act of Congress can eliminate USAID. The Secretary of State must certify compliance with this requirement to Congress within 30 days of the act's enactment and annually for 5 years.

The "Improve and Enhance the Work Opportunity Tax Credit Act" amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify the Work Opportunity Tax Credit, changing the calculation and wage limitations based on employee categories and hours worked. It increases wage limitations for qualified veterans and revises rules for summer youth employees and long-term family assistance recipients. Additionally, the act removes the age limit for qualified supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits recipients, with these changes taking effect for individuals starting work after December 31, 2024.

The SAFE Act amends the Social Security Act to include physical and occupational therapy benefits in Medicare annual wellness visits and initial preventive physical exams starting in 2026 for individuals determined to have fallen in the previous year. It mandates that these individuals receive falls risk assessments, fall prevention services, and outpatient therapy services. Additionally, the Act requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to submit annual reports to Congress on falls experienced by individuals aged 65 and older.

The Blind Americans Return to Work Act of 2025 initiates a 20-year demonstration project aimed at helping blind Americans receiving Social Security disability benefits return to work. For the first 10 years, eligibility for benefits will be determined without considering substantial gainful activity, and benefits will be reduced based on earnings above a set amount, incentivizing employment without immediate loss of support. The project waives certain benefit requirements to facilitate successful employment, with participants having the option to opt out after the initial 10-year period. This act aims to support blind individuals in their transition back to the workforce while maintaining a safety net.

The "No DeepSeek on Government Devices Act" prohibits the use of the DeepSeek application on government devices, with exceptions for law enforcement, national security, and security research. The Office of Management and Budget is tasked with creating guidelines for executive agencies to remove DeepSeek from their information technology. Any authorized use of DeepSeek under the exceptions requires documented risk mitigation actions.

The "Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow's Workforce Act" amends Section 529 savings accounts to include expenses related to postsecondary credentialing programs. This allows 529 funds to cover costs like tuition, fees, books, supplies, and testing fees for recognized programs and credentials, as defined by the bill. These changes would apply to distributions made after the bill is enacted.

This bill amends the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to establish a grant program through the Department of Labor, awarding funds to community colleges for the development of high-quality workforce programs that lead to credentials in high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand jobs. These grants require partnerships with employers and a focus on serving individuals with barriers to employment, with the aim of improving program quality, accessibility, and alignment with workforce needs. The bill authorizes appropriations of $65,000,000 annually from 2026 through 2031 for this purpose.

The Protect Our Letter Carriers Act of 2025 aims to enhance the safety of postal workers by funding high-security infrastructure upgrades, including electronic mailbox keys. The bill also mandates the appointment of dedicated federal prosecutors for postal crimes in every judicial district and requires stricter sentencing guidelines for those who assault or rob postal employees.

The Scientific Integrity Act mandates that federal agencies that fund, conduct, or oversee scientific research establish and enforce scientific integrity policies. These policies aim to protect scientists from political interference, ensure the open communication of scientific findings, and establish clear processes for reporting and addressing scientific misconduct. The Act requires agencies to appoint Scientific Integrity Officers, provide regular training, and report on misconduct complaints, with oversight from the Office of Science and Technology Policy and Congress. It also protects the rights of federal employees and contractors to share their findings and prevents the suppression or distortion of scientific data.

The CONSTRUCTS Act of 2025 establishes a competitive grant program to expand education and training for careers in the residential construction industry. By providing $20 million annually, the bill supports community colleges and trade schools in developing skilled labor pipelines, with a priority on serving rural and underserved populations. These programs aim to increase the supply of qualified workers while helping to address local housing needs through flexible, industry-aligned training.

The Taxpayer Data Protection Act limits access to the Treasury Department's payment systems to Treasury employees or contractors with satisfactory performance reviews and security clearances. It sets specific criteria for individuals accessing the system, including conflict of interest restrictions, training, and ethics agreements. The Act also mandates the Treasury Department's Inspector General to investigate and report to Congress on any unauthorized system use.

This resolution condemns the Government of Azerbaijan for the wrongful detention, abuse, and suppression of academic freedom regarding Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu. It demands his immediate and unconditional release, the provision of necessary medical care, and an end to the harassment of his family. Furthermore, it urges the U.S. Secretary of State to prioritize Dr. Ibadoghlu’s well-being and release in all diplomatic engagements.

The CLEAR Act amends the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to include entities established under Section 3161, ensuring their records are accessible to the public. This change applies to all FOIA requests made after the Act's enactment, regardless of when the records were created.

This bill establishes a commission to study the feasibility of creating a National Museum of Italian American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. The commission will develop recommendations for a plan of action, including a fundraising plan to support the museum's establishment, operation, and maintenance without federal funds. The commission will submit reports to the President and Congress, and will conclude 30 days after submitting its final reports. No federal funds will be used for the commission's work.

The "Protecting Sensitive Locations Act" amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to restrict immigration enforcement actions within 1,000 feet of sensitive locations like schools, hospitals, and places of worship, except in exigent circumstances. It mandates training, reporting, and oversight for enforcement activities near these locations, and invalidates evidence obtained in violation of the Act. The Act aims to ensure discretion and limit enforcement impact on sensitive community spaces, while also requiring annual reports to Congress on enforcement actions taken in sensitive locations.

The Educators Expense Deduction Modernization Act of 2025 seeks to provide greater financial relief to teachers by increasing the annual tax deduction for out-of-pocket classroom expenses from $250 to $1,000. This legislation also updates the deduction's eligibility language and establishes a new inflation adjustment mechanism to ensure the benefit keeps pace with future costs.

The Right to Contraception Act establishes a federal right for individuals to access and use contraception without government interference. It prohibits federal and state governments from enacting laws that restrict access to contraceptives or the provision of related services. The Act provides clear enforcement mechanisms, allowing individuals and the Attorney General to sue to strike down any rule that violates these protections.