Legislative Activity

The All in For Attendance Act addresses the widespread problem of chronic student absenteeism by expanding federal support for proven, non-punitive interventions. The bill allows schools to use federal funds for strategies like data tracking, family engagement, and targeted support programs. Crucially, it also prohibits local educational agencies from imposing suspensions, fines, or academic penalties on students solely due to their absences.

The Kimberly Vaughan Firearm Safe Storage Act promotes responsible firearm ownership by establishing voluntary best practices for safe storage and requiring manufacturers to include storage notices with new firearms. The bill also mandates that safe storage devices be included with all rifle and shotgun sales, not just handguns. Furthermore, it creates a grant program to help states distribute free storage devices and establishes a tax credit for manufacturers and sellers of these devices.

This bill significantly increases the maximum Federal Pell Grant award starting in 2026, with future increases tied to inflation. It also extends Pell Grant eligibility to cover a student's first postbaccalaureate program under specific conditions. Furthermore, the legislation increases the overall lifetime limit for Pell Grant eligibility from 12 to 16 semesters and excludes time spent in remedial courses from counting toward that limit.

The Special Election Timeliness (SET) Act mandates that states hold special elections to fill vacancies in the House of Representatives within 180 days of the vacancy occurring, unless a general election is already scheduled during that period. This ensures timely representation for affected districts. The bill provides enforcement mechanisms, allowing the Attorney General or affected parties to sue to compel compliance.