Legislative Activity

The EFFECTIVE Food Procurement Act directs the USDA to reform its food purchasing practices to support a more just, healthy, and sustainable food system. This is achieved by mandating the purchase of foods that prioritize equity, resilient supply chains, worker well-being, and climate mitigation. The bill also establishes reporting requirements, a set-aside for specific producers, and pilot programs to help smaller and targeted producers participate in USDA contracts.

The SATOS Act of 2025 establishes a federal grant and loan program to support animal welfare infrastructure in underserved rural communities. This program, administered by the Secretary of Agriculture, provides funding for eligible entities to construct, expand, or improve domestic animal care facilities like shelters and veterinary clinics. The Act also reserves funds for technical assistance to help communities plan and manage these essential animal care operations.

The Protect America's Workforce Act nullifies a specific Executive Order issued in March 2025 concerning exclusions from federal labor-management relations programs. This legislation ensures that any existing collective bargaining agreements between federal agencies and employee unions remain fully in effect until their stated expiration dates. The Act also prohibits the use of federal funds to implement the overturned Executive Order.

The Senior Legal Hotline Act of 2025 establishes a new federal grant program to support the creation and operation of statewide senior legal hotlines. These grants, administered under the Older Americans Act, will be awarded to eligible nonprofit organizations to provide free legal advice, counseling, and referrals to older individuals across an entire state. Grantees must meet specific operational requirements, including ensuring adequate staffing and coordinating services with existing legal and aging networks.

The Ban on Self-Interested Contracting Act (BASIC Act) establishes a new criminal prohibition preventing special Government employees from knowingly receiving large federal awards from their own agencies or related parties. The Act also mandates increased transparency by requiring the publication of certain position data and financial disclosure reports for these employees. Finally, it creates a public, searchable database detailing covered special Government employees.

The Workforce of the Future Act of 2025 mandates federal studies on AI's impact on jobs and establishes new grant programs to expand technology education and workforce training. Title I requires comprehensive reports from key departments detailing necessary future skills and policy recommendations. Title II creates federal grants to boost K-12 technology education and fund retraining for workers in AI-affected industries.

The Empowering App-Based Workers Act aims to increase transparency and accountability for digital labor platforms that use electronic monitoring and automated systems to manage workers. This bill mandates detailed disclosures regarding data collection, algorithmic decision-making for pay and assignments, and itemized receipts after each job. Furthermore, it establishes strong enforcement mechanisms, including a 25% cap on "take rates" for ride-hail services and prohibits certain pre-dispute arbitration agreements.

The Replace Animal Tests Act of 2025 generally prohibits submitting data from animal testing to covered federal agencies if a non-animal testing method is available. This legislation mandates that agencies prioritize non-animal methods, minimize harm when animal testing is unavoidable, and issue annual reports detailing animal use. Covered agencies, including the FDA and EPA, must also update regulations to reflect the acceptability of these modern, non-animal testing alternatives.

The Endometriosis CARE Act aims to improve the understanding and management of endometriosis through increased research funding and data collection at the NIH. The bill also mandates studies to identify barriers to treatment access and requires the development of public education campaigns and provider information resources. Furthermore, it calls for a comprehensive study on disparities in endometriosis prevalence, detection, and treatment outcomes.

The Staff Salary Schedule Improvement Act updates the payroll process for employees of the House of Representatives. While the standard pay date remains the last day of the month, this act grants the Chief Administrative Officer the authority to implement a twice-monthly or alternative pay schedule upon direction from the Committee on House Administration. This change will take effect when the House next upgrades its payroll system.

The Professional Degree Access Restoration Act amends the Higher Education Act to eliminate specific annual and aggregate loan limits for Federal Direct PLUS Loans made to graduate and professional students. This action removes previous restrictions on the maximum amount graduate students can borrow through these federal loan programs.

The Justice for Breonna Taylor Act aims to prohibit the use of no-knock warrants by federal law enforcement officers, requiring them to announce their presence before entry. Furthermore, it conditions federal funding for state and local law enforcement agencies on their compliance with the same no-knock warrant prohibition. This legislation seeks to increase accountability and safety during warrant executions.

The Reuniting Families Act is comprehensive legislation designed to significantly reform U.S. immigration by reducing massive visa backlogs and prioritizing family reunification across various categories. It achieves this by recapturing unused visas, reclassifying certain family members as "immediate relatives," and creating new pathways for permanent partners and refugees to join their loved ones. Ultimately, the bill aims to keep families together, speed up legal immigration processes, and address past discrimination in the visa system.

This concurrent resolution commends state and local governments for championing reproductive rights as human rights following the overturning of *Roe v. Wade*. It declares that denying abortion care leads to severe health risks and highlights the criminalization of pregnancy outcomes across the U.S. The resolution urges states to repeal abortion restrictions and affirm that reproductive rights are fundamental human rights.

The CARE for First Responders Act expands crisis counseling assistance to include emergency responders and public safety telecommunicators following major disasters. The bill establishes a comprehensive mental health program providing 24/7 confidential support, including a dedicated hotline and peer counseling. Additionally, it creates a grant program to fund mobile crisis units offering on-site mental health services to first responders during disaster response.

The Labor Enforcement to Securely Protect Workers (LETS Protect Workers) Act significantly increases civil penalties for violations across major federal labor laws, including child labor, wage and hour, and workplace safety standards. It strengthens enforcement mechanisms for mine safety violations and retaliation against miners, while also establishing new penalties for employer unfair labor practices under the National Labor Relations Act. Furthermore, the bill enhances enforcement for health plan parity and makes certain recordkeeping failures under OSHA and FLSA continuing violations.

The Computer Science for All Act of 2025 establishes a grant program to dramatically expand computer science education across all grade levels in states, local districts, and Tribal schools. These grants aim to ensure universal access to rigorous computer science and STEAM learning, focusing specifically on closing equity gaps for underrepresented students. The Act mandates teacher training, curriculum development, and detailed reporting to track progress toward these national goals.

The Loan Equity for Advanced Professionals Act raises the federal student loan limits for graduate and professional students. Effective July 1, 2026, the annual borrowing limit for Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans will increase to \$50,000, and the aggregate limit will rise to \$200,000. This aims to provide greater financial support for advanced degree candidates.

The Immigration Court Due Process Protection Act of 2025 restricts Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officers from arresting or detaining individuals attending or departing from immigration court proceedings or scheduled appointments, unless a judicial warrant is present or an imminent threat exists. The bill mandates specific supervisory approval for arrests during scheduled check-ins. Furthermore, it requires the DHS Inspector General to submit an annual report to Congress detailing compliance with these new protections.

This bill establishes new appointment and removal procedures for the Librarian of Congress, the Comptroller General, and the Director of the Government Publishing Office. These changes centralize the selection process through new or existing commissions, requiring appointment via a concurrent resolution passed by Congress. The legislation also sets a 10-year term for the Librarian of Congress and outlines specific supermajority requirements for removal from these key government positions.