Legislative Activity

The "Love Lives On Act of 2025" amends titles 10 and 38 of the United States Code to improve benefits and services for surviving spouses. This act modifies Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) rules, allowing surviving spouses who remarry to still receive benefits. Additionally, it ensures continued Survivor Benefit Plan annuity payments for certain remarried surviving spouses and expands TRICARE eligibility to include remarried widow/widowers whose subsequent marriage ended.

The Job Protection Act amends the Family and Medical Leave Act to expand eligibility for family and medical leave to employees employed for at least 90 days. This act also expands the FMLA to include employers with 1 or more employees.

The Rosa Parks Day Act officially establishes Rosa Parks Day as a legal public holiday in the United States. This amendment updates federal law to include Rosa Parks Day alongside existing holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. Consequently, federal employees and operations will observe this new national holiday.

The Fort Pillow National Battlefield Park Study Act directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study to evaluate Fort Pillow Historic State Park's national significance and determine the feasibility of designating it as a unit of the National Park System. This study will consider the park's historical importance, particularly its role in the massacre of Union troops, including United States Colored Troops, and its impact on the Civil War. The findings of this study will help determine whether Fort Pillow should be recognized as a National Battlefield Park.

This bill recognizes the 65th anniversary of the Greensboro Four sit-in, a pivotal event in the Civil Rights Movement that began on February 1, 1960. It acknowledges the Greensboro Four's significant contribution to the fight against racial inequality and encourages states to include their story in educational curricula. The bill also recognizes the importance of sit-ins as a form of nonviolent resistance and the enrichment that ethnic and racial diversity brings to the United States.

The "Stop Arming Cartels Act of 2025" aims to combat the arming of cartels by banning .50 caliber rifles, allowing lawsuits against gun manufacturers who knowingly sell to prohibited individuals, and prohibiting firearm sales to significant foreign narcotics traffickers. It also expands reporting requirements for multiple firearm sales to include rifles.

The Period PROUD Act of 2025 increases funding for the Social Services Block Grant Program, earmarking $200 million annually from 2026-2029 for providing menstrual products to low-income individuals. States will distribute these funds to eligible entities, who will then provide free products, conduct community outreach, and improve access to menstrual products. The Department of Health and Human Services will evaluate the program's effectiveness and report to Congress. This act ensures that access to menstrual products does not affect eligibility for other federal needs-based programs.

The Parity Enforcement Act of 2025 amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, introducing civil monetary penalties for group health plans, service providers, and administrators that fail to meet mental health and substance use disorder parity requirements. This act enables the Department of Labor to enforce parity in mental health benefits, similar to protections against genetic information discrimination, ensuring equitable access to mental health and substance use disorder treatment. These changes will be effective for plan years starting one year after the Act's enactment.

The NO BAN Act amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to limit the President's power to suspend or restrict the entry of foreign nationals based on nationality. It requires the President to provide Congress with specific evidence justifying any such restrictions, ensuring they are narrowly tailored and time-limited. The bill also expands nondiscrimination provisions in immigration law and allows those harmed by violations to sue the government. Additionally, the Act mandates detailed reports to Congress on visa applicants affected by any restrictions.

The Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act of 2025 ensures that monetary penalties from False Claims Act cases are deposited into the Crime Victims Fund through fiscal year 2029. This excludes payments to whistleblowers and reimbursements to the government. This will increase the amount of money available to help victims of crimes.

This resolution expresses the House of Representatives' support for arms control agreements, particularly with Russia and China, to reduce nuclear threats and prevent a nuclear arms race. It condemns nuclear threats related to the invasion of Ukraine, urges Russia to rejoin the New START Treaty, and encourages the U.S. government to engage in discussions with both Russia and China for new arms control frameworks. The resolution emphasizes the importance of maintaining strategic stability and preventing nuclear escalation.

The "Rosa Parks Commemorative Coin Act" directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint gold, silver, and half-dollar coins in 2029 to honor Rosa Parks and her legacy as a Civil Rights Movement leader. Coin designs must symbolize her contribution to civil rights and include her name and likeness. Surcharges from the coin sales will benefit the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development, supporting youth programs, civil rights education, and advocacy. The Act ensures no net cost to the government and mandates the recovery of all costs before surcharge distribution.

This resolution urges the UN Security Council to impose an immediate arms embargo on Burma's military in response to the 2021 coup and subsequent human rights abuses. It outlines conditions for lifting the embargo, including a permanent ceasefire, release of political prisoners, accountability for abuses, humanitarian access, and a verifiable transition to a democratically elected government. The resolution also calls for international support for civilians affected by the coup and promotion of peace and reconciliation efforts.

The "Access to Counsel Act" amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to guarantee individuals undergoing inspection at ports of entry or deferred inspection have access to legal counsel and assistance. It mandates that the Department of Homeland Security provide these individuals with the opportunity to consult with counsel within one hour of secondary inspection and allows counsel to advocate on their behalf. The Act also ensures lawful permanent residents are given the chance to seek legal advice before abandoning their residency status. This act aims to ensure due process and protect the rights of individuals during immigration inspections.

This bill authorizes the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the Freedom Riders, collectively, in recognition of their contributions to the Civil Rights movement. The medal will be displayed at the Smithsonian Institution and other appropriate locations, with bronze duplicates available for sale to the public. Funds from the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund will cover the costs.

The "Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act" reauthorizes and expands programs aimed at supporting the mental health of healthcare providers. It requires annual reports on education and awareness initiatives, broadens eligibility for entities receiving funds, and extends funding for mental health support programs through 2030. The Act prioritizes reducing administrative burdens on healthcare workers to improve access to mental health services.

The "Stop the Wait Act of 2025" eliminates the waiting period for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, phasing it out completely by 2030. It also waives the 24-month waiting period for Medicare eligibility for certain SSDI recipients who lack minimum essential health coverage, allowing them to access Medicare retroactively to the start of their SSDI entitlement. The Act establishes special enrollment periods for Medicare Part B for these newly eligible individuals.

The "Health Care Workforce Innovation Act of 2025" establishes a program supporting innovative, community-based training for allied health professionals, particularly in underserved and rural areas. Eligible applicants, such as Federally Qualified Health Centers and rural health clinics, can receive funding to launch or expand healthcare partnerships, improve workforce readiness, and encourage disadvantaged students to pursue healthcare careers. Priority is given to programs increasing access to care in underserved communities and demonstrating cost-effective, replicable models. The bill authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 2026-2028, with grants or contracts capped at $2,500,000 per grant period.

The Aviation-Impacted Communities Act aims to mitigate the impact of aviation noise and pollution on communities near airports. It expands eligibility for noise mitigation funding, establishes community boards to address local concerns, and requires the FAA to conduct community assessments and develop action plans based on those assessments. The Act also directs the FAA to contract with the National Academy of Sciences to study aviation impacts and create a framework for community assessments, and it sets aside funding to implement these provisions.

The EITC Modernization Act expands the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) to include all taxpayers with dependents and qualifying students, setting a minimum credit of \$1,200 for these groups. It allows taxpayers eligible for refunds exceeding \$240 to receive the EITC in monthly payments and lowers the minimum age for eligible individuals without dependents to 18. The act also establishes a grant program to support volunteer tax assistance programs for low-income taxpayers, prioritizing programs that reach underserved populations and educate people about income supports like the EITC.