Legislative Activity

The "Raise the Wage Act of 2025" aims to increase the federal minimum wage to $17.00 per hour over five years, after which it will be annually adjusted based on the median hourly wage of all employees. The bill also gradually raises the minimum wage for tipped employees until it matches the standard minimum wage, while ensuring they retain all tips. Additionally, it increases and then eliminates the subminimum wage for newly hired employees under 20 and individuals with disabilities, promoting fair wages for all workers.

The Ending PUSHOUT Act of 2025 aims to improve data collection on discriminatory school discipline practices, reduce instructional time lost due to excessive disciplinary removals, and prevent the criminalization of students, particularly girls of color. It authorizes grants for local educational agencies to implement alternatives to exclusionary discipline and establishes a joint task force to address the pushout of girls of color from schools. The bill prohibits the use of funds for school-based law enforcement and surveillance equipment, and promotes trauma-informed and culturally sustaining practices. It also allocates funding for data collection, grant programs, and the joint task force.

This bill terminates the national emergency declared by the President in Executive Order 14257 on April 2, 2025. The termination is enacted as per section 202 of the National Emergencies Act.

The "Counseling Not Criminalization in Schools Act" aims to improve school safety and student outcomes by eliminating federal funding for law enforcement officers in schools and instead investing in mental health services, trauma-informed support, and positive behavioral interventions. This bill prioritizes support for marginalized students and seeks to create more welcoming and inclusive school environments through community engagement and evidence-based practices. The Act establishes a grant program to help local educational agencies transition away from relying on police in schools and towards comprehensive support systems. It also requires transparency and accountability through public reporting on the use of funds and student discipline data.

The "Family Notification of Death, Injury, or Illness in Custody Act of 2025" aims to establish federal policies requiring detention agencies to promptly notify emergency contacts in the event of a detainee's death, serious illness, or injury. It mandates the Attorney General to develop and implement these policies for Department of Justice detention agencies, as well as provide model policies and support for state, tribal, and local agencies. The bill outlines specific procedures for collecting emergency contact information, notification timelines, communication protocols, and standards for handling belongings and remains. An ombudsman will be appointed to investigate complaints of notification failures.

The "VA Funding and Workforce Protection Act" aims to protect the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) funding by limiting the transfer or deferral of funds without explicit congressional approval. It also safeguards VA personnel by exempting the VA from hiring freezes, requiring reinstatement of certain removed veterans, and placing restrictions on the removal of probationary employees. Additionally, the Act mandates regular reporting to Congress on personnel actions and compliance with the Act's provisions.

The ELON MUSK Act prohibits special Government employees from holding or benefiting from federal contracts or agreements. Any existing federal contracts held by these employees must be terminated upon the law's enactment. This aims to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure ethical conduct within the government.

The Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act of 2025 establishes federal minimum standards for collective bargaining rights for public employees and supervisory employees. It requires the Federal Labor Relations Authority to determine if state laws substantially provide these rights; if not, the Authority will administer collective bargaining procedures in those states. The act outlines specific rights and procedures, including the right to organize, bargain collectively, and engage in concerted activities, while also addressing enforcement and exceptions. This law aims to ensure that public service workers have the ability to negotiate for fair wages, hours, and working conditions.

The Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Restoration Act aims to rectify past errors by establishing a program to identify and properly mark the graves of deceased Jewish members of the Armed Forces buried in military cemeteries outside the U.S. with markers that do not reflect their religion. The American Battle Monuments Commission will manage the program, contracting with a nonprofit organization to identify the servicemembers and contact their families. The program is authorized to receive $500,000 per year for 10 fiscal years.

The "Tax Fairness for Workers Act" permits employees to deduct union dues and other employee business expenses above-the-line, bypassing previous deduction limitations. This change is achieved by amending sections of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, specifically 62(a)(1) and 67(g). These amendments will be effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

The "Expanding Access to School Meals Act of 2025" aims to eliminate reduced-price school breakfasts and lunches, and expand eligibility for free meals. The bill raises the income threshold for free school lunches to 224% of the poverty level and facilitates direct certification for children receiving Medicaid benefits. It also allows schools to retroactively claim reimbursement for eligible students and increases the Community Eligibility Program multiplier to expand access to free meals in high-poverty areas.

The STOP Bullying Act aims to reduce bullying in schools by establishing a grant program for each state to create and implement an anti-bullying task force. These task forces will study local bullying policies, educate teachers, parents, and students, and examine the impact of bullying on student violence and self-harm. Each task force will include educators, administrators, parents, students, counselors, psychologists, lawyers, and representatives from community organizations, and will submit a final report with recommendations for legislation, administrative actions, and best practices to address and reduce bullying. The goal is to ensure safe learning environments for all students, regardless of background.

The End Kidney Deaths Act introduces a $10,000 per year tax credit for five years, up to $50,000, for individuals who make a qualified non-directed living kidney donation, where the donor does not know the recipient. This credit aims to incentivize kidney donations and will not be considered valuable consideration in violation of organ purchase prohibitions. The Act applies to donations made after December 31, 2026, and before January 1, 2037.

The "Community First Act" aims to reduce local jail populations and incarceration times by authorizing the Attorney General to award grants to eligible partnerships. These grants will support data analysis, strategic planning, and the implementation of various programs, including reducing cash bail, increasing pretrial services, and expanding diversion programs. Grantees must consult with local entities, analyze jail data, and meet specific incarceration reduction targets, with priority given to areas with high incarceration rates and plans to prevent jail bed increases. The Act authorizes \$20 million annually for planning grants and \$100 million annually for implementation grants from 2026 through 2030.

The "No Tax Breaks for Union Busting (NTBUB) Act" aims to eliminate tax deductions for employer expenses used to influence employees' decisions regarding unionizing and collective bargaining. It defines "labor organization activity" broadly, encompassing elections, disputes, and collective actions. The bill mandates detailed reporting of such activities, with significant penalties for non-compliance, and directs the Treasury Secretary to issue implementing guidance. This would apply to expenses incurred more than 240 days after the bill's enactment.

This bill expresses support for designating April 7, 2025, as "World Health Day" and recognizes the importance of prioritizing public health. It acknowledges critical healthcare issues such as cost, access, and disparities, particularly affecting marginalized communities. The bill emphasizes the need for accessible, high-quality healthcare for all ages and the importance of interagency coordination to ensure well-being. It supports the WHO's focus on maternal and newborn health under the theme "Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures."

The DART Act of 2025 aims to reduce crime and recidivism by expanding the use of diversion and rehabilitation programs at the state and local levels through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program. This act broadens the scope of the grant program to include pre-arrest diversion, specialty courts, and post-release rehabilitation programs. It also establishes a National Diversion and Rehabilitation Clearinghouse to share evidence-based practices and provide technical assistance to state and local governments, and non-profits. The act prioritizes programs that address the root causes of crime, promote trauma-informed practices, and incorporate mental health services, peer support, and restorative justice.

The Florida Coastal Protection Act prohibits the Department of Interior from issuing leases for oil and gas exploration, development, or production in specific areas off Florida's coast, including the Eastern Gulf of Mexico, a portion of the South Atlantic Planning Area, and the Straits of Florida Planning Area. This act aims to protect Florida's coastal environment and economy by preventing offshore drilling in these sensitive regions. The prohibition does not affect existing leases.

This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to allow HBCU grants to be used for strengthening arts and cultural programs, including financial aid, outreach, support services, art collection preservation, and paid apprenticeships. It allows HBCUs to partner with the National Endowment for the Arts to carry out these activities. The bill aims to address underfunding in HBCU arts programs and promote diversity in the arts.

The "Telehealth Access for Tribal Communities Act of 2025" permanently expands Medicare telehealth access for Indian health programs and urban Indian organizations. It broadens the definition of originating sites to include any location in the United States where an eligible individual is located, including their home. The Act also ensures coverage and payment for specific audio-only telehealth services provided by these programs. These changes aim to improve healthcare access for tribal communities by making telehealth more readily available.