Legislative Activity

This bill calls for granting statehood to the District of Columbia through the Washington, D.C. Admission Act, ensuring residents receive voting representation in Congress and full local self-government. It highlights the significant tax contributions and population of D.C. residents as justification for admission. The resolution also supports designating May 1, 2026, as "D.C. Statehood Day."

The Veterans Legal Support Act of 2026 authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide financial support to university legal clinics that offer legal assistance to veterans. This support will help veterans navigate VA appeals, fiduciary appointments, and other related legal matters. The bill appropriates $10 million annually from 2027 through 2031 to fund these programs.

This resolution recognizes April 16th as D.C. Emancipation Day, commemorating the end of slavery in the District. It affirms Congress's support for D.C. statehood, citing residents' taxation without representation and past congressional action on admission bills. The measure calls on Congress to pass the Washington, D.C. Admission Act.

The Paul Laurence Dunbar Commemorative Coin Act authorizes the U.S. Treasury to mint and issue a series of commemorative coins in 2028 to honor the legacy of the influential African-American poet. Proceeds from the sale of these coins, generated through surcharges, will be distributed to the Dunbar Alumni Federation to support student scholarships and school activities. The program is designed to be cost-neutral to the federal government, ensuring all production expenses are recovered through sales.

The Ensuring Child Health Coverage Compensation in Divorce Act of 2026 streamlines access to medical benefits for children covered under a noncustodial parent's insurance plan. This legislation empowers custodial parents to independently manage claims, obtain necessary coverage information, and receive direct payments for healthcare services. These requirements apply across private group health plans, the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, and federal healthcare programs.

The Ensuring Full Participation in the Census Act of 2026 prohibits the inclusion of questions regarding citizenship, nationality, or immigration status on the decennial census. This legislation aims to ensure an accurate and inclusive count of all individuals living in the United States. These restrictions do not apply to the American Community Survey.

The Jury Duty Exemption for Breastfeeding Act of 2026 allows individuals to be excused from jury service in federal and District of Columbia courts if they are breastfeeding. This legislation ensures that nursing parents can request an exemption to better accommodate their personal and family health needs.

The District of Columbia Juror Pay Parity Act ensures that jurors serving in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia receive the same compensation and expense reimbursements as those serving in United States district courts. This legislation aims to establish pay equity for local jurors by aligning D.C. rates with federal standards.

This resolution urges the U.S. Senate to ratify the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). CEDAW is a crucial international treaty that condemns gender discrimination and sets a global agenda for achieving women's equality. Ratification would align the United States with 189 other nations in upholding fundamental human rights for women.

The McIntire-Stennis Act District of Columbia Equality Act amends existing federal law to include the District of Columbia as an eligible jurisdiction for funding under the McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Act. This legislation ensures the District has equal access to federal resources dedicated to forestry research and education.

This bill, the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act and Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act District of Columbia Equality Act of 2026, seeks to grant the District of Columbia equal standing under these key federal conservation funding programs. It amends both acts to include D.C. in the definition of "State," thereby ensuring equitable treatment in the allocation of wildlife and sport fish restoration funds.

This bill, the Bayard Rustin Stamp Act, directs the Postmaster General to issue a forever postage stamp honoring the life and significant contributions of civil rights leader Bayard Rustin. The stamp will recognize his pivotal role as chief organizer of the 1963 March on Washington and his lifelong advocacy for nonviolence, labor rights, and equality.

This bill establishes the "Golden Thirteen Congressional Gold Medal Act" to honor the Golden Thirteen, the first group of Black officers commissioned in the U.S. Navy. It directs the posthumous presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to commemorate their historic achievement and service. The medal will be produced by the Secretary of the Treasury and ultimately displayed at the Smithsonian Institution.

This bill amends current law to allow commercial filmmaking and photography on the United States Capitol Grounds. The Chief of the Capitol Police can issue permits for these activities only when Congress is not in session. Any permitted activity and associated fees must align with historical practices in Union Square before its jurisdiction transfer.

This Act extends the protections of the District of Columbia Human Rights Act to employees of the D.C. Courts and the D.C. Public Defender Service. It officially designates these entities and their employees as covered employers and employees under the existing non-discrimination law. However, complaints against these entities will bypass the separate complaint procedures used for other D.C. government agencies.

The District of Columbia Transportation Funding Equality Act aims to ensure the District receives equitable federal transportation funding. This bill modifies existing formulas to include D.C. in calculations for bus grants and apportionments based on growing and high-density states. Furthermore, it explicitly makes the District eligible for competitive federal programs like the National Culvert Removal, Replacement, and Restoration grant program and the Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program.

This bill establishes the Postal Facilities Security Camera Act, mandating the installation of security cameras at all United States Postal Service facilities to enhance the safety of employees, customers, and property. The Act authorizes Congress to appropriate necessary funds from the Treasury's general fund to implement this security program.

This act grants the District of Columbia the authority to set the salary for its Chief Financial Officer. The CFO's compensation must be the higher of the federal pay limit for certain senior employees or a rate established by D.C. law. Any rate set by the District cannot be reduced during the CFO's term.

This bill establishes special tax rules for federal employees who separate from service and elect a federal retirement annuity. It allows for certain Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) withdrawals to avoid the 10% early withdrawal penalty and spread taxation over three years, up to a $100,000 limit. The legislation also provides a one-year option for recipients to re-contribute the distributed amount to an eligible retirement plan.

This bill seeks to prevent individuals from being denied federal housing assistance solely due to state-compliant marijuana activity. It amends federal housing laws to exclude the state-legal manufacture, sale, use, or possession of marijuana from definitions of "drug-related criminal activity." Consequently, housing agencies cannot deny admission or occupancy based on such state-legal marijuana activities. The bill also requires HUD to regulate marijuana smoking in federally assisted housing similarly to tobacco smoking.