Legislative Activity

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.

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.

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to designate a portion of the District of Columbia as an official empowerment zone. This special designation will allow the D.C. area to access existing tax benefits associated with empowerment zones. The designation does not count against the national limit for empowerment zones and takes effect after December 31, 2025.

The District of Columbia Special Elections Home Rule Act grants the District of Columbia government the authority to establish the timing and procedures for special elections. This applies to filling vacancies for local offices, including the Mayor, Attorney General, Council Chairman, and Ward and At-Large Council Members. This change allows D.C. to manage its own election schedules for these local vacancies.

This bill directs the Librarian of Congress to acquire and install a stained glass panel featuring the seal of the District of Columbia. This new panel will be placed alongside the existing stained glass panels depicting state seals overlooking the Main Reading Room of the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building.

This resolution honors the service of all District of Columbia veterans and condemns the denial of voting representation in Congress and full local self-government for D.C. residents. It highlights that D.C. residents have served in every American war while being denied these fundamental democratic rights. Therefore, the resolution calls for the enactment of the Washington, D.C. Admission Act to grant the District statehood.

The Service Academies District of Columbia Equality Act amends current law regarding the service academies. This bill modifies the required years for a specific provision at the United States Military Academy and significantly increases the maximum number of midshipmen allowed at the Naval Academy and cadets at the Air Force Academy. Overall, the legislation adjusts enrollment capacities and requirements across the three major service academies.

The District of Columbia Flood Prevention Act of 2025 seeks to enhance flood prevention efforts in the District. This is achieved by amending the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 to officially include the District of Columbia as a "coastal state." This designation will make the District eligible to receive crucial federal funding for coastal management and flood mitigation projects.

The District of Columbia Government Title Equality Act officially renames key leadership positions and legislative bodies within the D.C. government. This bill changes the title of the Mayor to Governor and the Council of the District of Columbia to the Legislative Assembly. It also redesignates the Council Chair as the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, updating all corresponding legal references.