Legislative Activity

This resolution expresses support for designating September 23, 2025, as "Mary Church Terrell Day" to honor her legacy. It recognizes her groundbreaking contributions as an educator, suffragist, and tireless advocate against racial discrimination. The bill specifically calls on Congress to formally acknowledge her lasting impact on both the civil rights and women's rights movements.

This resolution expresses the House of Representatives' formal support for designating September 2025 as "Peace Month." It recognizes the United Nations' International Day of Peace on September 21st and encourages ongoing efforts to promote global peace and human rights. Furthermore, the resolution calls upon Congress to actively champion peace initiatives both domestically and internationally.

The Universal Prekindergarten and Early Childhood Education Act of 2025 establishes a competitive federal grant program to help states create or expand high-quality, full-day prekindergarten for all 3- and 4-year-olds. Federal funding will cover up to 80% of program costs, requiring states to use the money to supplement, not supplant, existing early childhood education funding. Programs must be housed in public schools and taught by qualified educators.

The District of Columbia Electronic Transmittal of Legislation Act allows the Chairman of the D.C. Council to transmit D.C. Acts and Charter Amendments to the federal government in electronic format. This legislation ensures that Congress must accept these electronic submissions as valid for meeting all statutory deadlines. Essentially, this modernizes the official submission process between the District and the federal government.

This bill, the District of Columbia National Guard Home Rule Act, transfers full command authority of the D.C. National Guard from the President of the United States to the Mayor of the District of Columbia. It updates numerous federal statutes to reflect this shift in leadership for appointments, discipline, and calling the Guard into service. The Act also makes conforming amendments across U.S. Code titles to ensure the Mayor is recognized as the definitive authority over the D.C. National Guard.

The District of Columbia Police Home Rule Act eliminates the President's authority to assume emergency control over the District of Columbia's police force. This is achieved by striking the relevant section from the D.C. Home Rule Act. The bill ensures local control over the Metropolitan Police Department remains with the District.

The Federal Police Camera and Accountability Act mandates strict requirements for federal law enforcement regarding the use of body-worn and in-car cameras, including when they must be activated and how footage must be retained and disclosed. The bill explicitly prohibits the use of facial recognition or other biometric surveillance technology on these recording devices. Furthermore, it establishes procedures for officer review of footage after serious incidents and mandates a GAO study on federal officer training.

This bill mandates that members of the Armed Forces deployed to the District of Columbia under a Presidential order related to crime or civil disturbance must wear body-worn cameras. These service members will be required to participate in a program substantially similar to the existing Metropolitan Police Department's Body-Worn Camera Program. This ensures transparency and accountability for military personnel operating in a domestic law enforcement capacity during such events.

This resolution expresses support for designating August 22, 2025, as "Chuck Brown Day" to honor the life and legacy of the "Godfather of Go-Go." It recognizes Chuck Brown's profound musical contributions, including creating the distinct D.C. go-go sound and achieving national success. The bill further highlights his deep connection to the District of Columbia and his advocacy for its rights.

This bill, the Equal Treatment of the District of Columbia Under the Rural Health Transformation Program Act of 2025, amends the Social Security Act to explicitly include the District of Columbia in the Rural Health Transformation Program. This change ensures that D.C. has access to the benefits and opportunities provided by the program, placing it on equal footing with the 50 states.

This Act, the Commission of Fine Arts District of Columbia Residency Act, mandates that a majority of the members serving on the Commission of Fine Arts must be residents of the District of Columbia. This residency requirement will take effect one year after the bill is enacted into law. The President will continue to appoint members, but must now ensure this majority residency standard is met.

This Act mandates the removal of the Albert Pike statue located near Judiciary Square in Washington, D.C. The Secretary of the Interior is responsible for taking down the statue authorized by the 1898 Congressional resolution. Following removal, the statue may be donated to a museum for indoor preservation and interpretation, with strict prohibitions against outdoor display.

The Blue Envelope Act of 2025 updates the Highway Safety Improvement Program to allow states to use federal funds for safety projects specifically designed to improve communication during traffic stops. This legislation enables the implementation of "blue envelope programs" to assist drivers who are deaf or have speech impediments when interacting with law enforcement.

This Act, the District of Columbia National Guard Commanding General Residency Act, amends existing law to require that the Commanding General of the District of Columbia National Guard must reside within the District of Columbia. This new residency requirement will take effect one year after the law is enacted.

The Francis G. Newlands Memorial Removal Act mandates the removal of Senator Francis G. Newlands' name and associated plaques from the memorial fountain at Chevy Chase Circle in D.C. The Secretary of the Interior must remove or obscure all inscriptions bearing his name on the fountain structure. Removed items will be offered to Newlands' descendants before being added to the Rock Creek Park museum collection.

The District of Columbia Courts Home Rule Act grants the Council of the District of Columbia greater authority to enact laws concerning the D.C. Courts. This is achieved by removing a specific restriction on the Council's lawmaking power found in the D.C. Home Rule Act. Essentially, this legislation expands the local legislative control over the District's judicial system.

The District of Columbia Board of Zoning Adjustment Home Rule Act revises the composition of the Board, establishing a five-member body appointed by the Mayor with Council approval, all of whom must be D.C. residents. However, when reviewing applications from foreign missions, the Board's membership temporarily shifts to include specific federal appointees instead of regular members. This Act standardizes the Board's structure while ensuring federal representation for sensitive chancery-related zoning decisions.

This Act, the Commission of Fine Arts District of Columbia Home Rule Act, significantly limits the authority of the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA). Specifically, it restricts the CFA's oversight regarding the location of statues, fountains, and monuments to only those properties owned by the Federal Government within the District of Columbia. Consequently, the CFA loses its approval power over art and structures on D.C. government or privately owned property.

This Act, the National Capital Planning Commission District of Columbia Home Rule Act, significantly reduces the National Capital Planning Commission's (NCPC) authority over property owned by the District of Columbia. It eliminates the requirement for NCPC approval on proposed D.C. governmental developments and strikes the NCPC's power to approve D.C. land sales. However, the NCPC retains its recommendation authority for transfers between Federal agencies or between a Federal agency and the District government.

This Act establishes a new voluntary early retirement option for eligible Foreign Service members facing significant agency restructuring or downsizing. It allows those aged 43 or older with 15 years of service to retire early and receive an annuity, subject to agency head approval. The provision is retroactive to January 20, 2025, and ensures funding for these benefits if the retirement fund is insufficient.