Legislative Activity

The "Public Safety Free Speech Act" protects the free speech rights of public safety officers, including law enforcement, firefighters, and EMS personnel, allowing them to express personal opinions on public safety, working conditions, and other related matters without fear of retaliation, while also outlining exceptions for speech that incites violence, discrimination, or discloses confidential information. This bill enables officers to sue their employers for adverse actions taken against them for exercising these rights and specifies the damages that can be awarded. This act does not preempt existing federal or state laws.

The 9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act of 2025 amends the Public Health Service Act to improve the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program by expanding the types of healthcare providers who can conduct mental health evaluations, modifying provider credentialing, clarifying enrollment calculations, and extending the time frame for adding health conditions for WTC responders. The act adjusts the funding formula for fiscal years 2026 through 2090 and requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to report to Congress on the program's budget, including projected needs through 2090 and recommendations for changes to the funding formula. It also stipulates that remaining funds in the Supplemental Fund, Special Fund, and Pentagon-Shanksville Fund will revert to the Treasury.

The Honor and Remember Flag Recognition Act designates the Honor and Remember Flag as the official national symbol recognizing members of the U.S. Armed Forces who die in the line of duty. It mandates the flag's display at various federal locations on specific holidays, including Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, and Veterans Day. The bill requires relevant departments to establish regulations for flag display and directs the General Services Administration to procure and distribute the flags.

The "President Jimmy Carter Congressional Gold Medal Act" authorizes the posthumous presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to former President Jimmy Carter in recognition of his dedicated service to the Nation. This medal, created by the Secretary of the Treasury, will be given to the Carter Center in Atlanta, Georgia, following the award ceremony. The Act also permits the creation and sale of bronze duplicates of the gold medal to the public and authorizes the United States Mint to use its Public Enterprise Fund to cover the costs of producing the medals.

The "More Homes on the Market Act" increases the tax exclusion for profit from the sale of a primary residence, raising it to $500,000 for single filers and $1,000,000 for married couples filing jointly. These amounts will be adjusted for inflation starting in 2025. This change encourages homeowners to sell their properties, thereby increasing the availability of homes on the market.

The "Ending DOGE Conflicts Act" mandates that special government employees with financial ties to companies contracting with the federal government must adhere to strict financial disclosure requirements. It requires the Director of the Office of Government Ethics to certify these employees' financial reports and prohibits them from performing official duties until compliance is confirmed.

The Water Infrastructure Subcontractor and Taxpayer Protection Act of 2025 amends the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014 to ensure payment and performance security for construction projects receiving federal assistance. It allows the Secretary of Transportation or the Administrator to consider state or local laws mandating payment and performance security as fulfilling this requirement if they cover at least 50% of the construction contract. If state or local laws don't apply or meet the 50% threshold, adherence to federal bond requirements under 40 U.S.C. 3131(b)(1) and (2) is required.

The Tipped Income Protection and Support (TIPS) Act eliminates the subminimum wage for tipped employees, requiring employers to pay the standard minimum wage before tips. It ensures that all tips go to the employees, allowing for traditional tip pooling. The bill also introduces a tax deduction for qualified cash tips for employees earning up to $112,500 annually, effective for taxable years after 2025.

The "Delaware River Basin Restoration Program Reauthorization Act of 2025" reauthorizes and modifies the Delaware River Basin Conservation Program. It broadens the definition of the Basin to include Maryland, allows prioritization of funding for projects benefiting small, rural, or disadvantaged communities, and extends the program's operation until 2032.

The United States-Israel Defense Partnership Act of 2025 seeks to bolster the defense relationship between the United States and Israel through joint initiatives and increased cooperation. It establishes programs to counter unmanned systems, extend anti-tunnel and counter-UAS cooperation, and promote collaboration in emerging technologies like AI and cybersecurity. The act also mandates the establishment of a Defense Innovation Unit office in Israel and assesses integrated air and missile defense in the U.S. Central Command region. Finally, it explores Israel's potential inclusion in the national technology and industrial base.

The Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act of 2025 expands public safety officer benefits to include deaths and disabilities caused by exposure-related cancers, presuming that certain cancers diagnosed within 15 years of service are line-of-duty injuries if the officer served for at least 5 years. It defines "exposure-related cancer" and allows for updates to the list based on medical evidence, while also permitting individuals to petition for additions. The Act also clarifies "line of duty action" and applies retroactively to claims dating back to January 1, 2020, with a three-year window for filing claims based on these amendments.

The "National Plan for Epilepsy Act" aims to address the significant impact of epilepsy by establishing a comprehensive national plan for its prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure. This act mandates the creation of an Advisory Council on Epilepsy Research, Care, and Services, composed of federal and non-federal experts, to evaluate and improve federally funded epilepsy efforts. The council will provide recommendations to enhance coordination, diagnosis, treatment, research, and public awareness, and reduce the financial burden of epilepsy on families. Ultimately, the act seeks to improve the lives of individuals with epilepsy and their caregivers through coordinated research, improved access to care, and enhanced public awareness.

The "PREEMIE Reauthorization Act of 2025" extends funding for research on preterm births and infant care through 2029. It directs the Department of Health and Human Services to establish an interagency working group to address premature birth issues and mandates a comprehensive study by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine on preterm births, including cost analysis, risk factor identification, and best practices for prevention and treatment. A report on the study's findings must be submitted to Congress and the Secretary of Health and Human Services within 24 months.

The "Protect US National Security Act" ensures that federal funds cannot be used to eliminate the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) as an independent entity. It asserts that only an act of Congress can eliminate USAID. The Secretary of State must certify compliance with this requirement to Congress within 30 days of the act's enactment and annually for 5 years.

The Blind Americans Return to Work Act of 2025 initiates a 20-year demonstration project aimed at helping blind Americans receiving Social Security disability benefits return to work. For the first 10 years, eligibility for benefits will be determined without considering substantial gainful activity, and benefits will be reduced based on earnings above a set amount, incentivizing employment without immediate loss of support. The project waives certain benefit requirements to facilitate successful employment, with participants having the option to opt out after the initial 10-year period. This act aims to support blind individuals in their transition back to the workforce while maintaining a safety net.

The Payment Choice Act of 2025 ensures that retail businesses accepting in-person payments cannot refuse cash for transactions under $500, preventing them from charging cash-paying customers more. It outlines specific exceptions, such as temporary system failures or providing fee-free cash-to-prepaid card converters, and allows for inactivity fees on prepaid cards under certain conditions. The bill also includes enforcement mechanisms, allowing customers to take legal action against businesses in violation and establishing penalties for non-compliance. For the first 5 years, businesses are only required to accept bills up to $20.

The "Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow's Workforce Act" amends Section 529 savings accounts to include expenses related to postsecondary credentialing programs. This allows 529 funds to cover costs like tuition, fees, books, supplies, and testing fees for recognized programs and credentials, as defined by the bill. These changes would apply to distributions made after the bill is enacted.

The CLEAR Act amends the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to include entities established under Section 3161, ensuring their records are accessible to the public. This change applies to all FOIA requests made after the Act's enactment, regardless of when the records were created.

This resolution condemns the Government of Azerbaijan for the wrongful detention, abuse, and suppression of academic freedom regarding Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu. It demands his immediate and unconditional release, the provision of necessary medical care, and an end to the harassment of his family. Furthermore, it urges the U.S. Secretary of State to prioritize Dr. Ibadoghlu’s well-being and release in all diplomatic engagements.

The Protect Our Letter Carriers Act of 2025 aims to enhance the safety of postal workers by funding high-security infrastructure upgrades, including electronic mailbox keys. The bill also mandates the appointment of dedicated federal prosecutors for postal crimes in every judicial district and requires stricter sentencing guidelines for those who assault or rob postal employees.