Legislative Activity

The Eastern Mediterranean Gateway Act supports key Eastern Mediterranean nations—Egypt, Greece, Cyprus, and Israel—as strategic partners for the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). The bill directs the U.S. to prioritize diplomatic engagement, energy security, and defense cooperation in the region. It also mandates several reports to Congress detailing implementation, multilateral initiatives, and potential expansions of successful U.S.-Israel partnership models to other regional allies.

The Providing Child Care for Police Officers Act of 2025 establishes a new federal grant program to help law enforcement officers secure childcare during non-traditional hours. Administered by HHS, these competitive grants will fund local agencies to offer subsidies, start new facilities, or cover operational costs for officers. The program requires state agencies to apply and secure matching funds, with a sunset date of September 30, 2030.

The Defense Workforce Integration Act of 2025 aims to streamline the transition of separating service members into civilian Department of Defense (DoD) roles, particularly for those medically disqualified from service. It also establishes a new program to connect medically ineligible individuals with career opportunities in the defense industrial base and related national security sectors. Furthermore, the bill mandates that the Navy inform separating personnel about career opportunities within the Military Sealift Command. The DoD must report to Congress within one year on the implementation of these integration and information-sharing provisions.

The Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act of 2025 declares that practices attempting to change an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity for payment constitute an unfair and deceptive business practice. Citing professional consensus on the ineffectiveness and harm of such "conversion therapy," the bill prohibits its provision and advertising. Enforcement authority is granted to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and the law allows both the U.S. Attorney General and State Attorneys General to file civil actions against violators.

The VA Employee Fairness Act of 2025 modifies the collective bargaining rules for employees of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) by streamlining existing statutes. This act removes outdated subsections related to bargaining and renumbers the remaining relevant section. Importantly, these changes do not affect the Secretary of Veterans Affairs' existing authority regarding incentive pay or expedited hiring processes.

The Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act expands the definition of "law enforcement officer" for federal retirement purposes under both the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). This change adds specific IRS, Postal Inspection Service, and VA police roles to those eligible for enhanced retirement benefits. The bill also establishes procedures for current officers to elect to have their prior service counted under these new definitions, which may require a payment from the employee and their employing agency.

The Community Services Block Grant Improvement Act of 2025 aims to strengthen federal efforts to combat poverty by updating the core goals and operational rules of the Community Services Block Grant program. The bill revises definitions, sets a specific annual funding authorization through Fiscal Year 2032, and tightens requirements for state plans and local agency governance, including mandating tripartite boards. Ultimately, these changes seek to ensure grant funds are effectively used by local entities to promote the self-sufficiency of low-income individuals and families.

The **Shipbuilding and Harbor Infrastructure for Prosperity and Security for America Act of 2025** is a comprehensive bill designed to revitalize the U.S. maritime industry and secure critical supply chains. It establishes new centralized oversight for maritime policy, creates a dedicated Maritime Security Trust Fund financed by new vessel taxes, and mandates significant federal investment in domestic shipbuilding and workforce development. The legislation also imposes stricter cargo preference rules and tax incentives to ensure U.S.-flagged vessels dominate international commerce and defense sealift operations.

This resolution expresses the strong support of Congress for designating May 2025 as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. It acknowledges the significant role motorcyclists play in transportation while highlighting the critical need for increased safety awareness. The bill encourages proper rider training, the use of protective gear, and mutual road safety between motorcyclists and other drivers.

The Assault Weapons Ban of 2025 comprehensively defines and bans the manufacture, sale, and transfer of specific semiautomatic assault weapons and large capacity ammunition feeding devices. The bill grandfathers existing weapons but imposes new requirements for their secure storage and mandates dealer involvement for future private transfers. It also allows federal grant money to be used by states for buy-back programs targeting these banned items.

The Better CARE for Animals Act of 2025 significantly strengthens enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act by clarifying definitions and expanding the scope of investigations. It grants the Attorney General explicit authority to file civil actions seeking penalties up to $10,000 per day, and mandates that collected fines help cover temporary animal care costs. The bill also requires the Secretary of Agriculture and the Attorney General to establish a formal agreement for coordinated enforcement.

The Equality Act comprehensively expands federal civil rights protections against discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity across key areas of American life. It amends existing laws to prohibit discrimination in public accommodations, housing, credit, employment, and federal funding. The purpose of the bill is to provide consistent, explicit, and comprehensive remedies for individuals facing bias in these essential sectors.

The **Protecting America’s Workers Act** significantly expands OSHA coverage to include public employees, strengthens whistleblower protections by lowering the burden of proof for workers and increasing remedies for retaliation, and mandates stricter reporting, increased penalties, and greater transparency for workplace safety violations. The bill also tightens federal oversight of state-run safety plans and enhances NIOSH's role in hazard evaluation and safety training.

This resolution officially designates April 2025 as "Community College Month" to celebrate the vital role of over 1,000 community colleges nationwide. It recognizes these institutions for providing accessible, affordable higher education and critical workforce training. The bill highlights their significant economic contributions and commitment to local community needs.

The Federal Firefighter Cancer Detection and Prevention Act of 2025 mandates specific, regular cancer screenings for Department of Defense (DoD) firefighters as part of their annual health evaluations. This includes tailored testing for breast, colon, and prostate cancers, based on age and risk factors. While these screenings are offered, participation remains optional for the individual firefighter. The DoD must track participation and anonymized results to monitor cancer trends within the firefighting community.

The Clean Ocean And Safe Tourism Anti-Drilling Act of 2025 (COAST Anti-Drilling Act) permanently prohibits new oil and gas leasing activities on the Outer Continental Shelf in the North Atlantic, Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic, and Straits of Florida planning areas. This legislation ensures these specific ocean regions are protected from future exploration and development.

The Preparing and Resourcing Our Student Parents and Early Childhood Teachers Act establishes significant grant programs to improve access to high-quality infant and toddler care, prioritizing student parents at community colleges and minority-serving institutions. It also amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant to expand eligibility for college students seeking assistance and incentivizes states to increase reimbursement rates for infant and toddler care. Finally, the bill mandates that schools proactively inform student parents about the dependent care allowance available through federal financial aid applications.

This resolution expresses strong support for library staff and the essential, expanded community services libraries provide, from social support to digital access. It calls for funding commensurate with these vital roles and defends the right of all citizens to freely access information. Furthermore, the bill supports the civil rights and union voice of library workers against threats and censorship.

The Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act of 2025 aims to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and countering its support for terrorism by imposing sanctions on those involved in Iran's energy sector and those who provide financial support for its destabilizing activities. It mandates sanctions on foreign entities involved in processing, exporting, or selling Iranian oil, gas, and petrochemicals, while also establishing an interagency working group to coordinate and enforce these sanctions. The Act also amends existing legislation to require the identification of individuals involved in sanctionable activities or sanctions evasion related to Iranian oil and gas sales.

This resolution is an official request from the House of Representatives demanding the President and the Secretary of Education immediately transmit all unredacted documents related to any plans for downsizing or closing the Department of Education. The required records must detail staff reduction measures, internal communications, and any determinations made regarding the sufficiency of remaining staff to enforce major federal education laws. The documents must be provided to the House within 14 days of the resolution's adoption.