Legislative Activity

This bill prohibits federal agencies from removing civil service employees during any lapse in discretionary appropriations, commonly known as a government shutdown. If an employee is terminated in violation of this rule during a shutdown, they will have the option to be reinstated with full back pay once funding resumes. This measure aims to protect federal workers from job loss caused by budget impasses.

The Community College Educational Exchange Act aims to expand international educational opportunities by establishing new programs for foreign scholars to study at U.S. community and vocational colleges. It also creates a capacity-building initiative to help these U.S. institutions develop more study abroad options, particularly in STEM and technical fields. The legislation mandates increased outreach and technical assistance to ensure eligible colleges can successfully participate in federal exchange programs.

The African Union Diplomatic Parity Act formally extends the same privileges and immunities enjoyed by other international missions to the African Union Mission. This legislation specifically updates existing law to ensure the African Union Mission receives parity in legal protections. Furthermore, it grants the African Union's Observer Mission in New York the same status and immunities as permanent missions of UN member states.

This bill directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and the Director of the Census Bureau to conduct a comprehensive study on how federal agencies currently identify and record various forms of housing loss in the United States. The resulting report must define different types of housing loss, identify current data collection methods, and recommend improvements for federal tracking. The goal is to enhance the government's ability to accurately count and understand involuntary displacement since 2022.

The SBIR/STTR Pilot Extension Act extends and broadens the "direct to Phase II" authority for federal agencies running SBIR programs through 2030, while also expanding which agencies can utilize it. This legislation further extends the authorization for the commercialization readiness program for civilian agencies and several key SBIR/STTR pilot programs until fiscal year 2030. Overall, the bill ensures the continuation and expansion of critical federal support mechanisms for small business innovation and research commercialization.

This bill provides enhanced employment protections and reinstatement options for certain Federal career employees who were serving under a probationary period following a promotion. It grants these employees standard due process rights against unfair removal while on probation. Furthermore, it allows employees removed between January 20, 2025, and the date of enactment to elect reinstatement to their former or an equivalent position with back pay. These protections generally exclude those promoted into or removed from political positions.