Legislative Activity

The "Hot Foods Act of 2025" amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, allowing SNAP benefits to be used for hot and ready-to-eat foods. It broadens the scope of eligible food items under SNAP and modifies retailer eligibility requirements, permitting more stores to accept SNAP if hot food sales do not exceed 50% of their gross sales. This change also updates the language regarding where SNAP-eligible food can be consumed to include "home or immediate consumption".

This bill seeks to block the proposed increase in a foreign military sale to Israel, detailed in Transmittal No. 250C. The sale includes a significant rise in the value of both Major Defense Equipment (MDE) and non-MDE, totaling nearly $900 million in increased costs.

The Support UNFPA Funding Act aims to reinstate U.S. financial support for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the UN's sexual and reproductive health agency. It authorizes appropriations of at least $50 million for fiscal year 2026 and $55 million for fiscal year 2027 to support UNFPA's work in reducing maternal deaths, preventing gender-based violence, and promoting voluntary family planning. The Act asserts that supporting UNFPA aligns with U.S. interests by improving global health, fostering development, and promoting stability.

The "No Hungry Kids in Schools Act" aims to eliminate student hunger by providing free meals to all students in participating states. Starting July 1, 2025, states that fund the program with non-federal funds will receive free reimbursement for all meals served at applicable schools. This will be achieved by applying a specific multiplier, setting a threshold of zero, and calculating identified students as a percentage across all applicable schools in the state.

This bill designates March 27, 2025, as "National Women in Agriculture Day" to recognize the vital role of women in agriculture. It highlights women's contributions as producers, educators, leaders, and mentors in the field. The bill encourages all citizens to acknowledge and celebrate the positive impact of women on U.S. agriculture.

The "Honor Farmer Contracts Act" ensures the Department of Agriculture upholds existing contracts with farmers and related entities by releasing committed funding, paying outstanding debts, and preventing unwarranted contract cancellations. It also requires a 60-day notice to Congress before closing any Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, or Rural Development local offices.

The UNRWA Funding Emergency Restoration Act of 2025 aims to restore United States funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) to address humanitarian needs in Gaza and support Palestinian refugees. It repeals previous legislation that prohibited funding to UNRWA and directs the Secretary of State to resume contributions, contingent upon UNRWA's progress in implementing recommendations for accountability and transparency. The Act also requires regular reports to Congress on UNRWA's progress and encourages cooperation between the U.S. and Israel to aid UNRWA in implementing reforms.

This bill designates specific federal lands within Utah's red rock canyons, the Colorado Plateau, and the Great Basin Deserts as wilderness areas, incorporating them into the National Wilderness Preservation System. It outlines detailed administrative and management protocols for these areas, including land management, water rights, and the continuation of livestock grazing. The bill seeks to balance conservation with existing rights, protecting tribal interests, and ensuring state authority over fish and wildlife management. This act withdraws these lands from uses like mining and mineral leasing, subject to valid existing rights, aiming to preserve these natural landscapes for future generations.

This bill expresses support for designating March 2025 as "Music in Our Schools Month," recognizing the cultural and historical importance of music in the U.S. and its positive impact on education. It emphasizes music's role in promoting student engagement, improving academic outcomes, and developing valuable workforce skills, particularly for at-risk students. The bill also acknowledges unequal access to quality music education and advocates for increased support for music programs in public schools.

The Paycheck Fairness Act aims to strengthen and enhance enforcement of equal pay requirements by redefining "sex," modifying the "bona fide factor" defense for pay disparities, broadening the definition of "same establishment," strengthening non-retaliation protections, and enhancing penalties for employers who violate equal pay provisions. The Act also requires training programs, research, education, and outreach initiatives to eliminate pay disparities, and establishes a National Award for Pay Equity in the Workplace. Additionally, the Act directs the EEOC to collect compensation data, reinstates pay equity programs, prohibits the use of wage history in determining salary, and establishes a National Equal Pay Enforcement Task Force to improve compliance and enforcement of equal pay laws.

The FAIR Act of 2025 aims to promote equitable treatment of osteopathic and allopathic medical school graduates in hospital residency programs. It requires hospitals to report data on residency applicants and acceptances from both types of medical schools, and to affirm their consideration of both DO and MD candidates. Hospitals that fail to comply will face a reduction in Medicare payments, and the collected data will be made public. This act does not mandate hospitals to accept students from either type of medical school.

This resolution recognizes the significant gender pay gap, where women earn less than men for comparable work, and highlights the economic impact this disparity has on women, families, and the nation. It also acknowledges the disproportionate effect on women of color. The resolution reaffirms the commitment to achieving equal pay and reducing the gender wage gap.

The Worker Relief and Credit Reform Act of 2025 expands the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) to include qualifying students, lowers the minimum age to claim the credit to 18, and broadens the definition of qualifying dependents. It also establishes a program for advance monthly payments of the EITC and mandates an outreach program to educate taxpayers about the EITC and advance payments. Furthermore, the bill increases the credit for certain unmarried individuals with two or more qualifying children.

The "John W. Walsh Alpha-1 Home Infusion Act of 2025" amends the Social Security Act to include Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency Disorder treatment under Medicare Part B starting January 1, 2027. This covers augmentation therapy provided at home, intravenous administration kits, and associated nursing services for eligible individuals with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency. Medicare will cover 80% of the costs for these home infusion services, with payments made directly to qualified suppliers. These services will not be classified as home health services under Medicare.

This bill validates the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) as a valid part of the U.S. Constitution. It asserts that the ERA has been ratified by the required number of states, regardless of any previously set time limits.

This bill reauthorizes the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009, updating references and adding a clause to develop requirements for data sharing. It also authorizes $56,000,000 for each fiscal year from 2026 through 2030 to support these activities.

The "Feed Hungry Veterans Act of 2025" amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, expanding SNAP eligibility for disabled veterans. It includes veterans with a 60% or higher disability rating, those with multiple disabilities totaling 70% or higher with one at 40%, those catastrophically disabled, and those under 65 receiving certain pensions. These changes will take effect on October 1, 2030.

The "Innovative FEED Act of 2025" amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to regulate zootechnical animal food substances—additives that affect digestion or gut health, but are not intended to treat animal diseases. It classifies these substances as food additives, requiring FDA approval based on safety and intended effect, with specific labeling requirements. The FDA retains authority over approval and can reject substances that do not achieve their intended effect. This act does not authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to require the use of any zootechnical food substance or food additive.

This resolution expresses support for designating March 18, 2025, as "National Agriculture Day." It recognizes and celebrates the significant impact of agriculture as a leading industry in the United States.

The "No Round Up Act" repeals sections of the Immigration and Nationality Act related to alien registration that were part of the Alien Registration Act of 1940. This bill eliminates the requirement for broad categories of aliens to register with the federal government. It also removes the Attorney General's authority to create registration and fingerprinting forms for these groups.