Legislative Activity

This joint resolution expresses the disapproval of Congress regarding a proposed foreign military sale to Israel. Specifically, it blocks the transfer of 35,529 general-purpose bomb bodies and 4,000 I2000 Penetrator warheads. The bill uses congressional authority to prohibit this specific arms transfer that was previously submitted for review.

The Arts Education for All Act aims to elevate the status and accessibility of arts education across the entire educational spectrum. It mandates evidence-based training for early childhood providers, requires states to integrate arts education into core academic planning and public reporting, and authorizes the use of the arts in juvenile and adult offender reentry programs. Furthermore, the bill directs federal research agencies to study the impact of the arts and restores arts assessment to the national testing schedule.

The Hot Foods Act of 2025 removes the general federal ban on using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to purchase hot, ready-to-eat foods. This legislation clarifies that hot foods are now eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits, while also setting a new rule that limits SNAP-participating retailers to deriving no more than 50% of their gross sales from these ready-to-eat hot items. The act updates existing statutes to reflect this expanded purchasing power for recipients.

This bill seeks to disapprove and halt a specific proposed foreign military sale of defense articles and services to Israel. Specifically, it blocks the transfer of D9R and D9T Caterpillar bulldozers along with associated support equipment and services. Congress is exercising its authority to veto this particular sale as outlined in the Arms Export Control Act.

The Dairy Nutrition Incentive Program Act of 2025 establishes a new federal program to test methods for increasing the purchase of nutrient-rich dairy products by households using SNAP benefits. The Secretary of Agriculture will award competitive grants to eligible entities to implement incentive projects at the point of sale. These projects must prioritize direct incentives that can only be spent on buying more eligible dairy items, and all projects will undergo rigorous independent evaluation. The Act also mandates the transition of existing dairy incentive projects into this new framework without interruption.

This joint resolution seeks to disapprove and halt a specific proposed foreign military sale of defense articles and services to Israel. The blocked sale includes various 1,000-pound bomb bodies and associated Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) guidance kits. This action uses congressional authority to stop the transfer outlined in Transmittal No. 2526.

The America's Red Rock Wilderness Act focuses on designating numerous specific tracts of land across Utah as official Wilderness Areas, granting them the highest level of federal protection. This legislation aims to preserve the unique ecological, geological, and cultural values of these diverse landscapes from development. It also establishes administrative provisions for managing these new areas, including boundary definitions, water rights, and the continuation of existing uses like livestock grazing. Ultimately, the bill significantly expands protected wilderness in Utah while safeguarding critical natural and historical resources.

The No Hungry Kids in Schools Act establishes a new statewide community eligibility option for schools starting July 1, 2025. This option allows states to ensure all schools receive full federal reimbursement for 100% of meals served by covering any funding gaps with non-federal money. By opting in, states can eliminate the minimum participation threshold and calculate eligibility based on the entire statewide student population.

The UNRWA Funding Emergency Restoration Act of 2025 aims to immediately restart U.S. funding for the UN agency assisting Palestinian refugees, which was previously frozen. This bill mandates the cancellation of existing restrictions and requires the Secretary of State to resume aid payments while ensuring accountability based on an independent review. Furthermore, it urges Israel to cooperate with UNRWA investigations to maintain agency neutrality.

The Support UNFPA Funding Act authorizes specific funding levels for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. This legislation affirms that supporting UNFPA is in the U.S. strategic interest because it advances global health, reduces preventable maternal deaths, and combats gender-based violence. The bill emphasizes that UNFPA's work on voluntary family planning promotes stability and economic growth worldwide.

This resolution officially designates March 27, 2025, as "National Women in Agriculture Day" to honor the significant contributions of women across all sectors of U.S. agriculture. It recognizes women as vital producers, leaders, and mentors who drive economic success and support the next generation in farming. The bill encourages the public to celebrate and support the essential role women play in ensuring the nation's food supply and global trade.

The Honor Farmer Contracts Act mandates that the Department of Agriculture immediately honor all existing written agreements and pay any outstanding debts owed under those contracts. This legislation strictly prohibits the cancellation of signed farmer contracts unless the farmer has breached the terms. Furthermore, the Act requires a 60-day advance written notice to Congress before closing any local Farm Service Agency, NRCS, or Rural Development offices.

The Food Secure Strikers Act of 2025 aims to clarify and simplify eligibility rules for striking workers seeking Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. This legislation removes outdated restrictions and clarifies the precise conditions under which participation in a labor strike affects a worker's SNAP eligibility. The goal is to streamline the existing law regarding striker access to food assistance.

This resolution expresses strong Congressional support for designating March 2025 as "Music in Our Schools Month." It highlights the cultural importance and proven academic and social benefits of music education for all students. The bill specifically calls attention to disparities in access to quality music programs, particularly for students in underserved communities.

This resolution formally recognizes the significant and persistent wage gap between men and women in the United States, highlighting statistics that show women earn substantially less. It serves as a strong public statement reaffirming Congress's commitment to achieving pay equity. The measure does not enact new laws but emphasizes the economic harm caused by unequal pay for women and their families.

The Paycheck Fairness Act significantly strengthens federal equal pay protections by broadening definitions of sex discrimination, tightening employer defenses against pay disparities, and increasing penalties for violations. It also prohibits employers from using salary history in hiring decisions and mandates new data collection by the EEOC to better enforce anti-discrimination laws. Furthermore, the bill establishes new training and outreach programs to combat systemic wage bias.

The Worker Relief and Credit Reform Act of 2025 significantly expands eligibility for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), allowing students without children to qualify and lowering the minimum age requirement. It also introduces a major new feature allowing eligible taxpayers to opt into receiving advance monthly EITC payments, capped at 75% of their estimated annual credit. Furthermore, the bill redefines qualifying dependents and adjusts key income thresholds for the credit calculation.

The John W. Walsh Alpha-1 Home Infusion Act of 2025 amends Medicare to specifically cover augmentation therapy for individuals with severe Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency Disorder when administered in the home. This legislation establishes new payment rules under Medicare Part B for the necessary intravenous kits and associated nursing services. The goal is to ensure qualified home infusion suppliers are reimbursed directly for providing this essential, ongoing maintenance treatment.

The Fair Access In Residency (FAIR) Act of 2025 aims to ensure equitable treatment of osteopathic (D.O.) and allopathic (M.D.) medical school graduates in residency applications. It requires hospitals receiving Medicare funds to report detailed data on D.O. and M.D. applicants and acceptances for each residency program. Hospitals failing to submit this required data will face a 2% reduction in their Medicare payments. This collected data will also be made publicly available to promote transparency in the residency recruitment process.

This bill officially ratifies the Equal Rights Amendment, declaring it a valid part of the U.S. Constitution. It specifically removes any previously imposed deadlines for state ratification. If three-fourths of the states have approved the amendment, this law confirms its official status regardless of past time constraints.