Legislative Activity

The "Pay Federal Workers and Servicemembers Act" ensures that federal employees and servicemembers required to work without pay during a government shutdown on or after March 14, 2025, are eligible for unemployment compensation. These essential workers will be considered temporarily separated from federal service, allowing them to access unemployment benefits during the shutdown period.

The American Teacher Act aims to address teacher shortages and improve teacher compensation by establishing grants for states to increase teacher salaries, with the goal of ensuring a minimum annual salary of $60,000 for full-time teachers at qualifying schools, adjusted for inflation. The Act also allows for a national campaign to raise awareness of the value of the teaching profession and clarifies that the Act does not alter existing employee rights or agreements. Finally, the Act defines key terms and authorizes necessary appropriations for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to implement the grants and awareness campaign.

The "Farewell to Foam Act of 2025" bans the sale, offer for sale, or distribution of expanded polystyrene (EPS) food service ware, loose fill, and coolers starting January 1, 2028. The ban applies to food service providers, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers, with escalating civil penalties for violations after an initial written warning. The EPA Administrator is authorized to enforce the ban and create necessary regulations, and may allow states to enforce the ban if they meet the Administrator's requirements. Certain entities with lower annual revenues will face limitations on how frequently they can be penalized.

The "Do No Harm Act" amends the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 to ensure religious freedom is not used to justify discrimination or harm. It clarifies that the Act does not override federal laws protecting against discrimination, ensuring equal opportunity, or safeguarding access to healthcare and other essential services. This amendment confirms that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act applies only when the government is a party in a judicial proceeding.

The Children's Health Insurance Program Permanency Act (CHIPP Act) permanently extends funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and other related programs. It also makes permanent several programs and demonstration projects under the Social Security Act, such as the Pediatric Quality Measures Program and the Express Lane Eligibility Option. Additionally, the act provides states with the option to increase children's eligibility for Medicaid and CHIP by allowing them to cover children whose family income exceeds the state's current maximum income level.

The Helping Emergency Responders Overcome (HERO) Act aims to support the mental health and well-being of public safety officers, healthcare providers, firefighters, and EMS personnel. It establishes a national data system to track suicide incidence among public safety officers, authorizes grants for peer-support behavioral health programs within fire departments, EMS agencies, and healthcare facilities, and directs the development of educational resources for mental health professionals and best practices for addressing PTSD in public safety officers. The Act seeks to improve access to mental health services and reduce the stigma associated with seeking help in these high-stress professions. It also ensures the confidentiality and anonymity of those seeking help.

The "Keeping Our Field Offices Open Act" prevents the Social Security Administration (SSA) from closing or consolidating field offices, hearing offices, and resident stations, ensuring continued access to services. It requires the SSA Commissioner to justify any planned closures to Congress with detailed analysis and cost-benefit assessments, considering the impact on vulnerable populations. The bill mandates public notice, hearings, and a final report to Congress before any changes, allowing appeals and maintaining the number of offices at or above the January 20, 2025 level, excluding temporary emergency closures.

The "Protecting Americans' Social Security Data Act" aims to safeguard Social Security data by restricting access for political appointees and special government employees, and by creating avenues for civil lawsuits for unauthorized data access or disclosure. It mandates investigations by the Inspector General of the Social Security Administration into data breaches and requires regular reports to Congress. The Act also directs the Comptroller of the United States to study the effects of changes to the Social Security Act made by this Act and subsequent Acts.

The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2025 amends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to address vote dilution, denial, and abridgment claims, and to update which states and political subdivisions are subject to federal oversight based on a history of voting rights violations. It broadens the types of violations that allow a court to retain jurisdiction over a case, clarifies the Attorney General's authority to assign observers, and ensures transparency in voting-related changes. The Act also authorizes the Attorney General to demand documents and information to enforce voting rights and provides grants to small jurisdictions to assist with notification requirements.

This bill, the Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2025, seeks to amend the National Labor Relations Act and other labor laws to strengthen protections for workers' rights to organize and collectively bargain. It aims to modernize labor regulations by clarifying definitions, addressing unfair labor practices, enhancing enforcement, and increasing transparency in labor-management relations. The bill introduces measures such as electronic voting in union elections, strengthens whistleblower protections, and mandates studies on collective bargaining practices. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure fair treatment of workers and promote equitable labor practices.

The MERIT Act requires federal agencies to reinstate probationary employees who were terminated as part of a mass termination event between January 20, 2025, and the Act's enactment date, providing them with back pay and benefits. The Act also mandates reports on government employee terminations and the reinstatement process. It defines key terms such as "affected probationary employee" and "mass termination" to clarify the scope and applicability of the Act. This act ensures that affected employees are treated as involuntarily separated without cause and outlines the process for determining back pay and providing notice to eligible employees.

The "Access to Credit for our Rural Economy Act of 2025" (ACRE Act) aims to bolster rural economies by excluding interest earned on qualified real estate loans by qualified lenders from gross income. These loans must be secured by rural or agricultural real estate, forestland, or related leaseholds, and cannot be made to foreign adversary entities. For single-family residences, the loan must be used for purchase or improvement, with a principal not exceeding $750,000. The Treasury Secretary is required to report to Congress on the impact of this act.

This bill aims to block the export of certain Boeing-made weapons, including Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) variants and Small Diameter Bombs, to Israel's Ministry of Defense by preventing the issuance of a license amendment. It specifically targets the transfer of 15,500 JDAM tail kits and 615 Small Diameter Bombs.

This bill aims to block the proposed foreign military sale to Israel of 3,000 AGM114 Hellfire missiles and related equipment. It covers multiple Hellfire missile variants and associated support services outlined in Transmittal No. 24-104. The bill expresses congressional disapproval of this specific arms sale.

This bill seeks to block the proposed foreign military sale to Israel, as outlined in Transmittal No. 2416. The sale includes ten thousand M107 and/or M795 155mm High Explosive projectiles, as well as related equipment, services, and support.

This bill aims to block the sale of specific defense articles and services to Israel, including bombs, guidance kits, fuzes, and related support equipment, as outlined in Transmittal No. 2413. The disapproval extends to both the direct military equipment and associated logistical and technical support.

The Safe Schools Improvement Act aims to reduce bullying and harassment in schools by requiring states to establish policies prohibiting such conduct based on various characteristics, including race, sex, religion, and disability. It mandates annual notifications, data collection on incidents, biennial evaluations of programs, and regular reports to Congress to ensure accountability and effectiveness. This act does not infringe on existing nondiscrimination laws or freedom of speech but seeks to create a safer, more inclusive learning environment for all students.

The "Fair Grocery Pricing Act" aims to prevent anti-competitive practices in the food industry by prohibiting food producers from colluding on pricing and supply through third-party coordinators. It empowers the FTC, Attorney General, and State Attorneys General to enforce the Act, allowing for civil penalties and legal action against violators. The Act also enables individuals harmed by violations to seek damages and invalidate certain pre-dispute agreements. This law supplements existing antitrust laws and does not override stricter state or local regulations.

The Social Security Expansion Act aims to increase Social Security benefits, change cost-of-living adjustments to better reflect elderly consumers, and extend eligibility to student children. It also adjusts payroll and self-employment taxes for earnings above $250,000, increases taxes on investment gains, and establishes a new Social Security Trust Fund. These changes are intended to provide greater financial security for beneficiaries and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security system.

This bill redesignates the Robert E. Lee Memorial as the "Arlington House National Historic Site." It changes all references to the site in law and documentation to reflect the new name. The bill also repeals the previous resolutions that designated the site as a memorial to Robert E. Lee.