Legislative Activity

The Election Mail Act aims to ensure the timely and secure delivery of federal election mail through the U.S. Postal Service. It mandates same-day processing of received absentee ballots and requires the use of intelligent mail barcodes for tracking mailed ballots starting in 2026. Furthermore, the bill establishes protections against operational changes that would slow election mail delivery and sets a national standard to count mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day if received within seven days after the election.

The Time Off to Vote Act mandates that employers provide employees with at least two consecutive hours of paid leave to vote in federal elections. Employers retain control over when this paid leave is taken, which can include early voting periods if permitted by state law. This Act prohibits employers from penalizing employees for utilizing this required voting leave.

The Youth Voting Rights Act aims to strengthen voting access for young Americans by enforcing the 26th Amendment. This bill mandates that public colleges facilitate voter registration, allows 16- and 17-year-olds to pre-register for federal elections, and requires on-campus polling locations. It also establishes grants to encourage youth civic engagement and strengthens protections against age-based barriers in voting, including ID rules and absentee voting.

The Unhoused Voter Opportunity Through Elections Act aims to secure and expand the right to vote for citizens experiencing homelessness by prohibiting residency-based disenfranchisement. It mandates accessible registration methods, requires outreach from service providers, and establishes federal grants to help local governments implement these protections. Ultimately, this legislation seeks to ensure that where a person sleeps cannot be a barrier to their participation in federal elections.

The Expanding the VOTE Act updates language assistance requirements under the Voting Rights Act by modernizing the definition of "voting materials" to include digital information. It also establishes new state responsibilities for providing language assistance and creates a grant program to incentivize voluntary language support beyond current mandates. Furthermore, the bill includes special provisions for unwritten American Indian and Alaska Native languages and mandates a study on lowering thresholds for language assistance coverage.

This resolution recognizes the 50th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Cabo Verde and celebrates the deep, historical ties between the U.S. and Cabo Verde. It honors the significant contributions of Cabo Verdean-Americans to both nations and acknowledges Cabo Verde's commitment to democracy and good governance. The document also commends Cabo Verde's role in international affairs, including its support for Ukraine.

This resolution honors Dr. Paul Farmer by urging the U.S. government to adopt a 21st-century global health solidarity strategy to end preventable deaths worldwide. It calls for significantly increased U.S. aid, focused on strengthening local health systems through "accompaniment," while simultaneously taking action to stop economic injustices that drain resources from developing nations. Ultimately, the bill demands that U.S. development policy prioritize global health equity alongside addressing historical harms like slavery and colonialism.

The EATS Act of 2025 significantly updates eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by removing previous restrictions that often disqualified students. This legislation explicitly includes bona fide students enrolled at least half-time in recognized educational programs as eligible participants for food assistance. These changes take effect on January 2, 2026.

The Fix Our Flooded Basements Act of 2025 significantly expands FEMA disaster assistance for flood-damaged basements, covering mold and moisture damage beyond just habitable areas. It mandates increased personal property aid for basement contents, aligning it with Standard Flood Insurance Policy levels. Furthermore, the bill updates the Group Flood Insurance Policy to offer broader eligibility and comprehensive coverage for real and personal property within basements.

The Restoring Artistic Protection Act of 2025 (RAP Act) seeks to limit the admissibility of a defendant's creative or artistic expression in court proceedings. This bill adds a new rule to the Federal Rules of Evidence, generally banning the use of a defendant's art as evidence against them. The government can only introduce such evidence if it meets strict exceptions requiring clear and convincing proof that the art directly relates to the facts of the case and possesses unique evidentiary value. If admitted, the court must provide specific instructions to the jury regarding its consideration.

The End Solitary Confinement Act aims to drastically limit the use of solitary confinement in federal facilities by mandating a minimum of 14 hours of daily social interaction for all incarcerated individuals. The bill establishes strict emergency exceptions for isolation, prohibits its use against vulnerable populations, and creates an independent community monitoring body to ensure compliance. Furthermore, it incentivizes states to adopt similar standards by tying federal funding to adherence to these new minimum treatment requirements.

This bill amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to reclassify certain activities combating HIV/AIDS. Specifically, it mandates that providing HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and related prevention services be formally recognized as "core life-saving humanitarian assistance." This change ensures these critical risk-reduction efforts are categorized as essential aid within U.S. foreign assistance programs.

The Protections and Transparency in the Workplace Act mandates that publicly traded companies significantly increase disclosure regarding workplace discrimination and harassment claims in their SEC filings. The bill also requires these companies to hire independent outside counsel to investigate all such claims and implement mandatory annual training for all employees on prevention and reporting. Furthermore, covered issuers must conduct annual employee safety surveys and establish an anonymous whistleblower tip line.

This proposed constitutional amendment would eliminate immunity from criminal prosecution for federal officials, including the President, based on their official duties. It also explicitly prohibits the President from issuing a self-pardon for any federal crimes. If ratified, these changes would take effect immediately.

The Housing Is a Human Right Act of 2025 aims to combat homelessness and housing instability through comprehensive federal action. It establishes new funding streams and infrastructure investments to build affordable housing and provide direct support services while shifting local responses away from criminalizing poverty. Furthermore, the Act introduces new taxes on high-value real estate transactions to fund these initiatives and mandates stronger civil rights protections across federal housing and assistance programs.

The Cosmetic Safety for Communities of Color and Professional Salon Workers Act of 2025 aims to enhance cosmetic safety through targeted research into health disparities affecting communities of color and salon workers. The bill mandates improved access to safety data sheets in multiple languages for professional products and establishes two new National Resource Centers to empower these communities and workers. Finally, it brings synthetic hair braids under FDA cosmetic regulation, requiring new safety standards and labeling.

The Uterine Cancer Study Act of 2025 mandates a comprehensive federal study to investigate the potential link between the use of chemical hair straighteners and the risk of developing uterine cancer. This research must specifically examine disparities in cancer rates among women of color. The study will ultimately recommend whether the FDA should require additional safety testing for these hair products.

The Stephanie Tubbs Jones Uterine Fibroid Research and Education Act of 2025 aims to significantly increase federal research, public education, and provider awareness regarding uterine fibroids. The bill mandates expanded research coordination across federal agencies and authorizes funding to study the condition, which disproportionately affects minority women. It also requires the creation of public awareness campaigns detailing non-hysterectomy treatment options and mandates data collection on Medicaid/CHIP spending for fibroid treatments.

The Uterine Fibroid Intervention and Gynecological Health Treatment Act of 2025 aims to improve the detection and treatment of uterine fibroids. It mandates federal research to develop evidence-based early detection strategies and establishes grant programs for states to fund screening, education, and intervention services, prioritizing vulnerable populations. Furthermore, the bill allocates funding for research into pain management related to fibroid surgery and other uterine conditions.

The People’s Response Act establishes a new Division on Community Safety within HHS to research and fund evidence-based, non-punitive methods for improving public safety. The law creates several grant programs to directly support community-led organizations, local governments, and states in implementing these "qualified approaches." These efforts prioritize reducing contact with the criminal justice system and providing comprehensive support to historically marginalized communities. The Act also mandates the creation of advisory bodies to ensure the work centers the needs and experiences of those most impacted by systemic harm.