Legislative Activity

The Patient Debt Relief Act establishes new standards for hospitals participating in Medicare regarding financial assistance and medical debt collection practices, including limits on liens and wage garnishment. It also creates a grant program for eligible nonprofits to purchase and eliminate the medical debt of low-income individuals. These provisions aim to protect patients from aggressive debt collection and provide avenues for debt relief.

The Community Health Center Drug Pricing Protection Act ensures that Federally-qualified health centers (FQHCs) receive the full 340B discounted price for drugs at the point of purchase. This legislation prohibits manufacturers from requiring FQHCs to pay more than the established ceiling price upfront, regardless of any later rebates or reimbursements. The goal is to guarantee immediate, upfront savings for these vital health centers.

The Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act of 2026 reauthorizes and expands critical federal programs to improve services and prevention for victims of domestic and dating violence through 2031. It significantly increases funding and broadens support, especially for Tribal communities and underserved populations, by allowing for culturally specific and digital services. Additionally, the bill enhances efforts to prevent teen dating violence through increased funding for broader educational programs.

The Prison Libraries Act of 2026 establishes a federal grant program, administered by the Attorney General, to fund essential library services for incarcerated individuals. These grants aim to reduce recidivism and boost reintegration efforts by supporting education, job training, and access to modern library materials. States and territories can apply for these renewable, multi-year grants, which must be used strictly for library-related activities and cannot charge inmates for access to resources.

This bill allows the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to grant license holders an extension of up to six additional years to begin construction on certain hydropower projects licensed before March 13, 2020. It also authorizes FERC to reinstate licenses that expired after December 31, 2023, under specific conditions. The goal is to provide more time for approved hydropower projects to commence construction.

This resolution initiates impeachment proceedings against Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Lynn Arnold Noem for high crimes and misdemeanors. The articles of impeachment charge her with willfully refusing to comply with Congressional oversight laws and violating the Impoundment Control Act by improperly withholding funds. Further articles allege she directed widespread misconduct by ICE agents that violated federal law and constitutional rights, and misused taxpayer funds for personal gain through improper contracting.

This bill prohibits the use of any federal funds to support, finance, or insure Venezuela's oil and petroleum infrastructure. It ensures taxpayer money is not used to aid the development or expansion of the Venezuelan oil sector. Furthermore, the Secretary of State must submit an annual report to Congress detailing compliance with this prohibition.

This resolution commemorates the 15th anniversary of the tragic January 8, 2011, Tucson shooting, honoring the six lives lost and the thirteen injured. It specifically commends the courage and ongoing advocacy of gun violence survivor and former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. The resolution also recognizes the resilience of the community and reaffirms a commitment to ending political violence.

This resolution observes the one-year anniversary of the devastating 2025 Southern California wildfires. It honors the 31 lives lost, recognizes the heroic efforts of thousands of emergency responders, and affirms commitment to supporting the ongoing rebuilding efforts in affected communities.

This bill officially designates the week of September 15 through September 21, 2024, as "National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week." It recognizes the significant achievements and goals of these vital institutions across the nation. The resolution encourages public observance with appropriate activities to demonstrate support for Hispanic-Serving Institutions during Hispanic Heritage Month.

This resolution honors Senator Monique Limón for her historic service and achievements as the first Latina and first mother to serve as President pro Tempore of the California State Senate. It recognizes her background as a first-generation college graduate and dedicated educator. The bill commends her legislative leadership, particularly her work championing issues for working families. Finally, it celebrates her swearing-in ceremony for this landmark role.

The Public Health Air Quality Act of 2025 aims to significantly enhance air quality monitoring and public data access across the United States. It establishes new federal requirements for industrial facilities to monitor and report hazardous air pollutant emissions, including real-time fenceline data. The Act also mandates the deployment of hundreds of new, advanced air quality monitors in vulnerable communities to better assess compliance with National Ambient Air Quality Standards. Ultimately, this legislation seeks to use improved, publicly accessible data to protect public health from industrial air pollution.

The Antisemitism Response and Prevention Act of 2025 aims to combat rising antisemitism through comprehensive federal action, emphasizing evidence-based strategies consistent with democratic values. The bill establishes new offices within the DOJ and FBI to coordinate counter-efforts and improve hate crime data collection. Furthermore, it mandates specific compliance and reporting requirements for colleges regarding civil rights and prohibits partisan conditions on nonprofit security grants.

The Restore Trust in Government Act establishes strict new federal restrictions on senior government officials and their immediate families regarding the ownership and trading of specific financial investments. Covered individuals must divest existing investments that fall under the law's definition within a set timeframe, with limited exceptions. Violators face significant financial penalties, including a 10% fee on the investment value and disgorgement of any profits earned from prohibited transactions.

The Fairness for Servicemembers and their Families Act of 2025 mandates a periodic review of the automatic maximum coverage amounts for Servicemembers Group Life Insurance (SGLI) and Veterans Group Life Insurance (VGLI). This review, conducted every five years starting in 2026, will compare the current coverage limit against an inflation-adjusted amount based on the Consumer Price Index. The results will be submitted to Congress to inform potential adjustments to life insurance benefits.

The Protect America's Workforce Act nullifies a specific Executive Order issued in March 2025 concerning exclusions from federal labor-management relations programs. This legislation ensures that any existing collective bargaining agreements between federal agencies and employee unions remain fully in effect until their stated expiration dates. The Act also prohibits the use of federal funds to implement the overturned Executive Order.

This bill officially designates the United States Postal Service facility located at 130 South Patterson Avenue in Santa Barbara, California, as the **Brigadier General Frederick R. Lopez Post Office Building**. This change ensures all federal records and documents will use the new name for this specific post office.

The Immigration Court Due Process Protection Act of 2025 restricts Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officers from arresting or detaining individuals attending or departing from immigration court proceedings or scheduled appointments, unless a judicial warrant is present or an imminent threat exists. The bill mandates specific supervisory approval for arrests during scheduled check-ins. Furthermore, it requires the DHS Inspector General to submit an annual report to Congress detailing compliance with these new protections.

This bill, the Save Oak Flat from Foreign Mining Act, withdraws approximately 2,422 acres of Forest Service land known as Oak Flat in Arizona from all forms of mineral entry and development. It specifically cancels the prior land exchange that would have transferred the land to Resolution Copper Mining, LLC. The Act prohibits the transfer of Oak Flat to the foreign-backed mining venture, citing national security and environmental concerns.

The Make Housing Affordable and Defend Democracy Act aims to increase housing accessibility through several tax incentives while simultaneously rescinding significant funding previously allocated for immigration enforcement. Key provisions establish new tax credits for first-time homebuyers, builders of starter homes, and the conversion of commercial buildings into affordable rentals. Additionally, the bill introduces a Renter Tax Credit for those spending over 30% of their income on rent, with an option for monthly advance payments.