Legislative Activity

The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025 mandates that new passenger vehicles sold in the U.S. must include standard equipment capable of receiving AM broadcast signals within a few years of the law's enactment. This requirement aims to ensure drivers retain access to crucial emergency alerts, overriding conflicting state or local laws. The bill also directs the GAO to study the reliability of AM radio versus other emergency alert technologies in vehicles.

The "Right to Contraception Act" establishes a statutory right for individuals to access and for health care providers to offer contraception, free from governmental restrictions or bans. It overrides any conflicting federal or state laws, ensuring access to contraception and related services, and allows legal recourse for violations of these rights. The Act aims to protect individual autonomy in making decisions about contraception and reproductive health.

The "Retirement Fairness for Charities and Educational Institutions Act of 2025" modifies regulations for 403(b) plans under the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Securities Act of 1933, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These modifications broaden exemptions from registration provisions for certain interests, participations, or securities related to 403(b) plans, especially those subject to Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, or where the employer acts as a fiduciary, or are governmental plans as defined in section 414. The goal is to expand the types of trusts, plans, and accounts that are excluded from being defined as investment companies. It also updates a section regarding exemptions from registration requirements for securities, adding a reference to plans described in section 3(a)(12)(C)(iv) of the Act.

The She DRIVES Act mandates immediate updates to federal motor vehicle safety standards by requiring the use of new crash test dummies, specifically incorporating both male and female dummies in front and side impact tests. This legislation aims to improve vehicle crashworthiness by basing new injury criteria on real-world data that better reflects diverse body types. Furthermore, the bill establishes a roadmap for the Department of Transportation to continuously review and adopt more advanced testing devices used internationally.

The JOBS Act of 2025 expands Federal Pell Grant eligibility to include students enrolled in high-quality, short-term career and technical education programs. By supporting training that leads to industry-recognized credentials, the bill aims to better align postsecondary education with the needs of high-demand job sectors. Additionally, the legislation lowers the minimum Pell Grant threshold to increase financial aid accessibility for students pursuing these career-focused pathways.

The Access to Counsel Act of 2025 ensures that individuals undergoing secondary or deferred immigration inspection at ports of entry have a meaningful opportunity to consult with legal counsel and interested parties. The bill mandates that these individuals be granted access to representation to assist in their inspection process and provides specific protections for lawful permanent residents regarding the abandonment of their status. These measures aim to uphold due process rights for travelers and immigrants arriving at U.S. borders.

This resolution designates January 2025 as "National Mentoring Month" to celebrate the vital role mentors play in fostering youth development and community strength. It highlights the academic, social, and career benefits of mentoring while calling for increased collaboration to expand access to these life-changing relationships. By promoting quality mentoring programs, the bill aims to close the national mentoring gap and ensure more young people have the guidance needed to reach their full potential.

This resolution affirms that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is vital to advancing American national security interests. It highlights the agency's role in promoting global stability, mitigating foreign threats, and maintaining U.S. leadership in an era of strategic competition.

This resolution designates the week beginning February 3, 2025, as "National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week," recognizing the vital role of TCUs in providing culturally relevant education to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and other students. TCUs serve over 230 federally recognized Indian Tribes by offering high-quality postsecondary education and workforce preparation. The resolution encourages the public to participate in activities and programs that support these institutions.

The Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act amends the Social Security Act to provide Medicare coverage for FDA-approved multi-cancer early detection (MCED) screening tests starting in 2028. This legislation establishes a formal coverage and payment framework for these innovative blood-based tests while ensuring they complement, rather than replace, existing cancer screening protocols.

The Wildfire Emergency Act of 2025 addresses wildfire risk through three main avenues: establishing a novel financing pilot program to accelerate large-scale forest restoration, increasing community resilience through infrastructure hardening and home weatherization updates, and building capacity via new research centers and workforce development grants. This comprehensive bill seeks to leverage private investment for ecological work while simultaneously making communities safer and developing the necessary skilled workforce for future mitigation efforts.

The Fire-Safe Electrical Corridors Act of 2025 streamlines vegetation management for electrical utilities operating on National Forest System land by allowing them to remove hazardous trees near power lines without a separate timber sale. The bill ensures that if utilities sell any removed vegetation, the proceeds—minus transportation costs—are remitted to the U.S. Forest Service. This legislation aims to improve fire safety while maintaining environmental compliance and fiscal accountability.

The Fred Korematsu Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2025 authorizes the posthumous awarding of a Congressional Gold Medal to Fred Korematsu in recognition of his lifelong dedication to civil rights, justice, and equality. This legislation honors his legacy as a champion for constitutional guarantees and his courageous stand against the unjust incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II.

The Small Business Technological Act of 2025 expands the permitted uses of Small Business Administration 7(a) loans to include the purchase of business software, cloud computing services, and artificial intelligence tools. This legislation enables small businesses to leverage modern technology to streamline operations, such as payroll, accounting, and sales, without altering existing rules regarding research and development or working capital.

The Build Housing with Care Act of 2025 establishes a competitive grant program through the Department of Housing and Urban Development to integrate child care services into affordable housing developments. By funding the construction, renovation, and operation of co-location facilities, the Act aims to increase access to child care, particularly in underserved "child care deserts." Additionally, the bill mandates a comprehensive study to evaluate the intersection of housing and child care affordability for public housing residents.

The Charitable Act renews and expands tax incentives for charitable giving by allowing individuals who do not itemize deductions to claim a deduction for charitable contributions during the 2026 and 2027 tax years. Under this provision, non-itemizers can deduct contributions up to one-third of their standard deduction amount. Additionally, the bill removes specific accuracy-related penalties associated with these deductions.

This resolution expresses disapproval of any pardons granted to individuals convicted of assaulting Capitol Police officers. It serves as a formal condemnation of such pardons.

The Global Health, Empowerment and Rights (Global HER) Act ensures that foreign nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) remain eligible for U.S. foreign assistance regardless of the legal health services or advocacy they provide using their own non-U.S. funds. By overriding restrictive policies, the bill protects the autonomy of these organizations to deliver comprehensive care and engage in advocacy, provided their activities comply with local laws and would be legal if performed in the United States.

The Master Sergeant Roddie Edmonds Congressional Gold Medal Act authorizes the posthumous awarding of the Congressional Gold Medal to Master Sergeant Roddie Edmonds. This honor recognizes his extraordinary heroism during World War II, when he defied Nazi orders to protect approximately 200 Jewish-American soldiers under his command at a prisoner of war camp.

The Radiation Exposure Compensation Reauthorization Act expands financial and medical support for individuals impacted by U.S. nuclear testing, uranium mining, and Manhattan Project waste. This legislation broadens eligibility criteria, increases compensation amounts, and simplifies the claims process for affected workers and downwind communities. Additionally, it mandates environmental monitoring and research to protect public health in areas historically exposed to nuclear radiation.