Legislative Activity

The Protecting Health Care and Lowering Costs Act primarily repeals previous health subtitle changes and permanently extends enhanced premium tax credits for marketplace health insurance. This extension removes the income cap for receiving enhanced credits and updates the calculation method for determining an individual's required premium contribution. The bill aims to simplify the tax code related to health insurance affordability.

The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2025 significantly strengthens the Voting Rights Act by establishing new standards to challenge discriminatory voting practices and updating federal oversight criteria for states. It mandates greater transparency for all changes to voting rules and implements "practice-based preclearance" for certain jurisdictions. Additionally, the bill creates new federal criminal penalties for using force or threats to intimidate voters or election workers.

This bill, the Buffalo Soldiers Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2025, directs Congress to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the historic Buffalo Soldier regiments for their distinguished service to the United States. The medal will be designed and struck by the Secretary of the Treasury and ultimately housed at the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture. The Act also authorizes the creation and sale of bronze duplicates to help cover the costs of production.

The Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2025 aims to address physician shortages by adding 2,000 new Medicare-funded residency positions annually from 2027 through 2033. These new slots are distributed through an application process, prioritizing hospitals serving rural areas, Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs), and those supporting new medical schools. Additionally, the bill mandates a study and report on effective strategies for increasing diversity within the healthcare workforce.

The Stop the Scammers Act establishes a new whistleblower incentive and protection program within the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), allowing individuals to receive awards of 10% to 30% of collected penalties for providing original information leading to successful enforcement actions. Furthermore, the Act invalidates predispute arbitration agreements that attempt to waive these new whistleblower rights. Finally, this bill increases the annual funding cap for the CFPB, allowing it to receive up to 12 percent of the Federal Reserve's prior year earnings.

The First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Act of 2025 establishes a new, refundable tax credit for eligible first-time homebuyers, equal to 10% of the purchase price, up to a $15,000 maximum. This credit is subject to income and price phase-outs based on local area median figures. Claimants must meet specific age and residency requirements, and may be subject to a recapture provision if the home is sold within four years.

The SAFEGUARDS Act of 2025 mandates that airline passenger security fees be exclusively used to enhance aviation safety and security, ending any diversion of these funds by 2027. The bill increases dedicated funding for the Aviation Security Capital Fund, ensuring a minimum of \$500 million annually starting in Fiscal Year 2026. Additionally, it establishes the new Aviation Security Checkpoint Technology Fund to finance the purchase and maintenance of advanced screening equipment at airports. This legislation aims to guarantee consistent and robust financial support for critical TSA security operations and technology upgrades.

The EACH Act of 2025 mandates that all federally funded health programs and insurance plans must cover abortion services without imposing restrictions based on income or insurance type. This legislation aims to eliminate existing federal bans and state-level restrictions that prevent access to comprehensive reproductive care. Furthermore, the bill prevents the federal government from interfering with state or private insurance plans that choose to cover abortion services. It explicitly repeals Section 1303 of the Affordable Care Act and establishes that this Act takes precedence over all conflicting federal laws.

This resolution calls upon the Senate to provide its advice and consent for the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). It argues that joining this widely accepted international treaty is crucial for securing U.S. economic and security interests globally. Ratification would grant the U.S. a stronger voice in resolving maritime disputes and governing critical seabed resources. Ultimately, the resolution urges the Senate to make ratifying UNCLOS a top priority.

This resolution officially designates June 12, 2025, as "Women Veterans Appreciation Day." It serves to recognize the vital and growing contributions of women who have served in the U.S. military throughout history. The day encourages the nation to honor the sacrifices and service of the approximately 2.1 million women veterans.

This resolution commemorates the 33rd anniversary of the 1992 Israeli Embassy bombing and the 31st anniversary of the 1994 AMIA bombing in Buenos Aires. It strongly condemns these terrorist acts, which were allegedly directed by Iran, and highlights the decades-long struggle for justice for the victims. The resolution urges continued international efforts to hold the perpetrators accountable and commends recent Argentine legal actions toward achieving that goal.

The Protect DREAMer Confidentiality Act of 2025 mandates that the Secretary of Homeland Security must keep all information submitted for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program confidential. This law strictly prohibits sharing DACA application data with agencies like ICE, CBP, or local law enforcement for general immigration enforcement purposes. Information can only be disclosed narrowly for DACA program administration, fraud prevention, or in specific, serious criminal or national security investigations.

The Providing Child Care for Police Officers Act of 2025 establishes a federal grant program to help law enforcement officers secure childcare during non-traditional work hours. Grants will be awarded to state agencies to fund local programs that support police families, with a focus on smaller departments. The program aims to cover startup costs, operational expenses, and direct family subsidies for off-hours care. This initiative is authorized through fiscal year 2030 and includes requirements for local financial matching and mandatory program evaluations.

The Access to Birth Control Act aims to ensure that individuals can easily obtain FDA-approved contraception and related medications without systemic barriers. This legislation mandates that pharmacies must promptly dispense birth control or immediately facilitate a transfer or order if the item is out of stock. Furthermore, the bill prohibits intimidation, interference, or misleading information when customers seek these essential healthcare services.

The Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act aims to significantly expand the palliative care and hospice workforce through new federal grant and award programs for education, training, and career incentives. The bill also mandates the dissemination of information about palliative care services to patients, families, and providers, while enhancing palliative care research efforts at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Importantly, the legislation clarifies that funds cannot support activities intended to cause death, ensuring alignment with existing federal funding restrictions.

The Child Care for Working Families Act establishes comprehensive federal programs to guarantee access to high-quality, affordable child care for young children of working families. It mandates significant investments to stabilize the child care workforce by requiring higher provider pay and sets strict caps on costs for parents based on income. Additionally, the bill creates a framework for universal, free preschool for three- and four-year-olds and extends service hours and raises compensation for Head Start staff.

This resolution commemorates the 14th Dalai Lama's 90th birthday by designating July 6, 2025, as a "Day of Compassion." It strongly reaffirms U.S. support for the human rights and distinct cultural and religious identity of the Tibetan people. Furthermore, the resolution rejects any interference by the People's Republic of China in the selection of the next Dalai Lama. It underscores the U.S. commitment to a negotiated solution leading to meaningful autonomy for Tibet.

This Act establishes a five-year pilot program treating pregnancy as a qualifying event for enrollment in TRICARE Select. This allows eligible military family members to sign up for expanded coverage upon becoming pregnant. The Department of Defense is required to submit annual reports to Congress detailing enrollment changes under this new provision.

The Expanding Defense Community Partnerships Act enhances the Department of Defense's ability to collaborate with state, local, and tribal governments through Intergovernmental Support Agreements (IGSAs). This legislation allows the DOD to involve other federal agencies in these partnerships and expands the funding sources available for support services. Furthermore, it extends the authorization for these agreements and establishes a pilot program allowing for longer-term, 20-year partnerships with the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

This concurrent resolution officially recognizes the significance of equal pay and highlights the persistent wage disparity faced by Black women compared to White, non-Hispanic men. It designates July 10, 2025, as Black Women's Equal Pay Day to draw attention to the economic losses caused by this gap. The resolution underscores that closing this disparity is vital for the economic stability and wealth-building of Black women and their families.