Legislative Activity

The MARSHALS Act fundamentally restructures the United States Marshals Service (USMS), moving its organization entirely into the judicial branch. This bill establishes that the Director and all U.S. Marshals will be appointed by the Chief Justice, subject to oversight from a new Board. The legislation also clarifies the USMS's authority to protect federal judicial personnel and outlines specific conditions under which the Service can assist the Department of Justice.

The Equity and Inclusion Enforcement Act of 2025 restores the right to sue for disparate impact violations under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It also mandates that all federally funded educational institutions designate an employee to coordinate Title VI compliance and publicly share their contact information. Finally, the Act establishes a new Special Assistant for Equity and Inclusion within the Department of Education to oversee and promote compliance efforts.

The Strength in Diversity Act of 2025 establishes a competitive grant program to help states and districts address racial isolation and concentrated poverty in public schools. Funds will support the creation and implementation of plans designed to increase racial and economic diversity within covered schools. The law emphasizes performance measurement focused on both student outcomes and diversity metrics, while explicitly prohibiting federal control over local educational decisions.

The End For-Profit Prisons Act of 2025 phases out the federal government's use of private companies for operating core federal prisons and community confinement facilities over an eight-year period. The bill mandates increased reporting on the federal prison population and requires research into effective recidivism reduction programs. Additionally, it establishes new duties for the Attorney General and the Bureau of Prisons to ensure comprehensive support and financial transparency for individuals upon their release from federal custody.

The Andrew Kearse Accountability for Denial of Medical Care Act of 2025 mandates that federal officials immediately provide or secure medical attention for individuals in federal custody displaying medical distress. Negligently failing to do so, resulting in unnecessary pain, injury, or death, is established as a federal crime punishable by fines or imprisonment. The bill also empowers State Attorneys General to sue federal officials over violations and requires mandatory training and confidential complaint mechanisms for agency staff.

The College for All Act of 2025 establishes a Federal-State partnership to eliminate tuition and required fees at public and Tribal colleges for eligible students, while significantly increasing Federal Pell Grant maximum awards and expanding eligibility to include many "Dreamer students." The bill also creates new grant programs to cover tuition at private non-profit HBCUs and MSIs, and funds initiatives to improve student success and support for low-income and first-generation students. Finally, it increases overall appropriations for HBCUs, Tribal Colleges, and other Minority-Serving Institutions.

The Fit to Serve Act prohibits the U.S. Armed Forces from discriminating against service members based on their gender identity. This means military branches cannot set different standards, involuntarily discharge personnel, or deny medically necessary healthcare due to a service member's gender identity. The bill ensures equal opportunity for joining, serving, and receiving care regardless of one's internal sense of self.

The Supreme Court Tenure Establishment and Retirement Modernization Act of 2025 establishes fixed, non-renewable 18-year terms for all future Supreme Court Justices, with appointments staggered every two years. This legislation also outlines a process for phasing out current Justices upon the confirmation of new appointees. Finally, it grants the Chief Justice the authority to temporarily fill sudden vacancies below the standard nine-justice level using a randomly selected retired Justice.

This resolution expresses strong support for designating May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month to combat a growing national crisis. It highlights alarming statistics regarding rising mental illness rates, significant barriers to accessing care, and disproportionate impacts on youth and marginalized communities. Ultimately, the bill declares mental health a national priority and encourages increased public awareness and support for mental health services.

The Striking and Locked Out Workers Healthcare Protection Act ensures that employers cannot terminate or alter group health plan coverage for employees during a lawful strike or an employer-initiated lockout. This legislation aims to prevent employers from using health benefits as leverage during labor disputes. The bill also establishes significant civil penalties, including fines up to \$150,000 per violation, for employers who interfere with this coverage, and allows for individual liability for directors and officers involved in such violations.

The Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act of 2025 establishes a mandatory, public code of conduct and a formal complaint process for Supreme Court Justices, modeled after procedures for lower federal judges. The bill also institutes stricter disclosure requirements for gifts and financial ties, and mandates judicial disqualification in cases involving recent lobbying contact or significant financial relationships with involved parties. Furthermore, it creates new review panels for disqualification motions and requires parties and *amici* to disclose financial supporters connected to the case.

The Healthy Food Financing Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2025 ensures continued federal support for projects that improve access to healthy food options. This bill reauthorizes the initiative by significantly increasing mandatory funding levels, starting at \$25 million in FY 2026 and rising to \$50 million annually by FY 2030. These funds are drawn from the Commodity Credit Corporation to support healthy food infrastructure development.

This bill, the Henrietta Lacks Congressional Gold Medal Act, posthumously awards a Congressional Gold Medal to Henrietta Lacks to recognize her foundational contributions to science and medicine through her immortal HeLa cells. The legislation directs the Secretary of the Treasury to strike the medal, which will ultimately be housed at the Smithsonian Institution. Furthermore, the Act authorizes the creation and sale of bronze duplicates to cover production costs.

This resolution formally asserts the United States' moral and legal obligation to provide comprehensive reparations to descendants of enslaved Africans for the enduring harm caused by chattel slavery and subsequent systemic discrimination. It details centuries of state-sanctioned injustice, including economic exclusion, violence, and wealth theft. Ultimately, the bill calls for the Federal Government to take concrete actions, including financial compensation, systemic legal reform, and a formal apology, to achieve holistic repair and reconciliation.

The Humane Accountability Act mandates increased transparency and reporting from immigration agencies regarding the detention and removal of noncitizens. It requires detailed, regular reports to Congress concerning detainee incidents, including abuse, deaths, and complaints. Furthermore, the bill establishes a notification process for using non-traditional detention sites and seeks recommendations to improve oversight and due process protections.

The Stronger Communities through Better Transit Act establishes a new federal grant program to provide operating support for high-quality public transit services. This funding is specifically targeted to improve mobility and environmental outcomes, with a requirement that the majority of funds benefit underserved communities or areas of persistent poverty. The Act also increases the federal share for rural transit operating assistance up to 80%.

The Nurse Staffing Standards for Hospital Patient Safety and Quality Care Act of 2025 establishes mandatory minimum registered nurse-to-patient ratios across various hospital units to enhance patient safety and care quality. This legislation requires hospitals to implement detailed staffing plans, ensures enforcement through federal programs like Medicare and Medicaid, and supports the nursing workforce through expanded financial aid and retention initiatives. Furthermore, the bill protects nurses who refuse unsafe assignments and establishes clear mechanisms for reporting violations.

This resolution formally recognizes the historical event of the Palestinian Nakba and the ongoing displacement of Palestinian refugees. It calls for the U.S. to remember this history, uphold the rights of refugees as established in UN Resolution 194, and cease complicity in actions that deny these rights. Ultimately, the bill demands that U.S. policy support the implementation of refugee rights as essential for lasting peace.

The Children Don't Belong on Tobacco Farms Act amends child labor laws to prohibit individuals under 18 from having direct contact with tobacco plants or dried tobacco leaves. This change ensures that agricultural work involving direct handling of tobacco falls under federal child labor protections. The bill specifically updates exemptions to reflect this new restriction on youth employment in tobacco agriculture.

The Truth in Tariffs Act mandates that businesses clearly display the portion of a product's price attributable to "covered tariffs" imposed on or after January 20, 2025. This transparency requirement applies to sales made 30 days after enactment, excluding small business concerns. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is tasked with enforcement, treating non-compliance as an unfair or deceptive business practice.