Legislative Activity

The **GREEN Streets Act** updates federal road performance measures to prioritize combating climate change, requiring states to set minimum standards for reducing driving, improving non-car alternatives, and cutting greenhouse gas emissions. It mandates rigorous environmental and emissions analysis for any federally funded project that expands road capacity for single-occupancy vehicles. Furthermore, the bill establishes new national standards for transit accessibility, requiring major metropolitan areas to set goals for improving first/last mile connections and transit use. Finally, states failing to meet emissions targets must dedicate significant federal highway funds toward projects that help them achieve those goals.

This resolution expresses support for designating a week in September 2025 as "Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions Week." It recognizes the vital role these institutions play in educating a significant portion of AANHPI students, many of whom are low-income and first-generation college attendees. The bill encourages these schools to seek funding for culturally relevant programs that boost student success. Ultimately, this measure celebrates the contributions of these institutions to American higher education and cultural diversity.

This resolution officially designates September 20, 2025, as National LGBTQ+ Servicemembers and Veterans Day to honor their service and contributions. It formally acknowledges the long history of discrimination and harm caused by past military policies against LGBTQ+ individuals. Furthermore, the resolution urges the VA and DoD to take corrective action, including restoring benefits and ensuring full access to earned healthcare, such as gender-affirming care.

The Protecting Free Vaccines Act of 2025 mandates that certain vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) must be covered by private health plans, Medicare Part D, Medicaid, and CHIP without cost-sharing. This requirement is generally based on ACIP recommendations in effect as of October 25, 2024, and is set to expire at the end of 2029 or 2030, depending on the program. The bill also includes specific provisions to ensure continuity of coverage for individuals already following a recommended vaccine schedule.

The Protect America’s Workforce Act nullifies two specific Executive Orders related to federal labor-management programs and prohibits the use of federal funds to enforce them. Furthermore, the Act ensures that all existing collective bargaining agreements between the federal government and labor organizations remain fully in effect until their original expiration dates. This legislation solidifies current federal union contracts while removing the authority of the voided orders.

The Billionaires Income Tax Act fundamentally changes how the wealthiest Americans are taxed by requiring them to pay taxes annually on the unrealized gains of their investment assets, eliminating indefinite tax deferral. It also removes several existing tax deferral mechanisms and imposes stricter tax consequences on these "applicable taxpayers" regarding investment income, expatriation, and deferred compensation. In essence, the bill aims to ensure that the ultra-wealthy pay taxes yearly on their growing wealth rather than waiting until assets are sold.

The HIV Medication Access Act officially recognizes the provision of HIV prevention tools, including PrEP medication, as core life-saving humanitarian assistance. This legislation updates how the U.S. approaches HIV/AIDS prevention aid under existing foreign assistance laws. Furthermore, it mandates that the identification of at-risk populations for aid must align with scientific guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO).

The **Protecting Our Democracy Act** is a comprehensive bill designed to increase transparency, accountability, and oversight across the Executive Branch. It strengthens restrictions on presidential pardon power, closes loopholes in emoluments clauses, and enhances Congress's ability to enforce subpoenas. Furthermore, the Act bolsters whistleblower protections, tightens ethics rules for acting officials and appointees, and mandates public disclosure of presidential tax returns.

The Fair Housing Improvement Act of 2025 amends the Fair Housing Act to prohibit discrimination in housing based on source of income, veteran status, or military status. This expansion broadens protections to cover lawful income sources, including housing vouchers and various benefits, alongside military service. The Act ensures these new protected classes are covered across all aspects of the housing transaction, from advertising to rental agreements.

This resolution officially designates September 2025 as National Voting Rights Month to highlight ongoing threats to ballot access and encourage civic engagement. It urges Congress to pass legislation strengthening voting protections, like the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Furthermore, the resolution encourages educational outreach to inform citizens about registration and the history of voting rights in America.

The FAMILY Act establishes the Family and Medical Insurance Leave program, creating a new office within the Social Security Administration to manage paid benefits for qualified caregiving and serious health conditions. This law outlines eligibility requirements, a tiered formula for calculating monthly benefit payments, and protections against employer retaliation for taking leave. The Act also provides funding mechanisms for states that already have similar paid leave programs in place.

The Same Day Registration Act mandates that all states allow eligible citizens to register to vote or update their registration at the polling place on Election Day for any federal election. This ensures that individuals can register and cast their ballot simultaneously, provided the state does not already have a no-registration requirement. States must ensure registration forms are available at all polling locations, with full compliance generally required starting with the November 2026 general election.

This resolution officially designates the week of September 14 through September 20, 2025, as "Community School Coordinators Appreciation Week." It recognizes the vital role community school coordinators play in linking school and community resources to improve student outcomes and neighborhood success. The designation aims to celebrate these essential professionals and raise public awareness of their critical contributions.

The Forced Arbitration Injustice Repeal Act invalidates pre-dispute agreements that force individuals into private arbitration for employment, consumer, antitrust, or civil rights claims. This legislation protects the right of individuals and groups to pursue legal action in court rather than being compelled into private arbitration before a dispute arises. It ensures that courts, not arbitrators, decide if this new law applies to a specific agreement. The Act takes effect immediately upon enactment.

The Equal Employment for All Act of 2025 significantly amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to prohibit employers from using credit checks when making most hiring or firing decisions, even with applicant consent. This new restriction only allows credit checks for jobs requiring national security clearance or when specifically mandated by another law. The Act ensures that applicants cannot be penalized simply for refusing to authorize a credit check unless one of these narrow exceptions applies.

The Closing the Meal Gap Act of 2025 overhauls food assistance by basing benefit calculations on a new "low-cost food plan" instead of the previous "thrifty food plan." It also introduces new standard medical expense deductions for elderly or disabled households and eliminates a previous time limit restriction for certain program participants. Finally, the bill removes the cap on deductions for excess shelter expenses.

The Measuring the Cost of Disasters Act of 2025 mandates the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to establish and maintain a public database and webpage detailing all U.S. "billion-dollar disasters." This hub must include estimated costs, location, and type of event, updated at least every six months. The system will also feature historical maps and graphs, ensuring continuity with previous disaster tracking methods.

The Empowering Striking Workers Act of 2025 aims to provide unemployment compensation to workers who are unemployed due to a strike or lockout. This benefit becomes available after a 14-day waiting period or upon the occurrence of specific conditions like a lockout or the hiring of permanent replacements. The Act ensures that participation in a labor dispute does not automatically disqualify workers from meeting general unemployment eligibility requirements, such as being available for work.

The Student Loan Deduction Act of 2025 allows households applying for food assistance to deduct monthly student loan payments from their countable income. This deduction applies to both federal and private education loans, covering payments made for any household member. Claiming this deduction can positively impact eligibility for food assistance benefits.

The Nationwide Right To Unionize Act seeks to strengthen union organizing rights across the country. It achieves this by repealing the section of federal law that currently allows state "right-to-work" laws to override federal labor protections. This change effectively removes the federal permission for states to enforce laws prohibiting mandatory union membership or fee payment as a condition of employment.