Legislative Activity

This resolution expresses deep concern over the rising trend of book banning and threats to freedom of expression across the United States. It strongly opposes censorship in schools and libraries, citing constitutional rights and the harm done to democratic discourse. The measure urges local entities to protect students' access to diverse viewpoints and calls for the reversal of restrictive orders impacting educational materials.

The Federal Employees Civil Relief Act temporarily halts certain legal and administrative actions that could negatively affect the civil rights of federal employees and contractors during a government shutdown. This protection includes pausing evictions, foreclosures, lien enforcement, and providing relief for student loan and income tax obligations. The law also ensures that seeking these protections will not negatively impact an employee's credit or future financial standing.

This resolution expresses strong support for designating September 2025 as "Hawaiian History Month." The designation aims to recognize the rich history, culture, and significant contributions of Native Hawaiians. Furthermore, it reaffirms the Federal trust responsibility to support the well-being and cultural revitalization of the Native Hawaiian Community.

This resolution officially designates the week of September 14 through September 20, 2025, as "Telehealth Awareness Week." It recognizes the critical role telehealth plays in expanding healthcare access, especially for rural and underserved populations. The measure encourages increased awareness, resource sharing, and continued study of remote healthcare services. Ultimately, it supports maintaining robust access to telehealth for all beneficiaries.

The Reproductive Rights Are Human Rights Act of 2025 asserts that access to sexual and reproductive healthcare is a fundamental human right, citing international agreements. This bill mandates that the U.S. Secretary of State comprehensively detail the status of reproductive rights, including access to contraception, abortion care, and freedom from coercion, in the annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. Furthermore, it requires detailed reporting on disparities in reproductive health outcomes based on identity, such as race, sexual orientation, or disability. The Act emphasizes the need to hold governments accountable for denying these essential health services globally.

The Pacific Ready Coast Guard Act mandates annual planning and detailed budget displays for all Coast Guard operations in the Pacific region, beginning in 2026. The bill also requires several key reports from the Commandant concerning the feasibility of establishing a standing Indo-Pacific maritime group, identifying locations and costs for forward operating bases by 2030, and expanding Coast Guard attaché presence in the region. Furthermore, it directs a study on integrating State Department consular officers into Navy and Coast Guard missions to Pacific Island countries.

The Empowering App-Based Workers Act aims to increase transparency and accountability for digital labor platforms by requiring detailed disclosures about electronic monitoring, automated decision-making, and pay calculations. The bill establishes strict limits on platform "take rates" for ride-hailing services and prohibits the use of personal data to unfairly set compensation. Furthermore, it grants app-based workers new enforcement rights, including the ability to sue for violations and invalidates pre-dispute arbitration clauses.

The Build More Housing Near Transit Act of 2025 incentivizes states and localities to adopt "pro-housing policies" when applying for federal transit capital investment grants. These policies, which include reducing parking minimums and streamlining approval for multi-family housing, can earn an applicant an extra point on their grant evaluation score. The bill requires the Secretary to consult with HUD to measure the expected housing production resulting from these local reforms. Recipients who receive the extra point must report on the specific policies implemented and the anticipated housing outcomes.

The Unsubscribe Act of 2025 significantly increases consumer protection regarding "negative option" subscriptions, such as automatic renewals and free trials that convert to paid services. This legislation mandates that businesses must obtain explicit, informed consent before charging consumers and provide a simple, electronic mechanism for cancellation if the service was signed up for online. Furthermore, the Act requires clear upfront disclosure of all terms and ongoing reminders about contract status and cancellation procedures. Enforcement will be handled by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and state attorneys general.

The Wall Street Tax Act of 2025 establishes a new federal tax on covered financial trading transactions involving securities and derivatives. This transaction tax rate will gradually increase from 0.02 percent in 2026 to 0.1 percent by 2030. The responsibility for paying the tax falls on exchanges, brokers, or the involved parties, depending on how the trade is executed. The bill also includes specific rules for foreign corporations and provides detailed definitions and exceptions for what constitutes a taxable security or derivative.

The State Public Option Act establishes a new Medicaid buy-in option for eligible individuals starting in 2026, with federal support for state administrative costs. The bill also mandates that Medicaid payments for certain primary care services must meet Medicare Part B rates and requires states to cover comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care services, including abortions. Finally, it updates federal funding timelines for newly eligible individuals and directs a review of Medicaid quality measures.

This resolution condemns the acceptance of substantial gifts, such as presidential aircraft, from foreign governments, citing serious national security and foreign influence concerns. It asserts that accepting such gifts violates the Constitution's Emoluments Clause and undermines public trust. The measure demands that the President must receive explicit Congressional approval before accepting any significant foreign gift.

The PATCH Act, or Protecting Access To Care in Hawaii Act, establishes a minimum geographic work index of 1.5 for calculating physician payment rates in Hawaii, effective January 1, 2026. This ensures that doctors practicing in Hawaii receive at least this level of additional compensation to account for local costs. This adjustment will not be budget-neutral, meaning it will not require offsetting cuts elsewhere.

This resolution recognizes the escalating global threats against journalists and reaffirms the vital role of a free and independent press in upholding democracy and informing the public. It highlights the dangers faced by reporters in conflict zones and under repressive regimes, emphasizing that press freedom is a priority for U.S. foreign policy. The measure calls for the U.S. government to continue championing journalist safety and accountability for those who attack the press worldwide.

The TAME Extreme Weather and Wildfires Act aims to revolutionize weather, water, and space weather forecasting by integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into federal agencies. This legislation mandates the development of AI weather models, comprehensive training datasets, and improved risk communication to enhance forecast accuracy and timeliness. It also emphasizes maintaining traditional forecasting capabilities while fostering public-private partnerships to accelerate the adoption of these advanced tools for hazard mitigation.

The Climate Change Financial Risk Act of 2025 mandates that the Federal Reserve develop tools to assess and manage the growing physical and transition risks that climate change poses to the stability of the U.S. financial system. The bill establishes a technical advisory group to help create distinct climate risk scenarios (e.g., 1.5°C and 2°C warming) for use in mandatory biennial stress tests for large financial institutions. Following these tests, major firms must submit detailed climate risk resolution plans, which regulators can reject, potentially restricting capital distributions if the plans are inadequate.

This resolution supports the goals of the Rise Up for LGBTQI+ Youth in Schools Initiative by calling for equal educational opportunities and civil rights protections for all students, especially LGBTQI+ youth. It highlights the negative impact of bullying, harassment, and discriminatory state laws on student mental health and academic success. The bill encourages communities nationwide to adopt policies that actively prevent discrimination and foster inclusive school environments.

The CONNECT for Health Act of 2025 aims to significantly expand access to telehealth services under Medicare by permanently removing outdated geographic restrictions and broadening provider eligibility. The bill also enhances program integrity by dedicating new funding to oversight and establishing educational outreach for providers with unusual billing patterns. Finally, it mandates new resources, training, and public data reporting to ensure the quality and accessibility of virtual care for all beneficiaries.

This resolution officially designates April 2025 as "Preserving and Protecting Local News Month" to recognize the critical importance of local journalism. It highlights the severe decline of local news outlets across the country, which has created numerous "news deserts." The measure affirms that local news is vital for a healthy democracy and community engagement.

This concurrent resolution formally supports the goals and ideals of the International Transgender Day of Visibility. It recognizes the achievements of the transgender community while acknowledging the ongoing discrimination and violence they face. The resolution encourages public observance of the day and celebrates the progress and leadership within the transgender community.