Legislative Activity

This resolution recognizes National Foster Care Month as an opportunity to raise awareness about the challenges faced by children in the foster care system. It encourages Congress to implement policies that improve the lives of children in, or at risk of entering, foster care. The resolution also acknowledges the need for continued efforts to support children in foster care, including prevention, reunification services, and successful transitions into adulthood.

This resolution condemns President Trump's attacks on the freedom of the press, asserting they undermine democracy and endanger journalists. It reaffirms the United States' commitment to protecting press freedom, urging respect for journalists' rights and the cessation of censorship. The resolution also supports efforts to free imprisoned journalists and protect those facing threats.

The "Fair Allocation and Improvement of Regional Fleets Act" or "FAIR Fleets Act" aims to modernize the Postal Service fleet and ensure fair vehicle distribution, especially in underserved areas. It requires regular assessments of vehicle distribution, a strategic plan for improvement, and the adoption of fuel-efficient vehicles. The Postal Service must submit annual reports to Congress detailing fleet distribution and steps taken to improve service in underserved areas, which include rural areas, regions with aging vehicles, and areas with significant mail delays or high poverty rates. These changes will take effect 180 days after the enactment of this Act.

The "Fresh Start Act of 2025" amends the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, allowing grant funds to implement state laws that automatically expunge or seal criminal records, even if fees or fines are outstanding. States receiving these grants must report data disaggregated by race, ethnicity, and gender to the Attorney General on expungement eligibility, completed expungements, and pending applications. The Attorney General is then required to publish an annual public report based on the data received from the states.

The Arctic Refuge Protection Act seeks to reinstate protections for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge by repealing the 2017 law that opened the area to oil and gas development. It further designates approximately 1.5 million acres of the Refuge as wilderness, ensuring its preservation under the National Wilderness Preservation System. This area will be managed by the Secretary of the Interior in accordance with the Wilderness Act.

The Equality Act amends existing civil rights laws to explicitly include protections against discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity in areas such as public accommodations, employment, housing, credit, and jury selection. It clarifies and expands the definition of sex to include sex stereotypes, pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics. The act ensures equal access to shared facilities and prohibits the use of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 to justify discrimination. Ultimately, the Equality Act seeks to provide consistent and comprehensive protections against discrimination for LGBTQ+ individuals and women across various sectors.

This bill amends the Social Security Act to limit the amount withheld from monthly benefits to recover overpayments. For overpayments not caused by fraud, the Social Security Administration cannot reduce benefits by more than 10% of the monthly payment. Individuals can request a higher withholding amount if desired. This change applies to existing and future overpayments under Title II of the Social Security Act.

This resolution expresses support for honoring Earth Day and its role in promoting environmental awareness and action. It recognizes the historical impact of Earth Day on environmental protection and highlights ongoing challenges like climate change. The resolution urges continued action, referencing recent legislation and emphasizing the need to address environmental injustices and promote environmental literacy. It also encourages the President to issue a proclamation recognizing Earth Day and urges Americans to observe it through various environmental activities.

Hammers' Law amends title 46 of the United States Code to extend liability limitations for commercial aviation accidents to cruise ship voyages. It defines "cruise ship" and "nonpecuniary damages" within this context. The law updates the section heading and table of sections to reflect these changes.

This bill supports the designation of April 11-17, 2025, as "Black Maternal Health Week" to raise awareness about the maternal health crisis affecting Black women and birthing people in the U.S. It recognizes the unacceptable disparities in maternal mortality rates, where Black women are significantly more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than White women. The bill urges Congress to address systemic racism and promote equitable access to resources, healthcare, and comprehensive maternal health programs for the Black community, while also supporting policies like the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act. It aims to amplify Black voices, invest in community-led solutions, and increase funding for Black-led organizations and perinatal professionals.

The "Pursuing Equity in Mental Health Act" aims to improve mental health outcomes for racial and ethnic minority groups by increasing funding for research, training, and outreach programs. It directs the National Institutes of Health to study mental health disparities, promotes culturally competent healthcare practices, and requires the development of a national outreach strategy to raise awareness and improve access to mental health services within these communities. The Act authorizes increased funding for various programs and research initiatives to address mental health disparities.

The WISE Act aims to strengthen protections and expand immigration benefits for non-citizen survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and other crimes. It reforms the U visa program, broadens protections for battered spouses and children, limits the detention and removal of survivors, and enhances access to information and services. The bill also addresses issues related to waivers, step-children, visa caps, and naturalization requirements for survivors of abuse. Overall, the Act seeks to remove obstacles and provide timely access to immigration relief for vulnerable immigrants.

This resolution expresses support for library staff and the essential services libraries provide, recognizing their role in connecting communities with information, resources, and social services. It emphasizes the need for adequate funding to support libraries and protect the rights of library workers. The resolution also reaffirms the public's right to access information and the importance of libraries as vital infrastructure for the future.

The Gas-Operated Semi-Automatic Firearms Exclusion (GOSAFE) Act restricts the import, sale, manufacture, transfer, and possession of certain gas-operated semi-automatic firearms and large capacity ammunition feeding devices, while providing exceptions for governmental use, certain pre-existing firearms, and transfers to immediate family members. The bill also allows Byrne grants to be used for buy-back programs for these firearms and devices, and establishes penalties for violations, as well as a process for determining which firearms are prohibited, including manufacturer applications and judicial review. Finally, the bill establishes a "Firearm Safety Trust Fund" in the Treasury, using taxes collected by the ATF to fund the requirements of this act.

The "House Expansion Commission Act" establishes a commission to study the potential expansion of the U.S. House of Representatives, which has been capped at 435 members since 1929, despite significant population growth. The commission will assess the impact of the current House size on representation and effectiveness, explore different methods for expansion, and consider the logistical and financial implications. It will then submit a report to the President and Congress with proposals for expanding the House and enhancing its representational role. The commission will consist of 13 members appointed by House and Senate leaders, and will terminate 90 days after submitting its report.

The American Family Act establishes a refundable child tax credit with monthly advance payments, providing up to $300 per month per child, and creates a $500 tax credit for other dependents. The amount of the credit is reduced based on the taxpayer's income, with initial reductions starting at $150,000 for joint returns. The IRS will make monthly advance payments and establish an online portal for taxpayers to manage their payments and provide necessary information. This act terminates the existing annual child tax credit after 2024 and aims to provide regular financial support to families.

The "Tax Cut for Workers Act of 2025" expands the Earned Income Credit (EIC) by lowering the minimum age, eliminating the maximum age, and increasing the credit amount for individuals without qualifying children. It also makes permanent certain EIC rules for Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and possessions with mirror code tax systems and allows taxpayers to elect to use prior year earned income for EIC calculation if it results in a larger credit. These changes will be effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

The "Closing the Bump Stock Loophole Act of 2025" outlaws devices that accelerate a semi-automatic firearm's firing rate or simulate machine guns. It redefines "semi-automatic firearm" and requires current owners of affected devices to register them. There are exceptions for governmental entities, and lawful transfers of registered devices are permitted.

The "Raise the Wage Act of 2025" aims to increase the federal minimum wage to $17.00 per hour over five years, after which it will be annually adjusted based on the median hourly wage of all employees. The bill also gradually raises the minimum wage for tipped employees until it matches the standard minimum wage, while ensuring they retain all tips. Additionally, it increases and then eliminates the subminimum wage for newly hired employees under 20 and individuals with disabilities, promoting fair wages for all workers.

The Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2025 aims to increase affordable housing options by updating state housing credit formulas, refining tenant eligibility rules, and improving credit eligibility and determination. This includes adjusting income verification processes, modifying student occupancy rules, and protecting domestic abuse victims. The bill also focuses on Native American and rural assistance by addressing housing needs in Indian areas and streamlining income eligibility for rural projects. Additionally, it revises rules for exempt facility bonds and renames the "low-income housing tax credit" to the "affordable housing tax credit" while encouraging data sharing and discouraging discriminatory land use policies.