Legislative Activity

The Arctic Refuge Protection Act officially repeals the previous law authorizing oil and gas leasing in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. This legislation simultaneously designates approximately 1.56 million acres within the Refuge as protected wilderness under the National Wilderness Preservation System. The Secretary of the Interior is now required to manage this newly designated land according to strict wilderness preservation standards.

The Stealthing Act of 2025 establishes a federal civil right of action against individuals who remove a sexual protection barrier, such as a condom, during sexual contact without the partner's consent. This law recognizes the non-consensual removal of protection as a serious violation exposing victims to risks like STIs and pregnancy. Victims can sue for damages if the act involved interstate travel, commerce, or communication.

The Equality Act comprehensively expands federal civil rights protections against discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity across key areas of American life. It amends existing laws to prohibit discrimination in public accommodations, housing, credit, employment, and federal funding. The purpose of the bill is to provide consistent, explicit, and comprehensive remedies for individuals facing bias in these essential sectors.

The Access to Breast Cancer Diagnosis Act of 2025 ensures that group health plans and insurers must cover diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations with no out-of-pocket costs for patients. This means no deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance will apply to these necessary exams. These provisions take effect for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.

The Secure E-Waste Export and Recycling Act establishes strict new controls banning most exports of used electronics, classifying them as electronic waste. Exports are only permitted for specific, rigorously documented exemptions, such as tested, working electronics intended for reuse or processed materials intended for recycling. Shippers of exempted items must register, file detailed export information, and provide declarations confirming the recipient's ability to handle the materials properly.

This resolution expresses strong support for honoring Earth Day and recognizes its historical importance in launching the modern environmental movement. It highlights ongoing challenges like climate change while celebrating recent landmark investments in clean energy and infrastructure. Ultimately, the bill urges the President to issue a proclamation recognizing Earth Day and encourages all Americans to take sustained action to protect the environment for future generations.

The YOUNG Act of 2025 establishes a new grant program to fund youth biodiversity monitoring projects utilizing advanced technology like eDNA and drones. These grants will be administered by the Secretary of Commerce to support K-12 schools, nonprofits, and other entities in studying wildlife and ecosystems. Priority will be given to projects that engage underserved communities.

This Act officially designates approximately 12,295 acres of federal land in Taos County, New Mexico, as the Cerro de la Olla Wilderness. The legislation also updates the boundaries and references related to the adjacent Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. Provisions are included to allow for the maintenance of existing wildlife water projects under specific environmental guidelines and require cooperation with the State of New Mexico on wildlife management.

The SERVICE Act mandates that federal agencies must undergo a thorough review process before implementing significant workforce reductions. Agencies planning to cut staff by more than 5% must first submit a detailed report to the GAO analyzing the financial and mission impacts of the proposed layoffs. The GAO then reviews this report to ensure the analysis is complete and credible before the agency can proceed with the cuts after a mandatory waiting period.

This resolution is an official request from the House of Representatives demanding the President provide specific information regarding recent operational changes at the Social Security Administration (SSA). Congress seeks documents detailing the cessation of phone applications for benefits, any SSA office closures or mergers, and information concerning recent staffing reductions. The inquiry also specifically requests details about the Department of Government Efficiency's access to SSA operations and data.

The Ensuring Agency Service Quality Act mandates that all Executive agencies and military departments must adhere strictly to federal job classification standards when hiring personnel. If an agency cannot meet its required staffing levels under these new rules, the agency head must promptly notify relevant Congressional committees within seven days with a detailed explanation. This legislation aims to standardize and enforce federal employment structures across key government bodies.

The Reconciliation in Place Names Act establishes a new Advisory Committee to systematically review and recommend replacements for offensive geographic names on federal lands. This committee, composed of diverse experts and tribal representatives, will advise the Board on Geographic Names regarding proposed changes. The Board must then approve or reject these renaming proposals within three years, prioritizing changes unless a compelling public interest dictates otherwise. This process aims to foster reconciliation by removing derogatory and prejudiced place names across the United States.

The Working for Immigrant Safety and Empowerment (WISE) Act aims to strengthen protections and streamline legal pathways for non-citizen survivors of crime and abuse, including domestic violence and trafficking. The bill reforms the U-visa program by eliminating its annual cap and speeding up work authorization for victims. It also establishes new protections against detention and deportation for victims with pending humanitarian applications and expands access to public benefits for certain lawfully present noncitizens.

The Anti-Racism in Public Health Act of 2025 establishes a new National Center on Antiracism and Health within the CDC to declare racism a public health crisis and develop policies to dismantle structural inequities. It also creates a dedicated program within the CDC to research the health consequences of police violence and develop public health strategies to prevent related injuries and deaths. Both initiatives mandate extensive data collection, research funding, and public education to promote racial equity in health outcomes.

The Employee Limits ON Profiteering Act prohibits the federal government from awarding contracts or grants to "special Government employees" or closely associated third parties. This restriction aims to prevent conflicts of interest arising from federal funding. An exception is made for special Government employees who serve solely on advisory committees. The Federal Acquisition Regulation must be updated to reflect these new limitations.

This bill officially designates significant portions of the Gila River System in New Mexico as protected Wild and Scenic Rivers, classifying segments as wild, scenic, or recreational. The designation withdraws federal lands from entry, mining, and mineral leasing within the protected boundaries while explicitly preserving existing water rights and private property uses. Additionally, the Act adjusts the boundaries of the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument and the Gila National Forest by transferring approximately 440 acres from the Forest Service to the National Park Service.

This resolution supports the designation of April 10th as "Dolores Huerta Day" to honor her legacy as a trailblazing labor and civil rights leader. It recognizes her foundational work co-founding the United Farm Workers and her lifelong fight for economic justice, workers' rights, and equality. The bill formally celebrates her accomplishments without creating new laws or programs.

The Chaco Cultural Heritage Area Protection Act of 2025 withdraws specific federal lands near Chaco Culture National Historical Park from oil, gas, and mineral leasing to protect significant cultural sites and ancestral resources. This action aims to halt new development pressures impacting the region's historical importance and local tribal communities. The bill also mandates the termination of non-producing oil and gas leases on these affected federal lands.

This resolution is an official request from the House of Representatives demanding the President transmit specific documents regarding federal personnel actions taken since January 20, 2025. It seeks records related to the termination, removal, or reassignment of federal employees and Inspectors General that may have been influenced by outside parties, including Elon Musk and Trump-related groups. The request also specifically targets communications concerning the layoff guidance for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) staff.

This Act establishes a framework for cooperation between the federal government and New Mexico's historical community land grants (mercedes) regarding their traditional, noncommercial uses of federal lands. It mandates the creation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to streamline permitting, fee waivers, and infrastructure maintenance for these established uses. Furthermore, the bill requires federal land use planning to specifically consider and incorporate the impact on these historical community practices. This legislation does not create new land use rights but rather coordinates existing traditional uses within current federal and state law.