Legislative Activity

This bill directs the President to withdraw U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities involving designated terrorist organizations in the Western Hemisphere. Such withdrawal must occur unless Congress has explicitly authorized the military action through a declaration of war or a specific use of force authorization. The directive is issued under the authority of the War Powers Resolution.

The Protect America's Workforce Act nullifies a specific Executive Order issued in March 2025 concerning exclusions from federal labor-management relations programs. This legislation ensures that any existing collective bargaining agreements between federal agencies and employee unions remain fully in effect until their stated expiration dates. The Act also prohibits the use of federal funds to implement the overturned Executive Order.

The Innovate Less Lethal to De-Escalate Tax Modernization Act aims to encourage the development and use of safer policing tools. This bill exempts qualifying less-than-lethal projectile devices and their ammunition from federal excise taxes normally applied to firearms and ammunition. Furthermore, it removes these specific less-lethal devices from the stringent regulations imposed by the National Firearms Act. The legislation establishes clear criteria for what qualifies as a less-lethal device eligible for these tax and regulatory exemptions.

The Cormorant Relief Act of 2025 mandates the Secretary of the Interior to reissue and maintain a federal rule allowing the control of double-crested cormorants at aquaculture facilities in specified states. This reissued rule must modernize terminology and recordkeeping while removing the previous expiration date. The Secretary is required to renew this depredation order every five years, ensuring compliance with existing environmental and wildlife protection laws.

The DHS Grants Accountability Act aims to improve the efficiency and transparency of key homeland security grant programs. This legislation establishes stricter deadlines for the Department of Homeland Security to announce funding, issue notices, and for recipients to utilize grant money for preparedness, transit, and port security. Overall, the bill mandates clearer timelines to ensure funds are awarded and spent more predictably.

The Expanding Cybersecurity Workforce Act of 2025 establishes a new CISA program to actively promote cybersecurity careers to disadvantaged communities across the nation. This initiative specifically targets outreach to older individuals, minorities, people with disabilities, veterans, and those from nontraditional educational backgrounds. The goal is to diversify and strengthen the U.S. cyber workforce through tailored education and training assistance. The Act authorizes $20 million annually through fiscal year 2031 to support these efforts.

The Artificial Intelligence Civil Rights Act of 2025 establishes comprehensive federal rules to prevent discrimination caused by automated decision-making systems in critical areas like employment, housing, and credit. It mandates independent safety checks, public reporting for high-risk findings, and clear contractual standards between algorithm creators and users. The law empowers the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and grants individuals a private right of action to enforce these new civil rights protections against algorithmic bias.

The Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act focuses primarily on improving pediatric drug development and ensuring patient access to necessary treatments. This legislation mandates new research requirements for molecularly targeted pediatric cancer drugs, strengthens FDA enforcement of pediatric study completion, and extends incentives for developing drugs for rare pediatric diseases. Additionally, the bill updates organ transplant network functions and establishes an Abraham Accords Office within the FDA to enhance international regulatory cooperation.

This bill, the Enhancing Stakeholder Support and Outreach for Preparedness Grants Act, mandates that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) continuously improve outreach, technical assistance, and support for recipients of the Urban Area Security Initiative and State Homeland Security Grant Program grants. This includes conducting annual stakeholder surveys to gather feedback on the grant process. The legislation also requires a review by the Comptroller General and a subsequent report from the DHS Administrator detailing actions taken based on the new outreach requirements.

The Law-Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act of 2025 exempts specific, clearly defined less-than-lethal projectile devices from standard federal firearm restrictions under Title 18 of the U.S. Code. This exemption applies only to devices incapable of firing standard ammunition and designed to minimize the risk of serious injury or death. The bill also establishes a process for manufacturers to seek official confirmation from the Attorney General regarding a device's classification.

The Urban and Rural Diabetes Initiative Act establishes a new grant program to improve diabetes treatment access in medically underserved urban and rural areas. This funding supports eligible health providers in offering comprehensive diabetes care, including routine treatment, education, and specialized services like eye and foot care. The Secretary of Health and Human Services will award these grants, ensuring equitable distribution across both urban and rural communities.

This bill directs the Secretary of Defense to establish a pilot program creating partnerships between military installations and qualified basic needs banks. The goal of this program is to provide essential diapers and diapering supplies to military families in need. The Secretary must also seek collaboration with the National Diaper Bank Network for technical assistance and program evaluation.

The Increasing Access to Mental Health in Schools Act establishes grant programs to build pipelines that train and place more mental health providers in low-income schools. It also creates a student loan repayment program for providers who commit to working in these underserved districts for five years. The bill aims to improve student support ratios by increasing the number of school counselors, psychologists, and social workers in high-need areas. Finally, it mandates a study to develop future criteria for identifying areas with mental health provider shortages.

The Housing Financial Literacy Act of 2025 incentivizes first-time homebuyers to complete financial literacy housing counseling programs. By completing the required counseling before applying for a loan or signing a sales agreement, eligible homebuyers will receive a 25 basis point discount on their mortgage insurance premium payments. This act aims to promote financial preparedness among new homeowners.

This resolution officially recognizes and supports the goals of National Rural Health Day to honor the vital role of rural communities and their healthcare providers. It acknowledges the unique challenges faced by rural residents, such as limited access to care and hospital closures. The bill expresses a commitment to advancing policies that improve the accessibility and affordability of healthcare in rural America.

The Restoring Food Security for American Families and Farmers Act of 2025 aims to strengthen domestic food security by repealing specific sections of a prior reconciliation act. This action effectively revives the original laws that were previously amended by the repealed provisions. The bill seeks to revert existing agricultural and food-related statutes to their pre-amendment status.

The Strengthening Oversight of DHS Intelligence Act enhances oversight of how the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shares, retains, and disseminates intelligence information. This legislation specifically mandates that these intelligence activities must protect privacy rights, civil rights, and civil liberties. To ensure compliance, the bill requires coordination with the Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis and mandates specialized training for relevant personnel on these protections.

The Student Veteran Work Study Modernization Act establishes a five-year pilot program to expand eligibility for the VA work-study allowance to veterans pursuing certain educational or training programs at a half-time enrollment level. This allows more student veterans to benefit from work-study opportunities without meeting the current three-quarter-time enrollment requirement. Additionally, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs is required to submit annual reports detailing participation and outcomes for veterans in the work-study program.

The Keep SNAP and WIC Funded Act of 2025 ensures that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) continue to operate without interruption in fiscal year 2026 if standard appropriations are delayed. If funding lapses, the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to use funds from the Treasury to provide benefits and reimburse state agencies. This special funding remains in effect until full appropriations are enacted or until September 30, 2026.

The Save Our Ships Act establishes the Historic Naval Ship Preservation Grant Program within the Department of the Interior. This program will provide competitive grants to support the physical preservation of historic military vessels for public education. The grants can also fund workforce development programs related to maritime careers. The legislation authorizes $5 million annually for the program starting in fiscal year 2026.