Legislative Activity

The Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act of 2025 mandates the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct a terrorism response exercise, specifically one that includes an extreme cold weather event impacting critical infrastructure. The exercise will focus on strategies to mitigate the effects of a successful terrorist attack and bolster community resilience. Within 60 days of completion, a report detailing findings and proposed legislative changes must be submitted to the House and Senate Homeland Security Committees.

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.

The Homeland Security Climate Change Coordination Act establishes a Climate Coordinating Council within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This council will coordinate departmental efforts to address and mitigate the effects of climate change on DHS programs, operations, missions, assets, and personnel. The Act requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to submit annual reports to Congress on the council's activities for ten years.

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 Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to limit consumer reporting agencies from sharing credit report information when a person requests a credit report for a residential mortgage loan. Consumer reporting agencies can only furnish this information if the entity has a firm offer of credit or insurance, has the consumer's authorization, or has an existing relationship with the consumer as a mortgage lender, servicer, or financial institution. This act aims to protect consumers' privacy during the home buying process by limiting the amount of entities that get access to their credit information. The changes will take effect 180 days after the Act is enacted.

The "Reconciliation in Place Names Act" establishes a committee to review and propose renaming geographic features and federal land units with offensive names, such as those containing racial slurs or honoring individuals with discriminatory views. This committee will solicit proposals from various groups, including Indian Tribes and the public, and recommend name changes to the Board on Geographic Names and Congress. The Board is generally required to approve the committee's proposals, and the Act aims to create a more equitable and just naming system that reflects the cultural diversity of the United States.

The "Anti-Racism in Public Health Act of 2025" aims to address racism as a public health crisis by establishing a National Center on Antiracism and Health within the CDC to conduct research, develop interventions, and promote antiracism practices. The Act also establishes a law enforcement violence prevention program within the CDC to research the public health impacts of police violence, develop prevention strategies, and ensure comprehensive data collection and reporting on police misconduct. This bill seeks to promote racial equity in public health outcomes through research, data collection, and the implementation of evidence-based strategies.

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 Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act of 2025 establishes federal minimum standards for collective bargaining rights for public employees and supervisory employees. It requires the Federal Labor Relations Authority to determine if state laws substantially provide these rights; if not, the Authority will administer collective bargaining procedures in those states. The act outlines specific rights and procedures, including the right to organize, bargain collectively, and engage in concerted activities, while also addressing enforcement and exceptions. This law aims to ensure that public service workers have the ability to negotiate for fair wages, hours, and working conditions.

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.

This bill honors the life and legacy of Henry Louis "Hank" Aaron, recognizing his achievements as a baseball player, his impact as a civil rights figure, and his embodiment of the American spirit. It acknowledges his overcoming of adversity and his status as one of the greatest athletes in U.S. history.

The DART Act of 2025 aims to reduce crime and recidivism by expanding the use of diversion and rehabilitation programs at the state and local levels through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program. This act broadens the scope of the grant program to include pre-arrest diversion, specialty courts, and post-release rehabilitation programs. It also establishes a National Diversion and Rehabilitation Clearinghouse to share evidence-based practices and provide technical assistance to state and local governments, and non-profits. The act prioritizes programs that address the root causes of crime, promote trauma-informed practices, and incorporate mental health services, peer support, and restorative justice.

The "Community First Act" aims to reduce local jail populations and incarceration times by authorizing the Attorney General to award grants to eligible partnerships. These grants will support data analysis, strategic planning, and the implementation of various programs, including reducing cash bail, increasing pretrial services, and expanding diversion programs. Grantees must consult with local entities, analyze jail data, and meet specific incarceration reduction targets, with priority given to areas with high incarceration rates and plans to prevent jail bed increases. The Act authorizes \$20 million annually for planning grants and \$100 million annually for implementation grants from 2026 through 2030.

The "Tax Fairness for Workers Act" permits employees to deduct union dues and other employee business expenses above-the-line, bypassing previous deduction limitations. This change is achieved by amending sections of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, specifically 62(a)(1) and 67(g). These amendments will be effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

The Department of Homeland Security Climate Change Research Act directs the Under Secretary for Science and Technology to evaluate existing federal research on climate change and prioritize research and development that impacts the Department's operations. It requires consultation with other agencies and governments, and the submission of annual reports to Congress for three years. The goal is to mitigate the negative effects of climate change on homeland security, preparedness, disaster response, and federal funding for disaster declarations.

The "Making Insulin Affordable for All Children Act" aims to lower insulin costs for individuals aged 26 and under with private health insurance. Beginning in 2026, private health plans must cover selected insulin products without a deductible and cap the cost-sharing at $35 per 30-day supply or 25% of the negotiated price, whichever is lower. This ensures that young people have affordable access to this life-saving medication.

The "Capping Prescription Costs Act of 2025" caps annual out-of-pocket prescription drug costs for individuals at $2,000 and families at $4,000 starting in 2026. These limits will be adjusted annually based on the consumer price index for medical care. This cap applies to all group health plans and health insurance issuers.

The "Protect America's Workforce Act" nullifies a 2025 executive order that limited federal labor-management relations programs. It prevents the enforcement of the executive order and prohibits the use of federal funds for its implementation. Additionally, the bill ensures the validity of existing collective bargaining agreements between federal agencies and labor organizations until their original expiration dates.

The Heating and Cooling Relief Act aims to expand and update the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to better protect vulnerable households from high energy costs and utility shutoffs. It increases funding, broadens eligibility, and includes assistance for cooling during extreme heat events, alongside heating assistance. The act also prioritizes energy efficiency upgrades, weatherization, and a transition to renewable energy sources, while preventing utility companies from charging late fees or shutting off service to those receiving assistance. Furthermore, it seeks to improve data collection on energy arrears and encourages states to develop plans for retrofitting low-income housing to adapt to rising temperatures.

The "Hunger-Free Future Act of 2025" aims to prevent increases in food insecurity when the thrifty food plan is re-evaluated or updated within the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). It ensures that adjustments to the diet's cost continue as outlined in existing guidelines.