Legislative Activity

The Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act of 2025 mandates the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to conduct a comprehensive exercise simulating a terrorist attack during an extreme cold weather event. This drill must test coordination across all levels of government and private partners to mitigate cascading failures of critical infrastructure. Following the exercise, DHS must report findings and recommended actions to Congress within 60 days.

The Medicare for All Act establishes a universal, nationwide health insurance program providing comprehensive coverage for all U.S. residents with no out-of-pocket costs. It fundamentally restructures healthcare financing by implementing global budgets for institutions and a new fee schedule for individuals, while phasing out existing federal programs like Medicare and Medicaid. The legislation also sets strict quality standards for providers and creates a dedicated Trust Fund to manage the system's finances.

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 Rural Hospital Stabilization Act of 2025 establishes a new federal grant program to provide financial assistance to qualifying rural hospitals. These grants can be used for facility upgrades or to cover essential operational costs, ensuring continued local access to care. Hospitals must demonstrate a plan for long-term sustainability to receive funding, which is capped at $5 million per facility over five years.

The Tenants’ Right to Organize Act establishes and protects the right of tenants receiving federal rental assistance, including Section 8 voucher holders and those in LIHTC projects, to form and participate in tenant organizations without fear of retaliation. The bill mandates that Public Housing Agencies and property owners must recognize these legitimate groups, consider their concerns, and respond to their feedback. Furthermore, it creates new enforcement mechanisms, allows tenants to sue for violations, and establishes funding for technical assistance and training for tenant groups.

The Homeland Security Climate Change Coordination Act establishes a new Climate Coordinating Council within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This council, composed of senior leaders from across the department, is tasked with coordinating efforts to address how climate change impacts DHS operations, assets, and programs. Its primary goal is to develop risk-based strategies to mitigate these impacts and ensure compliance with relevant executive orders. The Secretary must report annually to Congress on the council's activities for ten years.

This resolution officially designates the week of April 11–17, 2025, as the eighth annual Black Maternal Health Week to raise national awareness of the severe maternal and reproductive health crisis facing Black women and birthing people. It highlights the unacceptable disparity where Black women are significantly more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes, emphasizing that most of these deaths are preventable. The bill calls for targeted investments, policy changes addressing systemic barriers, and the centering of Black women's voices in developing solutions to achieve equitable maternal health outcomes.

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 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 Pursuing Equity in Mental Health Act aims to reduce mental health disparities among racial and ethnic minority groups through several key actions. It increases funding for existing grant programs and authorizes significant new funding for the NIH and NIMHD to support relevant research and community engagement. Furthermore, the bill mandates a comprehensive study on mental health research gaps and establishes a national strategy for culturally competent mental health outreach and education.

This bill prohibits the use of federal funds for military parades in Washington D.C. intended to celebrate the personal birthday or achievement of any single individual. Congress argues that such events risk significant taxpayer expense and infrastructure damage for personal glorification. Instead, the bill suggests the President celebrate with low-key activities like cake or golf.

The American Family Act fundamentally overhauls the Child Tax Credit by replacing the annual lump sum with a system of advance, refundable monthly payments delivered directly to families. These monthly allowances vary based on the child's age, with higher amounts provided for younger children. The bill also establishes a separate, smaller credit for other dependents and outlines procedures for annual renewal and reconciliation of advance payments when filing taxes.

The Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act of 2025 establishes federal minimum standards for collective bargaining rights for public employees across the nation. It requires the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) to review state laws to ensure they substantially provide these minimum rights, including the right to organize and bargain collectively. If a state fails to meet these standards, the FLRA will administer federal labor relations rules for the uncovered employees. The Act also prohibits strikes or lockouts that would measurably disrupt emergency or public safety services.

The Raise the Wage Act of 2025 establishes a phased increase of the federal minimum wage, culminating in a \$17.00 per hour rate five years after enactment, followed by automatic annual adjustments tied to median wage growth. This bill also phases out the lower minimum wage for tipped employees and workers under 20, ensuring they eventually earn the standard federal minimum wage. Furthermore, it sets a schedule to eliminate subminimum wages for individuals with disabilities and prohibits the issuance of new special certificates allowing for lower pay.

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 Department of Homeland Security Climate Change Research Act directs the Under Secretary for Science and Technology to review existing federal research on climate change impacts to homeland security operations. This review will assess effects on emergency preparedness and disaster funding structures. Based on these findings, the Under Secretary is authorized to conduct new research and development to mitigate climate change impacts on DHS missions, requiring annual reporting to Congress.

The Ellie Helton, Lisa Colagrossi, Kristen Shafer Englert, Teresa Anne Lawrence, and Jennifer Sedney Focused Research Act, or "Ellies Law," addresses the high incidence and devastating impact of brain aneurysms in the U.S. The bill authorizes $20 million annually from Fiscal Year 2026 through 2030 for the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). This dedicated funding is specifically intended to supplement existing research efforts focused on unruptured intracranial aneurysms across diverse populations.

The Religious Workforce Protection Act aims to support religious workers facing long green card backlogs by allowing extensions of their nonimmigrant status beyond the usual five-year limit until their permanent residency application is processed. It also modifies job flexibility rules for certain delayed applicants and exempts religious workers who left the U.S. due to the five-year R-1 visa limit from the mandatory one-year foreign residence requirement before reapplying.

The DART Act of 2025 aims to reduce crime and recidivism by shifting focus toward rehabilitation and diversion programs over incarceration. This legislation expands the use of federal Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) funds to support pre-arrest diversion, specialty courts, and post-release services. Furthermore, it establishes a National Clearinghouse to promote evidence-based, trauma-informed practices in these justice reform efforts.

The Tax Fairness for Workers Act restores key federal tax deductions for employees, effective after 2024. This legislation makes union dues fully deductible "above the line," meaning they reduce Adjusted Gross Income without itemizing. Additionally, it allows itemizers to deduct certain other job-related business expenses that were previously limited.