Legislative Activity

The Apex Area Technical Corrections Act amends the Apex Project, Nevada Land Transfer and Authorization Act of 1989 to clarify land management and usage regulations. It includes updated definitions, expands entities eligible for certain connections, ensures land withdrawals continue indefinitely, and addresses mineral material sales from land grading. The Act also mandates compliance with Federal land laws for all land transfers and rights-of-way.

The DEFENSE Act allows the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Attorney General to authorize state and local law enforcement to use drone countermeasures at specific protected events. Law enforcement must complete required training and use approved equipment for drone detection, identification, and monitoring. The use of drone countermeasures will be overseen by various federal departments and agencies.

The HOME Act of 2025 aims to protect renters and homebuyers from unfair housing practices. It prohibits excessive price increases during housing crises, directs investigations into market manipulation, and establishes a unit within HUD to monitor housing costs. The Act also addresses unfair tenant screening practices and limits Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac investments to ensure renter protections. Finally, it mandates a review of anti-competitive behaviors in the housing market.

The Taiwan International Solidarity Act clarifies that U.N. Resolution 2758 did not address Taiwan's representation and directs the U.S. to advocate for Taiwan's role in international organizations. It also encourages allies to resist China's efforts to undermine Taiwan's relationships and requires a report on China's attempts to diminish Taiwan's international presence. The Act reinforces U.S. opposition to changing Taiwan's status without the consent of its people.

The "PFAS Alternatives Act" aims to promote firefighter safety by funding research and development of next-generation, PFAS-free turnout gear. It establishes a grant program for eligible entities to develop and test safer alternatives, and mandates training programs for firefighters on the proper use and maintenance of the new gear. The Act allocates \$25 million annually for research and \$2 million annually for training, and requires a report to Congress on the progress of these initiatives.

This bill designates May 5-9, 2025, as "Teacher Appreciation Week," recognizing the contributions of public school teachers and their support for various educational initiatives. It acknowledges teachers' dedication to improving education through innovative methods and emphasizes the importance of their involvement in shaping education policies. The bill encourages leaders to engage with teachers, ensuring their insights are included in classroom policies.

The Help Hoover Dam Act allows the Secretary of the Interior to use specific funds for activities related to the Hoover Dam, including maintenance, cleanup, and improvements. These funds are recovered on a non-reimbursable basis and can be used for the Boulder Canyon Project at Hoover Dam or associated lands. The Secretary must consult with Boulder Canyon Project contractors, as defined in the Hoover Power Allocation Act of 2011, regarding these activities.

The "Improving SCRA Benefit Utilization Act" aims to enhance financial literacy among servicemembers and their families regarding the protections offered by the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA). It mandates that servicemembers receive comprehensive training on consumer financial protections, especially concerning interest rate limits. The bill also requires that servicemembers are notified of their SCRA benefits upon entering military service or being called to active duty and requires financial institutions to apply the maximum interest rate reduction to all debts incurred before military service and provide multiple avenues for submitting necessary documentation.

The Public Service Worker Protection Act amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to include state, federal, and local governments as employers, thereby extending OSHA protections to public service workers. This change ensures that public employees receive the same workplace safety standards and protections as those in the private sector. The Act will take effect 90 days after enactment for most entities, and 36 months after enactment for states without an approved state plan.

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 "Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act" authorizes the presentation of three Congressional Gold Medals to honor the 1980 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team for their historic "Miracle on Ice" victory. These medals will be given to the Lake Placid Olympic Center, the United States Hockey Hall of Fame, and the US Olympic and Paralympic Museum for public display. The Act also allows for the creation and sale of bronze duplicates to fund the medal production.

This bill aims to improve roadside and work zone safety by including occupants and pedestrians of disabled vehicles in highway safety programs and injury data collection. It establishes working groups to analyze crash data, develop safety strategies, and improve data sharing between agencies. Additionally, the bill requires annual reports on the use of work zone safety contingency funds to enhance their effectiveness.

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.

The STATES 2.0 Act amends the Controlled Substances Act to generally exempt marijuana-related activities that comply with state or tribal law from federal marijuana laws, while establishing federal regulations for interstate commerce and marijuana products. It tasks the FDA with regulating marijuana products and requires a study on the effects of marijuana legalization on traffic safety. The bill aims to allow states to determine their own cannabis laws, reduce the illegal marijuana market, and ensure product safety and prevent youth consumption. It also clarifies that compliant marijuana activities are legal under federal law and not subject to certain penalties and restrictions.

The "Combating Organized Retail Crime Act" aims to combat the rise in organized retail theft and related crimes by amending Title 18 of the U.S. Code to include provisions that target the theft, fraud, and illegal redistribution of goods. It also establishes an "Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center" to coordinate federal, state, and local law enforcement efforts, share information, and track trends related to organized retail crime. The center will work to support training and technical assistance to combat organized retail crime and organized supply chain crime. Finally, the Act requires the evaluation of existing federal programs to identify ways to expand support for state, local, and tribal law enforcement.

The "Resources for Victims of Gun Violence Act of 2025" establishes an advisory council led by the Department of Health and Human Services to assess the needs of gun violence victims and victim assistance professionals, identify effective support practices, and improve access to resources. The council will gather public input, share findings with Congress, state agencies, and the public, and provide recommendations for legislative action. The goal is to improve support for victims of gun violence by identifying and disseminating information about available resources and best practices. The council will terminate 5 years after the enactment of this Act.

This bill supports the designation of April 10 as "Dolores Huerta Day" to recognize her lifelong commitment to activism, including co-founding the United Farm Workers Union and advocating for civil rights. It celebrates her achievements in improving Latino voting access, ensuring safer working conditions, and promoting feminism and women's equality. The bill also acknowledges her numerous awards and ongoing work through the Dolores Huerta Foundation.

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 Early Childhood Nutrition Improvement Act aims to improve the Child and Adult Care Food Program by refining eligibility criteria, streamlining the serious deficiency process, and authorizing reimbursements for additional meals or snacks in certain childcare settings. It mandates a review of the serious deficiency process, emphasizing fairness and consistency, and requires the establishment of an advisory committee focused on reducing unnecessary paperwork for program participants. Additionally, the Act adjusts reimbursement calculations and promotes the use of technology to modernize and simplify program administration, ultimately supporting working families and enhancing the economic viability of childcare programs.