Legislative Activity

This bill posthumously awards a Congressional Gold Medal to Marshall "Major" Taylor, recognizing the pioneering Black cyclist for his historic achievements and his fight against racial prejudice. The medal will be struck by the Secretary of the Treasury and presented to Taylor's great-granddaughter. The Act also authorizes the sale of bronze duplicates to cover production costs.

The Lowering Broadband Costs for Consumers Act of 2025 reforms the Universal Service Fund (USF) contribution system by requiring large internet content and service providers ("Edge Providers") to contribute alongside traditional broadband providers. This aims to shift the financial burden away from solely relying on phone companies to ensure continued support for universal service. The bill also directs the FCC to establish new, predictable funding mechanisms to support broadband providers serving high-cost areas.

This resolution directs the President, under the authority of the War Powers Resolution, to immediately remove U.S. Armed Forces from unauthorized hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran. It asserts that military action must cease unless Congress has formally declared war or passed a specific authorization for the use of force. The bill explicitly states that it does not authorize new military action nor does it impede necessary self-defense against an immediate attack.

The No Anonymity in Immigration Enforcement Act of 2025 mandates that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conducting domestic enforcement operations must clearly display their name and agency affiliation, and cannot wear facial coverings. Exceptions to this identification rule are permitted only in cases of immediate danger or necessary safety gear, subject to supervisory review within 48 hours. The bill also establishes disciplinary procedures for non-compliance and requires annual reporting to Congress on enforcement and complaints.

The PHARA Act of 2025 mandates the immediate release of all existing National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant funding and prohibits the cancellation of active research agreements. Moving forward, all new NIH grant agreements must include specific termination clauses requiring a 90-day notice and good-faith negotiation before ending the funding. Furthermore, this Act explicitly prevents the NIH from terminating agreements solely because the research no longer aligns with current agency goals or priorities.

The FIGHT Act of 2025 significantly strengthens federal prohibitions against animal fighting ventures, specifically targeting the sponsorship, exhibition, and gambling associated with these events. This legislation clarifies the definition of a rooster for legal purposes and bans the interstate transport of roosters for fighting. Furthermore, it empowers private citizens to file lawsuits against violators, allowing for civil penalties and the potential seizure of property used to facilitate illegal animal fighting.

This resolution urges the establishment of a United States Commission on Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation to formally acknowledge the nation's history of systemic racial injustice. The proposed commission would memorialize this history and serve as a catalyst for eliminating persistent racial inequities. It is intended to complement, not replace, efforts focused on reparations.

The School Violence Prevention Act establishes a new, comprehensive grant program to fund evidence-based violence prevention initiatives in high-risk communities. These grants will support partnerships between schools and community organizations to implement trauma-informed programs focused on youth development, social skills, and connecting students with mental health resources. The bill mandates rigorous evaluation of these programs to measure their impact on student success and overall community safety.

The Kids on the Go Act of 2025 mandates that every state must designate a Safe Routes to School Coordinator. States that comply with this requirement will receive an increased federal funding share of 95% for eligible Safe Routes to School projects. This aims to boost state efforts in improving safety for students traveling to and from school.

The Medical Research for Our Troops Act increases the budget for the Defense Health Agency's research, development, testing, and evaluation (RDT&E). This legislation specifically restores and increases funding for these critical defense health programs. The restored funds must be used to support all previously directed medical research programs and initiatives as outlined in prior appropriations acts.

The My Body, My Data Act of 2025 establishes strict federal protections for personal reproductive and sexual health information held by regulated entities. This law limits data collection and sharing to only what is strictly necessary for providing requested services. It grants individuals the rights to access, correct, and delete this sensitive data, and requires clear public privacy policies detailing data handling practices. Finally, the Act prohibits retaliation against individuals who exercise these new privacy rights and grants enforcement authority to the FTC while allowing individuals to sue violators.

This resolution declares the severe lack of affordable housing a national crisis requiring urgent, coordinated action. It calls upon federal, state, and local governments, alongside private and nonprofit partners, to prioritize the production of new affordable units and the preservation of existing ones. The bill emphasizes the need for smart policies that encourage building, protect tenants, and ensure housing stability for all Americans.

The Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2025 reforms federal firearm background check procedures, establishing a formal petition process for buyers when the system delays a decision beyond 10 business days. This bill removes the previous 10-day time limit on background checks under the Brady Act while mandating extensive reporting from the GAO and FBI on the effectiveness and outcomes of these delayed transfers. Furthermore, the Attorney General must report on the law's impact on domestic violence victims within 150 days of enactment.

The Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2025 aims to strengthen existing federal background check systems to prevent prohibited persons from acquiring firearms. This bill primarily mandates that most private firearm transfers must be facilitated through a licensed dealer who will conduct a background check. The legislation includes specific exceptions for family gifts, law enforcement, and temporary transfers under emergency circumstances.

The Elder Pride Protection Act of 2025 establishes the ELDER Task Force within the Department of Justice to combat abuse targeting older LGBTQI+ individuals. This group is charged with studying the causes of this abuse, developing national best practices, and creating training materials for law enforcement. The Task Force must report its findings and progress to Congress within one year of the Act's enactment.

The Pride In Mental Health Act of 2025 establishes a new grant program to improve mental health and substance abuse outcomes for LGBTQ+ youth through culturally competent care and resource development. These grants strictly prohibit funding for conversion therapy practices. The bill also mandates federal data collection on LGBTQ+ youth mental health and requires a report on the needs of those in foster care.

The Complete Streets Act of 2025 establishes a new federal program to ensure public roads are designed safely for all users, including pedestrians, cyclists, transit riders, and drivers of all ages and abilities. This requires states to create competitive programs offering technical assistance and construction grants to local entities that adopt formal Complete Streets policies. The law mandates the creation of federal design standards that must be incorporated into future federally funded road construction and reconstruction projects, with specific requirements for accessibility and safety improvements. Furthermore, states must commit a portion of their existing federal highway funds to support these new Complete Streets initiatives.

The BARK Act of 2025 aims to encourage the donation of pet food and supplies during emergencies and for charitable purposes. It provides liability protection to donors and distributing organizations against lawsuits related to the condition of donated items, provided there is no gross negligence or intentional harm. This protection applies to items that appear fit for use, even if they don't meet all commercial sales standards, provided proper disclosure and reconditioning procedures are followed.

The Coordinated Federal Response to Extreme Heat Act of 2025 establishes a unified federal approach to mitigating the health and safety risks posed by extreme heat. It creates an Interagency Committee within NOAA to coordinate efforts across numerous federal departments and mandates the development of a National Integrated Heat Health Information System (NIHHIS). This new system will provide open access to data, forecasts, and science-backed tools to improve national preparedness and response to dangerous heat events. The Act authorizes $5 million annually through fiscal year 2029 to support these initiatives.

The Excess Urban Heat Mitigation Act of 2025 establishes a new grant program to combat dangerous urban heat islands, which disproportionately affect low-income and minority communities. This program will fund eligible entities for projects like tree planting, installing cool pavements, and establishing cooling centers. At least 75% of the annual funding must target designated low-income census tracts, ensuring resources are directed to the most vulnerable areas. The Act authorizes $30 million annually through fiscal year 2033 to support these essential mitigation efforts.