Legislative Activity

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 "Law Enforcement Training for Mental Health Crisis Response Act of 2025" aims to improve law enforcement responses to mental health crises by providing grants to state, local, and tribal agencies for behavioral health crisis response training. These grants will help equip officers with the tools to de-escalate crisis situations, reduce injuries and fatalities, and better serve individuals experiencing mental health or substance abuse issues. The act requires the Attorney General to set training program standards and mandates annual reporting and auditing of grant fund usage. This program prioritizes training programs developed with healthcare professionals and individuals with lived experiences of mental illness.

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.

The "Trucker Bathroom Access Act" ensures commercial truck drivers have access to restrooms at businesses where they are delivering or waiting to load goods. It also requires terminal operators to provide adequate restroom facilities for drayage truck operators at ports and intermodal rail yards. The bill aims to address the challenges faced by truckers in finding safe and accessible restroom facilities during their work. This access does not require businesses to make any physical changes to their restrooms.

The "Hot Foods Act of 2025" amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, allowing SNAP benefits to be used for hot and ready-to-eat foods. It broadens the scope of eligible food items under SNAP and modifies retailer eligibility requirements, permitting more stores to accept SNAP if hot food sales do not exceed 50% of their gross sales. This change also updates the language regarding where SNAP-eligible food can be consumed to include "home or immediate consumption".

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.

This bill recognizes the 10th anniversary of Educators Rising and its efforts to combat the teacher shortage in the United States. It highlights the organization's work in attracting local talent to the education field and creating a teaching staff that reflects the diversity of the student population. The bill also acknowledges the scholarship programs and partnerships that support students pursuing careers in education through Educators Rising. It encourages continued investment in similar programs to inspire and prepare future educators.

The Support UNFPA Funding Act aims to reinstate U.S. financial support for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the UN's sexual and reproductive health agency. It authorizes appropriations of at least $50 million for fiscal year 2026 and $55 million for fiscal year 2027 to support UNFPA's work in reducing maternal deaths, preventing gender-based violence, and promoting voluntary family planning. The Act asserts that supporting UNFPA aligns with U.S. interests by improving global health, fostering development, and promoting stability.

The COST of Relocations Act requires federal agencies to conduct a benefit-cost analysis and report to their Inspector General (OIG) before carrying out a "covered relocation" which involves moving or replacing a significant number of employees. The OIG then reviews the agency's report and submits its findings to Congress, assessing the justification for using federal funds and adherence to guidelines. This act aims to ensure transparency and careful evaluation of the financial and operational impacts of agency relocations.

This bill expresses support for designating March 2025 as "Music in Our Schools Month," recognizing the cultural and historical importance of music in the U.S. and its positive impact on education. It emphasizes music's role in promoting student engagement, improving academic outcomes, and developing valuable workforce skills, particularly for at-risk students. The bill also acknowledges unequal access to quality music education and advocates for increased support for music programs in public schools.

The Raise the Age Act of 2025 prohibits licensed firearm dealers from selling certain semiautomatic rifles and shotguns to individuals under 21, with exceptions for active military members and law enforcement officers. It also requires purchasers of these firearms to certify they are at least 21 or a "qualified individual". Additionally, the Act mandates a report from the FBI Director on improving information-sharing protocols for the FBI's public access line.

This bill demands the President and Secretary of State to submit all records related to the strikes on the Houthis in Yemen and the disclosure of confidential information to a journalist. It seeks all documents, communications, and transcripts created after January 20, 2025, pertaining to the strikes, coordination with allies, legal justifications, and the use of Signal for war planning. The request includes materials related to the inclusion of journalist Jeffrey Goldberg in a Signal chat discussing confidential war plans and any resulting reforms or investigations. The documents must be provided to the House of Representatives within 14 days.

The "Protecting Students with Disabilities Act" ensures the Office of Special Education Programs remains within the Department of Education, as required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. It prevents the use of funds to eliminate, consolidate, or restructure offices managing programs under this act. Additionally, it stops the reassignment or alteration of personnel responsibilities and prohibits contracting outside the Department of Education for program administration or enforcement.

The Uyghur Human Rights Protection Act designates certain residents of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region as Priority 2 refugees, waives the presumption that certain individuals seeking asylum are immigrants, and encourages allies to offer similar accommodations. It addresses persecution by the Chinese government, including forced detention, political indoctrination, and human rights violations against Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities. The act also requires regular reports on the processing of refugee applications and prioritizes diplomatic efforts to support these individuals in third countries. Finally, the Act ensures that applying for refugee or asylum status does not negatively impact nonimmigrant status applications and terminates 10 years after enactment.

This resolution celebrates the 204th anniversary of Greek Independence Day, reaffirming the democratic ideals shared between the United States and Greece. It recognizes the historical ties, strategic alliance, and growing cooperation between the two nations, particularly in energy and security. The resolution also acknowledges the contributions of the Greek-American community and Greece's role in promoting stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and Western Balkans.

The Paycheck Fairness Act aims to strengthen and enhance enforcement of equal pay requirements by redefining "sex," modifying the "bona fide factor" defense for pay disparities, broadening the definition of "same establishment," strengthening non-retaliation protections, and enhancing penalties for employers who violate equal pay provisions. The Act also requires training programs, research, education, and outreach initiatives to eliminate pay disparities, and establishes a National Award for Pay Equity in the Workplace. Additionally, the Act directs the EEOC to collect compensation data, reinstates pay equity programs, prohibits the use of wage history in determining salary, and establishes a National Equal Pay Enforcement Task Force to improve compliance and enforcement of equal pay laws.

This resolution recognizes the significant gender pay gap, where women earn less than men for comparable work, and highlights the economic impact this disparity has on women, families, and the nation. It also acknowledges the disproportionate effect on women of color. The resolution reaffirms the commitment to achieving equal pay and reducing the gender wage gap.

This bill validates the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) as a valid part of the U.S. Constitution. It asserts that the ERA has been ratified by the required number of states, regardless of any previously set time limits.

The Puppy Protection Act of 2025 amends the Animal Welfare Act to establish comprehensive standards for dog dealers, focusing on humane treatment. These standards include requirements for flooring, space, temperature, nutrition, exercise, socialization, veterinary care, and breeding practices. The Act sets specific guidelines for breeding frequency, age, and veterinary procedures, as well as humane placement for retired breeding dogs. It directs the Secretary to finalize regulations for these standards within 18 months.

The "BIRD Energy and US-Israel Energy Center Reauthorization Act of 2025" expands and reauthorizes energy cooperation between the U.S. and Israel through 2035. It increases funding for cooperative research and the Energy Center, and broadens the scope of cooperation to include areas like hydrogen, fusion energy, and cybersecurity. This aims to foster innovation, enhance energy security, and promote economic benefits for both nations.