Legislative Activity

The Protecting Americans’ Social Security Data Act restricts political appointees and special government employees from accessing sensitive Social Security beneficiary data systems. It establishes a right for individuals to sue the government or responsible parties for unauthorized access or disclosure of their private Social Security information, including specified minimum damages. Furthermore, the bill mandates the Inspector General to investigate such violations and report findings to Congress within 30 days. Finally, it requires the GAO to conduct a comprehensive study on the impact of these new privacy and enforcement measures.

The "Flooding Prevention, Assessment, and Restoration Act" enhances watershed protection measures, mandates a national study on agricultural flood vulnerability, and increases federal cost share to 90% for rehabilitation projects, improving long-term watershed health and reducing flood risks to agriculture.

The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2025 amends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to address vote dilution, denial, and abridgment claims, and to update which states and political subdivisions are subject to federal oversight based on a history of voting rights violations. It broadens the types of violations that allow a court to retain jurisdiction over a case, clarifies the Attorney General's authority to assign observers, and ensures transparency in voting-related changes. The Act also authorizes the Attorney General to demand documents and information to enforce voting rights and provides grants to small jurisdictions to assist with notification requirements.

This bill, the Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2025, seeks to amend the National Labor Relations Act and other labor laws to strengthen protections for workers' rights to organize and collectively bargain. It aims to modernize labor regulations by clarifying definitions, addressing unfair labor practices, enhancing enforcement, and increasing transparency in labor-management relations. The bill introduces measures such as electronic voting in union elections, strengthens whistleblower protections, and mandates studies on collective bargaining practices. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure fair treatment of workers and promote equitable labor practices.

The "Keeping Our Field Offices Open Act" prevents the Social Security Administration (SSA) from closing or consolidating field offices, hearing offices, and resident stations, ensuring continued access to services. It requires the SSA Commissioner to justify any planned closures to Congress with detailed analysis and cost-benefit assessments, considering the impact on vulnerable populations. The bill mandates public notice, hearings, and a final report to Congress before any changes, allowing appeals and maintaining the number of offices at or above the January 20, 2025 level, excluding temporary emergency closures.

The "Peace on the Korean Peninsula Act" seeks to promote diplomatic engagement to formally end the Korean War by replacing the Armistice Agreement with a peace agreement. It requires the Secretary of State to review travel restrictions to North Korea for humanitarian reasons and to develop a plan for achieving a permanent peace agreement, including the potential establishment of liaison offices between the U.S. and North Korea. The act emphasizes that it does not affect the status of U.S. troops stationed in South Korea or elsewhere.

The MERIT Act requires federal agencies to reinstate probationary employees who were terminated as part of a mass termination event between January 20, 2025, and the Act's enactment date, providing them with back pay and benefits. The Act also mandates reports on government employee terminations and the reinstatement process. It defines key terms such as "affected probationary employee" and "mass termination" to clarify the scope and applicability of the Act. This act ensures that affected employees are treated as involuntarily separated without cause and outlines the process for determining back pay and providing notice to eligible employees.

This bill repeals four executive orders related to energy and environmental policies issued on January 20, 2025. It stops the use of federal funds to implement these orders, but does not reduce any existing presidential powers.

The "Original Slavery Remembrance Month Resolution" designates August as a time to commemorate the lives of enslaved people and honor the freedom fighters who resisted the institution of slavery. This resolution condemns the history of chattel slavery and its ongoing systemic effects in the United States. It encourages national observance and reflection to ensure the history and legacy of slavery are never forgotten.

The Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Research and Education Act of 2025 aims to improve outcomes for individuals with triple-negative breast cancer by expanding research, increasing public education, and informing healthcare providers about the disease, particularly its prevalence and risk factors among minority women. The Act directs the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to expand and coordinate research programs, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to develop and distribute public information, and the Health Resources and Services Administration to inform healthcare providers. It authorizes appropriations for these activities from fiscal years 2026-2031.

The Roberto Clemente Commemorative Coin Act directs the Department of Treasury to mint and issue gold, silver, and half-dollar coins in 2027 to commemorate the life and legacy of Roberto Clemente. The coins' designs will represent Clemente's life, including his baseball achievements and humanitarian work. Surcharges from the coin sales will benefit the Roberto Clemente Foundation, supporting their educational programs, youth sports initiatives, disaster relief efforts, and historic preservation projects. The Act ensures that the coin program will not incur any net cost to the United States government.

The Safe Schools Improvement Act aims to reduce bullying and harassment in schools by requiring states to establish policies prohibiting such conduct based on various characteristics, including race, sex, religion, and disability. It mandates annual notifications, data collection on incidents, biennial evaluations of programs, and regular reports to Congress to ensure accountability and effectiveness. This act does not infringe on existing nondiscrimination laws or freedom of speech but seeks to create a safer, more inclusive learning environment for all students.

The "Original Black History Month Resolution of 2025" officially recognizes February 2025 as Black History Month with the theme "African Americans and Labor." The resolution honors the essential contributions of Black workers to the U.S. economy from enslavement to the present day while highlighting the ongoing struggle for labor equality. It encourages all Americans to celebrate these achievements and acknowledge the historical and systemic challenges still faced by Black workers today.

The "Keep America's Waterfronts Working Act of 2025" establishes a task force and grant program to support the preservation and improvement of working waterfronts. It enables covered entities to submit working waterfront plans for approval and receive financial assistance for implementation. The act also authorizes capitalization grants to coastal states for establishing working waterfront preservation loan funds. It allocates $50 million annually from 2025-2029 for both the grant and loan programs.

The "Public Health Funding Restoration Act" aims to fully fund the Prevention and Public Health Fund at $2,000,000,000 annually beginning in 2026. This will restore investments in crucial public health programs focused on preventing diseases, injuries, and chronic conditions. By ensuring consistent funding, the act seeks to improve healthcare, quality of life, and preparedness for future health crises.

The Humane Cosmetics Act of 2025 bans cosmetic animal testing in the U.S. and restricts the use of animal testing data for cosmetic safety, with certain exceptions. It authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to impose civil penalties for non-compliance and preempts states from enacting conflicting regulations. The Act defines key terms related to cosmetic animal testing and cosmetics.

The Stop Politicians Profiting from War Act of 2025 prohibits members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children from owning stock or having financial interests in defense contractors to prevent profiting from war. It requires divestment of conflicting assets within a specified timeframe, with exceptions for diversified investment funds and U.S. Treasury securities. Violators may face civil penalties, and the Act allows for deferred capital gains taxes on required divestments.

This resolution recognizes polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) as a serious health condition that significantly impacts the reproductive, metabolic, and mental well-being of millions of women. It expresses support for designating September as "PCOS Awareness Month" to improve public education, encourage earlier diagnosis, and promote further research into treatments and a potential cure.

The SAFE Act of 2025 amends existing legislation to explicitly prohibit the slaughter of horses for human consumption, reinforcing protections for these animals. This bill seeks to prevent the inhumane treatment of American equines by closing loopholes that allow their slaughter and export for human consumption.

The PAST Act of 2025 significantly strengthens the Horse Protection Act to combat the painful practice of soring in specific horse breeds. This bill increases penalties for violations, establishes stricter licensing and oversight for inspectors, and explicitly bans the use of "action devices" designed to cause unnatural gaits. The legislation aims to enhance enforcement, ensure fairer competition, and hold violators accountable through increased fines and disqualifications.