Legislative Activity

This resolution expresses the sense of the House that Congress should enact the Older Americans Bill of Rights to affirm the right of older Americans to live with dignity and independence. It highlights severe challenges facing seniors, including poverty, food insecurity, social isolation, and gaps in healthcare access. The proposed Bill of Rights calls for strengthening Social Security and Medicare, lowering prescription drug costs, and ensuring access to affordable housing and essential services. Ultimately, this measure urges Congress to establish comprehensive protections for the financial security, health, and community participation of older adults.

The PAID Act, or Prohibit Auto Insurance Discrimination Act, bans private auto insurers from using personal factors like education, occupation, homeownership, and credit scores to set rates or determine eligibility. This legislation aims to prevent income-based discrimination by prohibiting the use of these proxies, which often result in higher premiums for lower-income drivers. Insurers must report to the FTC every two years to prove their models do not unfairly discriminate based on protected characteristics. Violations can result in significant civil penalties enforced by the FTC and allow consumers to sue for damages.

This bill grants the Secretary of Agriculture the authority to waive the required matching funds for recipients of grants under the Specialty Crop Research Initiative. This change allows the Secretary discretion in awarding funds without requiring the recipient to contribute their own matching capital. The waiver applies to grants awarded on or after the date the law is enacted.

This resolution formally recognizes the critical importance of California's three public higher education systems—UC, CSU, and CCC—to the state's economy and workforce development. It highlights the massive scale of these institutions and their vital role in providing access and economic mobility for millions of students. Ultimately, the measure reaffirms the United States' commitment to supporting these essential public educational pillars.

The Strength in Diversity Act of 2025 establishes a competitive grant program to help states and districts address racial isolation and concentrated poverty in public schools. Funds will support the creation and implementation of plans designed to increase racial and economic diversity within covered schools. The law emphasizes performance measurement focused on both student outcomes and diversity metrics, while explicitly prohibiting federal control over local educational decisions.

The See the Board Act establishes a new federal grant program administered by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. This program aims to fund nonprofit organizations that provide free, on-site eye care services, including exams and glasses, directly to students in public elementary and secondary schools. The goal is to improve student access to necessary vision care through mobile or portable clinics.

The College for All Act of 2025 establishes a Federal-State partnership to eliminate tuition and required fees at public and Tribal colleges for eligible students, while significantly increasing Federal Pell Grant maximum awards and expanding eligibility to include many "Dreamer students." The bill also creates new grant programs to cover tuition at private non-profit HBCUs and MSIs, and funds initiatives to improve student success and support for low-income and first-generation students. Finally, it increases overall appropriations for HBCUs, Tribal Colleges, and other Minority-Serving Institutions.

The Fit to Serve Act prohibits the U.S. Armed Forces from discriminating against service members based on their gender identity. This means military branches cannot set different standards, involuntarily discharge personnel, or deny medically necessary healthcare due to a service member's gender identity. The bill ensures equal opportunity for joining, serving, and receiving care regardless of one's internal sense of self.

This bill imposes significant restrictions on the transfer of specific defense articles and services to Israel. Transfers of listed military equipment, such as certain bombs and ammunition, are prohibited unless Congress first passes a law detailing their specific authorized use. Furthermore, Israel must provide satisfactory written assurances that the items will only be used for those stated purposes and in compliance with international law.

The Supreme Court Tenure Establishment and Retirement Modernization Act of 2025 establishes fixed, non-renewable 18-year terms for all future Supreme Court Justices, with appointments staggered every two years. This legislation also outlines a process for phasing out current Justices upon the confirmation of new appointees. Finally, it grants the Chief Justice the authority to temporarily fill sudden vacancies below the standard nine-justice level using a randomly selected retired Justice.

This Act mandates the inclusion of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) history across federally supported K-12 American history and civics education programs. It recognizes the vital, yet often omitted, contributions of AANHPI communities while addressing historical exclusion and systemic racism. The legislation directs educational programs to partner with the Smithsonian's Asian Pacific American Center to develop accurate and comprehensive curricula. This ensures AANHPI history is integrated into national assessments and teacher training.

This resolution officially recognizes the goals of "National Honor Our LGBT Elders Day" on May 16, 2025. It highlights the unique challenges and significant contributions of older LGBTQI adults, who often face disproportionate health and economic difficulties. The bill encourages public education, culturally sensitive healthcare for this population, and prioritizing their rights in federal and international aid efforts.

The Housing Stability for Dreamers Act ensures that individuals with current DACA status are eligible for key federal housing programs, including FHA mortgages and certain housing assistance. This legislation specifically prohibits federal agencies and mortgage purchasers like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac from denying benefits based solely on DACA status. Furthermore, it clarifies that DACA recipient veterans will not be disqualified from receiving earned VA housing loan guarantees.

The Stronger Communities through Better Transit Act establishes a new federal grant program to provide operating support for high-quality public transit services. This funding is specifically targeted to improve mobility and environmental outcomes, with a requirement that the majority of funds benefit underserved communities or areas of persistent poverty. The Act also increases the federal share for rural transit operating assistance up to 80%.

The Nurse Staffing Standards for Hospital Patient Safety and Quality Care Act of 2025 establishes mandatory minimum registered nurse-to-patient ratios across various hospital units to enhance patient safety and care quality. This legislation requires hospitals to implement detailed staffing plans, ensures enforcement through federal programs like Medicare and Medicaid, and supports the nursing workforce through expanded financial aid and retention initiatives. Furthermore, the bill protects nurses who refuse unsafe assignments and establishes clear mechanisms for reporting violations.

This resolution expresses the sense of the House that President Trump must comply with the Foreign Emoluments Clause regarding a reported gift of a jumbo jet from Qatar. It calls on the President to immediately submit all plans for accepting this significant gift to Congress. The bill emphasizes that the Constitution requires Congressional consent before the President can accept valuable items from foreign governments.

The Children Don't Belong on Tobacco Farms Act amends child labor laws to prohibit individuals under 18 from having direct contact with tobacco plants or dried tobacco leaves. This change ensures that agricultural work involving direct handling of tobacco falls under federal child labor protections. The bill specifically updates exemptions to reflect this new restriction on youth employment in tobacco agriculture.

This resolution supports designating May 10, 2025, as "National Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Mental Health Day." It highlights the severe mental health disparities and lack of access to care within AANHPI communities. The bill encourages federal agencies to improve culturally and linguistically appropriate services to better address the unique needs of these diverse populations.

The Born in the USA Act of 2025 declares that Executive Order 14160, which attempted to restrict birthright citizenship, is unconstitutional and contrary to the 14th Amendment. This Act prohibits the use of any federal funds to implement or enforce that Executive Order. It affirms the established constitutional right to birthright citizenship for nearly everyone born on U.S. soil.

The Stop Mental Health Stigma in Our Communities Act of 2025 aims to address the significant mental health disparities and high suicide rates within Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities. The bill mandates the creation of a national behavioral health outreach strategy tailored to the diverse AANHPI population to reduce stigma and increase culturally competent care. Furthermore, it requires comprehensive systematic reviews and reports on the AANHPI youth mental health crisis and strategies to increase the number of AANHPI behavioral health professionals.