Legislative Activity

This bill, the White House NOT FOR SALE Act, prohibits placing any individual's or organization's name on permanent or semi-permanent displays within the White House or its grounds without express approval from both the Speaker and Minority Leader of the House. This approval process requires consultation with the White House Curator and the Committee for the Preservation of the White House. However, displays that qualify as "commemorative works" are governed by existing federal law instead.

The BALL Act, or White House Building Activities Locked-out in Lapse Act, prohibits the use of federal funds for any construction or renovation projects at the White House or its grounds during a government shutdown caused by a lapse in appropriations. This spending ban remains in effect until new funding is enacted. The only exception allows for work deemed immediately necessary for health or safety reasons.

The Fraud Reduction And Uncovering Deception (FRAUD) in VA Disability Exams Act requires the VA to establish systems to identify and report fraudulent activity on Disability Benefit Questionnaire (DBQ) forms. This legislation enhances the investigative authority of the VA's Inspector General to address suspected fraud. While generally preventing reopening of past benefit decisions based on these investigations, the VA may reopen a decision if a court convicts someone of fraud related to the claim evidence. The VA must also report annually to Congress on these anti-fraud efforts.

The Veteran Service Recognition Act of 2025 aims to improve immigration pathways and protections for noncitizen service members and veterans. The bill mandates studies on previously removed noncitizen veterans, establishes a system within DHS to track noncitizen veterans facing removal, and creates an advisory committee to review deportation cases. Furthermore, it streamlines the path to citizenship for active duty service members and allows certain removed noncitizen veterans to adjust their status to lawful permanent resident.

The Ensuring Veterans’ Smooth Transition (EVEST) Act mandates the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to automatically enroll eligible veterans into its patient enrollment system upon receiving their separation information from the Department of Defense. The VA must notify these veterans of their enrollment and provide clear instructions on how to opt out or enroll later. Furthermore, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) is required to study and recommend the most effective methods for notifying veterans about this automatic enrollment.

The Prohibition on Funding to CECOT Act permanently bans all U.S. federal funding for the Center for the Confinement of Terrorism (CECOT) maximum security prison in El Salvador due to serious human rights concerns. This prohibition covers construction, operation, and any related training or services for the facility. Furthermore, the bill requires the Secretary of State to report to Congress within 90 days detailing all past and present financial commitments related to the prison.

The VA Employee Fairness Act of 2025 modifies the collective bargaining rules for employees of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) by streamlining existing statutes. This act removes outdated subsections related to bargaining and renumbers the remaining relevant section. Importantly, these changes do not affect the Secretary of Veterans Affairs' existing authority regarding incentive pay or expedited hiring processes.

The Equality Act comprehensively expands federal civil rights protections against discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity across key areas of American life. It amends existing laws to prohibit discrimination in public accommodations, housing, credit, employment, and federal funding. The purpose of the bill is to provide consistent, explicit, and comprehensive remedies for individuals facing bias in these essential sectors.

The FAIR Veterans Act of 2025 directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to prioritize keeping veterans in their homes by making foreclosure the last resort for VA-guaranteed home loans. This bill clarifies and strengthens the VA's authority under the Servicing Purchasing (VASP) program. It mandates that the VA must be able to purchase the full remaining loan balance from the loan holder to take over the mortgage and secure the property, removing prior procedural hurdles.

The **Preventing Risky Operations from Threatening the Education and Career Trajectories of Students Act of 2025** aims to strengthen federal oversight and accountability for institutions receiving federal student aid. It establishes new financial performance standards, expands student protections against deceptive practices and school closures, and mandates greater transparency regarding institutional spending and student outcomes. Ultimately, the bill seeks to ensure that federal aid supports quality education that leads to financial success for students while penalizing low-performing or fraudulent institutions.

This resolution expresses strong Congressional support for the "Rise Up for LGBTQI+ Youth in Schools Initiative," urging communities nationwide to ensure equal educational opportunities and civil rights protections for all students. It calls for K-12 schools to become safe and affirming environments, free from discrimination, bullying, and erasure of LGBTQI+ identities. The bill specifically encourages states and local governments to adopt policies that actively protect LGBTQI+ youth from bias and exclusion.

The Survivor Benefits Delivery Improvement Act of 2025 aims to ensure equitable access to VA survivor benefits by requiring the VA to collect demographic data to identify and address underserved survivor populations. The bill mandates proactive outreach to eligible survivors following a veteran's death, ensuring they receive information on available benefits and assistance resources. Furthermore, it requires an assessment of the Office of Survivors Assistance and the hiring of dedicated staff to manage these new outreach responsibilities.

The End Veteran Homelessness Act of 2025 aims to improve support for homeless and at-risk veterans by prioritizing vulnerable individuals for VA case management services. It mandates detailed annual reporting on the HUD-VASH program's effectiveness, staffing, and voucher utilization. Furthermore, the bill expands eligibility for rental assistance and protects veterans from eviction if they initially refuse case management services. Finally, it requires the GAO to conduct a comprehensive review of HUD-VASH participants and case management quality.

The Korematsu-Takai Civil Liberties Protection Act of 2025 prohibits the imprisonment or detention of individuals based on protected characteristics such as race, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, and other categories as determined by the Attorney General. This amends Title 18 of the U.S. Code to ensure that civil liberties are protected against unlawful detention based on these characteristics. The Attorney General has the authority to add characteristics to the list, but not remove any.

The Fred Korematsu Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2025 authorizes the posthumous presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to Fred Korematsu, recognizing his advocacy for civil rights and justice. This act directs the Secretary of the Treasury to create the medal, which will be displayed at the Smithsonian Institution and other locations. The legislation also allows for the creation and sale of bronze duplicates of the gold medal to cover production costs, with proceeds deposited into the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund. This act commemorates Korematsu's legacy and dedication to equality.

This bill supports the designation of January 30, 2025, as "Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution," honoring Fred Korematsu's fight for justice after facing discrimination due to his Japanese ancestry during World War II. It recognizes his courage and advocacy for civil liberties, urging reflection on leadership, justice, and civil rights, especially during times of uncertainty. The bill aims to prevent the repetition of past injustices and uphold the principles of the Constitution.