Legislative Activity

The Equality Act amends existing civil rights laws to explicitly include protections against discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity in areas such as public accommodations, employment, housing, credit, and jury selection. It clarifies and expands the definition of sex to include sex stereotypes, pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics. The act ensures equal access to shared facilities and prohibits the use of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 to justify discrimination. Ultimately, the Equality Act seeks to provide consistent and comprehensive protections against discrimination for LGBTQ+ individuals and women across various sectors.

The FAIR Veterans Act of 2025 urges the Department of Veterans Affairs to prioritize alternatives to foreclosure for veterans. It reinforces the VA's authority to purchase and modify veterans' loans through the Veterans Affairs Servicing Purchasing (VASP) program to prevent foreclosures, ensuring that veterans can retain their homes.

The Preventing Risky Operations from Threatening the Education and Career Trajectories of Students Act of 2025 aims to protect students and taxpayers by increasing transparency and accountability in higher education. It sets standards for educational programs, expands borrower defense rights, and reinforces the ban on incentive compensation. The bill also enhances oversight of third-party servicers, standardizes job placement rate definitions, and mandates spending on instruction. Additionally, it establishes an enforcement unit within the Office of Federal Student Aid and increases transparency regarding institutional finances and marketing practices.

This resolution supports the Rise Up for LGBTQI+ Youth in Schools Initiative, advocating for safe and inclusive K-12 learning environments free from discrimination and erasure for all students, especially LGBTQI+ youth. It recognizes the challenges LGBTQI+ students face, including bullying, discrimination, and legislative attacks, and emphasizes the importance of affirming policies and practices to improve their well-being and educational outcomes. The resolution encourages states and localities to support the initiative and enact protective laws and policies.

The Survivor Benefits Delivery Improvement Act of 2025 aims to improve equitable access to VA benefits for survivors and enhance outreach to veterans, uniformed service members, and their dependents. It directs the VA to collect demographic data from survivors receiving benefits to identify and address underserved populations, ensuring equitable access to resources. The Act also mandates proactive outreach to eligible dependents upon the death of a service member, providing information on available benefits and assistance. Additionally, the Act requires the VA to assess and improve resources for survivor assistance and expand outreach regarding burial benefits.

The "End Veteran Homelessness Act of 2025" aims to improve and expand the HUD-VASH program by prioritizing vulnerable homeless veterans, improving case management services, and increasing oversight and accountability. It requires annual reports to Congress on the HUD-VASH program, allows rental assistance for veterans at risk of homelessness, and ensures veterans can't be penalized for refusing case management. The bill also mandates a GAO report on homeless veterans, evaluating case management services and housing stability within federal programs. Finally, it authorizes appropriations for administrative fees to public housing agencies and eligible expenses that facilitate voucher leasing.

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.

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.

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.