Legislative Activity

The "Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act" reauthorizes and expands programs aimed at supporting the mental health of healthcare providers. It requires annual reports on education and awareness initiatives, broadens eligibility for entities receiving funds, and extends funding for mental health support programs through 2030. The Act prioritizes reducing administrative burdens on healthcare workers to improve access to mental health services.

This bill expresses support for the nation's public K-12 schools and the Department of Education, highlighting the Department's role in providing critical funding and resources to students, schools, and families. It condemns any actions that would defund public education or weaken the Department of Education. The bill affirms that public education investment should not be diverted to private K-12 schools through vouchers. It also rejects any claim that the executive branch has the authority to dismantle or relocate major offices within the Department of Education, dismantle or relocate the Department of Education, reduce federal funding for public education, block major federal grant programs for education, or transfer education funding burdens to state and local governments.

The Combating International Islamophobia Act directs the State Department to establish an Office to Monitor and Combat Islamophobia, headed by a Special Envoy. This office will monitor and combat Islamophobia and Islamophobic incitement in foreign countries. The State Department will also include information about Islamophobia in its annual reports on human rights practices and international religious freedom.

The "Access to Counsel Act" amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to guarantee individuals undergoing inspection at ports of entry or deferred inspection have access to legal counsel and assistance. It mandates that the Department of Homeland Security provide these individuals with the opportunity to consult with counsel within one hour of secondary inspection and allows counsel to advocate on their behalf. The Act also ensures lawful permanent residents are given the chance to seek legal advice before abandoning their residency status. This act aims to ensure due process and protect the rights of individuals during immigration inspections.

The "Black History is American History Act" amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to include Black history in American history education programs. It ensures Black history is part of authorized programs, Presidential and Congressional academies, Smithsonian Institution resources, national activities, and the National Assessment of Educational Progress. This act emphasizes the importance of Black history as an integral part of American history.

The Aviation-Impacted Communities Act aims to mitigate the impact of aviation noise and pollution on communities near airports. It expands eligibility for noise mitigation funding, establishes community boards to address local concerns, and requires the FAA to conduct community assessments and develop action plans based on those assessments. The Act also directs the FAA to contract with the National Academy of Sciences to study aviation impacts and create a framework for community assessments, and it sets aside funding to implement these provisions.

The "Stop Antiabortion Disinformation Act" or the "SAD Act" aims to prevent deceptive advertising related to reproductive health services, particularly concerning contraception, abortion services, or the employment of licensed medical personnel. It empowers the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to enforce these prohibitions, treat violations as FTC Act violations, and pursue civil actions against violators, including imposing significant civil penalties. The FTC is required to report to Congress on its enforcement activities under this act.

The "Expanded Food Safety Investigation Act of 2025" allows the Secretary to request access to concentrated animal feeding operations for microbial sampling when investigating foodborne illness outbreaks or addressing public health needs. These operations must provide reasonable access for sampling of plants, animals, water, and the environment. The collected data will be shared with relevant agencies to help prevent foodborne illnesses. Refusal to provide reasonable access for microbial sampling is now a prohibited act under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

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 expresses the House of Representatives' view that Congress should act to maintain the United States Postal Service (USPS) as an independent entity within the Federal Government. It emphasizes the USPS's role as a self-sustaining service vital to the economy and national connectivity. The resolution discourages privatization, citing concerns about increased costs, reduced services, and damage to critical infrastructure.

The "Global Health, Empowerment, and Rights Act" aims to ensure that foreign nongovernmental organizations are eligible for assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, part I, regardless of the health or medical services they provide with non-U.S. government funds if such services are legal in their country. It also prevents these organizations from facing stricter requirements than U.S. organizations regarding the use of non-U.S. government funds for advocacy and lobbying.

This bill recognizes the cultural and historical significance of Lunar New Year. It acknowledges the importance of Lunar New Year for Asian Americans and others in the U.S., and expresses respect for those who celebrate it worldwide. The bill wishes all celebrants a happy and prosperous new year.

The SNAP Benefits Fairness Act of 2025 amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to remove the cap on the maximum deduction for shelter expenses when determining SNAP benefits, allowing for a more accurate reflection of recipients' actual costs. This change will take effect on January 1 of the year following the bill's enactment.

The "Universal Right To Vote by Mail Act of 2025" seeks to establish a uniform standard for mail-in voting across the United States by removing additional requirements for voting by mail in federal elections. It requires election officials to contact voters to resolve signature discrepancies or missing signatures on mail-in ballots, ensuring these ballots are counted if the issues are corrected promptly. This act aims to increase voter participation and convenience while maintaining the option for in-person voting. States must comply with these requirements for federal elections starting in 2026.

This bill expresses the United States' concerns regarding deep seabed mining and its potential risks to marine environments. It calls for a moratorium on permitting deep seabed mining and exploration in international areas until a comprehensive regulatory framework, based on scientific understanding and consensus, is established by the International Seabed Authority. The bill directs the President to advocate for this moratorium and oppose financial support for deep seabed mining until certain conditions regarding regulations and environmental protection are met and certified to Congress.

The Lady Liberty Act of 2025 amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to set a minimum of 125,000 refugees to be admitted into the United States each fiscal year after 2026. This minimum will be required regardless of the President's determination.

This bill recognizes January as "Muslim-American Heritage Month" to celebrate the heritage, culture, and significant contributions of Muslim Americans to the United States. It acknowledges their diverse backgrounds, contributions across various sectors, and service in the Armed Forces. The bill supports raising public awareness and encourages the observance of the month with celebratory events.

The Department of Veterans Affairs Continuing Professional Education Modernization Act increases the reimbursement amount for continuing professional education expenses for certain full-time health care professionals of the Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill requires the Secretary to reimburse certain health care professionals up to $2,000 per year and allows the Secretary to adjust the dollar amounts, provided that the reimbursement is not less than $2,000 per year for each individual.

The American Seabed Protection Act prohibits the issuance of licenses or permits for commercial mining activities on the deep seabed and Outer Continental Shelf, with exceptions only for scientific research. The Act requires a comprehensive study by the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine to assess the environmental impacts of such mining activities. A report on the study's findings must be submitted to Congress, including assessments of potential impacts on ecosystems, greenhouse gas emissions, and alternatives to seabed minerals.

The "Build Housing with Care Act of 2025" establishes a grant program to encourage the co-location of affordable housing and child care services. The program, managed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, will award competitive grants to eligible entities for projects that design, plan, construct, or renovate co-location facilities. The bill prioritizes entities operating in childcare deserts or serving low-income families and requires a report to Congress on the program's implementation. Additionally, the bill directs the Comptroller General to study child care access for public housing residents and provide recommendations for improvement.