Legislative Activity

The Restrict Ugly Money Portraits of 2025 (TRUMP Act of 2025) prohibits placing the portrait of any living President on U.S. coins or currency. Furthermore, the bill generally bans the depiction of any living person on the design of U.S. paper currency. This legislation amends existing federal code regarding the design of U.S. money.

This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives to establish September as National African Immigrant Heritage Month. The designation aims to celebrate the significant and diverse contributions of Americans of African immigrant heritage to the United States. This recognition seeks to highlight their achievements and promote awareness of their vital role in enriching American history and culture.

The Rivers Law amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act to implement new mandatory safety standards for funded child care providers. This legislation prohibits the operation of swimming pools on child care premises. Furthermore, it requires all covered facilities to install alarms on all doors and windows for enhanced security.

The Epstein Crime Victims Act amends federal law to strengthen crime victims' rights during pre-trial proceedings. It requires prosecutors to notify victims of nonprosecution agreements, in addition to existing requirements for plea bargains and deferred prosecution agreements. Crucially, the Act grants victims the right to sue the government in federal court if they are not timely notified about these specific types of agreements.

The CHEFS Act, or Cutting Harmful Emissions in Food Service Act, establishes a new federal tax credit for small restaurants installing qualified emissions control devices to reduce fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from cooking equipment. The credit is a sliding scale percentage of installation costs, offering higher rates for greater investment and additional bonuses for restaurants in historic buildings. This provision aims to incentivize small businesses to adopt pollution-reducing technology while preventing taxpayers from claiming the same expense through multiple deductions.

The Helping More Families Save Act establishes a new pilot program to help families receiving housing assistance save money as they increase their earnings. This program creates interest-bearing escrow accounts where increases in rent payments resulting from higher income are deposited. Families can access these savings after a set period or upon achieving self-sufficiency goals, while ensuring that participation does not negatively affect other benefits.

This resolution formally censures Representative Andy Ogles for using racist and anti-Muslim language against political opponents, including House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and NYC mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani. The measure condemns his specific rhetoric as divisive and contrary to the dignity of the House. As a result, Representative Ogles is required to stand in the well of the House while the resolution is read aloud by the Speaker.

The Employment Abundance Act mandates a review of job requirements for federal contractors and executive agencies to ensure bachelor's degrees are only required when truly necessary for essential job functions. Agencies and contractors must analyze current degree requirements and develop plans to substitute them with relevant experience or skills where appropriate. This aims to broaden the pool of qualified candidates for federal work by focusing on actual job competency over unnecessary educational credentials.

The Employment Abundance Act mandates that federal contractors review their job classifications to determine if bachelor's degree requirements are truly necessary for job performance. Contractors must report findings where degrees are deemed unnecessary and submit plans to substitute them with relevant experience or skills. This aims to broaden the pool of qualified candidates for federally funded positions.

The Stop Aid for Foreign Expulsion (SAFE) Act prohibits the obligation or expenditure of any federal funds used to pay a foreign government or its agents for the detention of individuals. This restriction applies specifically when a U.S. court has already determined that the detention violates U.S. law. In essence, the bill prevents the U.S. government from funding foreign detentions deemed illegal under American legal standards.

The Stop Presidential Profiteering from Digital Assets Act prohibits covered federal officials and their families from creating, advertising, or selling digital assets that use their recognizable features for personal gain. This law applies even if the official consents to the use of their likeness. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is granted exclusive authority to enforce these provisions, including imposing significant civil penalties and seeking injunctions against violators.

The Noncontiguous Energy Relief and Access Act of 2025 creates a specific exemption for shipping essential energy products and equipment between the mainland United States and noncontiguous areas like Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. This change waives certain existing maritime restrictions for the transport of fuel, generators, and related materials necessary for energy infrastructure in these regions. The goal is to streamline the movement of vital energy supplies to these territories.

The Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act mandates the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to rapidly adopt key industry standards as federal safety rules for lithium-ion batteries in small electric vehicles and personal mobility devices. This legislation ensures these standards automatically update to the newest industry revisions unless the CPSC finds a revision compromises safety. Furthermore, the CPSC must report to Congress five years after enactment regarding battery hazards and compliance.

The HOUTHI PC SMALL GROUP Act of 2025 establishes a new federal crime prohibiting the intentional sharing of classified information via mobile or desktop messaging applications. This legislation aims to prevent the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive national security secrets through modern communication platforms. Violators knowingly sharing such information face significant penalties, including fines and up to ten years in prison.

This resolution expresses the sense of Congress that a "National Garifuna Immigrant Heritage Month" should be established in April. This commemoration aims to celebrate the significant contributions of Americans of Garifuna immigrant heritage to the nation's history and culture. Establishing this month would recognize the unique background of these Black Indigenous immigrants from Central America.

The BODEGA Act of 2025 amends federal law to explicitly allow grant funds to be used for installing panic buttons and surveillance equipment in private businesses. This new provision specifically makes specialized retail stores, classified under NAICS code 445131, eligible for this security upgrade funding. The bill enhances federal assistance for security improvements in certain small businesses.

The Coordinated Agency Response Enhancement (CARE) Act mandates that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) establish a comprehensive, department-wide system for reviewing responses to public health emergencies. This new after-action program must identify failures, implement fixes, and improve coordination across all HHS agencies and external partners. Additionally, the Act requires HHS to develop and maintain a clear risk communication strategy focused on accurately informing and prioritizing vulnerable populations during health crises. The Inspector General will oversee the effectiveness of these new review processes.

The "Securing our Radioactive Materials Act" mandates the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to enhance the security of radioactive materials. This includes considering socioeconomic factors in security decisions and immediately improving the tracking and verification processes for category 3 radioactive sources and licenses. The NRC is required to update its guidelines and regulations within a year to implement these changes.

The PURE Water Act introduces a tax credit for individuals who install certified water filters in their homes. This credit covers a percentage of the costs for filters that remove at least 90% of lead, PFAS, and PFOA from drinking water in primary and secondary residences, with a maximum credit of $2,500 annually. Unused credits can be carried forward, but the property's value increase is reduced by the credit amount received. This act aims to encourage the adoption of water filtration systems, ensuring safer drinking water for households.

This bill expresses support for the people of Puerto Rico and urges the federal government to expedite the rebuilding of its electrical grid. It highlights the frequent power outages, unreliable service, and high energy costs impacting over 3 million American citizens. The bill calls for swift action from the President and federal agencies to address the electric grid crisis and build a stronger, more resilient system. It also acknowledges the slow progress of recovery efforts despite billions of dollars allocated by Congress.