Legislative Activity

This bill recognizes May as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, celebrating the significant contributions of these communities to the history and diversity of the United States. It acknowledges key milestones and the ongoing importance of these groups in various sectors, while also addressing historical discrimination and recent legislative efforts to combat hate crimes.

The DEFENSE Act allows the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Attorney General to authorize state and local law enforcement to use drone countermeasures at specific protected events. Law enforcement must complete required training and use approved equipment for drone detection, identification, and monitoring. The use of drone countermeasures will be overseen by various federal departments and agencies.

This bill expresses support for Wildfire Preparedness Week, a national event focused on educating the public on fire safety and preparedness. It highlights the significant impact of wildfires in the United States, including the acres burned and the need for preventative measures. The bill supports resources and educational programs that teach communities to prevent wildfires through early warning systems, reducing human-caused ignitions, and safe evacuation practices for people and animals. It also commits to providing financial support to communities affected by catastrophic firestorms.

This bill designates May 5-9, 2025, as "Teacher Appreciation Week," recognizing the contributions of public school teachers and their support for various educational initiatives. It acknowledges teachers' dedication to improving education through innovative methods and emphasizes the importance of their involvement in shaping education policies. The bill encourages leaders to engage with teachers, ensuring their insights are included in classroom policies.

The Reduction in Force Review Act requires federal agencies to provide detailed justifications to Congress for any planned workforce reductions. These justifications must include the reasons for the reduction, its impact on employees and operations (including veterans), considered alternatives, and summaries of consultations with employees. The bill also broadens the definition of "rule" to include significant agency actions like workforce restructuring or office closures that affect employees.

The "Stop Subsidizing Multimillion Dollar Corporate Bonuses Act" modifies Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, broadening the definition of "covered individual" to include more employees and modifying the definition of "publicly held corporation." This change prevents companies from deducting excessive employee remuneration, applying to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024. The Secretary is authorized to issue regulations and guidance to implement these changes and prevent companies from avoiding the rules.

The Public Service Worker Protection Act amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to include state, federal, and local governments as employers, thereby extending OSHA protections to public service workers. This change ensures that public employees receive the same workplace safety standards and protections as those in the private sector. The Act will take effect 90 days after enactment for most entities, and 36 months after enactment for states without an approved state plan.

This resolution acknowledges the 50th anniversary of Black April and the Fall of Saigon, honoring the Vietnamese American community's contributions to the U.S. and their pursuit of freedom and democracy. It recognizes the sacrifices of the South Vietnamese and U.S. militaries during the Vietnam War, while reaffirming the U.S. commitment to human rights and freedom for all, including in Vietnam. The resolution encourages Americans to remember Black April and celebrate the Vietnamese American community.

This bill expresses support for designating April 30, 2025, as "National Adult Hepatitis B Vaccination Awareness Day" to raise awareness about the importance of hepatitis B vaccination for adults. It recognizes the significant health risks associated with hepatitis B, the low vaccination rates among adults, and the availability of safe and effective vaccines. The bill encourages increased testing, vaccination, and access to care for those affected by hepatitis B, and promotes efforts to reduce new infections and deaths.

The "Women and Underrepresented Minorities in STEM Booster Act of 2025" establishes a grant program within the National Science Foundation (NSF) to increase the participation of women, underrepresented minorities (including LGBTQ+ individuals and those with disabilities) in STEM fields. These grants will fund various activities such as workshops, mentoring, internships, and outreach programs. The bill allocates \$15 million annually from 2026 to 2030 to support this initiative.

The "RESEARCHER Act" aims to improve the financial stability of graduate and postdoctoral researchers by directing federal research agencies to develop and implement policies that address issues such as low stipends, healthcare access, housing affordability, food insecurity, and family care costs. It mandates the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to create policy guidelines, requires federal agencies to align with these guidelines, and orders data collection and studies to assess and address financial instability among these researchers. Additionally, the Act requires regular reporting to Congress on the implementation and effectiveness of these measures.

This resolution condemns North Korea's abduction of Japanese citizens since the 1970s and demands the release of all abductees, the return of deceased remains, and an apology with a permanent cessation of abduction activities. It emphasizes the importance of liberty and freedom, urging North Korea to provide restitution and fully account for all abductees.

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 Arctic Refuge Protection Act seeks to reinstate protections for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge by repealing the 2017 law that opened the area to oil and gas development. It further designates approximately 1.5 million acres of the Refuge as wilderness, ensuring its preservation under the National Wilderness Preservation System. This area will be managed by the Secretary of the Interior in accordance with the Wilderness Act.

This resolution expresses support for honoring Earth Day and its role in promoting environmental awareness and action. It recognizes the historical impact of Earth Day on environmental protection and highlights ongoing challenges like climate change. The resolution urges continued action, referencing recent legislation and emphasizing the need to address environmental injustices and promote environmental literacy. It also encourages the President to issue a proclamation recognizing Earth Day and urges Americans to observe it through various environmental activities.

The All-Americans Tax Relief Act of 2025 aims to provide tax relief to individuals and families through various provisions. Key changes include expanding the earned income tax credit and child tax credit, allowing deductions for medical, daycare, commuting, and tutoring expenses, and permitting the exclusion of interest payments on credit card debt and rent payments. The act also increases the capital gains rate and modifies rules regarding the exclusion of discharged debt from income. These provisions are set to take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2026.

Recognizes the crucial role of linemen in maintaining the nation's energy infrastructure and public safety. It also supports designating April 18, 2025, as National Lineman Appreciation Day to honor their contributions and dangerous work.

The "Mortgage Relief for Disaster Survivors Act" allows homeowners with federally backed mortgages who have property damage from a declared disaster to request a forbearance on their mortgage for up to 180 days, with a possible extension of another 180 days. During this forbearance period, no fees, penalties, or interest will accrue. Borrowers must submit a written request and documentation of damage to their loan servicer to qualify. This act aims to provide financial relief to disaster survivors by temporarily suspending mortgage payments.

The "Maritime Fuel Tax Parity Act" amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend an excise tax exemption to certain vessels engaged in trade between Atlantic or Pacific ports of the United States. This exemption applies to alternative fuels used by these vessels, promoting fair fuel tax treatment across different trade routes. The change is effective for sales after December 31, 2023.

The Clean Ocean and Safe Tourism Anti-Drilling Act of 2025 prohibits the Department of Interior from issuing leases for oil, natural gas, or mineral exploration in the North Atlantic, Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic, and Straits of Florida planning areas of the Outer Continental Shelf. This bill aims to protect coastal economies and marine environments by preventing offshore drilling in these specified regions.