Legislative Activity

The Paycheck Fairness Act aims to strengthen and enhance enforcement of equal pay requirements by redefining "sex," modifying the "bona fide factor" defense for pay disparities, broadening the definition of "same establishment," strengthening non-retaliation protections, and enhancing penalties for employers who violate equal pay provisions. The Act also requires training programs, research, education, and outreach initiatives to eliminate pay disparities, and establishes a National Award for Pay Equity in the Workplace. Additionally, the Act directs the EEOC to collect compensation data, reinstates pay equity programs, prohibits the use of wage history in determining salary, and establishes a National Equal Pay Enforcement Task Force to improve compliance and enforcement of equal pay laws.

This resolution recognizes the significant gender pay gap, where women earn less than men for comparable work, and highlights the economic impact this disparity has on women, families, and the nation. It also acknowledges the disproportionate effect on women of color. The resolution reaffirms the commitment to achieving equal pay and reducing the gender wage gap.

The "Children's Health Protection Act of 2025" codifies and enhances the EPA's Office of Children's Health Protection and the Children's Health Protection Advisory Committee. It ensures the EPA prioritizes the identification, assessment, and reduction of environmental health and safety risks to children, including issues of environmental justice. The Act directs the EPA to coordinate federal efforts, conduct research, and promote community programs aimed at protecting children's health from environmental hazards. It also authorizes specific appropriations for these activities through 2030.

This bill validates the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) as a valid part of the U.S. Constitution. It asserts that the ERA has been ratified by the required number of states, regardless of any previously set time limits.

This resolution urges Congress and the administration to work together to address the decline in U.S. food and agricultural exports by expanding market access, reducing trade barriers, and supporting domestic trade promotion programs. It emphasizes the importance of trade agreements and the enforcement of existing commitments to ensure global competitiveness for U.S. farmers and ranchers. The resolution seeks a global trading system grounded in scientific principles to bolster the U.S. agricultural sector.

This resolution expresses support for designating March 18, 2025, as "National Agriculture Day." It recognizes and celebrates the significant impact of agriculture as a leading industry in the United States.

The "Independent Programmers Tax Incentive Act" introduces a tax credit for eligible video distributors who carry independent programmers, aiming to support diversity in media. This credit covers a portion of license fees paid to qualified independent programmers, with caps based on subscriber numbers. The FCC is required to report biennially to Congress on the state of independent programming and how to further support it.

The Keep the Watchdogs Running Act ensures Inspectors General can continue operations during government shutdowns. It allows them to use funds, up to the level of their last appropriation, even when Congress hasn't passed a budget. This maintains oversight and prevents disruption of critical watchdog functions.

The "Feed Hungry Veterans Act of 2025" amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, expanding SNAP eligibility for disabled veterans. It includes veterans with a 60% or higher disability rating, those with multiple disabilities totaling 70% or higher with one at 40%, those catastrophically disabled, and those under 65 receiving certain pensions. These changes will take effect on October 1, 2030.

The "Lowering Egg Prices Act of 2025" aims to reduce egg prices by modifying regulations for surplus broiler hatching eggs. It exempts these eggs, when sold to egg breakers, from certain holding temperature regulations, allowing them to be processed into liquid egg products. The Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, is required to revise relevant regulations to facilitate this process. This adjustment is intended to increase the supply of eggs available for processing, thereby lowering costs for consumers.

The "Safe Vehicle Access for Survivors Act" protects survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking by requiring vehicle manufacturers to terminate an abuser's access to connected vehicle services upon request from the survivor. This ensures that abusers cannot use vehicle technology to track, control, or otherwise harm survivors. The Act mandates confidentiality and quick action by providers, while also providing them with liability protection. The Federal Communications Commission is tasked with creating rules to implement the Act, ensuring survivor safety and privacy.

This bill recognizes and celebrates the 100th anniversary of Delta Air Lines, acknowledging its historical significance as the first U.S. airline to reach this milestone. It highlights Delta's growth, global connectivity, commitment to community, and industry leadership.

The Major Richard Star Act allows eligible combat-disabled veterans to receive both their retirement pay and disability compensation. This eliminates the previous offset that reduced retirement pay for those receiving disability compensation. The changes apply to payments beginning the month after enactment.

The PATHS Act extends a pilot program to support research and development for homeland security technologies until 2028. It requires congressional notification for AI-related transactions and lowers the contract award threshold for program applicability. Formally, the bill is called the "Producing Advanced Technologies for Homeland Security Act" or the "PATHS Act."

The "Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act" eliminates the waiting periods for Social Security disability benefits and Medicare coverage for individuals with metastatic breast cancer. This bill amends the Social Security Act to expedite access to disability insurance benefits and Medicare coverage for those with metastatic breast cancer, ensuring quicker access to essential care and support.

**American Housing and Economic Mobility Act of 2025:** This bill aims to increase housing affordability by incentivizing affordable housing construction, boosting funding for housing programs, and prioritizing homeownership. It seeks to reverse the legacy of housing discrimination by providing down payment assistance, revitalizing communities, and strengthening fair lending practices. The bill also broadens protections against housing discrimination and updates housing assistance programs to help families access better neighborhoods, while reforming estate and gift tax laws and increasing accessibility requirements for individuals with disabilities in HUD-funded housing projects.

The "Rights for the Transportation Security Administration Workforce Act" mandates the transition of TSA personnel management systems to align with Title 5 of the U.S. Code, ensuring TSA employees receive similar rights and protections as other federal employees, including collective bargaining rights. It protects current pay and benefits during the transition, requires consultation with employee representatives, and addresses concerns related to employee well-being, safety, and diversity. The Act also calls for reports and plans to improve recruitment, address workplace harassment, and update background check requirements.

The Stop Comstock Act seeks to revise Title 18 of the U.S. Code and the Tariff Act of 1930, narrowing the scope of prohibited materials that cannot be sent through the mail or interstate commerce to only obscene materials, thus removing restrictions related to abortion and contraception. This bill aims to repeal sections of the Comstock Act, an 1873 law that criminalized the dissemination of certain materials through the mail. By amending these laws, the bill intends to clarify and limit the federal government's power to regulate the distribution of materials deemed to be obscene.

The "Caring for Survivors Act of 2025" increases dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses of veterans. It changes the calculation of benefits to be based on 55 percent of a specified monthly compensation rate and includes a provision to ensure those receiving benefits based on a veteran's death before January 1, 1993, receive the greater of their current amount or the newly calculated amount. The Act also modifies the requirements for survivor benefits related to veterans who die while having a total disability rating, reducing the required period of disability from 10 to 5 years, and proportionally reducing benefits for those rated totally disabled for less than 10 years.

The "Access to Family Building Act" establishes a federal right for individuals to access assisted reproductive technology (ART) services and for healthcare providers to offer these services, free from undue restrictions. It allows the Attorney General and affected individuals to file lawsuits against those who limit ART access and permits states to enforce health and safety regulations that are the least restrictive means to ensure safety. The act overrides conflicting federal and state laws, ensuring its provisions are upheld, and requires the Department of Health and Human Services to issue regulations for implementation.