Legislative Activity

The HOME Investment Partnerships Reauthorization and Improvement Act of 2025 reauthorizes and reforms the HOME Investment Partnerships Program to provide affordable housing by allocating funding, modifying qualification thresholds, and streamlining processes for participating jurisdictions. It modifies affordable housing qualifications, eliminates deadlines for committing funds, reforms homeownership resale restrictions, requires on-site inspections of home properties, and establishes a home loan guarantee program. The bill also refines the processes for community housing development organizations to better serve low- and moderate-income individuals, and makes technical corrections to fix errors and modernize the language in the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act. These changes aim to increase the availability of affordable housing options, improve living conditions, and ensure efficient use of government funds.

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 "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.

The "Protect Our Probationary Employees Act" allows federal employees who were involuntarily separated from service between January 20, 2025, and January 20, 2029, to resume their probationary period if reappointed to a similar position in their former agency. The resumed probationary period will only last the duration of the original probationary period. This provision terminates on January 20, 2029.

The American Teacher Act aims to address teacher shortages and improve teacher compensation by establishing grants for states to increase teacher salaries, with the goal of ensuring a minimum annual salary of $60,000 for full-time teachers at qualifying schools, adjusted for inflation. The Act also allows for a national campaign to raise awareness of the value of the teaching profession and clarifies that the Act does not alter existing employee rights or agreements. Finally, the Act defines key terms and authorizes necessary appropriations for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to implement the grants and awareness campaign.

The Delphi Retirees Pension Restoration Act aims to restore the full pension benefits to eligible participants and beneficiaries under specific terminated pension plans, such as the Delphi Hourly-Rate Employees Pension Plan. It mandates the recalculation of benefits to match the full vested plan benefit, provides for lump-sum payments to cover past underpayments with interest, and funds these increased benefits through existing resources. The bill also includes provisions for the tax treatment of these payments, allowing recipients to spread the income over three years.

The Children's Health Insurance Program Permanency Act (CHIPP Act) permanently extends funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and other related programs. It also makes permanent several programs and demonstration projects under the Social Security Act, such as the Pediatric Quality Measures Program and the Express Lane Eligibility Option. Additionally, the act provides states with the option to increase children's eligibility for Medicaid and CHIP by allowing them to cover children whose family income exceeds the state's current maximum income level.

The Congressional Trade Authority Act of 2025 amends Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, redefining national security and shifting the investigation of import threats to the Secretary of Defense. It mandates congressional approval for presidential actions adjusting imports based on national security concerns, requiring a joint resolution of approval within 60 days. The Act also establishes a process for businesses to request exclusions from import restrictions and includes a sunset provision for presidential actions, requiring reevaluation and potential renewal after three years. Finally, the Act requires rates of duty to revert to their pre-modification rate 75 days after the enactment of this Act.

The DELIVER Act of 2025 increases the standard mileage rate for delivering meals to elderly, disabled, frail, and at-risk individuals. This adjustment aligns the rate with the standard mileage rate used for business and medical expenses, providing volunteers with increased reimbursement for their services. This change aims to encourage volunteer engagement and support programs that deliver meals to vulnerable populations.

The "Mamas and Babies in Underserved Communities Act of 2025" aims to improve maternal health outcomes and reduce disparities in underserved communities by providing grants to healthcare providers. These grants will support the expansion and enhancement of maternal health services, including prenatal, postnatal care for infants, and postpartum care for mothers. Priority is given to entities serving minority, low-income, or medically underserved areas, particularly those led by community members. The act allocates necessary funds from 2026 to 2030 to facilitate these improvements.

The Helping Emergency Responders Overcome (HERO) Act aims to support the mental health and well-being of public safety officers, healthcare providers, firefighters, and EMS personnel. It establishes a national data system to track suicide incidence among public safety officers, authorizes grants for peer-support behavioral health programs within fire departments, EMS agencies, and healthcare facilities, and directs the development of educational resources for mental health professionals and best practices for addressing PTSD in public safety officers. The Act seeks to improve access to mental health services and reduce the stigma associated with seeking help in these high-stress professions. It also ensures the confidentiality and anonymity of those seeking help.

The "Protect Social Security and Medicare Act" mandates a supermajority vote in Congress to pass any legislation that cuts benefits managed by the Social Security Administration or the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. This requirement aims to safeguard Social Security and Medicare benefits from being easily reduced. An exception is provided for Medicare Advantage plan payment reductions if offset by equal or greater increases in other Medicare benefits. The Social Security Administration's Chief Actuary Office is designated as the sole authority to determine if a proposed bill would reduce Social Security benefits.

The "Do No Harm Act" amends the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 to ensure religious freedom is not used to justify discrimination or harm. It clarifies that the Act does not override federal laws protecting against discrimination, ensuring equal opportunity, or safeguarding access to healthcare and other essential services. This amendment confirms that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act applies only when the government is a party in a judicial proceeding.

The James Earl Jones Congressional Gold Medal Act directs the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the posthumous presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to James Earl Jones, honoring his contributions to the United States and his work promoting inclusion in film and theatre. The Secretary of the Treasury will create the gold medal, and bronze duplicates will be made available for sale to the public.

The "No Invading Allies Act" restricts the President from using the U.S. Armed Forces to invade or seize territory from Canada, Panama, and Greenland without congressional authorization, a declaration of war, or a national emergency. It reinforces the U.S. commitment to international order, alliances, and opposition to territorial aggression. The Act also limits the use of funds for military actions in these countries without proper authorization or in the absence of a national emergency, with specific time constraints during such emergencies. This law does not alter existing constitutional powers, treaties, or previously approved activities.

The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2025 amends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to address vote dilution, denial, and abridgment claims, and to update which states and political subdivisions are subject to federal oversight based on a history of voting rights violations. It broadens the types of violations that allow a court to retain jurisdiction over a case, clarifies the Attorney General's authority to assign observers, and ensures transparency in voting-related changes. The Act also authorizes the Attorney General to demand documents and information to enforce voting rights and provides grants to small jurisdictions to assist with notification requirements.

This bill expresses support for designating March 6, 2025, as "Great Lakes Day" to recognize the environmental and economic importance of the Great Lakes region. It highlights the Great Lakes' significance as a vital freshwater resource, economic driver, and ancestral home to Native American Tribes. The bill also supports initiatives like the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and encourages efforts to protect Lake St. Clair. Ultimately, it aims to raise awareness about the need to preserve and protect the Great Lakes for future generations.

The Plain Language in Contracting Act requires federal agencies to ensure that notices to small businesses are clear, concise, and easily understandable, using plain language best practices. It directs the Small Business Administration to issue rules for implementation within 90 days. The act specifies that no additional funds will be allocated for these changes.

This bill, the Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2025, seeks to amend the National Labor Relations Act and other labor laws to strengthen protections for workers' rights to organize and collectively bargain. It aims to modernize labor regulations by clarifying definitions, addressing unfair labor practices, enhancing enforcement, and increasing transparency in labor-management relations. The bill introduces measures such as electronic voting in union elections, strengthens whistleblower protections, and mandates studies on collective bargaining practices. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure fair treatment of workers and promote equitable labor practices.

The MERIT Act requires federal agencies to reinstate probationary employees who were terminated as part of a mass termination event between January 20, 2025, and the Act's enactment date, providing them with back pay and benefits. The Act also mandates reports on government employee terminations and the reinstatement process. It defines key terms such as "affected probationary employee" and "mass termination" to clarify the scope and applicability of the Act. This act ensures that affected employees are treated as involuntarily separated without cause and outlines the process for determining back pay and providing notice to eligible employees.