Legislative Activity

This bill, the Improving SBA Engagement on Employee Ownership Act, aims to strengthen the Small Business Administration's (SBA) involvement in employee ownership. It mandates the SBA Administrator to participate in relevant federal working groups and expands outreach efforts to investors in small business investment companies. Furthermore, it requires the SBA to implement enhanced outreach and assistance specifically for employee-owned businesses.

The Restoring Food Security for American Families and Farmers Act of 2025 aims to strengthen domestic food security by repealing specific sections of a prior reconciliation act. This action effectively revives the original laws that were previously amended by the repealed provisions. The bill seeks to revert existing agricultural and food-related statutes to their pre-amendment status.

This bill officially designates the United States Postal Service facility at 2200 South Salina Street in Syracuse, New York, as the "Wallie Howard Jr. Post Office Building." This renaming standardizes all future references to the building across federal documents and records.

This bill, the International Human Rights Defense Act of 2025, establishes a permanent Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBTQI+ Peoples within the Department of State. It codifies U.S. policy to actively combat international criminalization, violence, and discrimination against LGBTQI+ individuals worldwide. The legislation also mandates enhanced reporting on these abuses in annual human rights reports and authorizes assistance to support related protection efforts abroad.

This resolution expresses the sense of Congress that the United States officially recognizes the State of Israel has committed genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza. It details extensive evidence supporting this finding, including mass casualties, systematic destruction of infrastructure, and severe humanitarian crisis. Consequently, the bill calls for the immediate halt of all U.S. military and financial assistance to Israel until compliance with international court orders is verified. Furthermore, it demands the U.S. use its leverage to support international investigations and ensure robust funding for humanitarian aid through UNRWA.

This Act mandates the inclusion of Puerto Rico in the annual National Survey on Drug Use and Health, starting in fiscal year 2026. This ensures that vital substance use and health data is collected specifically for the territory.

The Keep SNAP and WIC Funded Act of 2025 ensures that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) continue to operate without interruption in fiscal year 2026 if standard appropriations are delayed. If funding lapses, the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to use funds from the Treasury to provide benefits and reimburse state agencies. This special funding remains in effect until full appropriations are enacted or until September 30, 2026.

The Stop Excessive Force in Immigration Act of 2025 establishes strict new standards for the use of non-deadly force by federal immigration personnel, requiring proportionality and de-escalation efforts. The bill mandates identification requirements, restricts the use of certain crowd-control equipment, and imposes new body camera and detailed reporting mandates. Furthermore, it creates affirmative duties for officers to intervene against excessive force and requires annual training on these new policies.

This resolution designates October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month to highlight the widespread and devastating impact of intimate partner violence across all demographics. It recognizes the urgent need to eliminate domestic violence and supports increased funding for intervention and prevention programs. The resolution underscores the severe physical, emotional, and economic toll this abuse takes on individuals, families, and communities.

The GRAD Act ensures that students maintain their current enrollment status during a government shutdown, even if federal student aid is temporarily disrupted. This legislation prevents educational institutions from penalizing students by changing their enrollment status due to funding lapses. Essentially, it protects students from negative academic consequences caused by federal funding interruptions.

This resolution officially recognizes the annual celebration of Día de los Muertos in the United States, honoring its rich cultural significance and traditions of remembrance. It connects the spirit of honoring ancestors to the need for compassion and accountability regarding lives lost in immigration detention. The bill urges federal agencies to protect the dignity and rights of individuals in custody, especially during culturally significant times. Ultimately, it calls for honoring human dignity through remembrance and ensuring humane treatment for all.

The Halting Education Loan Payments during Federal Employment Disruptions Act (HELP FEDs Act) provides immediate relief for federal employees experiencing involuntary pay disruptions, such as government shutdowns. This bill halts interest accrual and prevents penalties or negative credit reporting on qualified federal student loans during these periods of missed pay. The protections apply retroactively to disruptions occurring on or after October 1, 2025, but the Act does not forgive any underlying loan debt.

The Head Start Shutdown Protection Act of 2025 ensures that states, local governments, or school districts are reimbursed for any of their own funds used to keep Head Start and Early Head Start programs operational during a lapse in federal appropriations. This legislation protects these vital early childhood education services from disruption caused by government shutdowns. By guaranteeing reimbursement, the Act encourages local entities to maintain program continuity without bearing the financial burden.

The Every Child Deserves a Head Start Act of 2025 aims to solidify the foundational support for the Head Start program, recognizing its vital role in early childhood development. This bill permanently establishes the structure and staffing levels of the Office of Head Start, including its 12 regional offices, as they existed before January 20, 2025. The legislation strictly limits the Secretary of Health and Human Services from altering this established structure or reducing staff without specific Congressional notification procedures. Ultimately, the Act ensures the consistent delivery of essential educational and support services to eligible children and families nationwide.

The New York-New Jersey Watershed Protection Act of 2025 establishes a new program to coordinate the restoration and protection of fish and wildlife habitats across the New York-New Jersey Watershed. This legislation creates a competitive grant program to fund local restoration projects, with special consideration for communities facing environmental injustice. The Act authorizes $20 million annually through fiscal year 2031 to support these science-based conservation efforts.

The WIC Benefits Protection Act mandates that all states must operate the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). This legislation also guarantees permanent, mandatory funding for WIC starting in fiscal year 2026, ensuring the program has the necessary resources annually. Furthermore, it clarifies eligibility language within the program's governing statute.

This bill ensures that states are reimbursed by the Federal Government for any state funds they use to maintain essential operations of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) during a lapse in federal appropriations. It provides a mechanism for the Federal Government to pay back states that cover WIC costs during a government shutdown. This protects state budgets while keeping vital nutrition assistance running.

This resolution officially designates October 8, 2025, as Latina Equal Pay Day to highlight the significant wage disparity faced by Latina workers. It recognizes that Latinas currently earn only about 58 cents for every dollar earned by White, non-Hispanic men, resulting in substantial lifetime earnings loss. The bill calls attention to systemic factors like workplace policies and harassment that contribute to this ongoing economic injustice. Ultimately, Congress reaffirms its commitment to achieving pay equity for all women.

The Stop the Trump Electricity Price Hikes Act immediately reinstates financial assistance awards previously canceled by the Department of Energy (DOE). This action specifically reverses cancellations based on the May 15, 2025 Secretarial Memorandum. The bill ensures these awards continue as if they had never been terminated.

The Emergency Relief for Federal Workers Act of 2025 provides financial relief to federal employees affected by government shutdowns. This bill waives the 10% early withdrawal penalty on Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) distributions up to $30,000 during a qualifying shutdown. Additionally, it allows affected employees greater access to TSP hardship withdrawals and loans, and prevents missed TSP loan payments due to a shutdown from being treated as a taxable distribution.